2025 SUBARU Forester

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2025 Subaru Forester exhibits a concerning reliability profile with two recalls affecting key components. Given the average failure mileage of just over 5,600 miles, prompt attention to these issues is essential for owner safety.

Key Factor:Child seat anchor vulnerabilities

📋Why This Matters

The defects in the 2025 Subaru Forester are particularly alarming as they directly impact passenger safety, especially for children in the back seat. The recall regarding the improperly tightened child seat anchor bolts raises concerns about the secure installation of child safety seats, which are crucial in reducing injury during a collision. Similarly, the wheel issue could lead to instability while driving, posing severe risks to all occupants on board. In a family vehicle like the Forester, ensuring that all safety systems function correctly is paramount. Families rely on these vehicles for safe transportation, and any potential failures can have devastating consequences. Recognizing these risks highlights the importance of addressing recalls promptly and maintaining vigilant awareness of vehicle conditions.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis

  • 📈
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Vibrate
  • ⚖️
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.3)
    📝
    Summary: Year-over-year analyses of Subaru's safety trends reveal a commitment to engineering quality; however, this model's recent recalls raise valid concerns about its reliability. Given its focus on family transport, improved diligence regarding safety measures is warranted.

Safety & Reliability Score

82/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-2.2
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2025 SUBARU Forester

Model Year2025
MakeSUBARU
ModelForester
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Sep24
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan25
NEWProduction
Jan25
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan25
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

6 complaints (14% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 44 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
2(5%)
🟡Medium
11(25%)
🟢Low
31(70%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

With a peak failure range from 0-20k miles and an average failure mileage around 5,600 miles, current owners should be particularly vigilant during early vehicle operation phases. Issues emerging within such a short mileage span necessitate immediate checks on both recalled components to ensure continuous safety for all passengers.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 9 of 44 complaints (20% coverage)
0-20k
8 reports (89%)
20k-40k
1 reports (11%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

WHEELSCHILD SEAT

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Child Seat Anchors

Issue: Improperly tightened bolts may allow child seats to detach during travel.

Inspect child seat anchors immediately to ensure they are securely fastened.

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Verify recall status and confirm that necessary repairs have been made before purchasing.

2

Wheels

Issue: Potential instability due to incorrectly specified lug seat surface.

Have wheels inspected for proper attachment at your earliest convenience.

🔍

Check if wheel inspections or replacements have been completed under recall guidelines prior to buying.

💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your SUBARU dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (2)

Campaign: 25V033000

WHEELS

Summary

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

Campaign: 25V419000

CHILD SEAT

Summary

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.

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

44 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2025 Forester.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Vibrate14%
Crack11%
Warning11%
Crash/Accident9%
Shatter7%
Stall7%
Display7%
Accident5%
Shake5%
Other🔵 Low
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 would appear to be some defect. I have NEVER had such a thing happen, needless to say TWICE.

Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Electrical🔶 Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

8/25/25: Seat Heater came on by itself on a hot day this Summer, it got so hot it burned my Right thigh. Seat Heaters are burning people. I drove directly to Subaru Dealership Service and the Service person, Dave confirmed the Seat heater was off and felt that the seat was hot and getting hotter as the heat began going up into the back of the seat. The service personnel inspected my car and could not duplicate the incident and everything tested "normal" ~ I requested they unplug the heater and they said they could NOT as it will effect the computer. Subaru Corporate connected me with a Customer Advocate who arranged inspection by a corporate service person. Scheduled 11/25/25: He did NOT drive my car -I dont know what he did besides remove my car seat covers, he left a message for me that everything tested normal he couldn't duplicate the issue and the seat covers were not allowed (Subaru sells the same type covers for my Forester :/ finding this odd I began researching and found others are getting burn by the SAME issue!! ) There were NO lights on- the Seat heater was in the OFF position ~Subaru Service personnel can confirm. I am requesting an emergency "Kill Switch" be installed in all vehicles with Seat Heaters to prevent further injury. Thank you

Safety Systems🔵 Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

I have a 2025 Forester. The new Forester has unexpectedly thrown on its brakes in a major way three times in 24,000 miles. The last incident was on a divided highway with a sweeping curve to the right. There were orange barrels closing off the lane to the left of me in the curve for maintenance work. In the middle of the curve to the right, the eyesight system saw the orange barrels in the other lane as a threat and unexpectedly threw on the brakes. I had concerns about being rear ended. I am reporting this because internet Subaru Forester blogs and facebook groups all have owners reporting the same dangerous issue.

