Complaint volume
68 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2025 Subaru Forester Complaints
68 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2025 Subaru Forester, grouped by component category.
68 Total complaints
9 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
6 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are unknown or other, visibility/wiper, visibility. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 9 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 6 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 7 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 2,907 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to unknown or other, visibility/wiper, visibility?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2025 Subaru Forester?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2025 Subaru Forester
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2025 Subaru Forester complaints?
9 Crash
2 Fire
6 Injury
1 Fatality
8 Towed
5 Medical attention
What are the most common 2025 Subaru Forester complaint categories?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10
VISIBILITY/WIPER 9
VISIBILITY 7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 5
AIR BAGS 4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER 2
POWER TRAIN 2
68 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wiper blade speed adjuster failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the wiper blade speed adjuster was set for a slow intermittent speed, however the speed increased. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,000 |
| Apr 2025 | STEERING,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Bought 2025 Subaru Forester in January 2025. Within 300 miles of driving brought it back to place I bought it, complained about constant vibraton in Sterring wheel at high speeds around 55 - 65 MPH. They said the wheels were out of balance, they re balanced them and the problem was resolved, BUT IT WASN'T. I brought it back to them At 600 miles they looked it over and took it for a ride they said they did NOT feel the wheel vibration. I said how could you NOT feel it. I brought it back a 3rd time at 800 miles. They took it for a ride with me in passanger seat . Even as I told them I could feel it in armrest they still said they did not feel it. I opened a case with Subaru of America Advocates. they advised me to take it to a different dealer which I did. The second dealer acknowledge the wheel vibration at high speeds. They had my SUV for about 10 days they tried several different brands of tires . They same result happended . Then they said one brand of tires the vibration was less but it is NOT less it is about the same. They are trying to get me some new tires but I don't think it is the tires. THe supension has been looked over by both Subaru dealers. They say it is safe to drive. BUT IT STILL VIBRATES it is NOT just road noise. I just want the vehicle fixed properly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Infotainment system not working correctly. Cannot connect Apple car play. If is does a partial connection, just my phone contacts show when screen states “iPhone connected” When and if a partial CarPlay installation shows up, it automatically turns off the WiFi on my iPhone. All updates are up to date on the phone Dealer contacted and unaware that there was a new software update on 3/24/25 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2025 | WHEELS | Got a notification about a Subaru forester recall for my vehicle VIN that is not being listed on your website regarding my 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. 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Recently, my mother died in a car accident. A bystander reported that she was driving normally and then suddenly drove off the road. The police investigated and found that the conditions weren't likely to contribute to an accident. There was no immediate explanation for what happened. The car did catch fire as a result of the accident after it struck a tree. We just received a notice in the mail that states there's been a safety recall on the wheels of the 2025 Subaru Forrester that may contribute to accidents. We don't know for sure that it was related, but are concerned that it may be. | Crash: Yes Fire: Yes Fatalities: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The rear window spontaneously shattered. There was no extreme temperature or temperature change. The vehicle was parked when it happened. The entire rear window is gone to pieces. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My Subaru issues, false warnings to “KEEP HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL” while both hands are holding the steering wheel. The warnings are inconsistent and follow varying sequences. In most cases, the warning begins with a yellow outlined warning, on the instrument panel, to keep hands on the steering wheel with the accompanying beep tones. In most cases, with no change in hand position, the light will go out. In other cases, the outline on the warning will change to red and then go out. In still other cases, the warning will proceed to the CID and be displayed in red with audio. In all of these cases there has been no change in hand position. Usually the light will go out in a few seconds with no change in hand position. In the opposite case, if hands are completely removed from the steering wheel, no warning is given for approximately 12 seconds. In all cases, these false warnings are a distraction to my driving. I consider that a safety issue. In only one case so far has automatic breaking been applied with no reason. My previous car was a 2020 Subaru Forrester and I experienced none of these false warnings with that car. It is not clear to me if the false warnings I am experiencing in my car are unique to my particular car or if it is a generic defect in all Subaru. It is my understanding that my current car originated in Asheville, North Carolina which experienced hurricanes, Helene and Milton. I wonder if exposure to those hurricanes compromised the electrical system in my car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2025 | AIR BAGS | I recently purchased a 2025 Subaru Forester. My wife is a petite woman, about 93-97 pounds and 5 feet 4 inches tall. When she sits in the front passenger seat the airbag light stays in the "airbag off" position. She is not heavy enough to