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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

Service Brakes complaints

34 reports
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34,000 miles · Jun 26, 2017
EngineService BrakesSteering

IN AUGUST OF 2015 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE AS A RESULT. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, AFTER ABOUT 150 FT ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN SAYING THAT IS WAS DISABLING SEVERAL SAFETY FEATURES (ABS, EYESIGHT, HILL ASSIST, ETC.)…

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IN AUGUST OF 2015 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE AS A RESULT. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, AFTER ABOUT 150 FT ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN SAYING THAT IS WAS DISABLING SEVERAL SAFETY FEATURES (ABS, EYESIGHT, HILL ASSIST, ETC.). SHE AGAIN PULLED OVER, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START (FLAT-OUT WOULD NOT COME ON, THE POWER WOULD COME ON BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START [HAS A KEY LESS IGNITION SYSTEM]). SHE CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSIST AND THEY CAME TO TRY AND HELP HER WITH THE CAR. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AND SHE DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND LOOKED AT IT. THEIR SERVICING NOTES INDICATE THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE, HOWEVER, WHILE MY WIFE WAS THERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AS WELL. IN REVIEW OF THESE NOTES THEY INDICATE THE FOLLOWING ERROR CODES WERE PRESENT P1531 AND B2809 AND THEY ALSO REPLACED THE FOLLOWING PART [83311FJ000]. ON JUNE 25, 2017, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. ALL SAFETY FEATURES DISABLED, ALL SYSTEMS SHUT-OFF. ONCE I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF I WAS UNABLE TO START IT AGAIN. IT SEEMED AS IF I WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FAR ENOUGH TO TRIGGER THE KEYLESS START FEATURE. SO, THE VEHICLE WAS UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE. I CONTACTED SUBARU AND THEY HAVE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AS ALL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED (ALL POWER WORKS, BUT NO START AND ALL SAFETY FEATURES INDICATE THEY ARE DISABLED). I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPRESSED ALL OF THESE CONCERNS AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHERS. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. IN ALL INSTANCES WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD ISSUES WE WERE EITHER DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, A LOCAL HIGHWAY, OR UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE IN LESS THAN THREE YEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11001474

74,000 miles · Jun 14, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, THE HILL ASSIST BRAKE AND THE ABS LIGHTS RANDOMLY DEPLOY. HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 24 HOURS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON SEEMS TO CLEAR THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, AFTER THAT, NOW TWO TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT A REGULAR SPEED, THE BRAKING SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED ITSELF, INCLUDING T…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, THE HILL ASSIST BRAKE AND THE ABS LIGHTS RANDOMLY DEPLOY. HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 24 HOURS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON SEEMS TO CLEAR THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, AFTER THAT, NOW TWO TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT A REGULAR SPEED, THE BRAKING SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED ITSELF, INCLUDING THE CVT ENGAGING INTO LOW SPEED AND FORCING THE CAR TO DRIVE ONLY AT 10-20 MPH. AS WELL, WHEN THIS OCCURS THE BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. OTHER READS SOUND LIKE A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR OR SENSING SYSTEM, BUT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL MALFUNCTION AS ONE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WITH NO WARNING. THEN WHEN TRYING TO GET TO SAFETY, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO "RESET" AND BE FINE FOR A FEW MILES, ONLY TO EITHER GO TO THE ALL LIGHTS ON SYSTEM (ABS/HILL ASSIST/STABILITY CONTROL) OR GO INTO THE BRAKING/CVT ERROR AS WELL. WILL HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT IS ELECTRONIC IN NATURE AS THE DEFAULT FALL BACK IS NOT A MANUAL WORKING BRAKE SYSTEM BUT SEEMS TO BE A NON-WORKING BRAKE SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #10995106

14,000 miles · Jan 7, 2017
Service Brakes

HILL START ASSIST BRAKING ACTIVATED WHEN I WAS PULLING ON TO A 60 MPH HIGHWAY ON FLAT GROUND! IT CONTINUED TO ENGAGE BRAKES & THEN DISENGAGE BRAKES AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND 25MPH. THIS WAS ON AN ICY HIGHWAY WITH OTHER VEHICLES TRYING TO BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING ME. I CONSIDER THIS…

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HILL START ASSIST BRAKING ACTIVATED WHEN I WAS PULLING ON TO A 60 MPH HIGHWAY ON FLAT GROUND! IT CONTINUED TO ENGAGE BRAKES & THEN DISENGAGE BRAKES AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE BEYOND 25MPH. THIS WAS ON AN ICY HIGHWAY WITH OTHER VEHICLES TRYING TO BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING ME. I CONSIDER THIS A LIFE THREATENING DEFECT!

