Subaru Forester Complaints (2024)

29 consumer complaints on file.

#11620957October 21, 2024
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
My backup camera would not operate after washing my car. When I was backing up, I got an alert that something was in my way. There was no picture, so I could not see what it was. I had to stop and get out to see. This could lead to serious problems, like getting hit by other vehicles while have to get out and look for obstacle. This could also be a risk to children crossing behind the car, because eventually the driver will tire of getting out and walking around the car. When I went to take the vehicle to the dealer the next day, the car had dried off, and the camera came back on. I looked at other Subaru forums and found many NHTSA recalls on cameras on different year Subaru's. The problem still seems to persist on my model, but no recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11615194September 18, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
I was driving down the road and a bottle was thrown out of a vehicle going the opposite direction as me. Upon impact my windshield shattered and sent shards of glass flying into the cabin of my vehicle. The shards of glass were thrown into my face and would have gone into my eyes had I not been wearing glasses. The glass broke into small shards and splinters that could have easily damaged my eyes or blinded me or a passenger. When I took it to the dealership the staff was shocked by how easily a plastic bottle punctured through the windshield and the amount of glass debris that was thrown into the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614696September 15, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 darkness. I have witnessed this happen to at least three other vehicles on my route home from my work and they were a variety of SUV newer models likely with the same headlight control system. The solution is easy, I think. The instrument panel headlight indicator should never illuminate based on daytime running lights regardless of conditions. I have not taken this to the dealer yet to check it out but I plan to, although I fear it will be difficult to reproduce for them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11599071July 5, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This is the second windshield crack on my new 2024 Subaru Forester. I have only had the car 4 months. The first crack happened after I only had the car about 3 weeks, it was small and repairable. When I got in my car on 7/4/24, I noticed another crack, this one was good size, about 3 in long. I marked it with a marker to see if it became bigger while just parked, I checked it after a few hours and it had cracked about another inch and a half. When I bought the car they offered a windshield protection insurance which I thought was absolutely ridiculous, it's a Subaru they would not sell and item of poor quality. Never in my life have I ever heard of windshield insurance. Looking back on it now it's obvious they know there is a problem with the windshield. Now I am going to have to get a whole new windshield which is going to have to be recalibrated because of the Eyesight technology. This is a total rip off because Subaru knows they are selling and inferior product and something needs to be done about it. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11598651July 3, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle: 2024 Subaru Forester Touring Date of Report: [July 3, 2024] What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? On June 19th, 2024 I noticed the side mirror of my 2024 Subaru Forester Touring has melted. This component is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The melting of the side mirror poses a potential risk of fire if it continues to deteriorate. This not only endangers the occupants of the vehicle but also poses a threat to nearby vehicles and property. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer. Subaru has declined to cover the issue under warranty, attributing it to user-caused damage, which I strongly dispute. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle has been inspected by Subaru, who declined to cover the issue under warranty. 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 lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the melting of the side mirror. The problem was first noticed recently, within two months of owning the vehicle. Additional Comments: I have owned the car for less than two months and have taken meticulous care of it. The car is always parked in my garage, ensuring no sun exposure. The only place I have had the car washed is at the Subaru dealership, which further confirms that I have not done anything to damage the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595264June 19, 2024
AIR BAGS
The airbag does not go on all the time when my wife is in the passenger seat. My wife weighs approximately 100lbs. We have been at the dealer 2x's and they say that the airbag is working perfectly. I disagree with them very strongly. We have had multiple cars and do not have this problem. We just traded in a Buick encore gx and no problem with the airbag. Subaru claims there is nothing more they can do.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569913February 5, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Cracked windshield. Happened out of nowhere overnight.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11567690January 25, 2024
STEERING
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was pulling to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11567193January 23, 2024
AIR BAGS
The passenger air bag remains off per the indicator when my 5'3" 100lb wife sits in the seat. The system was inspected at Peoria Subaru in Peoria, AZ and no problem was found. The service manager told me the factory design is 105 lbs minimum before the air bag is on. I find no warning labels in the vehicle and nothing in the owners manual referencing a 105 lb minimum. In fact, the manual states that a jug of water in the passenger's seat will turn the air bag indicator from off to on. If federal regulations require a minimum weight, there should be warning labels stating the minimum weight.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Subaru Forester