2025 SUBARU FORESTER

3 recalls, 127 complaints - 2 TSBs - 5/5 safety rating

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Defect Description

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 ... Read more

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 are expected to be mailed August 25, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. ... Read more

541,237 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

CHILD SEAT

Defect Description

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

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.

2,938 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

WHEELS

Defect Description

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

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.

20,366 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

Complaint Statistics

127 total complaints 3 crashes 1 fires 2 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE	24
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	17
POWER TRAIN	11
SERVICE BRAKES	7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	7
STEERING	6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING	4
SUSPENSION	3

Incident date: Aug 25, 2026

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 ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 13, 2026

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 ped... Read more

Incident date: Oct 1, 2025

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 fa... Read more

Incident date: Oct 4, 2025

Purchased new 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Sport on 01 May 2025 (owned 19 months). Approximately 156 DAYS (a little over 5 months) after purchase we began having trouble with an unknown fuel system defect which prevents the vehicle from being refueled, disables our hybrid system, disables safety feat... Read more

Incident date: Oct 4, 2025

Incident date: Aug 7, 2026

Head gasket failure where engine coolant leaked internally into the engine cylinders.

Incident date: May 15, 2026

While driving normally at approximately 55 mph on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic, and spontaneous structural failure of the rear driver-side suspension and drivetrain. Without striking any road debris, potholes, or other vehicles, the entire driver-side rear wheel, wheel as... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jul 21, 2026

While in service at Volvo Cars Clear Lake for Recall R103312/ Campaign 25V-179, three of four hybrid battery modules failed on installation, yet Volvo refuses to replace the entire battery. This is a covered warranty repair that has not been completed, and the car has been out of service for more th... Read more

Incident date: Jul 21, 2026

I am reporting a product safety defect regarding an aftermarket dashboard cover manufactured by Seatz Manufacturing ([XXX]) for the 2018 Nissan NV200. The company's official website explicitly admits that their pattern covers the passenger airbag deployment zone, claiming the airbag will simply 'exp... Read more

Incident date: Apr 3, 2026

This 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has a severe and recurring history of catastrophic high-voltage hybrid powertrain and transmission failures that cause a sudden loss of motive power while driving, presenting an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle has already required two full automatic transmissi... Read more

Incident date: Apr 3, 2026

Incident date: Jul 11, 2026

I am filing a Recall Remedy Failure complaint regarding NHTSA Recall No. 26V-363 for my 2024 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. This safety recall was issued in June 2026 due to a fire risk that can occur while the vehicle is parked. Despite the recall having been announced, the recall status continues to state... Read more

Incident date: Jul 4, 2026

My daughter was driving my 2016 Honda Pilot EX when loud rattling noise came from engine compartment. The vehicle lost power and display warning lights came on. She pulled over and shut off the vehicle since the rattling noise was very loud. Vehicle was towed to an independent shop and the technicia... Read more

Incident date: Jul 4, 2026

Oil low pressure,oil pump is not working

Incident date: Jul 4, 2026

The primary Dashboard of the vehicle stopped working (while driving the car) and i lost access to all important information such as speed, RPM, current cruise setting, milage, visual alerts for any driver assistance warnings. The entire screen went black and showed “NO SIGNAL” in red text in th... Read more

Incident date: Jul 4, 2026

The rear windshield in my car completely shattered today without any impact to it at all. I closed my driver's side door and when it closed the rear windshield shattered.. my [XXX] old baby was in the back seat and there was class in her rear facing car seat.. this is completely unsafe. INFORMATION... Read more

Incident date: Jul 4, 2026

I received this safety recall in late 2024 (it is currently July 2026). I have made numerous calls to local dealerships and have called the manufacturer's customer service line. I have been told during these calls that parts are not available to repair my vehicle. Considering the safety recall notic... Read more

Incident date: Jul 4, 2026

GPS has stopped working. This affects navigation safety. Also, creates clock error and compass error. It's dangerous to get lost and disoriented. This is a common problem in many Acuras. Needs to be a recall.

