The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints is the largest identified problem area: 7 of 31 complaints (23%) mention it. 9 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 74 in 2023 to 31 in 2024.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 31
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,150–$2,400
- Combined MPG
- 26–29
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2024 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150–2,400 | 2,150–2,400 | 2,150–2,400 | 1,800–2,400 | 1,800–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–29 | 26–29 | 26–29 | 26–35 | 26–35 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–26 / 28–33 | 25–26 / 28–33 | 25–26 / 28–33 | 25–35 / 28–34 | 24–35 / 28–34 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 310–338 | 310–338 | 310–338 | 255–338 | 255–347 | |
| Complaints filed | 100 | 74 | 31 | 100 | 35 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2024 Subaru Forester have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2024 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates it 26–29 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2024 Subaru Forester?
EPA estimates $2,150–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,150 (low) | 310 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AV-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 25 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 338 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
- Defect
- 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Defect
- 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.