Recall 25V033 affects 20,366 2025 Subaru Forester vehicles with 18-inch alloy wheels that attach improperly. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 20,366 2025 Forester vehicles equipped with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels because an incorrectly specified lug seat surface can leave a wheel improperly attached and reduce vehicle stability. That loss of stability increases the risk of a crash, and Subaru dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 18-inch aluminum alloy wheel on the 2025 Subaru Forester is the metal wheel that holds the tire and bolts to the hub with lug nuts. Each lug nut tightens against a shaped lug seat on the wheel. That seat keeps clamping force centered so the wheel stays fixed to the vehicle while the tire carries steering, braking, and road loads.
On affected Foresters, the lug seat surface on some wheels was made to the wrong specification. Subaru traced the issue to supplier process controls that did not prevent those wheels from being produced. When the lug seat shape is wrong, the wheel can be improperly attached even after the lug nuts are fastened, which can reduce vehicle stability.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner notice centers on the wheel construction itself, not a noise, light, vibration, or other symptom that gives clear advance notice.
Who's affected?
| 2025 Subaru Forester | wheel hardware |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 20,366 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2025 Subaru Forester is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the wheel inspection soon and drive cautiously until the dealer checks it. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025 Subaru Forester is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free wheel inspection and replacement if needed, which corrects the lug-seat issue linked to improper wheel attachment.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 25V033 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop driving if the vehicle feels unstable.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician inspects the affected 18 inch aluminum alloy wheels and replaces any wheel that does not meet the recall specification. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a wheel related repair before the recall notice, Subaru provides reimbursement through its general reimbursement plan. Ask the service desk how to submit repair paperwork under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 23, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 24, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| January 24, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 28, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 24, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 24, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V033?
Recall 25V033 covers 20,366 2025 Subaru Forester vehicles equipped with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The lug seat surface on those wheels was incorrectly specified, which can leave the wheel improperly attached and lead to a loss of vehicle stability. Subaru dealers will inspect and replace the wheels for free.
What should I do if my 2025 Subaru Forester is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Forester is included in recall 25V033. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the wheel inspection. The dealer will replace the wheels as needed for free. Reference Subaru recall number WRB-25 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Subaru's remedy says dealers will inspect and replace the affected wheels, as needed, free of charge at a franchised Subaru dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle stability. If a wheel is not properly attached because of the incorrectly specified lug seat surface, the vehicle can become less stable, increasing crash risk. Subaru's repair path is a dealer inspection and free wheel replacement when needed.
When were owners notified about recall 25V033?
Subaru mailed owner notification letters on February 28, 2025. If you bought the Forester used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then contact a Subaru dealer with recall number WRB-25.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V033000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V033 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V033000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →