VehicleVerdict

2025 Subaru Forester problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2025 Subaru Forester is among the quieter years of the Forester on NHTSA's books: 103 complaints (34% below the model's median year), 2 recalls, and no open investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 11 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (19), other (16), and driver assistance (16), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

103

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

11

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2025 compare to other Forester years?

Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted1,084 complaints1998: 138 complaints1999: 156 complaints2000: 95 complaints2001: 169 complaints2002: 109 complaints2003: 238 complaints2004: 270 complaints2005: 105 complaints2006: 121 complaints2007: 89 complaints2008: 67 complaints2009: 228 complaints2010: 307 complaints2011: 195 complaints2012: 140 complaints2013: 94 complaints2014: 576 complaints2015: 891 complaints2016: 609 complaints2017: 787 complaints2018: 669 complaints2019: 1,084 complaints2020: 798 complaints2021: 281 complaints2022: 134 complaints2023: 102 complaints2024: 38 complaints2025: 103 complaints2026: 15 complaints
Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forester years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Subaru Forester problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers1918%
Other1616%
Driver Assistance1616%
Fuel System1111%
Lighting88%
Electrical System66%
Brakes55%
Transmission44%
Airbags44%
Tires & Wheels33%
Speed Control33%
Engine22%
Child Seat11%
Latches & Locks11%
Seat Belts11%
Seats11%
Steering11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2025 Subaru Forester have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V419000Child SeatJune 19, 2025 · 2,938 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles. The child seat anchor bolts may have been improperly tightened, allowing the bolts to come loose.

Consequence

A loose child seat anchor bolt increases the risk of injury to a child during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the child seat anchor bolts and, if necessary, tighten the bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-25.

25V033000Tires & WheelsJanuary 23, 2025 · 20,366 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles equipped with 18" aluminum alloy wheels. The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.

Consequence

A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the wheels, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRB-25.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Driver side mirror and rearview mirror vibrate, visibility affected - especially at night with vibrating headlights. Confirmed by dealer. Rearview mirror replaced and continues with same vibration issue (actually a little more vibration). Driver side mirror continues to be on back order. No warning…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · May 14, 2025

“On 12/4/25, I was pulling into a space in a parking deck, was approximately one quarter of the way into the spot and the vehicle suddenly accelerated and struck a cement wall. I did not have my feet on the pedals at the time and was going at approximately 5 miles per hour. The airbags did not…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 4, 2025 · crash

“Recently, my mother died in a car accident. A bystander reported that she was driving normally and then suddenly drove off the road. The police investigated and found that the conditions weren't likely to contribute to an accident. There was no immediate explanation for what happened. The car did…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 10, 2024 · crash · fire

“On 12/4/25, I was pulling into a space in a parking deck, was approximately one quarter of the way into the spot and the vehicle suddenly accelerated and struck a cement wall. I did not have my feet on the pedals at the time and was going at approximately 5 miles per hour. The airbags did not…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 4, 2025 · crash

“Driving at night , headlights low beam were weak and did not project far enough for me to see objects, the headlights cut off with complete darkness above a certain height I feel the car is unsafe to drive at night in low light situations , also raining conditions make the weak headlights worse”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 6, 2025

2025 Subaru Forester — common questions

Is the 2025 Subaru Forester reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 103 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Forester year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2025 Forester problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (19 complaints), other (16 complaints), driver assistance (16 complaints).

Does the 2025 Subaru Forester have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Forester years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Forester years to avoid are 2019, 2015, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2021, 2004, 2003. The cleanest record among Forester years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2025 Subaru Forester?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2025 Subaru Forester earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.