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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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81,000 miles · May 19, 2020
Engine

AT THE MOMENT TO STOP ON A PARKING SPOT, PRESS BRAKES AND ENGINE RPM IDLES UP AND RUNS, CAUSING ME TO PRESS BRAKES HARDER AND SO I DON'T HIT WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325115

60,000 miles · May 19, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SURGES SOMETIMES AND MISFIRES WHEN IT COLD STARTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE RETAILER, THEY DID NOT FOUND ANY ISSUE. ONLY THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL WAS CHANGED. THEY TOLD ME TO RETURN IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. AGAIN IT CAME BACK AND INTERMITTENT. I AM SURE RETAILER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIND …

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THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SURGES SOMETIMES AND MISFIRES WHEN IT COLD STARTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE RETAILER, THEY DID NOT FOUND ANY ISSUE. ONLY THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL WAS CHANGED. THEY TOLD ME TO RETURN IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. AGAIN IT CAME BACK AND INTERMITTENT. I AM SURE RETAILER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AGAIN. IT IS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWERS FOR COUPLE SECONDS AND IT A HAZARD ON THE ROAD. HOPE THERE ARE RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325095

82,300 miles · May 6, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT TO 5000 RPM AND AT THE SAME TIME STARTED TO BRAKE ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD CAME ON I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR'S ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I TRIED TO STARTED ABOUT 5 06 TIMES THE CAR WOULDN'T STAR AND AFTER THAT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD IT…

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WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT TO 5000 RPM AND AT THE SAME TIME STARTED TO BRAKE ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASHBOARD CAME ON I PULLED OVER AND THE CAR'S ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I TRIED TO STARTED ABOUT 5 06 TIMES THE CAR WOULDN'T STAR AND AFTER THAT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD IT TOW TO A SHOP. THE NEXT MORNING IT STARTED LIKE NOTHING THE MECHANIC AT THE SHOP SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY.AFTER CHANGING THE BATTERY I TOOK IT TO THE GAS STATION AFTER PUTTING GAS IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT STARTED.AT THIS POINT I DON'T THINK THE BATTERY WAS THE ISSUE BUT I AM GLAD I GOT HOME. THIS HAPPENED IN STARKVILLE MS 200 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323491

99,300 miles · Apr 4, 2020
EnginePower Train

HEAD GASKETS LEAKING, ALSO THE CARS HESITATES AND JERKS WHEN DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11320178

120,000 miles · Mar 16, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER FATHER WHO OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS WERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER FATHER WHO OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS WERE CONTACTED INCLUDING FRANK SUBARU LOCATED AT (2829 NATIONAL CITY BLVD, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950), KEARNY MESA SUBARU LOCATED AT (4797 CONVOY ST, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111), AND SUBARU OF EL CAJON LOCATED AT (900 ARNELE AVE, EL CAJON, CA 92020) AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI #11318234

65,000 miles · Mar 8, 2020
Engine

SMELL OF BURNING OIL FROM THE ENGINE. DEALER SAYS HEAD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5500.

NHTSA ODI #11316878

93,000 miles · Feb 21, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER/ACCELERATION. TRAVELING HOME IN OUR 2015 FORESTER, VIN [XXX], 93K MILES, WHEN WE ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM. ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, OUR FORESTER SEEMED TO COME OUT OF GEAR, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED & THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT WORK AS FAR AS ACTUALLY ACCELERATING THE CAR (THE GAS PE…

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LOSS OF ENGINE POWER/ACCELERATION. TRAVELING HOME IN OUR 2015 FORESTER, VIN [XXX], 93K MILES, WHEN WE ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM. ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, OUR FORESTER SEEMED TO COME OUT OF GEAR, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATED & THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT WORK AS FAR AS ACTUALLY ACCELERATING THE CAR (THE GAS PEDAL WOULD ?REV UP? WHEN PRESSED, BUT THERE WAS NO ACTUAL ACCELERATION HAPPENING WITH THE ENGINE). THERE WAS NO WARNING; NO ENGINE ISSUES; NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. WE WERE LUCKILY ABLE TO PULL SAFELY OFF THE INTERSTATE. WE DID SHUT THE CAR OFF IN HOPES OF ?RESETTING? SOMETHING BUT COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO RESTART (IT WOULD JUST CRANK). THEREFORE, WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST YEAR ON THIS VEHICLE. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR TRUSTED LOCAL MECHANIC. NO ISSUES WERE FOUND, AND NO CODES WERE IDENTIFIED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11310611

106,285 miles · Jan 22, 2020
EngineWheels

SEVERAL ISSUES: 1) REPLACE REAR STRUT ASSEMBLIES. 04/22/19. (THE CAR SEEMED FINE BUT WHEN THEY PUT IT ON A LIFT TO WORK ON BRAKES MECHANICS SAW THIS. 2) THE THE ENGINE SHIMMIES AND FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. THIS HAS GONE ON SINCE 2016. THIS HAPPEN WHEN GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT THEY FOUND NOTHING.…

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SEVERAL ISSUES: 1) REPLACE REAR STRUT ASSEMBLIES. 04/22/19. (THE CAR SEEMED FINE BUT WHEN THEY PUT IT ON A LIFT TO WORK ON BRAKES MECHANICS SAW THIS. 2) THE THE ENGINE SHIMMIES AND FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. THIS HAS GONE ON SINCE 2016. THIS HAPPEN WHEN GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT THEY FOUND NOTHING. IT STILL FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL. 3) BEARINGS IN REAR PASSENGER SIDE IN 2017. REAR WHEELS WERE MAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH. (DIFFERENT MECHANIC LOOKED AT THIS. 4) RIGHT FRONT AXLE SHAFT REPLACED 06/26/19 THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS USED FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11301239

76,000 miles · Jan 10, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

SUBARU 2015 FORESTER 2.5L AT CVT TRANSMISSION NO TURBO ENGINE REVS TO 4-6000 RPM TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR CAR TAKES OFF ACCELERATING WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE DRIVER MUST SLAM ON BRAKES PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO REGAIN CONTROL. THE CAR DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY BOTH AT LOW AND HIGH-SPEED TRAVEL.. THIS CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALER…

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SUBARU 2015 FORESTER 2.5L AT CVT TRANSMISSION NO TURBO ENGINE REVS TO 4-6000 RPM TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR CAR TAKES OFF ACCELERATING WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE DRIVER MUST SLAM ON BRAKES PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO REGAIN CONTROL. THE CAR DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY BOTH AT LOW AND HIGH-SPEED TRAVEL.. THIS CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR DIAGNOSIS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN THAT THE DRIVER IS AT RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO HIGH ENGINE RPM AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH SLAMMING TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT REQUIRING HARD BRAKEING AND PLACING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO REGAIN CONTROL . I BELIEVE THIS IS LONG STANDING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND THE ORIGIANAL BUYER TRADED IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICLAL ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT WILL ONLY BE DIAGNOSISED DOCUMENTED BY 24/7 MONITORING OF ENGINE FUNCTIONS. IN ORDER TO CATCH THE EVENTS AS THEY OCCUR NO CODES ARE BEING THROWN OR RECORDED. THE DEALERS HAVE REFUSED TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE TO DIAGNOSIS THIS INTERMITTANT PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11298507

62,000 miles · Jan 5, 2020
Engine

THE CAM CARRIERS ON THE ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING OIL, DRIPPING ONTO OTHER COMPONENTS. INCLUDED A SENSOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DUE TO THE SENSOR BEING DRENCHED IN OIL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WHILE IN MOTION ON ROADS WITH BUCKING AND POWER BECAUSE THE SYSTEM THOUGHT IT WAS RUNNING LEAN. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET S…

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THE CAM CARRIERS ON THE ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING OIL, DRIPPING ONTO OTHER COMPONENTS. INCLUDED A SENSOR AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. DUE TO THE SENSOR BEING DRENCHED IN OIL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WHILE IN MOTION ON ROADS WITH BUCKING AND POWER BECAUSE THE SYSTEM THOUGHT IT WAS RUNNING LEAN. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE BOXER ENGINE STYLE CHOSEN FOR FORESTERS AND CAN OCCUR ANY TIME WITHIN 100,000 MILES. IF I HAD KNOWN THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE, A MECHANIC COULD HAVE REPAIRED IT PRIOR TO FURTHER DAMAGE BUT NO RECALL INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. REMOVING THE ENGINE TO FIX THE CAM CARRIERS IS AN EXTENSIVE, LABOR-INTENSIVE REPAIR FOR SOMETHING SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT. NOT AN EXPERT BUT IF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR SENSOR FAILS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, PROBABLY NOT A GOOD SITUATION FOR THE DRIVER OR OTHER VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11297262

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