NHTSA ODI #10940312

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2017
Service Brakes

[XXX] SUBARU FORESTER HILL START ASSIST BRAKING COMES ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY, PREVENTING ACCELERATION & MAKING AN ACCIDENT VERY PROBABLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10940310

37,000 miles · Nov 21, 2016
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND BRAKE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND BRAKE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ODI #10927302

22,590 miles · Aug 23, 2016
Service Brakes

I WAS GOING LESS THAN TEN MILES PER HOUR ON CITY STREETS AND TRIED TO STOP AT A STOPLIGHT WHEN MY BRAKES FAILED. MY FOOT WAS FLOORING THE BRAKE AND I CONTINUED TO ROLL INTO THE CROSS WALK AND PART OF THE INTERSECTION BEFORE PUTTING MY CAR INTO REVERSE TO MAKE IT STOP AS IT FELT LIKE THE GEAR CHANGED TO NEUTRAL WITH THE WAY I WAS…

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I WAS GOING LESS THAN TEN MILES PER HOUR ON CITY STREETS AND TRIED TO STOP AT A STOPLIGHT WHEN MY BRAKES FAILED. MY FOOT WAS FLOORING THE BRAKE AND I CONTINUED TO ROLL INTO THE CROSS WALK AND PART OF THE INTERSECTION BEFORE PUTTING MY CAR INTO REVERSE TO MAKE IT STOP AS IT FELT LIKE THE GEAR CHANGED TO NEUTRAL WITH THE WAY I WAS ROLLING. LUCKILY THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC REMAINED STOPPED WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. MY CAR WAS SERVICED 6 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT BY MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP WITH NO REPORT OF ANY BRAKE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #10898109

44,000 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Electrical SystemService Brakes

OUR 2015 SUBARU FOREST WILL RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING HAVE ALL OF IT WARNING LIGHTS COME ONE. EYESIGHT, HILL ASSIST, ABS, LANE DEPARTURE, ECT. IF YOU STOP AND PUT IT IN PARK THEN IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK UNLESS OVER RIDDEN. I CALLED IN TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID "2015 SUBARU FORESTER RIGHT? IT PROBABLY HAS A BAD BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH…

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OUR 2015 SUBARU FOREST WILL RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING HAVE ALL OF IT WARNING LIGHTS COME ONE. EYESIGHT, HILL ASSIST, ABS, LANE DEPARTURE, ECT. IF YOU STOP AND PUT IT IN PARK THEN IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK UNLESS OVER RIDDEN. I CALLED IN TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID "2015 SUBARU FORESTER RIGHT? IT PROBABLY HAS A BAD BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH OR BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR, WHICH MEANS YOUR BRAKES WILL NOT LIGHT UP WHILE DRIVING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE TO SUBARU AS I HAVE SEEN MANY EXAMPLES OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE ON SUBARU BOARDS. I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY 170 DOLLARS JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE WHEN THEY CLEARLY KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY HAZARD, IF MY BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO LIGHT UP WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT, I OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD BE INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THEM NOT BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE MY BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI #10896525

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

14,500 miles · Jun 23, 2016
Service Brakes

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES (APPROX 40MPH OR LESS), I'VE HAD 6 OCCURRENCES WHERE THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED. MY FOOT IS LITERALLY ON THE FLOOR & THE CAR IS STILL MOVING. ON THE LAST OCCURENCE, I HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AS MY CAR WAS GOING INTO TRAFFIC. STARTED IN MID APR 2016 TO CURRENT.

NHTSA ODI #10876085

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2016
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, INSTANCES WHERE THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR VARIOUS SAFETY SYSTEMS ON MY 2015 SUBARU FORESTER WILL COME ON, INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. THESE LIGHTS ALWAYS COME ON WHILE DRIVING, WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF THE CAR BEING STARTED. …

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WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, INSTANCES WHERE THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR VARIOUS SAFETY SYSTEMS ON MY 2015 SUBARU FORESTER WILL COME ON, INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. THESE LIGHTS ALWAYS COME ON WHILE DRIVING, WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF THE CAR BEING STARTED. THE FIRST TWO INSTANCES RELATED TO MY AIR BAGS BEING TURNED OFF. WHEN BROUGHT TO A DEALERSHIP, THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION, AND DESIRED $70 TO DO AN ELECTRICAL ASSESSMENT. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR THAT, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE DISPLAYING THE LIGHT AT THE TIME I BROUGHT IT IN, WHICH THE INDICATOR LIGHT HAD TURNED OFF IN BETWEEN VISITS. TODAY, MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND INCLINE ASSUSTANCE LIGHTS CAME ON , INDICATING THAT THOSE SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. I BROUGHT IT TO MY DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES WAS RESPONSIBLE, WHICH RANGED FROM 28LBS TO 35 LBS. I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT SAID DEALERSHIP 2 MONTHS AGO AND THE PRESSURE WAS 35 LBS EACH. IT WAS SUGGESTED TO ME THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS DISCREPANCY WAS "PARKING MY CAR IN THE SUN." BOTH COMPUTER-RELATED PROBLEMS APPARENTLY DIDN'T LEAVE A CODE TO BE READ, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. ANY INFORMATION WAS WIPED WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI #10871945

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