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ProblemsByVin Checklist / 2024-SUBARU-FORESTER

Pre-purchase · Buyer's checklist

2024 Subaru Forester inspection checklist

The 2024 Subaru Forester has 28 owner complaints with NHTSA across 2 component categories. Use this checklist before you put money down — every item below is grounded in the actual failure pattern on this vehicle, not generic advice.

1 Inspect the airbags

What to look for: Anything that looks, sounds, or smells different from peer vehicles of the same year and trim. (6 owner complaints on this vehicle · typical repair $1,100 )

Walk around and note any visible damage, wear, or aftermarket modifications
Open the hood and look for fresh fluid leaks, loose connectors, or recent part swaps
Sit in every seat and operate every control to confirm function

See full airbags report for this vehicle →

2 Inspect the visibility

What to look for: Wiper streaks even on a fresh blade, blower fan that doesn't change speeds, foggy or yellowed headlight lenses, sunroof drains plugged (water on headliner). (4 owner complaints on this vehicle · typical repair $350 )

All wiper speeds front and rear (if equipped) plus washer fluid spray pattern
Defroster — front and rear, every grid line working on the rear glass
HVAC fan on every setting, plus mode (vent, floor, defrost) selector
Sunroof open/close and tilt — check for grinding noises

See full visibility report for this vehicle →

3 Paperwork — before you sign

The seller's transparency on these tells you what kind of seller you're dealing with.

Title in seller's name (not "open title" or "signed by previous owner")
Service records — at least the last 24 months
VIN on the dash matches the door jamb sticker and the title
Run a paid vehicle history report (Carfax or AutoCheck) — accident, salvage, odometer rollback
Confirm any open recalls have been completed (NHTSA VIN lookup)
If financing, get the rate in writing before you set foot on the lot

Inspection items derived from 28 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns filed with NHTSA on the 2024 Subaru Forester. Category-specific guidance is written by ProblemsByVin contributors with ASE-certified mechanic review. This checklist is meant to surface known patterns — it doesn't replace a paid pre-purchase inspection by a qualified shop, which we recommend for any used vehicle priced over a few thousand dollars.

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