NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
131 reportsClear category filter38,000 miles · Nov 29, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
MY 2015 FORESTER STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE NJ PARKWAY (GOING ABOUT 65-70MPH.) THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATIONS THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I HAD ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK OF GAS LEFT. WHEN THE CAR STALLED, IT FELT LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTED AND THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED - ALMOST AS IF WE RAN OUT OF GAS (BUT WE …
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MY 2015 FORESTER STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE NJ PARKWAY (GOING ABOUT 65-70MPH.) THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATIONS THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I HAD ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK OF GAS LEFT. WHEN THE CAR STALLED, IT FELT LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTED AND THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED - ALMOST AS IF WE RAN OUT OF GAS (BUT WE DIDN'T). THE ELECTRIC (LIGHTS, RADIO, HEAT) WAS ON THE WHOLE TIME. WE WERE STALLED FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES UNTIL THE COPS CAME. WE PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEY BUMPED US TO THE SHOULDER. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, WE TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORKED (ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER THE INITIAL STALL.) WE THEN DROVE TO THE NEARBY GAS STATION AND FILLED UP THE CAR; IT TOOK 12 GALLONS OF GAS AND I HAVE THE RECEIPT. THE SUBARU SERVICE CENTER CANNOT FIND THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THE COMPUTER ISN'T EVEN SHOWING A STALL CODE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT AND I WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG AND KNOW IT IS FIXED BEFORE I DRIVE IT AGAIN. IT LOOKS LIKE OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SIMILAR ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #11154770
58,500 miles · Oct 25, 2018
Engine
MY FORRESTER XT2.0 REVS VERY LOUDLY WHEN IT IS STARTED EVERY TIME I TURN IT ON. IT GOES FROM 0 TO 2.5 ON THE GAUGE NUMBERED FROM 1-8 GAUGE. THE CAR IS AT A COMPLETE STOP.
NHTSA ODI #11142627
64,705 miles · Sep 25, 2018
Engine
THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED 2 WEEKS AND 600 MILES OF DRIVING AFTER I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE ECM FLASH UPDATES INSTALLED TO ADDRESS SURGING AND LOSS OF POWER DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT, WE HEARD AND FELT A VERY LOUD 'K…
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THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED 2 WEEKS AND 600 MILES OF DRIVING AFTER I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE ECM FLASH UPDATES INSTALLED TO ADDRESS SURGING AND LOSS OF POWER DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION, ESPECIALLY DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT, WE HEARD AND FELT A VERY LOUD 'KNOCK' FROM THE ENGINE AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE WOULD REV AND GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF POWER AND THEN LOSE ALL POWER AGAIN. ESSENTIALLY WE WERE COASTING. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NEAR A FREEWAY EXIT AND WERE ABLE TO STOP AT A SHOULDER ON THAT EXIT. WE TRIED TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, WAITING AND TURNING IT BACK ON. ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE TURNED OVER, IT HAD A VERY ROUGH IDLE AND SHUT OFF AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. IF WE TURNED IT ON AND PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND TRIED TO DRIVE FORWARD IT IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. I HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE AIR INTAKE HOSE DISCONNECTED FROM THE INTERCOOLER. THEY RECONNECTED THE HOSE, CLEARED FAULT CODES AND IT IS RUNNING NORMALLY NOW. I AM SKEPTICAL THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY THE PROBLEM, I HAVE A FEELING THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE CARS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THAT SUBARU IS ATTEMPTING TO COVER THINGS UP TO AVOID MORE EXPENSIVE RECALLS. THIS WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT PUT OUR LIVES IN DANGER AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11131162
32,858 miles · Sep 6, 2018
Air BagsEngineStructureCrash
CAR STARTED AND BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE. WHEN GEAR SHIFT WAS PLACED IN DRIVE THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD 50 FEET AND DROVE THRU AN ALUMINUM RAIL AND MESH OVER HEAD ELECTRIC ACTIVATED DOOR. AT 81 MORE FEET THE CAR HIT A 4 X 4 STEEL COLUMN HOLDING UP TWO 27 FOOT STEEL BEAMS OF A CARPORT ROOF STRUCTURE AND COLL…
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CAR STARTED AND BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE. WHEN GEAR SHIFT WAS PLACED IN DRIVE THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD 50 FEET AND DROVE THRU AN ALUMINUM RAIL AND MESH OVER HEAD ELECTRIC ACTIVATED DOOR. AT 81 MORE FEET THE CAR HIT A 4 X 4 STEEL COLUMN HOLDING UP TWO 27 FOOT STEEL BEAMS OF A CARPORT ROOF STRUCTURE AND COLLAPSED THE COLUMN. THE SOUTHERLY BEAM FELL ON TOP OF THE CAR AND PULLED THE NORTHERLY BEAM WITH IT. THE CAR CONTINUED FORWARD 9 FEET STRIKING THE FIRST PARKED CAR IN THE REAR QUARTER. THE CAR CONTINUED ABOUT 4 FEET MORE AND STRUCK A SECOND PARKED CAR IN ITS HIND QUARTER AND PUSHED IT UNTIL IT WAS AGAINST THE NEXT CARPORT SUPPORT COLUMN. THE TWO OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR WERE ABLE TO EXIT FROM THE CAR AT EACH OF THE FRONT DOORS WHICH OPENED WITHOUT PROBLEM. EXPERIENCING LIMITED BRUISING ON THEIR LEGS BELOW THE KNEE. A MIRACLE. THE CAR TRAVELED ABOUT 145 FEET NOT UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DRIVER. THE CAR DEALER HAD BEEN QUESTIONED ON WHY THE CAR DID NOT MOVE FREQUENTLY DURING A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN EVERY TIME IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT THE DEALER WHO SOLD US THE CAR. THE SERVICE REVIEW WAS FIVE TIMES AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. I WAS TOLD 'IT WAS THE WAY THE CAR WORKED'. I WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH TEST RESULTS FOR THIS CONDITION. THE CAR HAD THE EYESIGHT DEVICE AND DID NOT STOP THE CAR AT EITHER AT THE DOOR OR THE COLUMN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT IMPLODE ON EITHER IMPACT LOCATION. ONE RECALL WTA-62 FOR SUBARU FORESTER 2015 AND 2016. ENGINE, MARCH 21, 2016. TURBOCHARGER AIR INTAKE DUCT CRACK STALLS ENGINE (16V162000). I WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL. I THINK THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE BEGINNING AND A FIX WAS NOT INITIATED TO CORRECT A FAULTY CONDITION. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON A BUSY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THIS ACCIDENT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE PICTURES THAT I CAN FORWARD FOR YOUR USE ON JPG FORMAT. *BF *TR
NHTSA ODI #11127966
60,500 miles · Aug 19, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other
DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP "LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE"! SAFETY FEATURES ARE DISABLED. NO EYE SIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL, LANE DEVIATION. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF, SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM. MOSTLY STAY ON NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11120956
48,000 miles · Aug 2, 2018
EnginePower Train
WHEN DRIVING AT SPEED AND CONSTANT ACCELERATION THE CAR WILL JERK AND THE RPMS APPEAR TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. LAST WEEKEND WHEN MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE RPMS SPIKED, BUT THERE WAS LIMITED ACCELERATION/RESPONSE. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND THEIR SEEMS TO BE NO WAY TO PREDICT W…
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WHEN DRIVING AT SPEED AND CONSTANT ACCELERATION THE CAR WILL JERK AND THE RPMS APPEAR TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. LAST WEEKEND WHEN MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY. THE RPMS SPIKED, BUT THERE WAS LIMITED ACCELERATION/RESPONSE. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND THEIR SEEMS TO BE NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN.
NHTSA ODI #11115477
500 miles · Jul 20, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING (USUALLY TO GET ON FREEWAY OR SPEED UP DRASTICALLY WHILE ON FREEWAY). DOESNT COMPLETELY LOSE POWER, ONLY OCCURS FOR ABOUT 1-4 SECONDS BUT DURING THAT TIME CAR DOES NOT SPEED UP EVEN WHEN PRESSING GAS (ACTUALLY ACTS AS IF FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF GAS), AND MAKES A CLICKING NOISE. HAS HAPPENED EVER …
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OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING (USUALLY TO GET ON FREEWAY OR SPEED UP DRASTICALLY WHILE ON FREEWAY). DOESNT COMPLETELY LOSE POWER, ONLY OCCURS FOR ABOUT 1-4 SECONDS BUT DURING THAT TIME CAR DOES NOT SPEED UP EVEN WHEN PRESSING GAS (ACTUALLY ACTS AS IF FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF GAS), AND MAKES A CLICKING NOISE. HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE PURCHASING CAR NEW, AND MENTIONED AT EVERY SERVICE BUT THEY CAN NEVER RECREATE THE ISSUE AND THEREFORE CANT FIX IT. SAW A SIMILAR STALLING ISSUE ON A RECALL FOR SAME TYPE OF CAR BUT NOT MY VIN. DEALERSHIP WONT CHECK UNLESS I PAY FEE.
