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2025 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 10 of 93 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

19 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2026
Unknown Or Other

While driving (vehicle NOT parked), a message advertising popped up on the in-dash display, blocking other information and not dismissible - making it impossible to use the screen. This distracted me from driving.

NHTSA ODI #11709021

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2026
Unknown Or Other

SiriusXM add takes over the infotainment screen while the car is in drive and actively being driven. This blocks GPS, temperature control, car information, radio controls, everything on the main screen. You have to physically tap a button to get it to close taking attention off the road. There are no settings on the car to stop …

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SiriusXM add takes over the infotainment screen while the car is in drive and actively being driven. This blocks GPS, temperature control, car information, radio controls, everything on the main screen. You have to physically tap a button to get it to close taking attention off the road. There are no settings on the car to stop this from happening.

NHTSA ODI #11708572

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2025
Unknown Or Other

This is the SECOND time in less than 9 weeks that my rear window (hatch) has shattered for no reason. The first time it was when I closed the hatch and this time it was when I shut the driver side door. Both times my car was in my garage and not running. I assume that all my windows were closed, I know they were this time. This …

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This is the SECOND time in less than 9 weeks that my rear window (hatch) has shattered for no reason. The first time it was when I closed the hatch and this time it was when I shut the driver side door. Both times my car was in my garage and not running. I assume that all my windows were closed, I know they were this time. This would appear to be some defect. I have NEVER had such a thing happen, needless to say TWICE.

NHTSA ODI #11705006

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Sirius XM popping up ads in the interior screen while driving is dangerous and ridiculous

NHTSA ODI #11702126

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2025
Forward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

[XXX] our 2025 Subaru Forester's eye sight stopped working. The screen went completely blue, no rearview camera of course and loss of the eye sight safety system, including radio. We only have approximately 4k miles on our vehicle. I tried a reset by holding the radio on and off button for 15 seconds (didn't work). I also remove…

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[XXX] our 2025 Subaru Forester's eye sight stopped working. The screen went completely blue, no rearview camera of course and loss of the eye sight safety system, including radio. We only have approximately 4k miles on our vehicle. I tried a reset by holding the radio on and off button for 15 seconds (didn't work). I also removed the ground wire from the battery for a few minutes (approximately 5).....didn't work. SO I started doing research on this and it seems it's there is a lawsuit against Subaru that entails this. I believe it has been happening for about 10 years now. Having eye sight shut down and not having the safety options that we paid for is a terrible thing to happen on the road. Our dealership is taking care of it with a loaner tomorrow and hopefully fixing it forever, but my question is......WHY have they not been shut down until this is fixed? Ten years is a long time for this serious safety issue. Thank you for letting me vent. Sincerely, [XXX] & [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11688871

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2025
Unknown Or Other

I purchased my 2025 Subaru Forrester from Ciocca Subaru in Flemington, New Jersey in October, 2024. In March, 2025, a rock hit my windshield and cracked it. I spoke with both Ciocca and Open Road Subaru about it and they informed me there is a back order on the windshield that could take 2 months and that I should file an insu…

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I purchased my 2025 Subaru Forrester from Ciocca Subaru in Flemington, New Jersey in October, 2024. In March, 2025, a rock hit my windshield and cracked it. I spoke with both Ciocca and Open Road Subaru about it and they informed me there is a back order on the windshield that could take 2 months and that I should file an insurance claim. I filed the isurance claim and was assigned to get a windshield from safelite, but safelite doesnt have any windshields for this vehicle either. Neither do any New Jersey dealers. I then contacted the manufacturer in March, but was told these matters were handled by the dealerships, and thus left with no remedy. I have since called again yesterday, but other than assigning me a new customer service rep named Brendan, Subaru has done nothing else. And now it's been over two months and I am stuck with a beautiful new vehicle that has a significantly cracked, ugly and unsafe windshield. I need a windshield replacement immediately or a new vehicle or a refund and forgiveness of any loan incurred in the purchase of this vehicle. If i had known this windshield would crack easily and that no replacements were available, i would not have purchased the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11666692

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2025
SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels

Bought 2025 Subaru Forester in January 2025. Within 300 miles of driving brought it back to place I bought it, complained about constant vibraton in Sterring wheel at high speeds around 55 - 65 MPH. They said the wheels were out of balance, they re balanced them and the problem was resolved, BUT IT WASN'T. I brought it back to …

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Bought 2025 Subaru Forester in January 2025. Within 300 miles of driving brought it back to place I bought it, complained about constant vibraton in Sterring wheel at high speeds around 55 - 65 MPH. They said the wheels were out of balance, they re balanced them and the problem was resolved, BUT IT WASN'T. I brought it back to them At 600 miles they looked it over and took it for a ride they said they did NOT feel the wheel vibration. I said how could you NOT feel it. I brought it back a 3rd time at 800 miles. They took it for a ride with me in passanger seat . Even as I told them I could feel it in armrest they still said they did not feel it. I opened a case with Subaru of America Advocates. they advised me to take it to a different dealer which I did. The second dealer acknowledge the wheel vibration at high speeds. They had my SUV for about 10 days they tried several different brands of tires . They same result happended . Then they said one brand of tires the vibration was less but it is NOT less it is about the same. They are trying to get me some new tires but I don't think it is the tires. THe supension has been looked over by both Subaru dealers. They say it is safe to drive. BUT IT STILL VIBRATES it is NOT just road noise. I just want the vehicle fixed properly.

NHTSA ODI #11656309

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Infotainment system not working correctly. Cannot connect Apple car play. If is does a partial connection, just my phone contacts show when screen states “iPhone connected” When and if a partial CarPlay installation shows up, it automatically turns off the WiFi on my iPhone. All updates are up to date on the phone Dealer contac…

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Infotainment system not working correctly. Cannot connect Apple car play. If is does a partial connection, just my phone contacts show when screen states “iPhone connected” When and if a partial CarPlay installation shows up, it automatically turns off the WiFi on my iPhone. All updates are up to date on the phone Dealer contacted and unaware that there was a new software update on 3/24/25

NHTSA ODI #11654406

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2025
Unknown Or OtherCrashFire

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 catch fire as a result of the ac…

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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 catch fire as a result of the accident after it struck a tree. We just received a notice in the mail that states there's been a safety recall on the wheels of the 2025 Subaru Forrester that may contribute to accidents. We don't know for sure that it was related, but are concerned that it may be.

NHTSA ODI #11647040

Official recalls

3

26V436000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jul 7, 2026

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

25V419000 · Child Seat

Jun 19, 2025

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 & remedy

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.

25V033000 · Wheels

Jan 23, 2025

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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