2025 Subaru Forester: common problems and reliability

The 2025 Subaru Forester has 77 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper and fuel/propulsion system. Owners most often flag cvt transmission longevity concerns — concerns about long-term reliability beyond 100,000 miles, with strong owner consensus recommending proactive fluid changes every 30,000-60,000 miles despite some manufacturer guidance. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2025 model year

77
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
9
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2025 Subaru Forester vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

visibility/wiper
12
fuel/propulsion system
9
forward collision avoidance
9
exterior lighting
8
visibility
7

Recalls affecting the 2025 Forester

wheels

Campaign 25V033000

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…

child seat

Campaign 25V419000

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.

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. Owners express deep satisfaction with the vehicle's

  • CVT transmission longevity concerns — Concerns about long-term reliability beyond 100,000 miles, with strong owner consensus recommending proactive fluid changes every 30,000-60,000 miles despite some manufacturer guidance. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Infotainment system glitches — Occasional screen freezes, slow response, or connectivity issues. Noted as an annoyance but not a dealbreaker. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Windshield/glass cracking — Described as an "Achilles' heel"; prone to cracks and chips, necessitating comprehensive glass insurance. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Front control arm bushing wear — Bushings reported to fail relatively early, sometimes between 60,000-100,000 miles, affecting ride quality. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Oil consumption — Some models, particularly older generations, noted to consume more oil than average, requiring monitoring between changes. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Forester.

Typical used price

Used Forester listings typically run $14,131–$28,173 across 2012 to 2026 model years.

Other Forester model years

2024 Forester2021 Forester2018 Forester2016 Forester2012 Forester2011 Forester2010 Forester2007 Forester2005 Forester2002 Forester1998 Forester
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