2025–2026 SL (6th generation)
2025–2026 Subaru Forester Common Problems and Years to Avoid
1 documented problems with the 2025–2026 Subaru Forester, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 1 carry a recall or TSB number.
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2025–2026 Subaru Forester recalls and service bulletins
| Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., No. 2:26-cv-4935 (D.N.J.), pending as of 2026 | Parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation, may extend to this generation) | minor |
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.
Parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation, may extend to this generation)
minorA proposed class action (Taylor, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., filed May 2026) alleges the same 12V parasitic-drain electrical defect documented on 2015–2020 and 2019–2025 Subaru vehicles persists broadly across the model range; it names 2019–2025 vehicles specifically and is still working through the courts. Whether it's confirmed to affect the redesigned SL-generation Forester specifically has not been established as of this writing, treat this as a watch item rather than a confirmed defect.
Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2025–2026 Subaru Forester. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.
Which Subaru Forester model years does this cover?
These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Subaru Forester built from 2025 through 2026 — the SL (6th generation), compact crossover suv (subaru global platform, redesigned). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.
What changed during the 2025–2026 Subaru Forester
- 2025All-new SL-generation redesign, unveiled October 2024 for the 2025 model year; adds a factory Forester Hybrid (S:HEV) for the first time in the US; base horsepower rises slightly to 180
- 2026Carryover year; no major mechanical changes identified
2025–2026 Subaru Forester problems and recalls: common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2025–2026 Subaru Forester?
- The recurring ones are: parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation, may extend to this generation). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.
Are there recalls on the 2025–2026 Subaru Forester?
- 1 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: Taylor, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc., No. 2:26-cv-4935 (D.N.J.), pending as of 2026 (parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation, may extend to this generation)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.
How much do 2025–2026 Subaru Forester repairs typically cost?
- Typical figures for the issues above: parasitic battery drain (ongoing litigation, may extend to this generation), Unclear pending litigation outcome; a $150–$300 battery swap resolves symptoms without addressing a root-cause drain if one exists.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Subaru Forester generations (SL)
- Subaru Media, Subaru debuts all-new 2025 Forester SUV (press release)
- Car and Driver, Tested: 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid (specs, mpg, curb weight, tire size)
- AMSOIL lookup, 2025 Forester 2.5L FB25D oil spec/capacity (0W-16, 4.6 qt)
- sportsubarusouth.com, Subaru Forester oil type by model year (2025, incl. S:HEV hybrid)
- KBB, 2025 Subaru Forester specs (180 hp across trims)
- Subaru.com, 2025 Forester Hybrid Edition (194 combined hp, e-CVT)
- classaction.org, Subaru lawsuit: 2019–2025 vehicles, parasitic battery drain (Taylor v. Subaru)
- Conley Subaru, Forester lug nut torque by model year