Body/Interior🔶 Medium
CHILD SEAT

The contact owns a Chicco Keyfit 360 Convertible child seat installed in a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the harness strap had detached from the T-bar in the rear of the child seat. The contact stated that the child was in the seat during the failure. The contact was unable to reattach the strap after speaking to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a replacement chest clip would be sent for the repair. The cause of the failure was not yet determined; however, the contact stated that the child seat manufacturer had not sent a replacement child seat. The VIN was not available.

Safety Systems🔶 Medium
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Vehicle suddenly lurched forward while vehicle was pulling into a parking space, causing a collision with a building.

Electrical🔵 Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

After my purchase of my 2025 Subaru Forester, I finally drove it for the first time at night. I was driving on local roads which have no street lights and is very hilly and dark. My headlights were on and I was shocked to see how poorly they were operating compared to my former 2016 Subaru Forester which I never had a problem with. My headlights even had strange dark marks projected onto the road surface. My headlights in the low beam settings, appears to be too low on the road surface especially if there’s a hill up ahead. There is a very dark area above the lit road surface and you can not see if there is a road hazard there or not. It’s very scary, especially when there are many deer in my area. This leaves me to have to keep my high beams on which I never had to do on my 2016. But my vehicle has a feature where my high beams automatically go on and off during night driving. At first, I did not realize I had this feature until I saw it operating on its own one night while driving on a dark lever road surface. The high beams would go on automatically and then go off when another vehicle was approaching from the opposite direction. But when I turned off to drive on hilly local roads, that feature stopped working and I didn’t understand why. That’s when I had to use the high beams manually. Being frustrated by this, on October 15, I took my vehicle to the dealership and had one of the salesman explain to me why my high beams do not always work. He then looked at the vehicles settings and everything was in proper order. He told me that the service department could possibly raise the headlights, but he said that doesn’t always work. All in all, I feel that these headlights are a hazard when driving at night on dark hilly road surfaces. I try not to drive at night because of this, but now that it’s getting darker earlier, that’s going to be difficult.

Electrical🔵 Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I find that the headlights on my 2025 Subaru Forester pose a safety concern. When on dims there is a distinct black line above which you have no light and cannot see. There is also some black shadows in the line of sight that bounce up and down as the car moves causing a major distraction. I complained to the dealer who said there wasn’t much they could do, however they adjusted the lights on August 26, 2025. There is little improvement and now I get flashed on the dim setting all of the time. I called Subaru and registered a complaint on October 3, 2025. Subaru contacted me on October 13, 2025 and took down my information and said they would check further into the problem. They said they wanted to do some research and contact the dealer to see what can be done. They are supposed to call me back on October 20, 2025. I also have read hundreds of complaints the same as mine online. One person even said he almost hit some deer as they were not seen in the black area. I will not drive this car at night as I am afraid because of the horrible visibility issue. The car was purchased new this past February and has about 7000 miles on it. I cannot trade the car as I would lose so much money, yet I don’t feel safe driving at night.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
SEAT BELTS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While there were no reported incidents, it appears there may be manufacturing defects with this vehicle. The rear seat safety belts are reportedly quite difficult to fasten, as the receptacle is positioned deeply within the seats, sometimes making it impossible to secure the belt. This then triggers an alarm, which can be quite bothersome for the driver. Furthermore, there seems to be an issue with the fuel gauge, as it may display an inaccurate reading. For instance, upon filling the tank, the meter might show 470 ml, but while still at the gas station, it could indicate 330 ml. Additionally, the reading can fluctuate after a trip. Finally, the air conditioning vent on the driver's side does not seem to be functioning correctly. In one instance, despite a minor road hazard that was not immediately noticed, the left rear tire was completely damaged. Despite multiple attempts to address these issues at the showroom and contacting Subaru headquarters, the problems persist. Note the purchase of vehicle forced upon me ,in addition Hallmark Subaru refuse to address the issues with vehicle. I have reported the matter to AL state Attorney general. Still no response made by state AG. Thank you.

Safety Systems🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

[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)

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I know about the recalls on the 2025 Subaru Forester?

The recalls primarily address issues with the child seat anchor bolts and wheel stability. It's crucial for owners or prospective buyers to ensure that both these components are thoroughly checked and addressed by an authorized dealer before driving or purchasing this model.

How do I ensure my child's safety in a recalled Subaru Forester?

'To maximize your child's safety in any vehicle subject to recall, including the Subaru Forester, check that all recalls have been resolved by visiting your local dealer. Regularly verify that child seats are installed correctly using appropriate anchors and undergo inspections regularly as part of routine maintenance.'

📊Year-over-Year Context

➡️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2025 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 2 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your SUBARU dealer.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in SUBARU's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
  • This specific Forester year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.