2025 Subaru Forester Fuel system Problems

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 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

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that a few days after the dealer had serviced the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V106000(Fuel System, Gasoline), the contact refueled the vehicle at the gas station. The contact stated that upon entering the store and returning to the vehicle, the contact noticed both a strong fuel odor and fuel leaking from the fuel tank onto the ground. The contact used soap and water to clean up the area. The vehicle was driven and parked outside the residence's garage. The contact stated that if the fuel leak had gone unnoticed, the vehicle would have been parked inside the garage near a water heater's open flame, leading to a catastrophic fire that could have affected both the contact's family and nearby neighbors. The contact attempted to reach the dealer to report the failure, but had not yet received a return call. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and filed a case. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,700.

NHTSA ID

11748785

Incident

Jul 4, 2026

Mileage

2,700 mi

Leading up to a windshield replacement, my eyesight cameras that help with adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist kept failing. This feature would turn on and off repeatedly. When I got my windshield replaced, it took longer than expected because of the camera calibration. The microchip(s) inside one of the three cameras was fried and they had to put in a new camera. This failed camera was an original to my car and the justification provided was that "this sometimes happens." For the fuel/propulsion system, I was topping off my car with gas one day when something went very wrong. My fuel tank was just shy of full, and when the gas pump handle tripped to stop pumping gas, a large amount of gasoline came flooding out as I removed the gas pump handle. This was scary and highly concerning because I have never experienced this with any previous vehicle before. The dealership, in cooperation with corporate, identified one other instance of this issue occurring somewhere in the midwest. Their best guess as to what happened is that the air relief valve of my gas tank somehow became blocked and that is what caused the overflow of gasoline. The solution was to turn the air relief valve around from facing the outside of my car to the inside metal frame. July 2026 marks one year since acquiring my car, and these experiences thus far make me question the safety and longterm viability of my car and the Subaru brand. This is ironic, because Subaru's legacy and strong reputation of safety and build quality was my primary incentive for getting one in the first place.

NHTSA ID

11748389

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V106000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for parts availability. The dealer was contacted and informed that once parts became available, vehicle owners would be notified by mail. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11733947

Incident

Feb 27, 2026

Dealer says initial batch of repair parts was used on vehicles in inventory, not on vehicles already sold to consumers. Supposedly Subaru instructions to dealer. That is a foolish policy decision that doesn't protect drivers of cars already sold and on the road. NHTSA should consider ordering to the contrary. NHTSA should also considering ordering all manufacturers to use capless fuel filler technology. Please respond.

NHTSA ID

11730834

Incident

Apr 13, 2026

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 deploy, and no automatic braking or warning systems engaged. As a result of the accident, I sustained three fractured ribs and a partially collapsed lung. Immediately following the impact, the Starlink system dialed 911 and a police report was filed. I contacted the dealership who directed me to Subaru of America to report the incident. Their customer advocacy and quality assurance department reviewed telematics data and have refused to physically inspect my vehicle even though I have requested it as a customer because I do not feel safe driving this vehicle. Since I purchased my vehicle many of my safety sensor and warning systems will temporarily disable without any obvious cause.

NHTSA ID

11726788

Incident

Dec 4, 2025

Exhaust gas smell from the engine compartment when parked after driving. Garage smells like exhaust gases when left in enclosed garage - ongoing problem. Smell dissipates overnight. It has been inspected by Subaru dealers in Albuquerque and Santa Fe New Mexico. They report no error codes and so no problem. Have not had this issue on any other vehicle we've ever owned. There are no warning lamps or messages.

NHTSA ID

11725611

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

I purchased a 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid VIN [XXX] on July 26, 2025 from Schumacher Subaru, 3031 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, Florida 33409. On March 11, 2026 I filled the gas tank to 100% capacity. The ambient temperature was 72 degrees Fahrenheit. I parked the vehicle in our garage with the door closed. Two hours later my wife notified me that there was a strong smell of gasoline throughout our four bedroom home. I opened the door to the gas filler recess and verified that the gas cap was correctly closed. Gas was spilled into and over the recess area below the gas cap, down the right side of the right back quarter panel and in a large puddle on the garage floor. I backed the Subaru out of the garage and onto the front driveway. Using multiple sheets of paper towels we mopped up the spilled gasoline from the vehicle and garage floor. I placed all the soiled paper towels in a sealed double garage bag and put it in our garden away from the house. I called Schumacher Subaru and talked with Dylan Wagner who sold us the car. I was shocked to hear that he knew of the gas cap defect and also knew that we should not fill the tank more than 50%. I asked him why he didn't notify us and he said that Subaru was going to notify us at the end on March 2026. In my view this is clear cut negligence on the part of Schumacher Subaru of West Palm Beach, Florida. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11724134

