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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

Engine complaints

131 reports
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13,209 miles · Nov 11, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

MOST RECENT NEAR-MISS FATAL INCIDENT HAPPENED ON NOV.6, 2016 DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF ABOUT 65- 68 MILES , CAR SUDDENLY DIED, AND STOPPED COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS AND WARNING LIGHTS, IT FELT LIKE CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER AND COMPLETELY STOPPED. WHEN TRIED TO RE-START IMMEDIATELY, CAR DIDN'T STAR…

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MOST RECENT NEAR-MISS FATAL INCIDENT HAPPENED ON NOV.6, 2016 DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED OF ABOUT 65- 68 MILES , CAR SUDDENLY DIED, AND STOPPED COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS AND WARNING LIGHTS, IT FELT LIKE CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER AND COMPLETELY STOPPED. WHEN TRIED TO RE-START IMMEDIATELY, CAR DIDN'T START. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, CAR STARTED. TOTAL DRIVING DISTANCE ON THE HIGHWAY BEFORE THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 260 MILES. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER; I WAS DRIVING IN A RIGHT LANE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR FATAL ACCIDENT, AS I WAS DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY, 90 EAST THRUWAY, BECAUSE SUDDEN CHANGE IN THE SPEED FROM 68 MPH TO ZERO SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY WARNING IN A MATTER OF LESS THAN 1 MINUTE. THERE WAS LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE THRUWAY. TIMING OF THE INCIDENT WAS AT ABOUT 5 PM ON NOV.6, 2016. THERE WERE 2 OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. THIS WAS THE SCARIEST EXPERIENCE I EVER HAD. CAR WAS NOT SET FOR CRUISE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO EMERGENCY LIGHTS OR SIGNS VISIBLY OR NO NOISE ALERT AT ALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO SUBARU DEALER FOR A CHECK ON 11/ 8/2016 AND REPORTED THIS INCIDENT. SUBARU DEALER IN SERVICE REPORTED THAT THEY DIDN'T FIND THE CAUSE FOR THIS NEAR FATAL INCIDENT. SECOND NEAR MISS FATAL INCIDENT OCCURRED ON APRIL 21, 2016 AT ABOUT 3 PM.I WAS BACKING UP THE CARE IN A DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT STOP, BREAKS DIDN'T WORK, I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN THE PARK TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AGAIN. I TOOK THE CARE FOR A SERVICE AND REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO SUBARU DEALER ON APRIL 22, 2016. SUBARU DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND THE REASON FOR THIS TERRIBLE INCIDENT. SPEED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS 5 MPH, ESTIMATED.

NHTSA ODI #10925499

22,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE THE A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/16/17*LJ UPDATED 7/3/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10923971

16,000 miles · Oct 26, 2016
Engine

ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER THE FIRST STALL, THE ENGINE RESTARTED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO RESTART IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME (ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER), IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR BEF…

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ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER THE FIRST STALL, THE ENGINE RESTARTED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO RESTART IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE SECOND TIME (ABOUT 3 MONTHS LATER), IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON SEPT. 17, 2016 AND THEN AGAIN ON OCT. 9, 2016. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10919048

14,000 miles · Oct 13, 2016
EnginePower TrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED AND LURCHED FORWARD. AS A RESULT, A CRASH OCCURRED WITH SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED AND LURCHED FORWARD. AS A RESULT, A CRASH OCCURRED WITH SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ODI #10915747

21,185 miles · Oct 9, 2016
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

DRIVING WITH EYESIGHT ENABLED AT 75MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON LOOP 202 FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30PM LOCAL TIME. WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND DRY, APPROXIMATELY 97 DEGREES. NEARLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. FEET WERE NOT ON ANY PEDAL. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND REVD TO REDLINE AS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL, ENGINE THEN SHUT OFF. INSTRUME…

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DRIVING WITH EYESIGHT ENABLED AT 75MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON LOOP 202 FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30PM LOCAL TIME. WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND DRY, APPROXIMATELY 97 DEGREES. NEARLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. FEET WERE NOT ON ANY PEDAL. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND REVD TO REDLINE AS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL, ENGINE THEN SHUT OFF. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHOWED EVERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. EYESIGHT DISPLAY SHOWED A VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT YET THERE WAS NO VEHICLE PRESENT. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE GEAR SELECTOR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR WHICH HAD NO AFFECT, NO RPM CHANGE. WAS ABLE TO COAST A SHORT DISTANCE BUT STILL OBSTRUCTED TRAFFIC. POLICE HAD TO SHUT DOWN FREEWAY TO MOVE MY VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART VEHICLE FAILED, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATE ANY TIME THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION. SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED VEHICLE TO LOCAL SUBARU DEALER, AWAITING DIAGNOSIS.

