2025 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls

2025 Subaru Forester recalls (3)

• Recall 26V436000Jul 7, 2026541,237 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

  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: 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.

• Recall 25V419000Jun 19, 20252,938 vehicles
  CHILD SEAT

  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: 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.

• Recall 25V033000Jan 23, 202520,366 vehicles
  WHEELS

  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: 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.

Recent 2025 Subaru Forester complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 8, 2026NYDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   On October 7, 2026 at approximately 7:40 PM, the EyeSight system inexplicably stopped working with a warning light notification. Prior to the EyeSight failure, the touchscreen froze completely with subsequent inability to control the climate and other control options. After pulling over and stopping the engine and then restarting several times, the problem did not resolve. After parking and shutting the engine and then restarting after a hiatus of not driving, the problem…

   NHTSA complaint #11769828 · source
2. Filed Oct 5, 2026CASeats & Seat Belts

   I never ride in the back seat and very infrequently have back seat passengers. However, every time I do they all complain about how difficult it is to "buckle up", I never thought much about it until I started visiting my grandkids and would have to buckle them; it is very difficult to access the clip. That in itself is bad enough, but there have been two occasions now where the seatbelt has come undone after I know it was properly latched, causing my grandsons booster to…

   NHTSA complaint #11769050 · source
3. Filed Sep 28, 202615,000 miTNTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while her husband was driving on a road trip at interstate speed with the contact and her daughter inside the vehicle, the vehicle started shaking violently from side to side. The driver pulled over to the side of the road momentarily. The driver resumed driving, and upon accelerating to overtake a vehicle, the engine made an abnormal sound; the vehicle started shaking violently and pulling from side to side…

   NHTSA complaint #11767533 · source
4. Filed Sep 25, 2026NYDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   I had made a right turn onto an avenue, then crossed another main avenue that breaks up the first avenue, and attempted to continue onto the original avenue. Suddenly, before I could continue to drive down the avenue and complete the maneuver, the pre-collision breaking system activated (I could see the wording in red on the screen above the steering wheel) and the breaks were triggered by the system thereby completely stopping the car. (phantom breaking). Fortunately, the…

   NHTSA complaint #11767004 · source
5. Filed Sep 14, 2026NYDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Driving in middle lane on i-87 heading towards albany (around it), car alarmed (flashed a red box on dashboard) and then the AEB braked for shadows in front and caused cars to swerve behind us with semi trucks getting too close. Could not get the car to stop breaking and other drivers were very upset at us. Will be taking to subaru for next appointment to recalibrate and teach me how to turn off. Have not confirmed yet with dealer or had inspection yet, as it only happened…

   NHTSA complaint #11764222 · source
6. Filed Sep 14, 2026MOOther / Unknown

   The radio/HVAC system in the 2025 Subaru Forester has a major delay problem which causes the unit to freeze and not accept user input, delay connectivity, and HVAC conteol, and volume comtrol/on/off, etc. This can take up to 90 seconds to work and if already driving, causes unnecessary fiddling which is a safety concern. The manufacturer is aware of the issue and considers it acceptable. Compared to other manufacturers, it is far from acceptable or safe. Since the…

   NHTSA complaint #11764139 · source
7. Filed Sep 10, 2026PAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I recently noticed that the metal lip and outer cap area of my fuel filler neck is rusting. This isn't just a cosmetic issue this is the exact surface where the gas cap needs to seal to keep the fuel system airtight. Because it’s rusting it’s going to ruin that seal, cause fuel vapor leaks, and trigger a check engine light. In addition to the fuel neck, both my front driver and passenger side windows screech and vibrate heavily whenever they get wet from rain or a car wash.…

   NHTSA complaint #11763329 · source
8. Filed Aug 18, 2026NJWheels & Tires

   Noticeable noise after oil change and tire rotation that became progressively worse over time. Constant humming/growling noise from the rear that increases in volume and intensity with speed. Noticeable at 40 mph and higher and floor vibration present at highway speed, especially under the dead pedal. Droning propeller sound. Upon inspection, both rear hub bearing units were failing prematurely and were replaced at 29,240 miles at no cost under the factory warranty.

   NHTSA complaint #11757616 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology