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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

613 reports
52,000 miles · Oct 29, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury

OUR 2015 SUBARU FORESTER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. WE WERE TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION. THE SUV WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND FRONT FENDER BY ANOTHER SUV. NO SIDE OR CURTAIN AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI #11276933

98,145 miles · Oct 29, 2019
Suspension

WHILE PULLING OUT OF GARAGE HEARD A CLANG OF METAL FALLING ON CONCRETE. STOPPED AND FOUND A 4 INCH SECTION OF METAL COIL SPRING. IT APPEARED RUSTED FROM INSIDE OUT WHERE IT BROKE. CAME FROM LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER SPRING BOTTOM. WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS CAR HAS 98,145 MILES. NO HEAVY LOADS OR HAULING. NO ACCIDENTS THUS FAR.

NHTSA ODI #11276856

54,000 miles · Oct 28, 2019
Engine

WHILE DRIVING NORMAL SPEEDS, THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SCANNED THE CODE, THE CAR IS GETTING A P0016 CODE, AND THE CAR HAS A ROUGH IDLE. THE WILSONVILLE SUBARU DEALER HAS SAID THAT A NEW ECM AND CAM SPROCKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE C…

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WHILE DRIVING NORMAL SPEEDS, THE CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I SCANNED THE CODE, THE CAR IS GETTING A P0016 CODE, AND THE CAR HAS A ROUGH IDLE. THE WILSONVILLE SUBARU DEALER HAS SAID THAT A NEW ECM AND CAM SPROCKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT WITH THE CAM SPROCKET, "COMING APART" AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE TIMING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE PEOPLE ARE HAVING ONLINE WITH THIS ENGINE AS WELL. ANAD, APPARENTLY THE ISSUE WILL COME BACK IF THE ECM ISN'T REPLACED AS THE ECM "HARD CODES" THE ERROR IN THE COMPUTER AND IT WONT GO AWAY UNLESS REPLACED. MAKING THE ISSUE UNRESOLVABLE OUTSIDE OF DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY WITHOUT SUBARU'S ASSISTANCE. SUBARU IS REFUSING TO DO THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #11271611

74,000 miles · Oct 24, 2019
Wheels

BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 74,000 MILES.WHILE IN THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM REPLACED THREE OTHER CUSTOMERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11270582

45,000 miles · Oct 23, 2019
Service Brakes

BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 10/06/18 ON 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN RECALL CAME OUT, DEALER DIDNT REFUND FOR THE $156.01 FOR THE REPLACED BRAKE SWITCH, BUT REPLACED IT AGAIN UNDER RECALL 19V149000. SYMPTOMS ARE THAT THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER TO WHEELS WHILE DRIVING (ENGINE RPM WOULD RISE) & WOULD HAVE TO RELEASE , THEN DEPRESS …

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BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 10/06/18 ON 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN RECALL CAME OUT, DEALER DIDNT REFUND FOR THE $156.01 FOR THE REPLACED BRAKE SWITCH, BUT REPLACED IT AGAIN UNDER RECALL 19V149000. SYMPTOMS ARE THAT THE CAR WOULD LOSE POWER TO WHEELS WHILE DRIVING (ENGINE RPM WOULD RISE) & WOULD HAVE TO RELEASE , THEN DEPRESS ACCELERATOR TO GET IT TO PUT POWER TO WHEELS AGAIN. HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ON INTERSTATE. ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNINGS CAME ON DURING ISSUE AS WELL UNTIL CAR RESTARTED.

NHTSA ODI #11270564

52,120 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Suspension

LEFT REAR COIL SPRING JUST BROKE WHILE IN MY DRIVEWAY, NO OFF ROAD DRIVING. CAR NOW TILTS AND I FEAR IT IS GOING TO RUIN THE TIRE. I AM UNABLE TO FIND ANY PARTS STORE THAT CARRIES THE PART - IT APPEARS THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE COIL SPRINGS.

NHTSA ODI #11269870

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2019
Air Bags

"SRS AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE CHECKED" AND "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" MESSAGES 95% OF TIME WHEN OPERATING CAR, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PASSENGER IS PRESENT OR NOT. SEAT HAS NEVER BEEN DAMAGED OR DAMPENED, AS SOME FOLKS ONLINE REPORT. DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. DISAPPOINTING THAT SOMEONE MIGHT DIE WHILE SUBARU IS UNABLE/UNWILLING TO R…

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"SRS AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE CHECKED" AND "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" MESSAGES 95% OF TIME WHEN OPERATING CAR, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PASSENGER IS PRESENT OR NOT. SEAT HAS NEVER BEEN DAMAGED OR DAMPENED, AS SOME FOLKS ONLINE REPORT. DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. DISAPPOINTING THAT SOMEONE MIGHT DIE WHILE SUBARU IS UNABLE/UNWILLING TO RECALL AND REPAIR THIS COMMONLY REPORTED CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI #11266601

50,000 miles · Oct 3, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70-75 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR DISPLAYED APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES TO EMPTY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HARVEY SUBARU (LOCATED AT 3351 BENTON RD, BOSSIER CITY, LA 71111, (8…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70-75 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR DISPLAYED APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES TO EMPTY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HARVEY SUBARU (LOCATED AT 3351 BENTON RD, BOSSIER CITY, LA 71111, (888) 232-4109) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11265857

30 miles · Oct 3, 2019
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER TO THE CAR ON HER WAY TO WORK AND LUCKILY DIDN'T GET REAR ENDED BUT AFTER A BIT THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO RATTLE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT ONLY WHILE CAR VEERED LEFT AND NOT ON NORMAL CITY SPEEDS. TOOK THE CAR IN AND WA…

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WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER TO THE CAR ON HER WAY TO WORK AND LUCKILY DIDN'T GET REAR ENDED BUT AFTER A BIT THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED TO RATTLE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT ONLY WHILE CAR VEERED LEFT AND NOT ON NORMAL CITY SPEEDS. TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS THE ISSUE AND HAS TO BE REPLACED WHICH I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE AND AVOID SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS. I HAVE LOOKED UP THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH SOME PEOPLE HAVING VERY CLOSE CALLS. THERE WAS AN EXTENSION TO THE WARRANTY PROVIDED BY SUBARU BUT PROBLEM HAS COINCIDENTALLY STARTED AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDED. EVEN THOUGH I GOT LUCKY AND NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE OR ANYONE I STILL THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMETHING WORSE HAPPENS TO SOMEONE. SUBARU SEEMS TO HAVE KNOWN THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND INSTEAD OF DOING SOMETHING THEY OFFERED A LIMITED EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT EXPIRED BEFORE THE TRUE PROBLEM BEGAN TO OCCUR.

NHTSA ODI #11265825

45,000 miles · Sep 30, 2019
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED DUE TO SRI CODE IN SEAT. PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11258963

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