This page covers 7 recalls, 66 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2025 Subaru Forester.
29–35 mpg combined
6.7–8.1 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2025 Subaru Forester, visibility and forward collision avoidance are the most-reported areas across owner complaints. On the visibility side, owners frequently describe problems with the adaptive headlights, specifically a noticeable dark shadow in the center of the beam, smaller shadow patches toward the outer edges, and the lights dimming unexpectedly on road grade changes, all of which owners say meaningfully reduces nighttime visibility. Wiper performance draws a separate cluster of complaints. Forward collision avoidance is also a recurring topic, with owners reporting situations where the system did not intervene as expected during collisions. A smaller number of complaints touch on airbag non-deployment during front-end impacts, and parts availability delays appear across multiple reports, with owners describing extended wait times for repair components to become available through dealers.
66
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2025 Subaru Forester has 6 recalls, with the most serious being a fuel cap seal failure on hybrid models that can allow fuel to spill from the filler neck when the tank is full and temperatures rise, creating a fire risk.
The wheel recall affects vehicles equipped with 18-inch aluminum wheels, where the lug seat surface was not made to the correct specification. This can prevent the lug nuts from fully securing the wheel, and a wheel that is not properly attached can cause the vehicle to lose stability while driving. Some recalls only affect hybrid models, including both fuel-related issues: the fuel cap gasket may not seal properly against the filler housing, allowing fuel to leak out where it can reach an ignition source. These two fuel system issues describe the same underlying problem and are treated as a single concern.
On the child safety side, the child seat anchor bolts in the rear of the cabin may not have been tightened to the correct torque during assembly. Over time, or in a crash, these bolts can work loose and allow the anchor points to give way, which means a rear-facing or forward-facing child seat may not stay in place when it matters most. One version of this concern specifically affects hybrid e-BOXER models, where the universal anchorage system bolts can separate entirely in a crash rather than simply loosen. Both issues point to the same real-world risk: a child restraint that moves or comes free in a collision.
The official notice
Defect
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."
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Safety 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 are expected to be mailed August 25, 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.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel cap seal may not prevent fuel from spilling out of the filler neck when the fuel tank is nearly full and ambient temperature rises, causing the fuel to expand.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel filler cap gasket at no cost to restore a proper seal.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rubber seal on the fuel filler cap may not seal properly, allowing fuel to leak from the fuel filler neck.
What the fix does
Subaru will replace the fuel filler cap gasket at a dealership to stop the leak.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the universal anchorage system for child car seats may not be properly tightened. During a crash, these bolts could loosen and the anchors could separate.
What the fix does
Subaru will inspect and tighten the lower child seat anchor bolts at a dealership. Until repaired, use rear seat belts to install child seats instead of the universal anchorage system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that secure child seat anchors may not have been tightened properly during manufacturing, which could cause them to loosen over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the child seat anchor bolts as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain 18-inch aluminum wheels may have manufacturing defects that prevent wheel lug nuts from securing the wheels properly.
What the fix does
Subaru will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will inspect and replace affected wheels if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 18-inch aluminum wheels may have been made with an incorrect lug seat surface, allowing the wheel to attach improperly and lose stability.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the wheels at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
