Subaru Forester Electrical problems
0.77 vs. all vehicles Rising
299 of the 2,453 complaints about the Subaru Forester (12.2%) concern Electrical, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 0.8× the Electrical share across all tracked vehicles.
299Complaints · Electrical
12.2%Share of complaints
0.77×vs. all vehicles
37Last 12 months
3.0%Share involving a crash or fire
0Related recalls
Analysis
37 Electrical complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 28 in the 12 months before — up 32%.
11 of these reports (3.0%) describe a crash or fire, with 6 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
No recall campaign addresses Electrical for the tracked model years.
By model year
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 37 · Previous 12 months: 28
What owners report
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.
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback had opened independently while the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that the doors had opened unintendedly while the vehicle was being washed at the car wash.
Experienced parasitic battery drain which disabled the vehicle. The drain is tied to a 30 amp fuse labeled "BACKUP" under the hood of the vehicle. This fuse controls the touchscreen, backup camera, interior lights, key fob and radio.
Airbag light came on - dealership confirmed it is an occupant detection system failure - wiring harness has gone bad. No history of moisture exposure, which would leave faulty part as the problem.
We are experiencing the exact same problem as the recall Under NHTSA Campaign No. 23V755000 (Subaru recall code WRQ-23) for an ineffective weld leading to moisture affecting the backup camera and dashboard lights.
I brought my vehicle to an authorized Subaru dealership (Byers Imports, LLC in Columbus, Ohio) to diagnose the reason for the airbag warning lamp illuminating.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
No recall campaign addresses Electrical for the tracked model years.
Problem areas · Subaru Forester
- Body & structure1025
- Electrical299
- Unspecified or other293
- Engine280
- Airbags & seat belts140
- Transmission / powertrain90
- Driver-assist systems80
- Brakes58
- Fuel system40
- Wheels, tires & suspension40
Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›
Related reading
- What electric-vehicle owners complain about, compared with gas carsThe complaint categories that dominate EV reports, how they differ from combustion vehicles, why the numbers are skewed by a few brands, and the live problem mix of the electric segment.