The 2024 Subaru Forester exhibits notable reliability concerns primarily associated with the engine and powertrain components. The presence of recalls addressing coolant leaks and potential driveshaft failures, compounded by an alarming average failure mileage of just 5000 miles, warrants careful consideration.
Key Factor:Engine and drivetrain issues
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (2) than the average SUBARU vehicle (1.3). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
2 recalls for this vehicle1.3 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
📋Why This Matters
The defects identified in the 2024 Subaru Forester are significant as they impact critical vehicle systems. The engine water pipe issue could lead to coolant leaks, risking engine overheating—a situation that can quickly escalate into major engine damage. Furthermore, the driveshaft cracks could compromise drivability and safety, making these recalls particularly concerning for prospective buyers. Addressing these problems early through service history checks can prevent costly repairs down the line.
In a highly competitive segment where reliability is paramount, Subaru's reputation hinges on delivering vehicles that promise durability and safety. While past models have often excelled in these areas, the current year’s recalls reflect emerging risks that buyers should not overlook. A thorough review of service history focusing on these recall issues will be essential for peace of mind and future resale value.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Warning
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Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.3)
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Summary: Year-over-year, Subaru has maintained a solid standing in reliability; however, the 2024 model shows an unexpected uptick in significant mechanical issues that may detract from this reputation. Given the current data concerning active recalls and complaints, this year's model presents a risk profile that is worse than typically anticipated for a new vehicle.
Safety & Reliability Score
83/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-1.15
Investigation Impact-0
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2024 SUBARU Forester
Model Year2024
MakeSUBARU
ModelForester
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Sep23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan24
NEWProduction
Jan24
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan24
ISSUEFirst Report
Consumer Complaint Analysis
⚠️
Most Reported Issue
7 complaints (30% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
✅
Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 23 consumer complaints by severity level.
🟠High
1(4%)
🟡Medium
5(22%)
🟢Low
17(74%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
⚙️Engineering Insight
The peak failure range of 0-20k miles indicates that owners of the 2024 Forester may experience critical issues early in their ownership experience—possibly even within the first few months. This is especially concerning given the average failure mileage of just 5000 miles; proactive monitoring is essential to catch problems before they escalate.
📊 Mileage data extracted from 1 of 23 complaints (4% coverage)
0-20k
1 reports (100%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGPOWER TRAIN
🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Engine Water Pipe
Issue: Loose attachment bolts may cause coolant leaks.
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Monitor coolant levels regularly and check for signs of leakage.
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Request detailed service records documenting any repairs related to coolant systems.
2
Driveshaft Assembly
Issue: Potential outer race cracks can lead to driveline failure.
✅
Inspect driveshaft integrity during routine maintenance checks.
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Verify if the driveshaft has been inspected or replaced as part of recall remediation.
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your SUBARU dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (2)
Campaign: 23V723000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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Summary
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.
Consequence
Leaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Subarus 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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 23V754000
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
0 investigations
✓
No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer Complaints
23 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2024 Forester.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Warning30%
Crack22%
Accident9%
Shatter9%
Safety Systems🔶 Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
The eyesight system fails on almost a daily basis. When this happens, multiple safety features shutdown. Lane assist and departure warning stops working. Collision avoidance stops working. Cruise control stops working. Proximity warning alarms stop going off. The local dealership has repeatedly just indicated that this is how it works.
Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The driver side mirror is distorted. It is not only dizzying but I believe it to be a safety hazard. I have taken it into the dealership many times. They agree that it is distorted but stated that it is no different than other of that style. I have looked in the 2025 model and it does not have the same distortion. I feel that this makes the car dangerous to drive.
Safety Systems🔵 Low
AIR BAGS
The passenager airbag on won't activate at the 88lb weight per local Subaru of Gallatin dealership where I purchased the car from. They did a test with 88lbs in another Subaru vehicle and the passenger airbag on activated but won't activate on in the 2024 Subaru Forester. The local dealership stated that the airbag sensor is off by 10lbs in the vehicle I have. I have asked the dealership to address this issue three times. The third time they stated that Subrau is aware of the issue but there is no current solution.
Visibility🔵 Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
Visibility🔵 Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield cracked during rainstorm [XXX] in San Diego in upper right corner, After 3 days crack appeared which has now spread to 4 inches Dealer has confirmed that winsheild needs reapir and is not covered by bumper to bumber warranty Vehicle only has mileage of 7900 since delivery Estimated cost of replacement $1400 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Body/Interior🔶 Medium
STRUCTURE
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.
Visibility🔵 Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield cracked in same exact spot on bottom of windshield with no point of impact while sitting in our garage. Looks like it started at heating element. Our windshield was replaced for this same reason 2 months ago
Other🔶 Medium
TIRES
Bridgestone Ecopia H/L Plus tires are M+S rated. They actually have almost no traction in the snow. I can be going under 5 mph on level ground and apply roughly 30% breaking power and the tires start to slip. They are going to kill someone.
Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN
Other🔶 Medium
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
What Component or system failed or malfunctioned. A control system (I am guessing a computer or software problem occurred. The car had a sudden unexpected acceleration. On [XXX] my 2024 Subaru Forester Sport while completing parking in a parking spot had a sudden unintended acceleration event. My foot was not on the acceleration. The automobile travelled at least 27 feet before I was able to stop the vehicle. The car skidded when I depressed the brakes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car accelerated over curbs and a planter and onto a wide sidewalk with a bus stop. The car hit the bus stop structure and a sign. If there had been a pedestrian on the sidewalk, the pedestrian might have been killed. If the car had travelled another 10 feet, I would have been crossing a busy boulevard. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The car was taken to Dalton Subaru dealership in National City, California. Dalton Subaru did an initial test of systems with their computer. Subaru of America investigated. The Subaru of America corporation stated the accident was due to driver's error and that my foot was not on the accelerator. THIS STATEMENT IS NOT TRUE! I am 100% sure that my foot was not on the accelerator when the car had a sudden unintended acceleration. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. The Subaru of America Corporation has inspected the car. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning signs. The Sudden Unintended Acceleration event happened only once. It occurred on [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common issues with the 2024 Subaru Forester?
Common issues reported with the 2024 Subaru Forester include recalls related to coolant leakage from loose engine water pipe attachment bolts and potential cracks in the front driveshaft assemblies. These mechanical concerns can significantly affect both performance and safety if not addressed promptly.
How does recall history impact resale value for the Subaru Forester?
'Recall history can greatly influence resale value as it reflects a vehicle's reliability and owner satisfaction. Buyers are increasingly wary of vehicles with extensive recall records or unresolved mechanical problems, which may lead them to opt for alternatives instead.'
📊Year-over-Year Context
➡️Stable Pattern
Compared to earlier years, the 2024 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.
🧭What This Means for You
This information is especially relevant for drivers who rely on stop-and-go traffic or frequently use auto start-stop systems.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified SUBARU service center—repairs are performed at no cost to you.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in SUBARU's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
This specific Forester year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.