Photo: Chanokchon / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2025 Subaru Forester: common problems and reliability
Too new to grade yet.
102 owner complaints, most about fuel/propulsion system. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2025 Forester?The 2025 Subaru Forester has 102 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are fuel/propulsion system and visibility/wiper. Owners most often flag hybrid model spare tire: the 2025+ forester hybrid does not include a spare tire due to battery placement, cited as a significant disadvantage.
Safety record for the 2025 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2025 Subaru Forester vehicles (US, public record).
Too new to grade: we score a model year once it has been on the road for 3 years. How we score it
Is 2025 a good year for the Forester?
Across the 29 Forester model years we track, complaint volume runs from 50 (2008) to 833 (2019). With 102 complaints, the 2025 Forester sits below the model's median of 141.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2025 Forester
wheels
Campaign 25V033000Subaru 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.
child seat
Campaign 25V419000Subaru 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.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 26V436000Subaru 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."
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment across multiple generations, with the Forester consistently praised for its practicality, safety, all-weather capability, and long-term reliability when properly maintained.
- IsolatedHybrid model spare tire
The 2025+ Forester Hybrid does not include a spare tire due to battery placement, cited as a significant disadvantage.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Forester. See the full Forester owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Forester listings typically run $15,000–$24,194.
Other Forester model years
Compare every Forester year side by side to see how 2025 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Forester against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy