Recall 25V419 affects 2,938 2025 Subaru Forester vehicles for loose child-seat anchor bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 2,938 2025 Forester SUVs because child seat anchor bolts were improperly tightened and can come loose. A loose anchor bolt increases the risk of injury to a child during a crash, and Subaru dealers will inspect and repair the anchors free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The child seat anchor in the 2025 Forester is the metal attachment point built into the vehicle body for securing a compatible child restraint. When the anchor bolts are tightened correctly, the anchor stays fixed so the child seat is held in its intended position.
On affected Forester vehicles, the anchor attachment bolts were not tightened enough during assembly. Subaru traced the condition to inadequate work instructions after changes in panel shape and panel fit around the anchor area. With too little clamp force, the bolts can loosen and the anchor does not hold the child seat as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The anchor can look normal from the cabin, even if the attachment bolts are not tightened to the proper specification.
Who's affected?
| 2025 Subaru Forester | Child seat |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2,938 |
| 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?
A loose child seat anchor bolt can keep the child restraint from holding as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of injury to a child. Until the bolts are inspected, use another seating position with confirmed anchors or ask a Subaru dealer for guidance. 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 child-seat-anchor inspection and any needed bolt tightening that secures loose anchor bolts.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 25V419 when you call.
- Avoid relying on a child seat anchor that feels loose before the dealer inspection is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician inspects the child seat anchor bolts and tightens any loose bolts. Parts and labor are free under this recall. Subaru used its general reimbursement plan for this recall, so owners who already paid for a related child seat anchor repair should ask Subaru customer service or the dealer how to submit documentation for reimbursement. Bring repair paperwork that shows the work performed and what you paid.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 19, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 20, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| June 20, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 20, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 17, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V419?
Recall 25V419 covers 2,938 2025 Subaru Forester vehicles with child seat anchor bolts that were improperly tightened. A loose anchor bolt increases the risk of injury to a child during a crash. Subaru dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts 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 25V419. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer and ask for recall WRC-25. The dealer will inspect the child seat anchor bolts and tighten them if needed, free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Subaru to repair this defect at no cost. A franchised Subaru dealer will inspect the child seat anchor bolts and tighten them if needed, with parts and labor covered by the recall.
What is the safety risk?
A loose child seat anchor bolt increases the risk of injury to a child during a crash. The recall repair addresses that risk by having the dealer inspect the child seat anchor bolts and tighten any loose bolts for free.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V419000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V419 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V419000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (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 →