Subaru is preparing to unveil the new Forester Wilderness at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show next month. However, while the company focuses on this exciting launch, it is also dealing with an important recall affecting the standard Forester model. The recall, which has been officially announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), concerns a potential safety issue related to the wheels on thousands of 2025 Forester crossovers.
According to the NHTSA, a large number of 2025 Forester vehicles may have been fitted with wheels that were improperly manufactured. Specifically, the issue involves 18-inch alloy wheels produced by Kosei Aluminum. These wheels may have an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which is a critical component that helps secure the wheels to the vehicle. If this part does not meet the proper specifications, it could negatively affect the car's stability while driving. This increases the risk of accidents, especially in situations where precise handling is essential.
Subaru identified the problem back in October during routine production checks. The company encountered what it described as a “wheel attachment concern,” which prompted an internal investigation. Upon further examination, Subaru discovered that the lug seat surfaces on certain wheels did not meet the correct specifications. Although there have been no reported accidents, injuries, or warranty claims linked to this issue so far, Subaru has decided to issue a voluntary recall as a precautionary measure. The recall affects a total of 20,366 Forester vehicles.
Owners of the affected vehicles will receive official notifications starting in March. Subaru will instruct them to bring their cars to an authorized dealership for a thorough inspection. During the inspection, technicians will check all four wheels on each vehicle. If any wheels are found to have the incorrect lug seat surface, Subaru will replace them at no cost to the owner. Since this recall applies to 2025 models, Subaru is also directing its dealerships to identify any vehicles already on the lot that are subject to the recall. These vehicles will be tagged and held back from being delivered to customers or used until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed.
Fortunately, the recall process is expected to be straightforward, involving simple inspections and, if needed, wheel replacements. As a result, Subaru anticipates that this recall will have minimal impact on vehicle owners and dealership operations.