2025 Subaru Forester Wheel Recall (25V033)
Subaru of America, Inc. · 20,366 vehicles · Reported January 23, 2025
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling 20,366 2025 Subaru Forester vehicles. The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability. A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 25V033 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V033000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | WRB-25 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | January 23, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Subaru of America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2025 Subaru Forester |
| Units affected | 20,366 |
| Build dates | April 5, 2024 to October 15, 2024 |
| Component | Wheels |
| Safety risk | A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2025 Subaru Forester in recall 25V033?
The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.
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 result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.
Is it safe to drive a 2025 Forester with recall 25V033?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the wheels.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V033?
Recall 25V033 covers 20,366 vehicles: 2025 Subaru Forester.
NHTSA lists 20,366 vehicles in this campaign, built April 5, 2024 to October 15, 2024. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Subaru | Forester |
What is the fix for the Forester wheel recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the wheels, as necessary, free of charge.
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 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRB-25.
When was recall 25V033 announced?
Subaru of America, Inc. reported recall 25V033 to NHTSA on January 23, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as February 28, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 5, 2024 | First affected vehicle built (per Subaru of America, Inc.'s filing). |
| October 15, 2024 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| January 23, 2025 | Subaru of America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V033000. |
| February 28, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 20 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 193 days. If your Forester was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Forester is part of recall 25V033?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V033 is open on your Forester, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 25V033000 is open on your Forester, it will be listed there, along with Subaru recall number WRB-25. You can also ask any Subaru dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Forester owners do about recall 25V033?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 25V033000 applies to your Forester.
- Call a Subaru dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any wheels symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Forester owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 95 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 5 of them about the suspension, wheels and tires.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the suspension, wheels and tires have been filed since recall 25V033 was reported (4) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 95 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 5 of them involve the suspension, wheels and tires. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2025 Subaru Forester: 95 complaints in total, 5 about the suspension, wheels and tires
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
Got a notification about a Subaru forester recall for my vehicle VIN that is not being listed on your website regarding my wheels. Subaru OF America, Inc. (Subaru) IS Recalling Certain 2025 Forester Vehicles Equipped With 18" Aluminum Alloy Wheels.
2025 Subaru Forester owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11649936, filed March 22, 2025
Bought 2025 Subaru Forester in January 2025. Within 300 miles of driving brought it back to place I bought it, complained about constant vibraton in Sterring wheel at high speeds around 55 – 65 MPH. They said the wheels were out of balance, they re balanced them and the problem was resolved, BUT IT WASN'T.
2025 Subaru Forester owner, CT, NHTSA complaint 11656309, filed April 23, 2025
Noticeable noise after oil change and tire rotation that became progressively worse over time. Constant humming/growling noise from the rear that increases in volume and intensity with speed. Noticeable at 40 mph and higher and floor vibration present at highway speed, especially under the dead pedal. Droning propeller sound.
2025 Subaru Forester owner, NJ, NHTSA complaint 11757616, filed August 18, 2026
Can recall 25V033 make my Forester a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
Suspension, wheel and tire defects can affect handling and control. Clunks, pulling and vibration that return after a repair point to a defect that has not been fixed.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Forester been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Subaru Forester recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 25V033
Is the 25V033000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed February 28, 2025.
How do I know if my Forester is part of recall 25V033000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 25V033000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Subaru. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.