Owners have reported 6 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2025 Subaru Forester. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several issues with the 2025 Subaru Forester, primarily involving windshield fragility, infotainment system disruptions, and potential safety hazards. Multiple complaints describe frequent windshield cracks and chips within the first year of ownership, with one owner noting a lack of replacement availability. Infotainment system problems frequently include non-dismissible advertisements and connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay, causing distraction while driving. A serious safety concern is raised by a report of a crash with a fire, where a recall notice regarding wheel safety is mentioned, though the exact connection is unclear. These issues typically emerge early in ownership, with some owners mentioning problems within the first few thousand miles.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners report that the 2025 Subaru Forester exhibits issues with its low beam headlights, frequently describing them as weak and inadequately illuminating the road. Many complaints highlight a distinct black line or shadow above which there is no light, leading to poor visibility, particularly on hilly or dark rural roads. Some owners note that these visibility issues are exacerbated by dark spots or shadows on the road surface, causing distraction. The issue typically emerges shortly after purchase, often within the first few thousand miles. Safety implications are noted, with owners expressing concerns about the potential for accidents due to reduced visibility and the need to frequently use high beams inappropriately.
Owner complaints7
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2025 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the vehicle's visibility components, particularly the windshield and side mirrors. Multiple complaints describe the windshield as prone to cracking easily, even from minor impacts, with some owners noting delays in obtaining replacement parts due to backorders. This issue is reported at low mileages, sometimes as early as 4 miles. Additionally, drivers note that the driver-side mirror vibrates at highway speeds, making it difficult to see clearly, especially at night. A few owners also mention wiper speed malfunctions, where the speed adjuster fails to maintain the set pace. These visibility issues could potentially compromise safety by obscuring vision, particularly if the windshield cracks extend or shatter while driving.
Owner complaints7
VISIBILITY
Owners of the 2025 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the driver's side mirror vibrating, particularly at highway speeds, which distorts the reflection and makes it difficult to view following traffic, especially at night. Several complaints indicate that despite attempts to repair or replace the mirror, the vibration persists, with some owners noting that the problem worsens over time. These issues are commonly reported at mileage around 4,000 to 5,700. Additionally, one owner describes an incident where the liftgate window exploded after closing the front passenger door, although this is less commonly mentioned. The mirror vibration poses potential safety implications as it affects the driver's ability to safely change lanes.
Owner complaints4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2025 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the vehicle's forward collision avoidance system. Multiple complaints describe unexpected braking events, particularly when the vehicle misinterprets objects like orange barrels on highways as threats, leading to sudden braking. One owner notes this has occurred three times within 24,000 miles. Another complaint involves a crash where the vehicle unexpectedly lurched forward while parking. Additionally, there are reports of system malfunctions in adverse weather conditions, where safety features deactivate without clear cause. These issues present potential safety implications, including the risk of rear-end collisions and unintended acceleration.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2025 Subaru Forester report issues with the electrical system, specifically involving seat heaters and the Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) system. Complaints describe seat heaters activating independently, leading to burns, even when the control is in the off position. Another report details the RAB system engaging without obstacles, causing abrupt stops and resulting in a concussion. Both incidents occurred at low mileage, with one at approximately 100 miles. These issues pose safety risks, including burns and potential injuries from unexpected vehicle behavior.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2025 Subaru Forester report issues with airbag deployment in specific scenarios. One complaint describes a crash where the airbags did not deploy despite a significant front-end impact, raising concerns about potential malfunction. Another owner reports that the airbag system does not activate for a passenger weighing around 93-97 pounds, as the airbag light remains off, suggesting weight sensitivity issues in the passenger seat sensor. These complaints highlight potential safety implications, particularly in crash situations, and may influence used car buyers considering the vehicle's safety features.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2025 Subaru Forester report issues with unintended acceleration and paddle shifter malfunctions. One complaint describes a serious incident where the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly while parking, leading to a crash with a building and subsequently reversing at high speed before stopping without further collisions. This incident occurred at approximately 2,000 miles and involved a police report but no injuries. Another owner notes that the paddle shifters sometimes cause the vehicle to downshift instead of upshifting as intended. These reports highlight potential safety risks, particularly with the unintended acceleration leading to a crash, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2025 Subaru Forester report issues with the service brakes, notably involving brake failure and pedal obstruction. One complaint describes a crash where the brakes failed to stop the vehicle, resulting in a collision with a garage and injuries to the driver, occurring at approximately 2,800 miles. Another owner reports that the rubber pad on the brake pedal dislocated while driving, obstructing the brake and requiring excessive force to stop the vehicle at under 1,000 miles. Both complaints highlight potential safety risks, including the possibility of collisions due to brake malfunctions. These issues appear to occur at low mileage, indicating early-life failures.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
