Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1270–25K
10125–50K
9750–75K
5175–100K
29100–150K
5150K+
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
85,000 miles · Apr 27, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WAS DRIVING MY 2015 SUBARU FORESTER (TOURING EDITION) AT HIGHWAY SPEED, 70 MPH, THE CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED DECELERATING. LUCKILY BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR RE-STARTED AFTER AWHILE. THE FIRST TIME THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WAS ON BUT I HAD OVER 50 MILES LEFT ACCORDING TO FUEL S…
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ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WAS DRIVING MY 2015 SUBARU FORESTER (TOURING EDITION) AT HIGHWAY SPEED, 70 MPH, THE CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED DECELERATING. LUCKILY BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR RE-STARTED AFTER AWHILE. THE FIRST TIME THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WAS ON BUT I HAD OVER 50 MILES LEFT ACCORDING TO FUEL SENSOR. THE SECOND TIME, A MONTH OR SO LATER, NO LOW FUEL LIGHT WAS ON. THERE WERE 2 BARS LEFT ON THE FUEL GAUGE. AGAIN CAR TOTALLY DECELERATED AND THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. SUBARU DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BUT SOMEONE DID CALL THEM ABOUT IT THE DAY BEFORE I CALLED. I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT WHERE THEY SAY THEY WILL DO A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT. I AM SEEING MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS EXACT CAR ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SUBARU SHOULD NOT BE WAITING FOR FATALITIES TO HAPPEN BEFORE RECALLING THESE CARS.
NHTSA ODI #11204151
68,000 miles · Apr 23, 2019
Unknown Or Other
WHEN DRIVING AFTER SOME TIME THE AC GOES WARM. THIS HAPPENED WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING, WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND ON CITY RDS. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN ON FOR A BIT. IT ALSO STARTS BACK TO COLD ON ITS OWN AFTER A WHILE
NHTSA ODI #11203065
3,774 miles · Apr 16, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC CAR HESITATES, STALLS AND STUMBLES TO ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS. UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND SMOOTHLY (STUCK IN 1ST GEAR?). WAS REAR ENDED WHEN UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AT LIGHT. DEALER DID SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM, STILL ONGOING
NHTSA ODI #11196736
25 miles · Apr 14, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System
DRIVERS ARE NOT SEEING MY BRAKE LIGHTS OFF AND ON AND PULLING ME OVER TO TELLING US TO GET OUR LIGHTS FIXED. I JUST LOOKED UP RECALLS TO FIND OUT THAT WE HAVE A RECALL THAT NO ONE NOTIFIED US OF FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS. WE ALWAYS HAVE OUR GRAND KIDS AND EVERYONE ELSES IN THE CAR ON A DAILY BASIS WHICH CAN BE A DEADLY SITUATION... …
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DRIVERS ARE NOT SEEING MY BRAKE LIGHTS OFF AND ON AND PULLING ME OVER TO TELLING US TO GET OUR LIGHTS FIXED. I JUST LOOKED UP RECALLS TO FIND OUT THAT WE HAVE A RECALL THAT NO ONE NOTIFIED US OF FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS. WE ALWAYS HAVE OUR GRAND KIDS AND EVERYONE ELSES IN THE CAR ON A DAILY BASIS WHICH CAN BE A DEADLY SITUATION... PLEASE ASSIST.
NHTSA ODI #11196155
64,000 miles · Apr 13, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control
IN HEAVY TRAFFIC MY SPEED CONTROL FAILED. THE ENGINE RPMS WENT DOWN BY THEMSELVES WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY. THE GAS PEDAL COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11196066
44,000 miles · Apr 9, 2019
Unknown Or Other
THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE INDICATOR CAME ON THE DASH BOARD. THE AIR PRESSURE WAS LOW, SO THAT WAS WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I CAN'T RESET THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE INDICATOR UNLESS I PAY THE DEALER $50. SO, I HAVEN'T HAD A FUNCTIONING LOW PRESSURE INDICATOR FOR TWO YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11195022
44,650 miles · Apr 7, 2019
Electrical System
CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, 70MPH, ON INTERSTATE. CAR SPEED IMMEDIATELY STARTED DROPPING. CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11194400
38,000 miles · Apr 4, 2019
Unknown Or Other
EYESIGHT DRIVING ASSIST CAMERAS FAILED, INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST THEN COMPLETE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE ALSO TAKES OUT THE REAR BACKUP CAMERA AND CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE ASSIST FUNCTIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11193964
45,000 miles · Mar 25, 2019
Unknown Or Other
HORN DOES NOT WORK WHEN STERRING WHEEL IN STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. HORN WORKS IN ALL OTHER POSITIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11191409
60,000 miles · Mar 20, 2019
Engine
OIL IS LEAKING FROM TIMING COVER. ALSO CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS BAD. MECHANIC TELLS ME $2000.00 REPAIR NEEDED TO CORRECT LEAK.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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