2024 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2024 Subaru Forester ranks 17th of 21 model years with a complaint index of 20 and a Best verdict. It has 29 complaints, 2 recalls (driveshaft and engine water pipe), and no do-not-drive orders.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 Forester years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 29
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 25.5 city / 30.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2024 Subaru Forester problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other9 (31%)
- Airbags7 (24%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (17%)
- Electrical System2 (7%)
- Engine2 (7%)
- Structure & Body2 (7%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
- Lane Departure1 (3%)
- Steering1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger airbag warning light stays off for smaller adults, so the airbag reads as inoperable even after dealer inspection.
- Automatic braking and airbags reportedly failed to activate during a deer-strike collision.
- Backup camera lost its picture after the vehicle was washed, leaving no rearview image while backing up.
- Steering wheel pulled to the right and power steering assist reportedly cut out at low mileage (5,000 miles).
- Windshield cracked near the bottom heating element with no impact, recurring after a prior replacement.
- Power rear hatch reportedly kept closing on its own and struck an owner even after being pushed back open.
2024 Subaru Forester recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V754000Nov 9, 2023Transmission & Powertrain4,701 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
- NHTSA 23V723000Oct 26, 2023Engine49 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.
Risk: Leaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SubaruÂs independent distributor processing facilities will tighten the water pipe attachment bolts. The affected vehicles have not been delivered to dealers or sold to owners and therefore, no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRO-23.
2024 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25.5 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,375
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2024 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2024 Subaru Forester reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2024 Forester has a complaint index of 20, the second-lowest among the 21 model years covered, and carries a Best verdict relative to other Forester years.
- What problems does the 2024 Subaru Forester have?
- NHTSA complaints center on airbags (24% of complaints, including passenger sensing issues), collision avoidance and camera glitches (17%), and visibility/wiper issues like windshield cracking (17%).
- Does the 2024 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- Yes, two recalls: one for front driveshaft outer races that may crack (campaign 23V754000) and one for engine water pipe bolts that may loosen and leak coolant (campaign 23V723000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2024 Forester compare to other years?
- It ranks 17th worst out of 21 years tracked, with far fewer complaints (29) than higher-complaint years like 2019 (833 complaints, complaint index 100, Avoid verdict).
- What is the top complaint area for the 2024 Forester?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 7 of 29 complaints (24%), including one crash and one fire.