Subaru describes its 2025 Forester as “An all-wheel drive SUV built on love and trust.” However, owners who experience vibrations that result in mirrors, steering wheels, and the wheels of the SUV shaking, or their windshields or windows shattering, don’t trust their vehicles and are very unhappy about these defects. Those who experience problems with low-beam exterior lighting complain that it is downright dangerous.
Complaints about the 2025 Subaru Forester to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) are varied, however the most common ones focus on windshields that crack and mirrors, wheels, and steering wheels that vibrate or shake.
In terms of numbers, 50% of complaints are filed as visibility or visibility/wiper problems. These highlight issues that include both cracking or shattering windshields, as well as vibrations that negatively affect visibility.
Other components and systems that are singled out in complaints include exterior lighting, the airbags, forward collision avoidance, powertrain, and brakes.
There is one safety recall that affects 20,366 MY 2025 Subaru Forester SUVs. NHTSA Campaign Number 25V033000 states that the 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels of these vehicles may have been manufactured incorrectly. According to the recall, the problem is “an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.” It warns that the loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash.
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2025 Subaru Forester Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Visibility/wiper
7
7
Exterior Lighting
4
4
Unknown Or Other
4
4
Power Train
3
3
Service Brakes
3
3
Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior
3
3
Wheels
3
3
Air Bags
1
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Descriptions of defective windshields and windows range from cracking and shattering to a liftgate window that exploded.
An owner in Los Angeles experienced an explosion. At the time, the SUV was turned off and the owner had closed the front passenger door when the liftgate window exploded. There had not been a diagnosis at the time of the complaint three days after the incident in May 2025.
The rear window of a Forester in Minnesota spontaneously shattered. “There was no extreme temperature or temperature change. The vehicle was parked when it happened. The entire rear window is gone to pieces.”
An owner from Washington states very simply, “I believe there are some issues related to the reliability of the windshield of this vehicle. My windshield cracked by itself from the bottom without hitting anything.”
The fact that an owner from Florida was unable to get the windshield repaired because the part was on backorder indicates that this is a common problem. “I believe there should be a windshield recall due to abnormally easy cracking.” Not quite a month after taking ownership of a 2025 Subaru Forester Touring model, there were two cracks in the windshield. Both occurred while traveling on interstate roads — and both were due to “something hitting my windshield.” Objects were small and he didn’t hear the second one.” Furthermore, the cracks were in two different parts of the windshield.
A month after the second incident, the owner was still waiting for the windshield to be replaced “because SafeLite is waiting for an OEM windshield (which is on backorder with no delivery date yet provided). I have had it parked since the 2nd incident. This is the 14th car I’ve owned and I have never had a cracked windshield before. I believe this must be a defective product!”
Vibrations that Cause Problems
Most of the vibration issues are related to visibility in NHTSA complaints and are due to mirrors shaking. However, there are also reports of vibrations in the steering wheel and wheels. There is no indication whether the latter is related to safety recall due to incorrectly manufactured wheels, although this does result in a loss of vehicle stability.
An owner from Colorado describes the vibrating and shaking of the driver-side rear-view mirror at highway speeds as “a dangerous defect.” The complaint states that when traveling at 65 mph or faster, it is difficult to view following traffic and change lanes safely. The dealership inspected the Forester and replicated the issue, but said there was nothing they could do. They said they had seen it before and that was just how it is — “not that bad”. “This is a dangerous defect and it needs to be fixed. It is especially a problem at night-time.”
Other owners complain that the driver-side mirror shakes and vibrates. An owner from Texas states that the vibration is so bad, it makes the image blurry when using the mirror to change lanes. An owner from Arizona also says the cars and background look blurry. “I didn’t notice this on my other mirrors. It makes it difficult to drive and is distracting.”
Wheel Vibration Problems
An owner from Connecticut went back to the dealership after driving the SUV for less than 300 miles. The issue was constant vibration in the steering wheel at high speeds of about 55-65 mph. They said the wheels were out of balance, balanced them and maintained the problem was resolved. But it wasn’t. At 600 miles, the owner returned, only to be told that they couldn’t feel the wheel vibration. “I said how could you NOT feel it? I brought it back a 3rd time at 800 miles. They took it for a ride with me in (the) passenger seat. Even as I told them I could feel it in armrest they still said they did not feel it.
I opened a case with Subaru of America Advocates. they advised me to take it to a different dealer which I did. The second dealer acknowledged the wheel vibration at high speeds. However, the second dealer focused on the tires, testing the SUV with different brands for 10 days. “They are trying to get me some new tires but I don’t think it is the tires. The suspension has been looked over by both Subaru dealers. They say it is safe to drive. BUT IT STILL VIBRATES — it is NOT just road noise. I just want the vehicle fixed properly.”
Defective Low-beam Headlights
All the complaints listed under exterior lighting relate to headlights operating in low-beam mode.
An owner from Maine states that the headlights in the 2025 Subaru Forester are defective. “In low beam, the car is not roadworthy. It is dangerous!” According to the complaint, the first time they drove the car after dark was a week after taking delivery. “We were at risk as was any other vehicle on the road at that time. We have not driven the car after dark since. The dealer who sold the car to us has been made aware of the problem.”
“This is a dangerous condition that needs to be corrected,” states an owner from Tennessee. “The beam is set so that it is flat on top and too low. When the car dips at all the beam does not allow you (to) see straight ahead. This is very dangerous when you cannot use the high beam, as with oncoming traffic. I have taken it to the dealer and they state that the low beam is set according to Subaru specifications. Contact with Subaru America offered no correction.”
An owner from Ohio describes the effect when the low beam LED lights are on while driving on a dark rural road as, “Low visibility and dark (shadowy) spots on road surface.” He didn’t drive at night until nearly three weeks after taking delivery of the SUV. “That’s when I noticed the problem with the lights.” Again, the dealer maintained that the lights were level and working as designed. Attempts to contact someone from Subaru had been futile at the time of the complaint. “I live in a rural township that doesn’t have street lights or sidewalks. Due to the low visibility and dark spots, I don’t feel comfortable driving the car at night.”
What Should You Do If Your 2023 Forester is a Lemon?
If your 2025 Subaru Forester has recurring issues or has been out of service for 30 days or more, it may be time to speak with a lemon law attorney. Every year, automakers like Subaru buy back, replace, or offer cash settlements to thousands of drivers who unknowingly purchase defective vehicles.
The good news is that the law requires manufacturers to cover legal fees in lemon law cases — so there’s no cost to you. Lemberg Law has helped countless vehicle owners reach favorable settlements with manufacturers.
If you’d like us to review your 2025 Subaru Forester concerns at no charge, call our Helpline or complete our online contact form. We’ll be in touch promptly.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
