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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

Structure complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2026
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherCrash

I was parking at the dentist office in their parking lot going slow, turned into a parking space and thought i was slowly braking but my car lunged forward and hit a tree. I would normally be minimally braking, so I'm not sure what happened but it was sudden. I could have hit the gas pedal but i would have pressed it a lot I t…

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I was parking at the dentist office in their parking lot going slow, turned into a parking space and thought i was slowly braking but my car lunged forward and hit a tree. I would normally be minimally braking, so I'm not sure what happened but it was sudden. I could have hit the gas pedal but i would have pressed it a lot I think for the sudden lunge to happen.

NHTSA ODI #11750125

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2026
StructureInjury

Subaru part # 63269SG002 "hatch lift support / stay tailgate (rear gate, right)". Pin that attaches hydraulic lift to rear tailgate snapped in half when closing trunk - available for inspection. Lift extended fully, preventing closure of rear tailgate. Failure left tailgate solely held up with (1) remaining lift which could no…

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Subaru part # 63269SG002 "hatch lift support / stay tailgate (rear gate, right)". Pin that attaches hydraulic lift to rear tailgate snapped in half when closing trunk - available for inspection. Lift extended fully, preventing closure of rear tailgate. Failure left tailgate solely held up with (1) remaining lift which could not fully support weight, letting door sag/droop and causing injury to scalp of (1) person. A 4 year old child was not injured, but was present - safety was at risk based on proximity to the door at the time of failure. Dealer advised no active recalls open on vehicle 5/26/26. Manufacturer does appear to have issued service bulletin 12-289-20 in 2020 providing warranty extension for this component. Component was not inspected. No warnings or symptoms were observed - corrosion noted on attachment point of life gate after removal.

NHTSA ODI #11740025

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2025
Structure

The rear door hinges do not open fully and it is easy to hit your head. I hit my head unloading groceries, and my boyfriend did as well. It is dangerous.

NHTSA ODI #11683876

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2024
Structure

While driving i noticed my hood bouncing up and down as if the hood latch was pulled. I havent pulled the hood latch in a while and thought it couldn't be open. Upon pulling off the roadway i noticed it was able to be opened simply by sliding the lever to open the hood. I then shut the hood thinking maybe I accidentally pulled …

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While driving i noticed my hood bouncing up and down as if the hood latch was pulled. I havent pulled the hood latch in a while and thought it couldn't be open. Upon pulling off the roadway i noticed it was able to be opened simply by sliding the lever to open the hood. I then shut the hood thinking maybe I accidentally pulled the lever somehow with my foot. This was not the case because I then tested it by pulling up on the hood and it released again as if the lever was pulled. I checked the lever and it looks as it is ok and i gave it a pull to see if it seemed broken but it does not appear that way. I have not gone to a dealer yet and will bring it to my mechanic as soon as im able to safely get it there.

NHTSA ODI #11572712

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2023
StructureCrash

I experienced unintended acceleration while parking my car. The car surged ahead, over a curb and collided with a metal lamppost. Damage was on the body of the car’s right front. While no one was injured the car went across a space used by pedestrians including schoolchildren. There was no warning before the car surged. A friend…

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I experienced unintended acceleration while parking my car. The car surged ahead, over a curb and collided with a metal lamppost. Damage was on the body of the car’s right front. While no one was injured the car went across a space used by pedestrians including schoolchildren. There was no warning before the car surged. A friend later told me that she had experienced the same thing when she had stopped her 2018 Subaru Forester .

NHTSA ODI #11547194

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2021
Structure

Rear hatch lift struts failed (pneumatically) unexpectedly causing hatch to fall down on me while loading groceries.

NHTSA ODI #11440736

29,000 miles · Feb 29, 2020
Structure

THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT, AND UNLOCKED, AND THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS PULLED, NOTHING HAPPENS. THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE STILL FUNCTIONS, BUT THE INTERIOR HANDLE DOES NOT. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WE CONTACTED THE DE…

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THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT, AND UNLOCKED, AND THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS PULLED, NOTHING HAPPENS. THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE STILL FUNCTIONS, BUT THE INTERIOR HANDLE DOES NOT. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU U.S. CORPORATE OFFICE VIA EMAIL FOR ASSISTANCE, BUT RECEIVED NO REPLIES.

NHTSA ODI #11312208

80,000 miles · Feb 24, 2020
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DISCOVERING A CRACK AT THE BASE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD THE CRACK HAD EXPANDED APPROXIMATELY 16 INCHES OVER 3 DAYS. THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER NEW MOTORS SUBARU LOCATED AT (8670 PEACH ST. ERIE, PA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DISCOVERING A CRACK AT THE BASE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD THE CRACK HAD EXPANDED APPROXIMATELY 16 INCHES OVER 3 DAYS. THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER NEW MOTORS SUBARU LOCATED AT (8670 PEACH ST. ERIE, PA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AT WINDOW AND GLASS ESTABLISHMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11311030

62,170 miles · Sep 11, 2019
Structure

STRUT ON REAR HATCH, SUBARU 2015 FORESTER, BROKE AT ATTACHMENT POINT, HATCH FELL WITH GREAT FORCE, NEARLY HIT MY HEAD. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I CALLED SUBARU'S CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER, BUT AFTER GOING THROUGH MANY MENUS, GOT AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE THAT THE CALL COULD NOT BE COMPLETED.*DT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11254614

40,000 miles · Sep 7, 2019
StructureInjury

YESTERDAY 9/5/19 THE TAILGATE STRUT ON OUR 2015 SUBARU FORRESTER SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING THE REAR GATE WHICH WAS OPEN TO ABRUPTLY FALL ONTO MY SPOUSE'S HEAD WHILE SHE WAS UNLOADING GROCERIES. THE METAL BOLT WITH THE ROUND BALL THAT FITS INTO THE END OF THE STRUT CRACKED OFF AND APPEARED RUSTED AT THE EDGES. THIS APPEARS TO BE TH…

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YESTERDAY 9/5/19 THE TAILGATE STRUT ON OUR 2015 SUBARU FORRESTER SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING THE REAR GATE WHICH WAS OPEN TO ABRUPTLY FALL ONTO MY SPOUSE'S HEAD WHILE SHE WAS UNLOADING GROCERIES. THE METAL BOLT WITH THE ROUND BALL THAT FITS INTO THE END OF THE STRUT CRACKED OFF AND APPEARED RUSTED AT THE EDGES. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME/SIMILAR ISSUE AS NHTSA RECALL NO. 08V-135 FOR THE SUBARU IMPREZA. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ON THE 2015 FORRESTER FOR THIS ISSUE. I WILL BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SUBARU DEALER TO HAVE THEM INSPECT IT. MY WIFE HAS NOT SEEN A DOCTOR FOR THIS (YET) BUT HER HEAD STILL HURTS THE NEXT DAY AND SHE WAS DIZZY AFTERWARDS.

NHTSA ODI #11253764

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