Incident

Mar 11, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V106000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11724119

Incident

Mar 2, 2026

I have a urgent fire safety recall regarding the fuel tank exploding due to sone gasket leak. Inwas told to park outside of my garage with half tank minimum. I just bought my car, and now I don’t know if my car is going to blow up? I mean I get a chip issue takes a minute but when a car can implode shouldn’t tbe manufacturer immediately allow for a loaner? Especially if there is a disable person being driven in it? I called the dealer when it first was announced and they said they will call me and weeks later crickets. Not even a hi we are working on it. I called and told them my husband is a paraplegic and if there is any type of fire. I wouldn’t be able to help him as fast as it would be needed to help him out or what if I am deceased and he needs to get out. I asked for a loaner from them and the dealership said they don’t have loaners approved yet. I heard when this happened with Chevy Bolt/Volt Chevy had loaners within 2 weeks. I understand I am not the only one however I have a paraplegic spouse. Is there any assistance we may get? I have to use the car to go to work and being a single income couple, I can’t pay almost $1000 a month for a car and pay for a rental too.

NHTSA ID

11723460

Incident

Mar 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware there were paint bubbles near the fuel cap and near the bumper below, where the paint was also tarnished. Additionally, there was condensation found under the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was under recall. There were no parts available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,750.

NHTSA ID

11722986

Incident

Mar 9, 2026

Mileage

2,750 mi

My gas tank leaks out the top when filled. Currently, all check engine lights are on and all of the safety features of the vehicle have been disabled. When I took it to Subaru, they said there is an open recall with no remedy. This is ridiculous. My car has every check engine light on! How am I supposed to know if there is an actual problem with the car?

NHTSA ID

11721835

Incident

Mar 3, 2026

I bought a Subaru Forrester 2025 in March of 2025. I drove this car for almost 9 months to the day. On 12-19 -25 I was driving down the aisle in the Walmart parking lot at less than 10 mph. I turned right into a handicap parking lot and applied my brake as I was settling into the parking space. I was driving less than 5 mph as one normally would when parking and coming to a stop. My car accelerated quickly and with great speed and since my front wheels were still turned toward the right, my car sped toward the cement encased parking sign at a high rate of speed. I was in disbelief. I backed up to be in the proper space and got out and surveyed the damages. Thankfully I was alone in the car and due to the handicapped parking signs ahead and to the right of the parking spot I did not cross the marked lot lines and no other vehicles were involved. The car was not driveable so I had the it towed to the dealership and found they did not have a body shop. Then engaged a body shop to repair. Estimate of damages is $6,820. My car is still there today. It is now Jan 25 and we are waiting on a few replacement parts. At first I thought I might have stepped on the gas instead of the brake as I was parking that night. But all common sense tells me that my foot was properly on the brake as I was finishing up my parking maneuver at a very slow rate of speed. I looked around the internet and see that these same circumstances were replicated by other drivers esp. on the 2012-2020 models of Forresters. I had no prior knowledge of what I consider to be a significant fault in this vehicle. I did receive widespread bruising to my chest from the seatbelt. Once my car is repaired I will take it back to the dealer to have several systems checked for errors. I am leery of driving it again. I am really not in a position to buy a different vehicle but it may come to that. Altho the police report states that I may have hit the gas, upon further reflection I don’t feel that is true

NHTSA ID

11713259

Incident

Dec 19, 2025

While there were no reported incidents, it appears there may be manufacturing defects with this vehicle. The rear seat safety belts are reportedly quite difficult to fasten, as the receptacle is positioned deeply within the seats, sometimes making it impossible to secure the belt. This then triggers an alarm, which can be quite bothersome for the driver. Furthermore, there seems to be an issue with the fuel gauge, as it may display an inaccurate reading. For instance, upon filling the tank, the meter might show 470 ml, but while still at the gas station, it could indicate 330 ml. Additionally, the reading can fluctuate after a trip. Finally, the air conditioning vent on the driver's side does not seem to be functioning correctly. In one instance, despite a minor road hazard that was not immediately noticed, the left rear tire was completely damaged. Despite multiple attempts to address these issues at the showroom and contacting Subaru headquarters, the problems persist. Note the purchase of vehicle forced upon me ,in addition Hallmark Subaru refuse to address the issues with vehicle. I have reported the matter to AL state Attorney general. Still no response made by state AG. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11692200

Incident

Aug 1, 2025