Incident date: Apr 16, 2026

I am writing to request immediate assistance with our Jeep, which has become a serious safety hazard for our family. We purchased the jeep less than 2 years ago and over the past three months it has repeatedly failed to start or has stalled unexpectedly, leaving us stranded on multiple occasions. De... Read more

Incident date: Jul 4, 2026

No sound at different times. No way to reset issue. TSB issued May 14, 2026 for known issue. As of July 6, no estimate on repair. Blinkers make no sounds, Onstar can call but you cannot hear them. In event of accident, no communication.

Incident date: Jun 15, 2023

Electrical issues: Media screen blacks out/glitches including speakers. Gear switch "Dial" will move on its own and park itself. Switching from "Drive to Park". "Transmission not in park" on dash , Lights on dash for engine 4x

Incident date: Jun 15, 2026

Intermittent power steering loss, when I turn van off and back on and go in reverse it stops sometimes.

Incident date: Jun 15, 2026

Hello, I recently purchased this vehicle used. Within the past two weeks I’ve had some concerns. The hood latching mechanism is not reliable. If you try to open the hood it has been not opening completely and gets stuck. If you keep pulling the opening lever it barely works to open and or close th... Read more

Incident date: Jun 15, 2026

Intermittent power steering loss, when I turn van off and back on and go in reverse it stops sometimes.

Incident date: Jun 18, 2026

After the 68C recall software update upon getting my Jeep back I can no longer drive in the electric mode without the Jeep surging into and out of the gas mode at slow speeds or fast speeds. My jeep does hesitate or bogs down prior to engaging the gas mode.

Incident date: May 15, 2026

While traveling straight on the interstate (free of debris and potholes) I experienced the death wobble at 75 mph. I was unable to control the bike and entered a curve where I side swiped a concrete barrier. There were only 1,090 miles on the stock tires. No issues with the bike prior to the crash.

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jun 16, 2026

My car stopped in the highway

Incident date: Jun 16, 2026

My car stopped in the highway

Incident date: Jun 16, 2026

Continuously losing power while driving. It almost feels like a drop in power and a tug backwards. It’s not the same as regenerative breaking as I am familiar with that concept. Yesterday it responded differently. Instead of losing power there was a burst of power which almost caused me to crash i... Read more

Incident date: May 29, 2026

At around 7k miles while driving the brakes and steering suddenly stopped working and all warning lights came on including check engine light. The dealership said it was the main brain and the fixed it. Then last Thursday night while driving on the highway my brakes stopped working suddenly and al... Read more

Incident date: Jun 3, 2026

When I was at 41,528 miles, May 18, the LKAS, ACC & RDMS errors all turned on at the same time. So those systems just stopped working randomly. When I restarted the car, all errors turned off but it turned on again after 10 days, May 28 with 91,966 miles. I brought it to the Acura dealership and the... Read more

Incident date: Jun 3, 2026

While using Highway Driving Assist/Lane Following Assist on Interstate highways, lane markings frequently disappear on overpasses and in construction areas. When this occurs, lane-centering assistance silently disengages. The only indication is a small dashboard icon changing color. There is no audi... Read more

Incident date: Feb 26, 2026

The electric sliding door cable broke due to unknown reason and the door partially opened and will not open even manually now.

Incident date: Jun 2, 2026

During low speed driving, mainly stop and go traffic the truck will randomly lunge forward when the brake pedal is engaged. It happens when accelerating and the truck will shift in to second gear, then if you apply the brake the truck will act like it is going to stall, the engine rpm will spike an... Read more

Incident date: May 26, 2026

The contact owns 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was a loud banging noise coming from the sunroof. The contact mention she pulled to the right side of the road and discovered it was shattered. An Independent mechanic or A dealer were not contacted. The contact mention... Read more

Incident date: Mar 14, 2026

UNKNOWN On just a regular day the vehicle stop showing on the screen the camera to back up , and glitching . The whole screen went out slowly by slowly . One day the screen lights up and you can see camera to warn you on cars and the next it doesn’t show anything on screen and it turns black . Y... Read more

Incident date: May 6, 2026

Driving on Interstate 10 eastbound on May 9th, the lane departure system suddenly stopped working and would not turn back on and a warning on the dash stating Driver Facing Camera is Blocked but there was nothing in front of the camera which is on top of the steering wheel column. Then when returnin... Read more

Incident date: Feb 27, 2026

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier for repeated brake assist/braking failures. Most recent incident: While driving, the check engine light came on. I turned the vehicle off for approximately 10 minutes and restarted it, but the check engine light remained on. A... Read more

Incident date: Apr 22, 2026

Sudden unintended acceleration while braking. Engine revved against brake input. Has happened multiple times. Need to step on the brake hard and wait for it to pass.