activate the "airbag on" light. The dealer inspected the passenger seat and said that the airbag on/off function is working properly and works as expected for persons about 100 pounds or more. They confirmed that the "airbag on" light does not come on for my wife. Your website indicates that you have used dummies for airbag deployment for children and small stature women. Is it safer for a small stature woman to have the airbag not deploy in a frontal collision than to deploy? We checked a 2025 Honda CR-V and the "airbag on" light is activated when she sits in the front passenger seat. We were given information that a weight of about 65 pounds is required to activate the airbag. Subaru has not told us what weight is required. It seems strange that the airbag activation requirements would vary from on vehicle to another. We are wondering whether it would be safer for us to keep the Subaru vehicle (where the airbag would not deploy) or replace it with the Honda CR-V, for which the airbag would deploy. Does your research indicate which option may be safer?. Subaru Customer Service said the airbag system is operating as it was intended and would not buy the car back. The dealer has offered to buy the car at a reduced price if we want to sell it and replace it with the Honda CR-V. Can you please provide some guidance for us based upon your crash research studies. Thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | VISIBILITY | Driver side exterior rear view mirror shakes/vibrates at highway speeds (65mph or higher) making it difficult to safely change lanes/view following traffic. The dealership inspected this and was able to replicate the issue, but said there is nothing they can be done / they’ve seen it before / it’s just how it is - “not that bad”. This is a dangerous defect and it needs to be fixed. It is especially a problem at nighttime. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I believe there are some issues related to the reliability of the windshield of this vehicle. My windshield cracked by itself from the bottom without hitting anything, which is similar to other complainant. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES | The vehicle, which has less then 1k miles, had the rubber "pad" on top of the brake pedal dislocate while driving. Did not know until I tried to brake to pull into driveway, pad obstructed the break. Had to put full weight on brake to make the vehicle stop, and was able to put in park. Could have easily caused collision. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | VISIBILITY | Driver's side mirror vibrates when driving at highway speeds on freeways; vibration is so bad that it makes the image blurry when using the mirror to change lanes | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The low beam lighting on my 2025 Subaru Forester is dangerous. The beam is set so that it is flat on top and too low. When the car dips at all the beam does not allow you see straight ahead. This is very dangerous when you cannot use the high beam as with oncoming traffic. I have taken it to the dealer and they state that the low beam is set according to Subaru specifications. Contact with Subaru America offered no correction.This is a dangerous condition and needs to be corrected. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I believe there should be a windshield recall due to abnormally easy cracking. I purchased/took ownership of my 2025 Subaru Forester, Touring model, on September 3, 2024. The odometer was just 4 miles. Barely a month later I had 2 cracks in the windshield; the 1st happened on October 2, 2024 and the 2nd occurred on October 13, 2024. Both happened simply while driving on interstate roads and something hitting my windshield (nothing big, didn't see any object and didn't even hear the 2nd one, just noticed the crack when I got home) . Two different places on the windshield. It is now November 12, 2024 and I have still not had the windshield replaced because SafeLite is waiting for an OEM windshield (which is on backorder with no delivery date yet provided). I have had it parked since the 2nd incident. This is the 14th car I've owned and I have never had a cracked windshield before and I believe this must be a defective product! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | VISIBILITY | I have noticed my new Suburu driver side mirror shakes during highway speeds and this causes cars and backgrounds to look blurry. I didn't notice this on my other mirrors. It makes it difficult to drive and is distracting. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Paddle shifter does not work appropriately—when shifting rapidly using paddle shifters, right shifter (up-shift) occasionally commands transmission to shift down. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | Low visibility and dark (shadowy) spots on road surface when low beam LED lights are on, and you’re driving on a dark rural road. The cutoff of the visual field is uneven, with a shorter visual field and dark spots on driver side. Got the car on August 17th. I didn’t drive it at night until the morning of September 5th. That’s when I noticed the problem with the lights. Took car to Subaru dealer on September 10th. According to the dealer the lights are level and working as designed. On September 11th I called Subaru and reported the problem, and the dealer comments to them. The customer advocate told me that a specialist will contact me within a couple of days. On September 16th I called and I was told that the specialist was not in the office, and the next day when he would come in he would contact me. Today is September 19th and I still have not been contacted by the Subaru specialist. I live in a rural township that doesn’t have street lights or sidewalks. Due to the low visibility and dark spots I don’t feel comfortable driving the car at night. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The head lights are seriously defective in low beam. In low beam the car is not road worthy. It is dangerous! It is available for inspection upon request. We did not drive the car after dark until a week after taking delivery. We were at risk as was any other vehicle on the road at that time. We have not driven the car after dark since. The dealer who sold the car to us has been made aware of the problem. No one has inspected the car. There were on warnings or symptoms. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |