SubaruForester2025Overview/subaru/forester/2025/base/

2025 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2025 Forester.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2025 Subaru Forester is equipped with an Automatic (AV-S8) transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 26/33/29 mpg. Within the model's 1998–2026 complaint history, the 2025 model year registers 79 owner complaints and 3 recalls — far below the 2019 high of 831 complaints, though not as low as the 2026 figure of 12. With "Unknown Or Other" listed as the top complaint area, that record places the 2025 Forester among the quieter model years in the nameplate's reliability history, indicating a comparatively uneventful run rather than a standout problem year.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy26/33/29 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.5 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3580 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 33 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Forester of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–8.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2025 Touring Hybrid
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2025Touring Hybrid 2.5L F-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh8.10 sec16.20 sec194 hpAWD
2025Sport 2.5L F-48.20 sec16.30 sec180 hpAWD
2025Touring Hybrid 2.5L F-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh8.20 sec16.20 sec194 hpAWD
2025Sport 2.5L F-48.30 sec16.60 sec180 hpAWD
2025Sport 2.5L F-48.40 sec16.60 sec180 hpAWD
2025Touring Hybrid 2.5L F-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh8.40 sec16.50 sec194 hpAWD
2025Sport Hybrid 2.5L F-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh8.60 sec16.50 sec194 hpAWD
2025Touring 2.5L F-48.60 sec16.70 sec180 hpAWD

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 6,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 6,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Over the 1998‑2026 span, complaint volumes show a pattern of high early‑2000s levels, a dip in the mid‑2000s, a pronounced spike in 2009‑2010, another rise from 2014‑2019, and a steep decline through 2020‑2024. Recall counts follow a similar arc, with minimal numbers until the 2009‑2013 period (peaking at 18 recalls in 2009), then remaining low (0‑3) from 2014‑2023, and edging up to 2‑3 recalls in 2024‑2026. The target year 2025 falls after the low‑complaint nadir of 2024 (28 complaints, 2 recalls) and shows a modest increase to 79 complaints and 3 recalls, still far below the historic peaks. This places 2025 on the rising edge of the recent low‑complaint trough, indicating a slight uptick but overall continued low‑problem frequency. Consequently, the 2025 Subaru Forester presents a favorable reliability profile for a used‑vehicle purchase, though buyers should note the modest rise in complaints relative to the immediate prior year.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
153
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
79
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 79 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other13
Visibility/Wiper9
Visibility7
Forward Collision Avoidance6
Exterior Lighting6
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Air Bags4
Fuel/Propulsion System4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

25V033000WheelsReported 23/01/2025

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… 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…

25V419000Child SeatReported 19/06/2025

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 153 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
16-159-262026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in…
18-242-26R2026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces a change in the seat belt warning buzzer intervals in the…
06-94-25R2026-06-19Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces availability of new Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) & Vehicle…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Forester. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2025 Forester have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Forester get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg.