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2015 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Forester years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Subaru Forester are substantially higher than the model-year median of 131.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

410 reports with mileage · 203 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 131 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

53 crash reports7 fire reports26 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

82 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONING, IT TAKES COUPLE MINUTES BEFORE IT GOES UP AFTER FULL TANK. SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO CRANK AFTER YOU TURN THE KEY. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL SCARY. ALSO LEFT SIDE DRIVER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONING, THE AUTO DOWN NOT WORKING AND WHEN YOUR PRESS UP THE WINDOW GOES UP 2 IN…

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FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONING, IT TAKES COUPLE MINUTES BEFORE IT GOES UP AFTER FULL TANK. SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO CRANK AFTER YOU TURN THE KEY. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL SCARY. ALSO LEFT SIDE DRIVER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONING, THE AUTO DOWN NOT WORKING AND WHEN YOUR PRESS UP THE WINDOW GOES UP 2 INCHES AT A TIME TAKES AWHILE TO GO UP.

NHTSA ODI #11398669

40,000 miles · Feb 26, 2021
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

AT 40,000 MILES THE EYE SIGHT CAMERAS HAVE FAILED, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. THAT SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS NOR DO I HAVE CRUISE CONTROL. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $2,306.58.

NHTSA ODI #11398019

92,000 miles · Dec 22, 2020
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT OTHER SUBARU VEHICLES WITH HEATED SEATS WERE KNOWN TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBARU OF MORRISTOWN (175 RIDGEDALE AVE, MORRISTOWN, NJ 07960;…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT OTHER SUBARU VEHICLES WITH HEATED SEATS WERE KNOWN TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBARU OF MORRISTOWN (175 RIDGEDALE AVE, MORRISTOWN, NJ 07960; (866) 910-3466) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #11384574

56,400 miles · Oct 20, 2020
Electrical System

FIRST MY BATTERY WENT AND I HAVE 56,000 MILES. MY GAUGE FOR GASOLINE IS NOT WORKING ALSO THE MONITOR ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN IS WRONG. MY WINDOW IS NOT WORKING ON THE AUTOMATIC ON THE DRIVER SIDE, NOW IT DOES NOT GO UP WITH LIFTING THE BUTTON IT HASS TO BE LIFTED SEVERAL TIMES. IT SEEMS NOW THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRE…

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FIRST MY BATTERY WENT AND I HAVE 56,000 MILES. MY GAUGE FOR GASOLINE IS NOT WORKING ALSO THE MONITOR ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN IS WRONG. MY WINDOW IS NOT WORKING ON THE AUTOMATIC ON THE DRIVER SIDE, NOW IT DOES NOT GO UP WITH LIFTING THE BUTTON IT HASS TO BE LIFTED SEVERAL TIMES. IT SEEMS NOW THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED I HAVE MANY ISSUES. WHEN I CALLED SUBARU TO INSTALL A NEW BATTERY I WAS TOLD IT WAS 49.95 TO INSTALL. UNACCEPTABLE

NHTSA ODI #11365324

36,000 miles · Jul 31, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

ALWAYS THE DRAINS ON THE MOON ROOF GET CLOGGED AND IN A HEAVY RAIN, THE BACK OF THE CAR ROOF SERIOUSLY LEAKS INTO THE CAR. WE DO NOT USE THE ROOF. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. NOW THE ELECTRONICS BOX (CONTROLS REMOTE KEY LOCKS, TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE, ETC) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN WET. THIS IS A $500+ REPAIR THAT HAS …

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ALWAYS THE DRAINS ON THE MOON ROOF GET CLOGGED AND IN A HEAVY RAIN, THE BACK OF THE CAR ROOF SERIOUSLY LEAKS INTO THE CAR. WE DO NOT USE THE ROOF. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. NOW THE ELECTRONICS BOX (CONTROLS REMOTE KEY LOCKS, TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE, ETC) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN WET. THIS IS A $500+ REPAIR THAT HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE ROOF LEAKS IN SERIOUS RAIN. WE BELIEVE SUBARU SHOULD REIMBURSE US FOR THE COST OF THE ELECTRONIC BOX REPLACEMENT.WE ALSO HAVE TO PAY TO GET THE ROOF DRAIN UNGLOGGED.

