2025 Subaru Forester Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 9%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2025 Subaru Forester, 9% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving the head unit was connected to Google automotive with Google maps giving me directions and music through you tube music when a full screen sized ad for Sirius XM took over the entire screen. I could no longer see the map and directions, couldn't use the climate control. The entire screen was locked by this add until I removed my focus from the road to hit the small X icon in the top right corner of the add to close it out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11741940, filed 2026-06“8/25/25: Seat Heater came on by itself on a hot day this Summer, it got so hot it burned my Right thigh. Seat Heaters are burning people. I drove directly to Subaru Dealership Service and the Service person, Dave confirmed the Seat heater was off and felt that the seat was hot and getting hotter as the heat began going up into the back of the seat. The service personnel inspected my car and could not duplicate the incident and everything tested normal ~ I requested they unplug the heater and they said they could NOT as it will effect the computer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11701886, filed 2025-11“I have been having problems with my 2025 Subaru Forester since I purchased it. It has failed multiple times to alert me of people and cars when I am backing up. I have RCTW on my vehicle .Sometimes it alerts me when there is a car or person is coming behind me ,sometimes it doesn't. I have a video dated June 4th 2026. Three times people walked right behind my car when I was backing up. I almost hit them! I decided to video tape it. The back up camera also doesn't always work and did not go off when I was backing into the curb until I hit it without an alarm going off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11751330, filed 2026-07“I have been having problems with my 2025 Subaru Forester since I purchased it. It has failed multiple times to alert me of people and cars when I am backing up. I have RCTW on my vehicle .Sometimes it alerts me when there is a car or person is coming behind me ,sometimes it doesn't. I have a video dated June 4th 2026. Three times people walked right behind my car when I was backing up. I almost hit them! I decided to video tape it. The back up camera also doesn't always work and did not go off when I was backing into the curb until I hit it without an alarm going off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11751331, filed 2026-07“Navigation system gives incorrect directions including wrong freeway exits and and incorrect home location ( off by about 300-500 feet ) . This creates a safety hazard while driving. Vehicle has been taken for repair about six times , but the issue remains unsolved. Dealer com bined multiple visits into fewer repair orders.”
NHTSA complaint #11726243, filed 2026-03Related service bulletins
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026"This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the…
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the…
- 11037926Sep 10, 2026This bulletin announces the service procedures to be followed when encountering instances of water intrusion from the sunroof area.This is an revised version of the original…
- 11037920Sep 1, 2026"This bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment Display (CID) to the CCU, addressing reports of CID screen flickering."
- 11036824Aug 31, 2026This bulletin announces the service procedures to be followed when encountering instances of water intrusion from the sunroof area. This is an revised version of the original…
- 11036819Aug 31, 2026This bulletin announces an inspection procedure for the Smart Rear View Mirror Assembly.
- 11036804Aug 21, 2026This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 25% |
| 2025 | 9 | 9% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 34 | 16% |
| 2020 | 103 | 17% |
| 2019 | 134 | 16% |
| 2018 | 71 | 14% |
| 2017 | 106 | 18% |
| 2016 | 93 | 22% |
| 2015 | 82 | 13% |
| 2014 | 42 | 10% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 10 | 9% |
| 2011 | 11 | 7% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 22 | 12% |
| 2008 | 5 | 10% |
| 2007 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 7 | 8% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2025 Subaru Forester
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsForward collision avoidance
13 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2025 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology