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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

Wheels complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2026
Wheels

2 REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED ON LOW MILAGE VEHICLE.ALTHOUGH CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS 57K MILES ON OD.nEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR IN WATER. PERHAPS WORSE THREE STUDS AND LUGS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SNAPPING OFF. APPARENTLY THIS IS COMMON AS THE SAME STORY WAS TOLD TO OTHERS WAITING AT DEALERSHIP

NHTSA ODI #11745979

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2025
Wheels

The wheel hub bolt stud and nut freeze/lock up. They break apart when the technician attempts to remove to perform tire rotation. It is a common problem with the Subaru Forester. I have had to replace 2, so far. Dealer charges $200+ for replacing it. Subaru has not stepped up to take responsibility for the defect.

NHTSA ODI #11662791

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2025
Air BagsPower TrainWheels

The Vehicle was sold to me by a local dealership not SUBARU Manufacturer themselves with the conditions marked above and more, the wheels when purchased as i turned any corners it would sound like the underside of the vehicle would explode even when driving straight it was just less frequent and caused the ABS system to activate…

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The Vehicle was sold to me by a local dealership not SUBARU Manufacturer themselves with the conditions marked above and more, the wheels when purchased as i turned any corners it would sound like the underside of the vehicle would explode even when driving straight it was just less frequent and caused the ABS system to activate and would pull one way or another. the Transmission has never been inspected by the dealership that sold it to me and the manufacturer seal was broken so it had leaked and caused major lack of power resulting in many close calls due to lose of forward propulsion it is a closed transmission without a dip stick and the dealership refused to do anything about it. the Airbag system has never worked at all and the dealership knew this and same with the Reverse hazard warning detection system or the TPMS and again i was told that i just needed to drive it and it would work itself out by the owner of the dealership who test drove it 3 times and refused to do anything about the obvious issues and now it has been a little over a year i’m in debt and basically out of a vehicle and can man as well as personal money sunk into this vehicle that I would consider beyond a lemon

NHTSA ODI #11638241

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2024
Wheels

My wife’s 2015 Subaru Forester is reported to have a bad rear driver side wheel bearing from our mechanic. She only has 58,464 miles at the time of the incident/ diagnosis. I believe this wheel bearing has prematurely failed. We both drive normally and are not reckless. Please look into the batches/ lot# of the wheel bearings th…

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My wife’s 2015 Subaru Forester is reported to have a bad rear driver side wheel bearing from our mechanic. She only has 58,464 miles at the time of the incident/ diagnosis. I believe this wheel bearing has prematurely failed. We both drive normally and are not reckless. Please look into the batches/ lot# of the wheel bearings that went into their vehicles around the 2015 models and who makes them. Even multiple manufacturers or mixed batches being installed into new vehicles. They refuse to cover this as our new vehicle warranty has expired.

NHTSA ODI #11619479

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2024
Wheels

vehicle feels like it is always stuck in first gear. the Subaru dealership says its a rear hub bearing, drivers side. Cost to repair over $500. The vehicle has less than 60k miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11562991

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2023
Wheels

Lug nut studs snap very easily. I had to replace a wheel hub as the studs could not handle basic pressure. Extremely dangerous when you’re changing your spare and in the midst of traffic.

NHTSA ODI #11535144

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2023
Wheels

At just under 54,000 miles, noticed a loud hum, thought it was a bad transmission, took it into the dealer (Walser Subaru of South St. Paul, MN) that concluded it was faulty rear wheel bearings on both sides, and told me it was a serious safety issue that should be fixed immediately. Had it fixed for $1,000 plus and problem seem…

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At just under 54,000 miles, noticed a loud hum, thought it was a bad transmission, took it into the dealer (Walser Subaru of South St. Paul, MN) that concluded it was faulty rear wheel bearings on both sides, and told me it was a serious safety issue that should be fixed immediately. Had it fixed for $1,000 plus and problem seems to have been solved, but dealer reported that Subaru would take no responsibility for such a serious safety issue at such low mileage. My feelng is that Subaru should pay to fix such a defect for me and other victims.

