2025 Subaru Forester: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
90 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Forester's record mirrors the Outback's: oil-consumption complaints on the FB25 engine in 2014–2015, a long moderate stretch, and then a spike for the 2019 model year with the fifth generation's launch — the Starlink infotainment, battery drain, and the EyeSight driver-assistance system braking unnecessarily. The 2021–2024 years score between 83 and 91. Read the full note on the model page. 2025 specifically: 90 complaints on record, score 56/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Used Subaru Outback and Forester: oil consumption, then Starlink, then a clean run, including 2025 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 90 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 90.0
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Sunroof cracked completely on its own while vehicle was parked. No surface impact, chip, marking or exterior imperfection in the glass was present. There were small air bubbles in the pane mould around the corner where the crack appeared and spread across the pane. Dealership replaced it under factory warranty after Subaru of America approved the claim at no cost at 15,216 miles.
Noticeable noise after oil change and tire rotation that became progressively worse over time. Constant humming/growling noise from the rear that increases in volume and intensity with speed. Noticeable at 40 mph and higher and floor vibration present at highway speed, especially under the dead pedal. Droning propeller sound. Upon inspection, both rear hub bearing units were failing prematurely and were replaced a…
Purchased new 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Sport on 01 May 2025 (owned 19 months). Approximately 156 DAYS (a little over 5 months) after purchase we began having trouble with an unknown fuel system defect which prevents the vehicle from being refueled, disables our hybrid system, disables safety features such as the vehicles eyesight system, cruise control, and RAB. Vehicle leaking strong gas smell. Issue has been inc…
Recalls: 3 campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 26V436000 | Equipment:Other:Labels | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. |
| 25V419000 | Child Seat | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles. |
| 25V033000 | Wheels | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles equipped with 18" aluminum alloy wheels. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 29 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,100
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Unknown Or Other18 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Visibility/Wiper13 complaints · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$490–$1,200
- Fuel/Propulsion System12 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
- Forward Collision Avoidance9 complaints · typical job: Radar or camera module replacement and calibration (3.0 h labour + parts)$780–$2,160
- Electrical System8 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Exterior Lighting8 complaints · typical job: Headlamp assembly or lighting-module replacement (1.5 h labour + parts)$360–$1,380
Other Subaru Forester years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2025 Subaru Forester?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Unknown Or Other (18 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2025 Subaru Forester a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 56/100, computed from 90 NHTSA complaints and 3 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2025 Subaru Forester's most common problem?
18 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2025 Subaru Forester sit in the Unknown Or Other group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is diagnosis and mixed repair: about 2.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $360–$940 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2025 Subaru Forester cost to run per year?
About $4,620 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $23,100 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2025 Subaru Forester have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for the 2025 Subaru Forester, 0 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 07/07/2026. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2025 Subaru Forester really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Moderate evidence — 90 complaints, 3 recalls on record
- 90 NHTSA complaints on record (90.0/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (41.1/yr)
- 3 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems