Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2025 Subaru Forester
NHTSA data on file today
The 2025 Subaru Forester has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 100 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V436000 Incorrect Weight Rating on Label/FMVSS 110 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V419000 Child Seat Anchor Bolt Not Tightened Properly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V033000 Incorrectly Manufactured Wheels NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Unknown or Other 19 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 13 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 13 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 13 complaints
- Electrical System 9 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 8 complaints
Of the 100 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 100 complaints, owners report 7 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2025 Subaru Forester has an average reliability rating due to moderate owner complaints and three recalls. Common issues include visibility and fuel system problems. Recalls focused on labeling, child seat anchor, and wheel attachment add some concern but aren't critical.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| visibility/wiper | 20,000–40,000 miles | $150–$350 | common |
| fuel system | 30,000–50,000 miles | $300–$900 | common |
| forward collision system | 25,000–45,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | occasional |
| wheels | 20,000–40,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Brake fluid replacement
- Air filter and cabin filter change
- Transmission fluid check
- Battery terminal cleaning
- Coolant system check
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unresponsive forward collision system
- Excessive fuel consumption
- Difficulty in wheel alignment
- Wiper streaking or noise
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2025 Subaru Forester at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.