# Subaru Forester 2025–2026 Pre-Purchase Checklist

Canonical: https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/subaru-forester-2025-2026/checklist/

> Printable pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2025–2026 Subaru Forester: the generation-specific checks that separate a good one from someone else's problem.

Case file · SUBARU-FORESTER-2025-2026 · Field document

# Subaru Forester 2025–2026 · Pre-purchase checklist

Bring this to the inspection. Every check below is specific to this generation's documented failure modes, not generic used-car advice.

[← Full case file](https://carcasefile.com/vehicles/subaru-forester-2025-2026/)

Check 01

Run the VIN for all six campaigns: 25V033 (18-inch wheels, 2025), 25V419 (child-seat anchor bolts, 2025), 26V106 (fuel filler cap, 2025 Hybrid), 25V889 (rear hatch bracket, 2026), 26V346 (moonroof glass, 2026), 26V436 (GAWR label, 2025–2026). All remedies are free. An open recall is leverage, an unknown one is a red flag.

Check 02

On a Hybrid: confirm the 26V106 fuel-cap gasket was replaced, and check the filler recess and right rear quarter for fuel staining or smell after a full tank. Until the fix, Subaru's own advice was to park outside and keep the tank under half.

Check 03

Inspect the windshield edge-to-edge in good light for chips and spreading cracks, and ask directly whether the glass was ever replaced. If it was, ask for proof the EyeSight cameras were recalibrated.

Check 04

Drive it at dusk or later. The low beams have a hard horizontal cutoff that many owners report as a dark band above the lit area. Dealers call it working as designed, and aim can be adjusted, but decide with your own eyes before you buy.

Check 05

On the highway, watch the driver-side mirror for vibration blur (a known 2025–2026 complaint with no TSB yet) and run a stretch with adaptive cruise on, noting any phantom-braking events or EyeSight warnings.

Check 06

On a 2026: cycle the rear hatch several times and check the gas-strut support brackets (recall 25V889), and on moonroof cars confirm the 26V346 adhesion inspection is documented.

Check 07

From a stop, accelerate gently several times cold. Light CVT shudder has scattered owner reports on 2025s; anything obvious should go to a dealer under powertrain warranty before you sign.

Check 08

Check the service records for oil viscosity: this generation specs 0W-16, and 0W-20 is temporary-top-off-only per the manual. A stack of quick-lube receipts showing the wrong oil tells you how carefully the car was owned.

Walk-away signals

None proven bad, but a 2026 with the moonroof whose recall 26V346 inspection isn't documented, or a 2025 Hybrid with fuel-cap recall 26V106 open, should be priced accordingly

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