The Lemon Index

All cars · Subaru Forester · 2025

2025 Subaru Forester. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index92100 = average car
Complaints98NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold175,070U.S. model year
Per 100K sold56complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (AV-S8)AWD26 / 33 / 29Regular$2,150
2.5L 4-cyl hybridAuto (AV-S6)AWD35 / 34 / 35Regular$1,800

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 1,200 and 5,700 miles. Median 2,800, from 11 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Automatic emergency braking20%
Wipers & visibility13%
Fuel or ev drive system13%
Lights8%
Electrical8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
981227111

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 26V436000 Jul 2026 Equipment / Other / Labels

    Defect. Subaru 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."

    Risk. An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.

  • 25V419000 Jun 2025 Child Seat

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. A loose child seat anchor bolt increases the risk of injury to a child during a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect the child seat anchor bolts and, if necessary, tighten the bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-25.

  • 25V033000 Jan 2025 Wheels

    Defect. 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 in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.

    Risk. A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the wheels, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRB-25.

Manufacturer communications 188

Subaru filed 188 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut
  • This announcement provides information for retailers to install the latest infotainment system…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
SUBARU FORESTER SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
SUBARU FORESTER HYBRID SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardStandard

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20225583114,096Wipers & visibility
20234174152,566Automatic emergency braking
20242030175,521Airbags
20259298175,070Automatic emergency braking

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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