NHTSA ODI #11112756
39,000 miles · Jun 14, 2018
Air BagsEngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV VERY HIGH WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV VERY HIGH WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
NHTSA ODI #11101824
21,000 miles · May 24, 2018
Engine
FROM A STOP, CAR HESITATES WHEN TURNING LEFT CROSSING INCOMING TRAFFIC. INITIAL COASTING, THEN ACCEPTING ACCELERATOR PRESSURE, TAKING A SECOND OR TWO TO RESPOND. DEALER FOUND NO CODES AND OFFERED NO FIX, OTHER THAN TO LEAVE MY CAR FOR ADDITIONAL TEST DRIVING. IN THREE YEARS AND 21,000 MILES, THERE HAS BEEN SIX LEFT TURN HESTI…
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FROM A STOP, CAR HESITATES WHEN TURNING LEFT CROSSING INCOMING TRAFFIC. INITIAL COASTING, THEN ACCEPTING ACCELERATOR PRESSURE, TAKING A SECOND OR TWO TO RESPOND. DEALER FOUND NO CODES AND OFFERED NO FIX, OTHER THAN TO LEAVE MY CAR FOR ADDITIONAL TEST DRIVING. IN THREE YEARS AND 21,000 MILES, THERE HAS BEEN SIX LEFT TURN HESTITIONS FROM A STOP POSITION. VERY SCARY EVENT THAT COULD BE FATAL WITH A STALL IN AN INCOMING LANE.
NHTSA ODI #11097841
21,883 miles · Apr 14, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
I BOUGHT THE CAR A MONTH AGO AROUND MARCH 10,2018 FROM GLANZMANN SUBARU. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF DRIVING, THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING INTERMITTENTLY WHEN AT STOP SIGNS OR AT LOW SPEEDS. AFTER WORDS I NOTICED WHEN THE CAR IS AROUND 80 MPH, SOMETIMES THE RPMS GO UP BUT THERE IS NO TORQUE. I WAS TOLD TO DROP THE CAR O…
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I BOUGHT THE CAR A MONTH AGO AROUND MARCH 10,2018 FROM GLANZMANN SUBARU. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF DRIVING, THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND HAD TROUBLE ACCELERATING INTERMITTENTLY WHEN AT STOP SIGNS OR AT LOW SPEEDS. AFTER WORDS I NOTICED WHEN THE CAR IS AROUND 80 MPH, SOMETIMES THE RPMS GO UP BUT THERE IS NO TORQUE. I WAS TOLD TO DROP THE CAR OFF AT THE SERVICE STATION WHICH I DID AND AFTER 4 DAYS GOT THE CAR BACK BUT THEY SAID THEY "COULD NOT REPLICATE" THE ISSUE THAT I WAS HAVING. I ALSO GET 18MPG WHILE THE ADVERTISED MPG IS AROUND 25. I SHOULD ATLEAST GET 22MPG. I HAVE A VERY GOOD FEELING I WAS SOLD A CAR WITH A CLUTCH THAT WAS ON ITS WAY OUT. THE DEALER IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE BUT I WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE ON MY WAY FROM THE SERVICE CENTER. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH A TECH BUT ON THE DAY OF THE PICKUP , THE TECH WAS UNAVAILABLE. IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN MERGING INTO A HIGHWAY OR TURNING INTO STREETS FROM A CENTER LANE THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE GOOD PICK UPLIKE IT IS SUPPOSE. I KNOW MY CAR IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE THE LOANER THAT I GOT FROM GLANZSMANN WAS ALSO A FORESTER AND I COULD TELL THE DIFFERENCE RIGHT AWAY. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #11085048
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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 ↗