Problems · NHTSA complaints

2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness problems

Owners filed 15 complaints about the 2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness with NHTSA between Jun 2026 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is forward collision avoidance (5).

Complaints
15
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Forward collision avoidance5
  2. Fuel/propulsion system2
  3. Steering1
  4. Electrical system1
  5. Back over prevention1
  6. Lane departure1
  7. Seat belts1
  8. Engine1
  9. Structure1
  10. Wheels1
  11. Chest clip, buckle, harness1
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic1
  13. Vehicle speed control1
  14. Other / unknown2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Forward collision avoidance

5 reports1 crash
“my car came to a sudden and immediate stop, causing the car behind me to collide with my rear end. in researching this, i have discovered that my car make and model are subject to a class action suit for what is called "phantom braking." I was not injured but the driver of the other car claimed that his son in the back seat was injured. There were no warning indicators going off, either visual or audio. the vehicle's condition was observed by a XXX Police Officer at the scene, and an accident report (XXX) was filed, to be available sometime next week. I contacted my insurance company, State Farm, about 8 PM, after having been directed by an officer to pull around the corner to a side road. they issued a claim # XXX and told me to have the car towed to their approved body shop Bucci's Auto Body in [XXX]. [XXX], the principal at Bucci's inspected the car the following morning and provided an estimate for repairs which State Farm accepted and I authorized to begin. He has not touched any of the electronic data system modules, nor disconnected the battery, and has been instructed in writing not to, so that the forensic evidence can be retrieved. Therefore, there is…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11771699

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“I recently noticed that the metal lip and outer cap area of my fuel filler neck is rusting. This isn't just a cosmetic issue this is the exact surface where the gas cap needs to seal to keep the fuel system airtight. Because it’s rusting it’s going to ruin that seal, cause fuel vapor leaks, and trigger a check engine light. In addition to the fuel neck, both my front driver and passenger side windows screech and vibrate heavily whenever they get wet from rain or a car wash. The glass binds up in the wet run channels, which is putting unnecessary strain on the window regulators and motors and makes it difficult to see out of my windows and view my side mirrors properly. Dealership admitted that there are four other vehicles I have within the same make, model,year and similar mileage that have the exact same issue which is a need for there to be a safety recall. They got a bad batch of vehicles with a defect that is affected multiple other vehicles that are like mine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11763329

Steering

1 report1 crash
“There have been intermittent failures of numerous vehicle systems over the last 4 months. Some of these systems have impacted the cars safety systems including but not limited to steering, braking, collision avoidance, inability to enter vehicle in an unfamiliar location and stranding owner hundreds of miles from home.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Back over preventionCrash reportedODI 11773146

Electrical system

1 report1 crash

Back over prevention

1 report1 crash

Lane departure

1 report
“On October 7, 2026 at approximately 7:40 PM, the EyeSight system inexplicably stopped working with a warning light notification. Prior to the EyeSight failure, the touchscreen froze completely with subsequent inability to control the climate and other control options. After pulling over and stopping the engine and then restarting several times, the problem did not resolve. After parking and shutting the engine and then restarting after a hiatus of not driving, the problem resolved. The EyeSight system failure created a risk due to loss of pre-collision braking and throttle management, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. No incident occurred. I am scheduling a visit to Subaru dealer on October 13, 2026.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11769828
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.