Incident date: Apr 13, 2026

The fuel system was causing my engine to shut down, and I got it replaced at a mechanic. About some time later, after fixing the fuel system, I received a letter from BMW telling me that they had extended the warranty on the Fuel tank, but when I took it in, they said that there was no such extended... Read more

Incident date: Apr 3, 2026

Dealer non-Compliance with Recall N192273600 I am reporting Anderson Chevrolet for failure to identify and perform a mandatory federal emission recall while the vehicle was in their possession for service. Because the dealer neglected their statutory duty to perform the free recall repair, I was for... Read more

Incident date: Nov 19, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford EcoSport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V905000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up. After several attempts, the vehicle still failed to start up. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where i... Read more

Incident date: Nov 19, 2025

I am submitting this formal complaint regarding serious mechanical and safety issues with my 2020 Buick Enclave. These issues have created ongoing financial hardship, significant safety concerns, and an urgent need for investigation and resolution. Over the past several months, my vehicle has repeat... Read more

Incident date: Nov 19, 2025

My 2023 Lincoln Aviator has a grinding noise when I back up. Also a rattle has begun at all speeds. I had vehicled check and the axles were found to be totally rusted. Prior to having it towed to the detail i did some research and found the following -- A 2023 Lincoln Aviator recall regarding a "... Read more

Incident date: Mar 28, 2026

On April 4th 2025 I received a letter concerning NHTSA Recall 25V099 and was asked to have dealership run diagnostics. On April 30th dealership says "YES" engine needs to be replaced. Two days later dealership calls me and says new software has arrived and they need to run diagnostics for recall a... Read more

Incident date: Dec 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact lifted her foot off the brake pedal and then firmly depressed the brake pedal another time. The vehicle was a... Read more

Incident date: Dec 4, 2025

My truck engine stopped working while driving down the road causing me to lose power and I was not able to exit the roadway. There were no warning or messages until the loss of power and dash stated to "restart the engine". This was not possible. The truck was towed to a Chevy dealership and the... Read more

Incident date: Dec 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Jeep Compass. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 3, 2026

My vehicle has multiple active safety recalls that remain unrepaired. I have already contacted the dealership and attempted to have these issues addressed, but I have experienced delays and a lack of response. The front brake hose recall presents a serious safety risk, as it could rupture and cause ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the camera had become inoperable. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V808000 (Back Over Prevention). The dealer was recently contacted and informed that the parts were on ... Read more

Showing 50 of 127 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2025 SUBARU FORESTER

2025 SUBARU FORESTER SUV AWD

Category	Rating
Overall Rating	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash, Driver	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash, Passenger	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Driver	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Passenger	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Rollover	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Rollover Risk	17.4%

Safety Technology

Feature	Status
Electronic Stability Control	Standard
Forward Collision Warning	Standard
Lane Departure Warning	Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Technical Service Bulletins, 2025 SUBARU FORESTER

2 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1
350000 EQUIPMENT	1

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

To satisfy current supply demands, a new Subaru alternative replacement battery is now available.

350000 EQUIPMENT

To satisfy current supply demands, a new Subaru alternative replacement battery is now available.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, SUBARU FORESTER

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2016

Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehic... les use a capacitive type ODS, which is intended to classify the occupant of the passenger seat as either full-sized, small stature, a child seat or other object. The complaints reported the ODS failed to operate properly, the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) warning light illuminated, and/or the ODS incorrectly suppressed (turned off) the front passenger air bag when the seat was occupied by a full-sized passenger. In a frontal crash that is sufficient to warrant deployment, a suppressed air bag may increase the risk of injury to the occupant of the seat.On August 14, 2019 ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Subaru requesting information on the subject vehicles and MY 2014-2015 Subaru Forester vehicles.On October 3, 2019, Subaru submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA describing a safety defect in the passenger-side front airbag Occupant Detection System (ODS) harness of 366,282 MY 2015-2018 Subaru Forester vehicles equipped with seat heaters.The DIR stated that over time, due to a decrease in contact pressure between the terminals in the ODS sensor mat harness, a temporarily unstable electrical connection may be possible. If the connection is temporarily unstable, the ODS may not properly determine the status of the right front seat occupant. If the ODS is unable to correctly determine the status of the front occupant, the airbag warning light may illuminate, and the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.Using vehicle production data and field occurrence frequency, Subaru determined the potentially affected vehicle production range to be between January 20, 2015 ?and August 1, 2017.In addition, Subaru indicated that over 99 percent of the related MY 2015-2018 field reports with vehicles in the production range involved vehicles with seat heaters.NHTSA's analysis of complaint and warranty claim data showed 1,440 of the complaints and 11,672 of the claims involve vehicles with seat heaters that were built within the production range covered by Subaru's recall.In addition, NHTSA's analysis showed a complaint rate of 393.1 per hundred thousand vehicles for the recalled population and 89.0 for MY 2014 through 2018 vehicles that are not included in the recall. Analysis of warranty claim data found a claim rate of 3.2 percent for the recalled population and 0.3 percent for MY 2014 through 2018 vehicles that are not included in the recall.Subaru will instruct owners with Subaru Forester vehicles produced in the affected vehicle production range, to bring their vehicles to a dealer to have the sensor mat harness, inspected and replaced with a new part, including the seat cushion assembly, if necessary.Based on ODI's analysis, the actions taken by Subaru mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by ODS sensor mat failures in the subject vehicles. For subject and peer vehicles outside the recall population and those equipped without seat heaters, ODI's analysis indicates that there is currently no safety-related defect trend. Given these circumstances, further use of the agency resources in this matter does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1999

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION

ODI HAS ONE COMPLAINT ALLEGING THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE, LOCATED BETWEEN THE SEAT AND CENTER CONSOLE, BECAME DETACHED WHILE DRIVING.IN ADDITION, THE OWNER INSPECTED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE AND FOUND THAT THE BOLT WAS PARTIALLY BACKED-OUT.THE COMPLAINT VEHICLE WAS EQ... Read more

SUBARU FORESTER - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the SUBARU FORESTER across all model years (1998, 2026).

116 Total Recalls

8,731 Total Complaints

2 Investigations

801 Reported Crashes

139 Reported Fires

9 Reported Deaths

SUBARU FORESTER - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026	3	28	View
2025 (current)	3	127
2024	2	41	View
2023	1	110	View
2022	1	142	View
2021	0	285	View
2020	0	812	View
2019	3	1,088	View
2018	3	679	View
2017	1	800	View
2016	3	619	View
2015	3	897	View
2014	2	576	View
2013	12	94	View
2012	15	140	View
2011	16	195	View
2010	17	307	View
2009	18	228	View
2008	1	67	View
2007	1	89	View
2006	2	121	View
2005	1	105	View
2004	2	270	View
2003	3	238	View
2002	1	109	View
2001	0	169	View
2000	0	95	View
1999	1	156	View
1998	1	138	View

Other SUBARU Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
IMPREZA	321	3,425	View
LEGACY	307	4,132	View
OUTBACK	288	12,131	View
SOLTERRA	259	109	View
WRX	190	1,208	View
ASCENT	112	1,248	View
TRIBECA	70	51	View
CROSSTREK	42	1,453	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

2025 SUBARU FORESTER

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2025 SUBARU FORESTER

Safety Technology

Technical Service Bulletins, 2025 SUBARU FORESTER

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, SUBARU FORESTER

SUBARU FORESTER - All Years Overview

SUBARU FORESTER - Year by Year

Other SUBARU Models