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I’m a Lemon Law Attorney. Here’s Why the 2024 Subaru Forester Has My Attention
Problem analysis of the 2024 Subaru Forester found issues including battery and starting failures, passenger airbag malfunctions, and windshield cracking reported by multiple owners and verified through NHTSA data.
Key Points
- Our team analyzed real consumer complaints, NHTSA data, and firm data to identify commonly reported problems with the 2024 Subaru Forester.
- Owners most often report passenger airbag malfunctions, windshield and window glass breakage, steering or power assist loss, and electrical or software failures affecting safety features.
- Owners with repeated or unresolved defects may have rights under state lemon laws, including possible refund, replacement, or compensation.
Everyone loves Subarus. I do too.
Due to the nature of mass production, every vehicle will have some issues. In my experience as a lemon law attorney, Subarus tend to have a slightly lower percentage of problems compared to other brands. Despite that, I still identified several recurring issues that 2024 Subaru Forester owners are facing.
My name is Sergei Lemberg. I put together these car problem roundups to keep owners informed, pulling from NHTSA complaints, our own firm data, and other sources.
Let’s get started.
Most Common Problems
My research found that the primary problems for the Forester include:
- Passenger Airbag Malfunction: The front passenger airbag often fails to activate for lighter occupants, leaving passengers unprotected despite the airbag warning light indicating otherwise.
- Windshield Cracking and Glass Breakage: Multiple reported cases of spontaneous windshield cracks and sudden window shattering, creating safety hazards and costly repairs.
- Steering and Power Assist Loss: Reports of sudden loss of power steering assist and steering wheel pull, causing unsafe driving conditions.
- Electrical and Software Issues: Problems with eyesight safety system shutdowns, backup camera failures, and unintended acceleration events relating to system controls.
Additional minor defects include distorted side mirrors, HVAC inconsistencies, and control arm wear reported by some owners.
2024 Subaru Forester Complaint Summary
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Air Bags | |
| Visibility/wiper | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | |
| Electrical System | |
| Engine |
Top Problem #1: Passenger Airbag Malfunction
My research found that the top issue is regarding the passenger airbag system improperly disables the airbag for lighter occupants, such as those weighing under 105 pounds, without clear warning or notice.
Symptoms reported include:
- Airbag warning light showing the airbag as off when a passenger under a certain weight sits in the front seat
- Failure of the airbag to activate despite occupant detection
- Lack of warning labels or owner manual information about minimum weight requirements
- Dealerships acknowledging the design but unable to provide fixes
One owner stated
“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 Subaru is aware of the issue but there is no current solution.”
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Top Problem #2: Windshield Cracking and Glass Breakage
I analyzed multiple verified reports of spontaneous windshield cracks and explosion-like window failures in the 2024 Forester. These issues are very common across many vehicles these days. Incidents often occur with minimal external impact or temperature changes.
- Windshield cracks spreading quickly after initial small chips
- Sudden shattering of door or rear windows while driving
- Costs for windshield replacement complicated by required recalibration of safety technology
- Dealerships often refuse warranty coverage for glass issues, labeling them as external damage
An owner shared
“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.”
Top Problem #3: Steering and Power Assist Loss
Some owners report unexpected loss of power steering assistance and vehicle pulling to one side, often without warning lights.
- Vehicle pulling right while driving
- Sudden loss of power steering feel and assist
- No warning lamps or system alerts present
- Complaints unaddressed due to lack of manufacturer acknowledgment
One complaint noted
“While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was pulling to the right. The vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated.”
Top Problem #4: Electrical and Software Issues
The 2024 Forester experiences various software and electronic control failures affecting safety systems and vehicle convenience features.
- Eyesight safety system shutting down intermittently, disabling lane assist, collision avoidance, and cruise control
- Backup camera failures after washing the car, leaving no rear visual aid
- Unintended acceleration events where the vehicle surges forward without driver input
- Inconsistent HVAC output with heated seats and passenger temperature control malfunctions
One owner stressed
“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.”
What Should You Do If Your 2024 Subaru Forester Is a Lemon?
If your Forester suffers from any of these recurring, unresolved problems, your vehicle might qualify as a lemon under state consumer protection laws. A lemon is generally defined as a car with a substantial defect covered by warranty that impairs its use, value, or safety, and which the manufacturer or dealer cannot fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
Take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Document all repair attempts carefully, including dates, work orders, and communications with dealers
- File formal complaints with your state’s motor vehicle division or consumer protection agency
- Keep detailed records of symptoms and how the defect affects your use and safety
Lemberg Law provides free lemon law consultations to help determine if you qualify for compensation or a buyback. We do not get paid unless we win, so there is no financial risk to you. Don’t wait—lemon law deadlines can expire quickly. Contact us today to protect your legal rights and get the relief you deserve.
Click 877-795-3666 now to call us.
Or go ahead and fill out our Contact Form. Our services are absolutely free to you.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
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