NHTSA ODI #11524212

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2023
Electrical SystemWheels

First Issue: Wheel lug studs and nuts have failed on two separate occasions. Second Issue: The C/S brake, hill assist and traction control emergency lights went on and off and usually stayed on after the lights went on. The O2 Oxygen sensor was replaced. Then after this didn't fix the problem with the emergency lights coming o…

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First Issue: Wheel lug studs and nuts have failed on two separate occasions. Second Issue: The C/S brake, hill assist and traction control emergency lights went on and off and usually stayed on after the lights went on. The O2 Oxygen sensor was replaced. Then after this didn't fix the problem with the emergency lights coming on, the hydraulic unit module was replaced. This fixed the problem.

NHTSA ODI #11505077

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2022
Wheels

Noticed an ongoing "humming" noise coming from the rear of our 2015 Subaru Forester which got considerably louder at highway speeds. This sounded like a bad wheel bearing BUT THE CAR HAD ONLY 46, 800 mi. Took the car to a mechanic to inspect. As suspected it was a bad left rear wheel bearing. I had it replaced. Less than 2 month…

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Noticed an ongoing "humming" noise coming from the rear of our 2015 Subaru Forester which got considerably louder at highway speeds. This sounded like a bad wheel bearing BUT THE CAR HAD ONLY 46, 800 mi. Took the car to a mechanic to inspect. As suspected it was a bad left rear wheel bearing. I had it replaced. Less than 2 months later same problem on the opposite side of the car (right rear wheel bearing). Before taking the car for repair I stopped by the dealership to see if they routinely stocked the rear hub assemblies for 2015 et al Subaru's ... I found that this was a 'very popular' item. While most drivers and practically any "car buff" will detect a bad bearing audibly because the failure occurs at such low mileage I am sure that a significant number of people are driving with this defect unsuspectingly ... some to near failure.

NHTSA ODI #11476429

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2022
Wheels

While rotating tires two wheel studs sheared off. The lug nuts are always started by hand, tightened (and removed) without an impact tool, and torqued to spec. Took it to a shop for repair. While removing the wheels two more studs sheared off in the shop. Mechanic stated this is a very common problem with Subarus. Google searche…

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While rotating tires two wheel studs sheared off. The lug nuts are always started by hand, tightened (and removed) without an impact tool, and torqued to spec. Took it to a shop for repair. While removing the wheels two more studs sheared off in the shop. Mechanic stated this is a very common problem with Subarus. Google searches verify this. A popular Subaru community website has a thread with 168 posts discussing this issue among 2014-2018 model year Foresters - https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2014-problem-with-wheel-studs-merged-thread.769466/ - Judging from online content it seems that, at a minimum, hundreds of Subaru owners are experiencing this problem, perhaps thousands. NHTSA and Subaru should investigate this issue and make it right for the many, many owners experiencing the potentially very dangerous problem. Here are some other existing NHTSA complaints about the same issue: =============================== NHTSA ID Number: 11172455 WHILE COMPLETING A TIRE ROTATION, I PLACED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE HUB AS A PLACEHOLDER WHILE I MOVED ON TO OTHER WHEELS. I HAND TIGHTENED THE LUGNUTS HOLDING THE SPARE ON (NO WRENCH, NO OVER TORQUEING)... ================================= December 28, 2015 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10816534 Components: WHEELS, SERVICE BRAKES NHTSA ID Number: 10816534 Vehicle Identification Number 1F2SJABC1FH**** I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE WHEEL LUGS HAVE SNAPPED WHILE THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT, ROTATION AND REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS... =================================== March 9, 2019 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11185494 Components: WHEELS NHTSA ID Number: 11185494 Vehicle Identification Number JF2SJAAC8HG**** THREE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE STUDS SHEARED, PROPERLY HAND TORQUED PRIOR, TWO LUG NUTS WITH STUDS RETRIEVED IN DRIVEWAY, 20 DEG F. PULLING OUT OF GARAGE LH TURN, 3 MPH. FAILED AND REMAINING TWO STUDS RETAINED WHEN REPLACED. POSSIBLE NIL DUCTILITY TEMP. GOOGLE REVEALED...

NHTSA ODI #11457035

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