NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
613 reports20,000 miles · Jul 15, 2019
Suspension
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND STOHLMAN SUBARU TOLD ME THE RIGHT REAR SPRING WAS BROKEN, BUT THE PARTS ARE OUT OF STOCK. THEY RECCOMMEND REPLACING BOTH REAR SPRINGS AT $700-800, WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE. A HARDSHIP FOR ME AS I AM A SENIOR. I WAS NOT AWARE OF WHEN IT BROKE, OR THAT IT WAS BROKEN. THEY TOLD…
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I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AND STOHLMAN SUBARU TOLD ME THE RIGHT REAR SPRING WAS BROKEN, BUT THE PARTS ARE OUT OF STOCK. THEY RECCOMMEND REPLACING BOTH REAR SPRINGS AT $700-800, WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE. A HARDSHIP FOR ME AS I AM A SENIOR. I WAS NOT AWARE OF WHEN IT BROKE, OR THAT IT WAS BROKEN. THEY TOLD ME IT PROBABLY RUSTED
NHTSA ODI #11232006
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2019
Unknown Or Other
RECALL NOTIFICATION FOLLOWUP --- THIS VEHICLE HAS A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH RECALL. I CALLED THE DEALER --BOB BAKER SUBARU IN CARLSBAD CA -- AND THEY REQUIRE AN APPOINTMENT TO CHANGE THE SWITCH. TODAY IS JULY 9, 2019, AND THEY CANNOT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL NOVEMBER, 2019. TO ME THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO WAIT FOR…
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RECALL NOTIFICATION FOLLOWUP --- THIS VEHICLE HAS A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH RECALL. I CALLED THE DEALER --BOB BAKER SUBARU IN CARLSBAD CA -- AND THEY REQUIRE AN APPOINTMENT TO CHANGE THE SWITCH. TODAY IS JULY 9, 2019, AND THEY CANNOT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL NOVEMBER, 2019. TO ME THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO WAIT FOR A VEHICLE RECALL THAT IS A VERY MINOR PART REPLACEMENT. I AM MAKING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE RECALL NOTICE AND THIS WEBSITE BOTH MENTION THAT THE REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11230504
42,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019
Suspension
I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT YESTERDAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I HAD DIFFICULTY DRIVING HOME ON THE STREET WITH BRAKES & STEERING EVEN AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO SUBARU TODAY. THE CONTROL ARM WAS TOTALLY RUSTED THROUGH & BROKE APART.
NHTSA ODI #11230248
46,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS LOADING GROCERIES INTO THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, SHE STEPPED BACK AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VERY LOW. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS LOADING GROCERIES INTO THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, SHE STEPPED BACK AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VERY LOW. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. HERITAGE SUBARU CATONSVILLE (6624 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, BALTIMORE, MD 21228, (844) 224-1954) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
NHTSA ODI #11230231
40,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019
Suspension
AT 40K MILES, THE REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING IS FOUND BROKEN DURING A REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE INSPECTION. THE SPRING IS RUSTED INSIDE OUT. MECHANICS SAID IT IS RARE THAT THIS PART WOULD BREAK IN THE LIFETIME OF A CAR. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR BROKEN SPRING CASES AMONG 2014 AND 2015 SUBARU FORESTER MODEL CARS. PLEASE CHECK HT…
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AT 40K MILES, THE REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING IS FOUND BROKEN DURING A REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE INSPECTION. THE SPRING IS RUSTED INSIDE OUT. MECHANICS SAID IT IS RARE THAT THIS PART WOULD BREAK IN THE LIFETIME OF A CAR. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR BROKEN SPRING CASES AMONG 2014 AND 2015 SUBARU FORESTER MODEL CARS. PLEASE CHECK HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T61866_DS789686. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT SUBARU DID NOT TAKE PROMPT ACTION. EVEN IF ONE LIFE LOST AS A RESULT OF THIS IN THE FUTURE IS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE. SUBARU VALUES MONEY OVER LIVES. IT IS NOW UP TO NHTSA TO TAKE FURTHER ACTIONS TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY.
NHTSA ODI #11230153
19,000 miles · Jul 4, 2019
Air Bags
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SHUTS OFF AND A RED INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING WITH SOMEONE IN THE SEAT. IF YOU STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE SYSTEM WILL RESET. IT HAS HAPPENED OVER 10XS. IT'S BEEN CHECKED OUT AT THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THEY SAID AIRBAG RELATED EQUIPMENT IS ONLY COVERED FOR 3 YEARS. I WAS 2 …
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PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SHUTS OFF AND A RED INDICATOR LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING WITH SOMEONE IN THE SEAT. IF YOU STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE SYSTEM WILL RESET. IT HAS HAPPENED OVER 10XS. IT'S BEEN CHECKED OUT AT THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THEY SAID AIRBAG RELATED EQUIPMENT IS ONLY COVERED FOR 3 YEARS. I WAS 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN I FIRST COMPLAINED. I THOUGHT THE AIRBAGS AND SEATBELT SYSTEMS WERE COVERED FOR 5 YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11229456
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2019
Air BagsSeats
PASSENGER AIR BAG TURNED OFF WHILE PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI #11228706
73,000 miles · Jul 1, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WE WERE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH, WE HAD BEEN DRIVING ABOUT AN HOUR, ON THE FREEWAY WITH SOME TRAFFIC BUT MOSTLY MOVING NORMALLY. SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING NOR ENGINE LIGHTS, THE CAR REVED BUT DIDN'T RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL. AS THOUGH IT HAD RUN OUT OF GAS. THE LOW FUEL LIGHT HAD GONE ON ALREADY, IT TURNS ON AROUND 70 M…
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WE WERE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH, WE HAD BEEN DRIVING ABOUT AN HOUR, ON THE FREEWAY WITH SOME TRAFFIC BUT MOSTLY MOVING NORMALLY. SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING NOR ENGINE LIGHTS, THE CAR REVED BUT DIDN'T RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL. AS THOUGH IT HAD RUN OUT OF GAS. THE LOW FUEL LIGHT HAD GONE ON ALREADY, IT TURNS ON AROUND 70 MILES TO EMPTY, BUT WE STILL HAD 50 MILES TO EMPTY. WE PULLED OVER AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO DELIVER GAS SINCE THAT'S ALL WE COULD FIGURE HAD HAPPENED. AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES WAITING WE DECIDED TO TRY IT AND JUST SEE IF IT WOULD START AND IT DID! WE DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT AND GOT GAS WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS, AND CONTINUED ON HOME AFTER. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND LEFT MY FAMILY SITTING STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NO CODES, NOTHING OBVIOUS TO FIX. NOW I'M NERVOUS TO DRIVE WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR IN CASE IT HAPPENS AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11228592
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
52,000 miles · Jun 21, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REDDING SUBARU (481 E CYPRESS AVE, REDDING, CA 96002, (888) 859-0264), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REDDING SUBARU (481 E CYPRESS AVE, REDDING, CA 96002, (888) 859-0264), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11221779
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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 ↗