2025 Subaru Forester problems & reliability
86 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Forester, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
6 complaints report injuries (6 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown OR Other | 17 | 20% |
| Visibility/wiper | 13 | 15% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 11 | 13% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 9 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 8 | 9% |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 | 9% |
| Visibility | 7 | 8% |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 6% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 6% |
| Air Bags | 4 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Visibility/wiper · filed Aug 4, 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…”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed Aug 3, 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…”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Jul 28, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
165 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Forester. The 10 most recent:
WRH-26 Certification Label Non-Compliance Recall- Parts and SSLP Process Updates.
SubaruNet Announcement (P · Other · issued Jul 28, 2026
This announcement provides WRH-26 recall information for owner contact and a vehicle disclosure form.
SubaruNet Announcement (V · Other · issued Jul 24, 2026
This announcement provides WRH-26 recall information for customers.
SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other · issued Jul 24, 2026
This announcement provides information on WRH-26 affected CPO and Used Vehicle Inventory.
SubaruNet Announcement (v · Other · issued Jul 24, 2026
This bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in conjunction with the applicable Service Manual.
16-159-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2026
This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedure to be performed before the service manual.
04-31-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2026
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a non-compliance recall for certain 2026 model yearCrosstrek Hybrid vehicles, 2025-2026 model year Forester & Forester Hybrid vehicles, and 2019- 2026 Ascent vehicles due…
WRH-26R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 22, 2026
This announcement provides an update for retailer inventory affected by the WRH-26 non-compliance recall.
SubaruNet Announcement (W · Other · issued Jul 21, 2026
This announcement provides information on a temporary process for addressing affected SSLP vehicles under the WRH-26 recall.
SubaruNet Announcement (W · Other · issued Jul 17, 2026
This announcement is to inform retailers of the non-compliance recall/stop sale parts update and repair procedure.
SubaruNet Announcement ( · Other · issued Jul 17, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2025 Subaru Forester has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2025 Subaru Forester?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.