EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
2025 Subaru Forester
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 87 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2025 Subaru Forester, most frequently naming the visibility, driver assistance and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 165 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 4 |
| Nov 2024 | 3 | 7 |
| Jan 2025 | 3 | 10 |
| Feb 2025 | 3 | 13 |
| Mar 2025 | 2 | 15 |
| Apr 2025 | 2 | 17 |
| May 2025 | 4 | 21 |
| Jun 2025 | 3 | 24 |
| Jul 2025 | 3 | 27 |
| Aug 2025 | 3 | 30 |
| Sep 2025 | 5 | 35 |
| Oct 2025 | 4 | 39 |
| Nov 2025 | 4 | 43 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 44 |
| Jan 2026 | 3 | 47 |
| Feb 2026 | 2 | 49 |
| Mar 2026 | 11 | 60 |
| Apr 2026 | 5 | 65 |
| May 2026 | 3 | 68 |
| Jun 2026 | 8 | 76 |
| Jul 2026 | 8 | 84 |
| Aug 2026 | 3 | 87 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Visibility2021.1%
- Driver assistance1717.9%
- Fuel system1515.8%
- Exterior lighting88.4%
- Electrical88.4%
- Brakes66.3%
- Airbags44.2%
- Other / unspecified44.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govCHILD SEAT
WHEELS
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The harness was missing stitching on one side. They're supposed to be two levels to connect the harness for a smaller child. One side had two levels. The other side it only had one. Safety first is sending me a brand new harness.
- NHTSA ID
- 11756347
- Incident
- Aug 7, 2026
Two occurences of rear hatch window shattering spontaneously while vehicle was parked, powered off. No symptoms, warning lamps, or messages were present. First incident, six months after production/purchase, factory-installed window shattered spontaneously while owner was seated in the car, parked, and engine turned off. Second incident, two months later, OEE replacement window shattered while vehicle was parked, powered off, unattended. Currently having third window installed by dealer and submitting report to Subaru of America.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754644
- Incident
- May 15, 2026
Engine is misfiring, causing in ability to accelerate properly and loads multiple error codes. Upon taking it to the dealership for services, we were told that there is a significant amount of carbon built-up inside the engine. The car has only 6,800 miles on it. The dealership stated that it is an issue that Subaru engineering is aware of but has yet to figure a way to resolve it. The dealership informed us that hybrid engines have had severe carbon build-up on the in-take valves that causes misfiring, loss of power, bucking and stumbling of the engine. Apparently this has been reported all over different on-line forums. The dealer informed us that they would need to order a valve cleaning kit as referenced un service bulletin 02-193-24 and the engine would require walnut blasting. The vehicle was dropped off for service on 7/22 the work was completed, but upon restarting the engine more codes fired up and they stated that the Electronic Communication Module failed and it would now require an escalation to the Subaru Engineers called TechLine, "they now say that the ECM now needs replacement, still misfiring and has become a more complicated issue"
- NHTSA ID
- 11754515
- Incident
- Jul 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space, the brake pedal was slightly released to move the vehicle forward; however, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, failed to respond upon depression of the brake pedal, and crashed into a brick wall. The impact resulted in damages to the front bumper and caused a body panel to detach. No warning light was illuminated before or after the crash. The air bags did not deploy. There was no property damage, no reported injury, and no Police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where Subaru field technicians inspected the Event Data Recorder (EDR) and informed the contact that no data was recorded. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that data was not logged because the vehicle was traveling at a significantly slow speed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that a previously owned 2021 Subaru Forester had experienced the same failure, which also resulted in a crash, and a Police report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 1,200.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753338
- Incident
- Apr 3, 2026
- Mileage
- 1,200 mi
the gas cap O ring recall was repaired previously by Casey Subaru of Newport News, VA. (I live in [XXX], purchased the vehicle in [XXX] at Ourisman Subaru) I filled my gas tank the night before this leak occurred. I noticed the smell of gasoline in my car at approximately 08 AM on the way to work. It was mild No obvious exterior leak. I drove my 25 commute to Williamsburg, Va. Upon leaving work I noticed a strong smell of gasoline inside the vehicle. Inspection of the exterior revealed an obvious gas leak (the fuel door to the gas cap was not opened at this time). the paint was wet and the paint adjacent to the plastic guard on the bumper side had bubbled due to the leak. The outside temperature was nearing 100 with a heat index of 105. I drove the vehicle to the dealership in Newport News (not aware I should have had it towed due to the leak). It has not been driven since. The fuel door was opened and there was an obvious leak as the well in the gas cap space was wet and the odor of gasoline was very strong. I twisted the gas cap and it did not close any farther. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11751343
- Incident
- Jul 11, 2026
I have been having problems with my 2025 Subaru Forester since I purchased it. It has failed multiple times to alert me of people and cars when I am backing up. I have RCTW on my vehicle .Sometimes it alerts me when there is a car or person is coming behind me ,sometimes it doesn't. I have a video dated June 4th 2026. Three times people walked right behind my car when I was backing up. I almost hit them! I decided to video tape it. The back up camera also doesn't always work and did not go off when I was backing into the curb until I hit it without an alarm going off. The lighting alert system was also messed up because the light was on green until I almost hit the curb. This also happened on June 4th and I have a video. I could have hit a small animal or child or damaged my car. I have brought this to the attention of my Subaru Service department and they claim they can not replicate this problem.This is of great concern for me and I have filed a Lemon Law Case as I am too fearful I will hurt someone or myself because of these issues. In addition to this, my headlights are aimed down at the ground and I live on curvy country roads. Hard to see at night. My service department said Subaru of America would have to approve the adjustment. They never got back to me on this issue. The tech specialist told the service department manager that I had electrical problems with my vehicle as she witnessed the HVAC working improperly. My radio, navigations, phone and sound systems also cause distracted driving. The Radio would blast on high volume randomly . The navigation, phone and radio volume would be blasting without being able to turn this down. There is no way to turn off the radio. If you do, the whole navigations screen won't work. My navigation system is not functioning properly and has blacked out . Subaru has seen my vehicle 6 times for these issues . They claim they can't replicate the problem. My car is sitting in the garage. It is too unsafe to drive.
