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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

Suspension complaints

66 reports
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61,683 miles · Jun 24, 2019
Service BrakesSuspensionWheels

THE CAR WAS WOBBLY AND WENT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY FOUND ONE REAR STRUT THE TECHNICIAN TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND THE OTHER ONE BROKE ON HIM. IT COSTS ME $1390 TO FIX IT AND I DROVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT STILL WOBBLY. SUBARU DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN …

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THE CAR WAS WOBBLY AND WENT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY FOUND ONE REAR STRUT THE TECHNICIAN TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AND THE OTHER ONE BROKE ON HIM. IT COSTS ME $1390 TO FIX IT AND I DROVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT STILL WOBBLY. SUBARU DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY SUBARU WHEN THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS. THIS CAR ALSO HAD ROTORS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE ARM CONTROL, WHEEL BEARINGS ALL UNDER 60,000. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, I COULD GET KILLED OR HAVE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND SUBARU DOES NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11222109

53,600 miles · Jun 21, 2019
Suspension

BROKEN LEFT REAR COIL SPRING AT 52,600 MILES. DEALER STATED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11221664

9,533 miles · Jun 10, 2019
Suspension

BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKEN AT THE LOWER PERCH OF THE STRUT. CAR HAS 9533 MILES. SUBARU REPLACED BOTH SPRINGS FOR NO COST BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. OWNER DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEM UNTIL CAR WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR BRAKE LAMP SWITCH RECALL. THE DEALER KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BEFORE IT WENT ON THE LIFT.

NHTSA ODI #11219122

38,000 miles · Jun 9, 2019
Suspension

CAR WAS NOT MOVING AND SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I NOTICED THE LEFT REAR BODY FRAME LOW, ALMOST TOUCHING THE TIRE. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND FOUND BROKEN SPRING PIECES, THAT WAS TOTALLY RUSTED INSIDE OUT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONLY 38K MILES. I WAS VERY LUCKY NOT DRIVING THE WHEN THIS FAILURE HAPPEN OR IT…

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CAR WAS NOT MOVING AND SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I NOTICED THE LEFT REAR BODY FRAME LOW, ALMOST TOUCHING THE TIRE. LOOKED UNDER CAR AND FOUND BROKEN SPRING PIECES, THAT WAS TOTALLY RUSTED INSIDE OUT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONLY 38K MILES. I WAS VERY LUCKY NOT DRIVING THE WHEN THIS FAILURE HAPPEN OR IT COULD OF LEAD TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THOUGH THE INTERNET THIS IS NOT A ONE TIME PROBLEM SUBARU IS HAVING WITH THESE SPRINGS BREAKING. I BELIEVE IT'S A MANUFACTURED MATERIAL DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOME ONE GETS INJURED! ALSO THE COST SHOULD BE BE HANDLED BY SUBARU..

NHTSA ODI #11218768

22,000 miles · Jun 3, 2019
Suspension

ON MAY 15, 2019 I APPROACHED MY FORESTER IN THE PARKING GARAGE AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION WAS LOW (I AM NOT SURE IF THE LEFT SUSPENSION BROKE WHEN I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY OF IF THE VEHICLE WAS STATIC). AS I DROVE DOWN THE RAMPS IN THE PARKING GARAGE, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. I STOPPED, INSPECTED…

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ON MAY 15, 2019 I APPROACHED MY FORESTER IN THE PARKING GARAGE AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION WAS LOW (I AM NOT SURE IF THE LEFT SUSPENSION BROKE WHEN I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY OF IF THE VEHICLE WAS STATIC). AS I DROVE DOWN THE RAMPS IN THE PARKING GARAGE, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. I STOPPED, INSPECTED THE REAR SUSPENSION AND FOUND OUT THAT THE RIGHT SIDE WAS NOW AS LOW AS THE LEFT. IT APPEARED THAT BOTH REAR SUSPENSIONS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM (RIGHT SUSPENSION FAILED AS THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING A LOW SPEED). I DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF AT A MULLER SUBARU IN HIGHLAND PARK, IL ON MAY 17. I REQUESTED THAT THE PARTS REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE WERE MADE AVAILABLE FOR MY INSPECTION. ON MAY 30 I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK UP THE FORESTER AND WAS ABLE TO INSPECT THE REAR SUSPENSION SPRINGS. BOTH OF THEM WERE CORRODED TO THE CORE AT THE BOTTOM END. THE COATING ON THE SPRING WAS RIPPED (SEE PICTURES). THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T MENTION OF THE FRONT SPRINGS WERE INSPECTED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS COULD BE A MODEL/YEAR PROBLEM, BAD QUALITY CONTROL AND/OR MATERIAL USED ON THE SUSPENSION SPRINGS, AND IT COULD BREAK AT ANYTIME, LOW OR HIGH SPEED DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11217447

53,000 miles · May 24, 2019
Suspension

COIL SPRING OF REAR STRUT BROKE, ONLY 53K MILES AND NOT TAKEN OFFROAD. CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND IT JUST "POPPED" AND I FOUND A PIECE OF THE COIL ON THE GROUND. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR 2014 AND 2015 FORESTERS AND THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS IF IT SNAPS WHILE TURNING. SUBARU NEEDS TO CORRECT TH…

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COIL SPRING OF REAR STRUT BROKE, ONLY 53K MILES AND NOT TAKEN OFFROAD. CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND IT JUST "POPPED" AND I FOUND A PIECE OF THE COIL ON THE GROUND. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR 2014 AND 2015 FORESTERS AND THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS IF IT SNAPS WHILE TURNING. SUBARU NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T61866_DS789686

NHTSA ODI #11209604

25,594 miles · May 16, 2019
Suspension

FAILED STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AT 25,594 MILES DUE TO TWO BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS.TOTAL COST TO REPLACE: $560.94 PLUS TAX.

NHTSA ODI #11207979

10,000 miles · May 15, 2019
Suspension

BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR SPRINGS AND STRUTS BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11207815

29,800 miles · May 14, 2019
Suspension

REAR PASSENGER COIL SPRING CRACKED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 29800 MILES. NEVER OVER LOADED AND ONLY DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS. MAY HAVE BEEN FACTORY DEFECT. TOLD BY DEALER WAS SAFETY RELATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEM FOUND WHEN REAR BRAKES WERE BEING DONE.

NHTSA ODI #11207480

90,000 miles · Mar 4, 2019
Suspension

THE CV AXLE JOINT WENT BAD AT 90K. CLICKING NOISE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN ISSUE FOR DOWN THE ROAD. SUBARU CORP GAVE ME A $500 COUPON FOR THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE GOING BAD. APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS LATER, THAT AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO BOTH BACK WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THE DRIVER SIDE CV JOINT SOUNDS LIKE IT…

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THE CV AXLE JOINT WENT BAD AT 90K. CLICKING NOISE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN ISSUE FOR DOWN THE ROAD. SUBARU CORP GAVE ME A $500 COUPON FOR THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE GOING BAD. APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS LATER, THAT AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO BOTH BACK WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THE DRIVER SIDE CV JOINT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING BAD AGAIN. ABOUT 60K LATER. WEAK PARTS. THIS IS A PROGRESSIVE ISSUE AND NOT A SUDDEN ONE.

NHTSA ODI #11184209

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