NHTSA ODI #10914934

9,673 miles · Sep 12, 2016
EngineStructureCrash

WHILE PARKING AND APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR AND WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING STALL SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAMMED INTO A STEEL CABLE THAT SEPARATED THE PARKING STALLS.

NHTSA ODI #10905761

10,067 miles · Aug 23, 2016
Engine

WHILE DRIVING 75-80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANES ( I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN I LOST POWER) AND PULL OVER. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON (CHECK ENGINE, AT OIL TEMP, BATTERY,ECT) AND WHAT I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, IT STALLED. EVERY TIME I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, IT …

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WHILE DRIVING 75-80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANES ( I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN I LOST POWER) AND PULL OVER. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON (CHECK ENGINE, AT OIL TEMP, BATTERY,ECT) AND WHAT I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, IT STALLED. EVERY TIME I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, IT WOULD STALL. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE SAME THING HAPPENED EXCEPT WITHOUT THE LIGHTS AND STALLING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT I PROBABLY WAS HITTING THE GAS AND BREAK AT THE SAME TIME. I DRIVE WITH ONE FOOT, ALWAYS HAVE.

NHTSA ODI #10898057

5,000 miles · Aug 19, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND HESITATED. IN ADDITION, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER CONSULTING WITH A MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM TO THE TURBO CHARGED ENGINE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND HESITATED. IN ADDITION, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER CONSULTING WITH A MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM TO THE TURBO CHARGED ENGINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #10897051

18,000 miles · Aug 10, 2016
EnginePower Train

VEHICLE SURGES WHEN TRYING TO LIGHTLY ACCELERATE IN HOT WEATHER. RPMS BEGIN TO DROP, CAR BUCKS BACK AND FORTH UNTIL MORE THROTTLE IS GIVEN, THEN CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THERE SEEM TO BE TSBS OUT TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE, BUT THEY FEEL LIKE A BANDAID REPAIR AND JUST MASK IT. NOW INSTEAD OF BUCKING BACK AND FORTH, THE VEHICLE JUST ACCE…

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VEHICLE SURGES WHEN TRYING TO LIGHTLY ACCELERATE IN HOT WEATHER. RPMS BEGIN TO DROP, CAR BUCKS BACK AND FORTH UNTIL MORE THROTTLE IS GIVEN, THEN CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THERE SEEM TO BE TSBS OUT TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE, BUT THEY FEEL LIKE A BANDAID REPAIR AND JUST MASK IT. NOW INSTEAD OF BUCKING BACK AND FORTH, THE VEHICLE JUST ACCELERATES VERY LIGHTLY. THROTTLE IS VERY UNRESPONSIVE. THE INCONSISTENT THROTTLE RESPONSE CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE VEHICLE CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE WHEN ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A POTENTIAL HAZARD (ACCELERATING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE, ACCELERATING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, ETC.).

NHTSA ODI #10894948

15,000 miles · Jul 30, 2016
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

OUR 2015 FORESTER TURBO HAS 15,00 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES NOW ASKING THEM TO FIND OUT WHY IT IS LOOSING POWER IN TIMES OF NEED. THE DEALERS FROM 2 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS HAVE SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE IT BACK THIS WEEK, IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 M…

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OUR 2015 FORESTER TURBO HAS 15,00 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES NOW ASKING THEM TO FIND OUT WHY IT IS LOOSING POWER IN TIMES OF NEED. THE DEALERS FROM 2 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS HAVE SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE IT BACK THIS WEEK, IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT SHUTS OFF, CARS TRAVELING ALONG SIDE AND BEHIND HAD TO SKID THE BRAKES TO STOP. THIS HAS BECOME A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR. IT LOOSES POWER IN TURNS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #10891818

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