- NHTSA ID
- 11751331
- Incident
- Jul 4, 2026
I have been having problems with my 2025 Subaru Forester since I purchased it. It has failed multiple times to alert me of people and cars when I am backing up. I have RCTW on my vehicle .Sometimes it alerts me when there is a car or person is coming behind me ,sometimes it doesn't. I have a video dated June 4th 2026. Three times people walked right behind my car when I was backing up. I almost hit them! I decided to video tape it. The back up camera also doesn't always work and did not go off when I was backing into the curb until I hit it without an alarm going off. The lighting alert system was also messed up because the light was on green until I almost hit the curb. This also happened on June 4th and I have a video. I could have hit a small animal or child or damaged my car. I have brought this to the attention of my Subaru Service department and they claim they can not replicate this problem.This is of great concern for me and I have filed a Lemon Law Case as I am too fearful I will hurt someone or myself because of these issues. In addition to this, my headlights are aimed down at the ground and I live on curvy country roads. Hard to see at night. My service department said Subaru of America would have to approve the adjustment. They never got back to me on this issue. The tech specialist told the service department manager that I had electrical problems with my vehicle as she witnessed the HVAC working improperly. My radio, navigations, phone and sound systems also cause distracted driving. The Radio would blast on high volume randomly . The navigation, phone and radio volume would be blasting without being able to turn this down. There is no way to turn off the radio. If you do, the whole navigations screen won't work. My navigation system is not functioning properly and has blacked out . Subaru has seen my vehicle 6 times for these issues . They claim they can't replicate the problem. My car is sitting in the garage. It is too unsafe to drive.
- NHTSA ID
- 11751330
- Incident
- Jul 4, 2026
Rear hatch glass shattered on April 16th while parked in carport after my wife opened the right rear passenger door, had it replaced by Safelite on April 29th, on July 9th while driving it shattered again, Safelite says that this is a Subaru issue, Subaru says they will not warranty a replacement even if they do the replacement since the car does have a rebuilt title. So we can neither use the car nor sell it in good faith if we're just passing a problem and potential danger on to someone else.
- NHTSA ID
- 11751087
- Incident
- Apr 16, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WRH-26 Certification Label Non-Compliance Recall- Parts and SSLP Process Updates.
This announcement provides WRH-26 recall information for customers.
This announcement provides WRH-26 recall information for owner contact and a vehicle disclosure form.
This announcement provides information on WRH-26 affected CPO and Used Vehicle Inventory.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in conjunction with the applicable Service Manual.
This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedure to be performed before the service manual.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 50.5 |
| 2025Viewing | 87 | 3 | 0 | 62.7 |
| 2024 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 55.0 |
| 2023 | 73 | 1 | 0 | 53.0 |
| 2022 | 95 | 1 | 0 | 50.3 |
| 2021 | 207 | 0 | 0 | 43.8 |
| 2020 | 595 | 0 | 0 | 38.0 |
| 2019 | 831 | 3 | 0 | 49.4 |
| 2018 | 491 | 3 | 1 | 55.8 |
| 2017 | 581 | 1 | 1 | 51.8 |
| 2016 | 409 | 3 | 1 | 59.7 |
| 2015 | 613 | 3 | 0 | 53.6 |
| 2014 | 403 | 2 | 0 | 52.4 |
| 2013 | 77 | 12 | 0 | 58.1 |
| 2012 | 105 | 15 | 0 | 58.3 |
| 2011 | 147 | 16 | 0 | 57.3 |
| 2010 | 262 | 17 | 0 | 54.7 |
| 2009 | 178 | 18 | 0 | 56.0 |
| 2008 | 50 | 1 | 1 | 48.1 |
| 2007 | 72 | 1 | 1 | 47.8 |
| 2006 | 88 | 2 | 1 | 56.3 |
| 2005 | 93 | 1 | 1 | 48.8 |
| 2004 | 219 | 2 | 1 | 52.6 |
| 2003 | 189 | 3 | 1 | 55.0 |
| 2002 | 88 | 1 | 0 | 47.9 |
| 2001 | 139 | 0 | 0 | 43.3 |
| 2000 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 39.0 |
| 1999 | 131 | 1 | 1 | 43.3 |
| 1998 | 101 | 1 | 0 | 44.6 |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.