Problems · NHTSA complaints

2024 Subaru Forester problems

Owners filed 31 complaints about the 2024 Subaru Forester with NHTSA between Jan 2024 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (7).

Complaints
31
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags7
  2. Forward collision avoidance5
  3. Visibility/wiper5
  4. Structure2
  5. Exterior lighting2
  6. Wheels1
  7. Engine1
  8. Lane departure1
  9. Tires1
  10. Vehicle speed control1
  11. Service brakes1
  12. Back over prevention1
  13. Electrical system1
  14. Steering1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202413
202510
20268

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

7 reports1 crash1 fire
“While driving my grandbaby home I was unable to avoid hitting a deer when it ran into the road. Neither the automatic braking nor the airbags deployed when I hit the deer at the front left side. It destroyed the headlight and damaged the fender and quarterpanel lightly and slightly bent the hood. I was able to pull over safely. When I got out to look at the damage, I could not open the hood but I could see a small flame on the passsenger side of the engine (this would be on the other side of the engine from where I hit the deer.) I grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back of my car but could not get the fire out. I got my grandbaby out safely at that point. Another driver stopped and tried to get the fire out with his fire extinguisher but to no avail. We called 911 and the fire department promptly got there. By then the entire car was in flames. The fire dept put out the car and nearby weeds that were burning. Besides the safety equipment not working, what concerns me most is that a minor accident caused the entire car to become engulfed in flames within 3-4 minutes. I had enough time to get myself and my grandson out but not his carseat base or diaperbag.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2026Air bags, Structure, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11757169

Forward collision avoidance

5 reports2 crashes1 fire
“I am writing to formally request that the NTSB investigate an apparent defect in the EyeSight driver assistance system installed on the 2024 Subaru Forester. I have experienced repeated instances of unreliable and unsafe behavior, including unexpected alerts and the EyeSight system disengaging on multiple occasions, including during periods of bad weather. These issues occur in situations where the vehicle should continue to function normally and create a significant safety concern for drivers, passengers, and other road users. Given EyeSight’s role in collision avoidance and driver assistance, any defect poses an elevated risk of accidents. I believe this issue may be systemic rather than isolated and warrants independent review. I respectfully request that the NTSB investigate this matter and determine whether further action is necessary.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11733185

Visibility/wiper

5 reports
“On 6/10/2025 noticed a small crack on the left side drivers windshield when getting ready to go to work. Nothing hit it that I know of, it just appeared one afternoon. Since then the crack has been growing and blocking drivers view. This is 2024 Subaru Forester. There is a won lawsuit for Subaru windshields doing similar thing on 2019-2022 models.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2025Visibility/wiperODI 11668431

Structure

2 reports1 crash1 fire
“I opened the back hatch of my 2024 Subaru Forester to retrieve an item. I then pressed the button to close the hatch. It was an extremely windy day and right when I pressed the button to close the hatch an empty grocery bag blew out of the car. I caught it and shoved it back into the car. The hatch was closing at the time and it struck me on the head. I contacted a local Subaru dealer and Subaru corporate to confirm that the hatch was supposed to stop and reverse when encountering an obstruction. It did not. I have been suffering from a severe headache since this happened a week ago. I will be taking my car in to have it repaired as well as seeing a doctor since my headache has not resolved. Please investigate and ensure this safety issue is corrected by Subaru.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2025StructureODI 11647168

Exterior lighting

2 reports
“When the daytime running lights are on in normal conditions, the instrument panel little green headlight indicator does not illuminate. But in low light conditions such as the thunderstorms we get here in Florida very often, or at dusk as the ambient light starts to lessen, the instrument panel headlight indicator will illuminate if the daytime running lights are on and only they are on. So, I have witnessed drivers many times past dusk, in nighttime conditions driving with no taillights, no side running lights, and no headlights, just low intensity daytime running lights apparently thinking their headlights were turned on. I dismissed it as forgetful drivers or "old age" until it happened to me! The scenario was my headlights were not on automatic setting, it was late in the afternoon but decent light so I did not turn on my headlights on manually. Then on the 20-30 minute drive home clouds rolled in and it darkened substantially. The headlight indicator illuminated because the daytime running lights were on, leading me to think I had turned my headlights on as well. I had not, and I had driven almost 20 minutes with no tail lights or running lights in full…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11614696

Wheels

1 report
“The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after the rear driver’s side tire became flat, the temporary spare tire was mounted to the vehicle, and the vehicle was driven to the local auto service center. While the mechanic was attempting to mount the wheel to the vehicle, the lug nuts sheared off, and the contact was unable to be tightened to secure the wheel. The contact was informed of the failure, and the lug nuts were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026WheelsODI 11770051
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.