NHTSA ODI #11342563

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH WIRING IN THE CLUTCH, AS ACKNOWLEDGED BY SUBARU. BLOWS COOL AIR ONLY SOMETIMES, BECAUSE THE CONDENSER DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. EVERY CONDENSER BEFORE A CERTAIN DATE IS DESTINED TO FAIL, LEAVING THE DRIVER TO PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT…

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AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH WIRING IN THE CLUTCH, AS ACKNOWLEDGED BY SUBARU. BLOWS COOL AIR ONLY SOMETIMES, BECAUSE THE CONDENSER DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. EVERY CONDENSER BEFORE A CERTAIN DATE IS DESTINED TO FAIL, LEAVING THE DRIVER TO PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT THAT SUBARU HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO BAD WIRING AND HAS CORRECTED IT. PER NHTSA ID NUMBER 10120975. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337338

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2020
Electrical System

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. CAR WILL START AND RUN BUT WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF YOU CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS INVOLVING TURNING THE MOTOR BACK ON AND PULLING THE KEY OUT AS I'M TURNING THE MOTOR OFF. IT MAY GO A COUPLE OF DAYS AND BE FINE THEN DO…

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KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. CAR WILL START AND RUN BUT WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF YOU CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS INVOLVING TURNING THE MOTOR BACK ON AND PULLING THE KEY OUT AS I'M TURNING THE MOTOR OFF. IT MAY GO A COUPLE OF DAYS AND BE FINE THEN DO IT SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW

NHTSA ODI #11337281

55,000 miles · Mar 30, 2020
Electrical System

WENT OUTSIDE BECAUSE I SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW SMOKE POURING OUT OF MY PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR. DOUSED WITH HOSE, NOW CAR WON'T LOCK. CAR IN DRIVEWAY. NO PHOTO BECAUSE IMPORTANT TO PUT OUT ANY FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11319699

42,206 miles · Dec 6, 2019
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS (SPEED LIMIT 45MPH) TO RUN SIMPLE ERRANDS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND TO GO HOME WHICH WAS JUST A MINUTE OR TWO AWAY. AS I SAT AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I REALIZED THE ENGINE WAS IDLING A BIT ROUGH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND…

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I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS (SPEED LIMIT 45MPH) TO RUN SIMPLE ERRANDS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND TO GO HOME WHICH WAS JUST A MINUTE OR TWO AWAY. AS I SAT AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I REALIZED THE ENGINE WAS IDLING A BIT ROUGH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND SPOKE WITH SUBARU AS WELL AS OUR MECHANIC AT NEW DIMENSIONS AUTOMOTIVE. APPARENTLY, SUBARU HAD ISSUED A MECHANICS NOTICE TO BE AWARE THAT ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS EXISTED. WE ULTIMATELY HAD THE REPAIR COMPLETED AT NEW DIMENSIONS ON 8/6/19 IN THE AMOUNT OF $877.53. OUR MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THIS MECHANICAL ISSUE MAY WELL BECOME A RECALL, AND TO KEEP OUR RECEIPT FOR JUST THAT REASON.

NHTSA ODI #11287424

70,000 miles · Aug 14, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN PRESSED. THE CONTACT CALLED COLONIAL SUBARU (761 E CHESTER ST, KINGSTON, NY 12401, 845-339-3330) AND WAS INFORMED THAT IF HE WERE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT, THE HORN WOULD WORK. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN PRESSED. THE CONTACT CALLED COLONIAL SUBARU (761 E CHESTER ST, KINGSTON, NY 12401, 845-339-3330) AND WAS INFORMED THAT IF HE WERE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT, THE HORN WOULD WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11243965

Official recalls

3

19V701000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Oct 3, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.

19V149000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 28, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

16V162000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Mar 21, 2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems