The sixth-generation Forester debuted at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show and went on sale in the US in 2024 as a 2025 model, with the 2.5-liter boxer engine. A Forester Hybrid followed in early 2025. Most of these SUVs are still on their first brake pads, but it's worth knowing the numbers and the issues that are already showing up.
The wheel recall: check this first
| Recall | Vehicles | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25V033 (Subaru WRB-25) | Some 2025 Foresters with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels | Lug seat surface made to the wrong spec, so the wheel may not be properly attached and stability can suffer | Dealer inspects and replaces wheels as needed, free. Owner letters mailed February 28, 2025 |
It's technically a wheel recall, not a brake recall, but it's the same corner of the car. If a shop is pulling your wheels for a brake job, make sure this is done first. Check at nhtsa.gov/recalls or call Subaru at 1-844-373-6614.
"My Forester slammed on the brakes by itself"
Among 97 NHTSA complaints on the 2025 Forester when we checked, several describe EyeSight's automatic emergency braking kicking in for no clear reason. One owner says it braked hard for shadows on I-87. Another says it happened three times in 24,000 miles, including on a highway curve near lane barrels. Others report false braking at the same spot near home.
That's an EyeSight camera and software issue, not worn pads. A few things to know:
- Keep the windshield clean in front of the EyeSight cameras. Dirt, glare and stickers can confuse them.
- Windshield work matters. After a windshield replacement, EyeSight needs calibration. One 2025 Forester Hybrid owner reported a star chip in the windshield and worried about how it would affect EyeSight.
- Report it. Tell the dealer when and where it happened and ask about software updates. Also file a complaint at nhtsa.gov so the pattern is on record.
Signs your pads are actually worn
- Squealing when you brake, from the wear indicator tab
- Grinding, which means metal is touching the rotor
- A pulsing pedal or a shaky steering wheel when stopping
- Pulling to one side
- Pad thickness of 3 mm or less at an inspection
What it costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Dealer brake pads, one axle, 2025 Forester | $293 to $345 (KBB, parts $103 to $121, labor $190 to $224) |
| Wheel recall 25V033 | $0 at a Subaru dealer |
| EyeSight diagnosis or software update under warranty | Usually $0 inside Subaru's 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty |
KBB's price is for one Ohio ZIP code and covers either the front or the rear, not both. Rotors are extra if they're worn below spec. RepairPal didn't list a 2025 Forester pad price when we checked, so get two written quotes.
DIY or shop?
Front pads on a Forester are a common driveway job for people with jack stands and a torque wrench. If your Forester has an electronic parking brake, look up the service mode procedure or use a scan tool before you push the rear pistons back. And torque the lug nuts to spec, especially given the wheel recall history.
What to ask the shop
- "Is recall 25V033 done on my VIN?"
- "What do my pads and rotors measure?"
- "Are you torquing the lug nuts to spec with a torque wrench?"
- "Are there EyeSight software updates for my car?"
Is it worth fixing?
Always, and on a 2025 Forester most of this is free: the wheel recall and any EyeSight work under warranty. When it's finally time for pads, plan on about $300 per axle at a dealer.
More Forester help is on the Subaru Forester repair page. Car dead in the morning? See our Forester battery drain guide. Prices checked October 14, 2026.
