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).

Is 2025 a good year for the Forester?

Across the 12 Forester model years we track, complaint volume runs from 56 (2024) to 487 (2018). With 77 complaints, the 2025 Forester sits belowthe model's median of 112.

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

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.

  • 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.

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 $14,131–$28,173 across 2012 to 2026 model years.

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