Sixth generation (SL) · first-year watch
2025 Subaru Forester, day 760
- 95complaints since Sep 2, 2024
- 3recalls
- 11involved a crash
- 5,700median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Changed since August
- 5 new complaints in September, mostly about collision avoidance, fuel and propulsion and engine.
- Nothing filed yet on sticky steering, transmission failure, engine failure or fire.
- 28th most complaints of the 36 2025 models on this site.
What's been reported
NHTSA's own component codes. One report can cite several.
- Other19
- Collision avoidance17
- Windshield and wipers13
- Fuel and propulsion13
- Exterior Lighting8
- Electrical8
- Visibility7
- Brakes6
Problems so far
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 15 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 9 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 8 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 6 reports
- Rear window shatters or explodes 6 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 5 reports
Recent reports
“Sunroof cracked completely on its own while vehicle was parked. No surface impact, chip, marking or exterior imperfection in the glass was present. There were small air bubbles in the pane mould around the corner where the crack appeared and spread across the pane. Dealership replaced it under factory warranty after Subaru of America approved the claim at no cost at 15,216 miles.”
Filed Aug 18, 2026
“We recently bought a used 2025 Subaru forester with 5000 miles on odometer from a dealer. Subsequently we are experiencing respiratory irritation. We question if the car had been in a flood or some other accident that compromised the a/c system. We wonder if the dealer concealed something or has not reported the problem. We suspect black mold may be in the a/c system.”
Filed May 21, 2026
“The rear window spontaneously shattered. There was no extreme temperature or temperature change. The vehicle was parked when it happened. The entire rear window is gone to pieces.”
Filed Feb 23, 2025
“I believe there are some issues related to the reliability of the windshield of this vehicle. My windshield cracked by itself from the bottom without hitting anything, which is similar to other complainant.”
Filed Jan 8, 2025
At a glance
- Next to the 2024
- The 2025 is too new for a fair per-year comparison. It has 95 complaints so far; the 2024, on sale longer, has 29.
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, infotainment, covers 15 of the 95 complaints (16%), and windshield is next with 9 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). Too few of the infotainment reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 13 of the 95 complaints (14%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 11 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 6 people were hurt. The reports record 1 death. The most crash reports, 4 of 11, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 3 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 37, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 51 more have come in.
Service bulletins for the 2025 Subaru Forester
Subaru filed 177 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2025 Subaru Forester. 5 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 2 bulletins · 15 complaints
This bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment Display (CID) to the CCU, addressing reports of CID screen flickering.
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 6 complaints
This bulletin announces a design change to the front brake pads with a new friction material and shape that is intended to enhance the removal of rust and debris that can accumulate on the rotor surface, causing unevenness.(This is an revised version of the ...
This bulletin announces a design change to the front brake pads which have been redesigned with a new friction material and shape to enhance the removal of rust and debris that can accumulate on the rotor surface, causing unevenness.
1 more on this problem
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
Recalls
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
All 3 recalls on the 2025 Subaru Forester, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Seeing this on your own car? How to file a complaint with NHTSA
The log
Complaints by the month NHTSA received them, newest first. Blue bars mark a month with a recall or an investigation.
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2025 Subaru Forester?
Infotainment, with 15 of the 95 complaints.
At what mileage do 2025 Subaru Forester problems start?
Of the 18 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 3,000 miles and half by about 6,000.
How many 2025 Subaru Forester complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
13 of them (14%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for infotainment on the 2025 Subaru Forester?
No recall on file for the 2025 Subaru Forester is on the same system as infotainment. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.