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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
70,468 miles · Mar 16, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WHEN USING LIGHT ACCELERATION SUCH AS IN A PARKING LOT OR AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN TO START GOING THE VEHICLE BUCKS FORWARD IT WILL LITERALLY MAKE YOU JERK BACK IN THE SEAT. ALSO WHILE PULLING ONTO A STREET IT JERKS FORWARD BUT HAS HESITATION WHICH ISNT TO SAFE IF YOU ASK ME WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT ON THE ROAD IF CARS ARE COMI…

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WHEN USING LIGHT ACCELERATION SUCH AS IN A PARKING LOT OR AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN TO START GOING THE VEHICLE BUCKS FORWARD IT WILL LITERALLY MAKE YOU JERK BACK IN THE SEAT. ALSO WHILE PULLING ONTO A STREET IT JERKS FORWARD BUT HAS HESITATION WHICH ISNT TO SAFE IF YOU ASK ME WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT ON THE ROAD IF CARS ARE COMING...

NHTSA ODI #11187190

107,460 miles · Mar 13, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRAFFIC STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A FORD EXPLORER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S BODY LUNGED FORWARD AND STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRAFFIC STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND HE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A FORD EXPLORER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER'S BODY LUNGED FORWARD AND STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND RIBS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GRAYSON SUBARU (8729 KINGSTON PIKE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37923, 865-693-4550), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,460.

NHTSA ODI #11186520

31,000 miles · Mar 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET, NOT RUNNING. WHEN I APPROACHED TO ENTER THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AFTER CLICKING THE UNLOCK BUTTON BUT BEFORE TOUCHING THE CAR, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES. NOTHING HIT OR FELL ON THE CAR, NO ONE WAS TOUCHING IT NOR IN IT. IT SIMPLY SHATTERED AND BROKE …

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THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET, NOT RUNNING. WHEN I APPROACHED TO ENTER THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AFTER CLICKING THE UNLOCK BUTTON BUT BEFORE TOUCHING THE CAR, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES. NOTHING HIT OR FELL ON THE CAR, NO ONE WAS TOUCHING IT NOR IN IT. IT SIMPLY SHATTERED AND BROKE AS IT WAS SITTING THERE STATIONARY AND OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11186110

40,000 miles · Mar 10, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

TWICE IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS VEHICLE HAS RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE TRAVELING ON A LEVEL HIGHWAY DESPITE GAS GAUGE INDICATING THAT THERE WAS 70 MILES STILL TO TRAVEL AND THE GAS GAUGE READING ONE BAR. LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR DID NOT DISPLAY.

NHTSA ODI #11185688

24,500 miles · Mar 8, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I SLOW TO TURN OR SLOW IN TRAFFIC THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND. WHEN I DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN, IT BUCKS AND SURGES FORWARD IN A JERKING MOTION. ITS DANGEROUS BECAUSE SOMEONE FOLLOWING BEHIND ME IN A TURN COULD RUN INTO ME OR IN TRAFFIC , I COULD SUDDENLY SURGE INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR.…

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SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I SLOW TO TURN OR SLOW IN TRAFFIC THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DOESN'T RESPOND. WHEN I DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN, IT BUCKS AND SURGES FORWARD IN A JERKING MOTION. ITS DANGEROUS BECAUSE SOMEONE FOLLOWING BEHIND ME IN A TURN COULD RUN INTO ME OR IN TRAFFIC , I COULD SUDDENLY SURGE INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THE ONLY REPORT I GOT WHEN I PICKED IT UP WAS THAT THEY HAD RE-PROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER AND TEST DROVE IT. THAT WAS 2 MONTHS AGO AND NOW I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. EVERY INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON CITY STREETS. I AM ALARMED ABOUT THE OTHER REPORTS I AM SEEING ON THIS AND SIMILAR LOSS OF CONTROL ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11185128

35,000 miles · Mar 8, 2019
Engine

MY CAR DIES AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AND TO A TECHNICIAN FROM A SUBARU DEALERSHIP ONCE. I HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS WITH SUBARU TO NO AVAIL. HERE IS A SUMMARY: ON AUGUST 31, 2018 I HAD BEEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS. THE TRIP COMPUTER SAID I HAD 70 MILES TILL…

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MY CAR DIES AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AND TO A TECHNICIAN FROM A SUBARU DEALERSHIP ONCE. I HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS WITH SUBARU TO NO AVAIL. HERE IS A SUMMARY: ON AUGUST 31, 2018 I HAD BEEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS. THE TRIP COMPUTER SAID I HAD 70 MILES TILL EMPTY BUT THE LOW FUEL LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON. THE CAR BEHAVED AS IF IT HAD RUN OUT OF GAS. THE ENGINE REV'D LIKE IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, THEN COMPLETELY QUIT. ZERO WARNING. FOR THE NEXT 90 MINUTES I WOULD TRY TO START THE CAR EVERY 20 MINUTES OR SO. THE ENGINE WOULD TURN, BUT NO INDICATION IT WAS GETTING ANY FUEL. I LOOKED AT SEVERAL FORESTER BLOGS AND FOUND MANY IDENTICAL INCIDENTS (HIGHWAY SPEED, LESS THAN A QUARTER TANK, ENGINE REVS THEN DIES). ONE POST SAID THAT AFTER FILLING THE TANK IT WOULD START. A TOW TRUCK TOOK ME TO A GAS STATION WHERE I FILLED IT WITH ~13.5 GALLONS OF GAS. THAT MEANS THE TANK HAD ABOUT 2.4 GALLONS LEFT AND @30MPG=72 MILES JUST LIKE THE TRIP COMPUTER SAID. THAT'S ALL I DID, AND THE CAR STARTED IMMEDIATELY. MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW WEEKS AND WORKED WITH SUBARU TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY DETECTED AN ERROR WITH THE FUEL PRESSURE SENDING UNITS AND REPLACED THEM. STILL DURING MULTIPLE TEST DRIVES AFTER THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED THEIR TECHNICIAN HAD THE EXACT SAME FAILURE AS I DID. ON JANUARY 2, 2019 IT DIED ON ME AGAIN. GOING 60 MPH ON A TWO-LANE HIGHWAY WITH 40 MILES TILL EMPTY. THE DEALER THEN HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A MONTH AND CONSULTED WITH SUBARU AGAIN. THEY TEST DROVE IT FOR NEARLY 300 MILES WITH SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS ATTACHED BUT COULDN'T GET THE PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN. THEY FINALLY RETURNED IT TO ME BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE A ROOT CAUSE. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, YOU CAN FIND MANY REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF EXACTLY THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR VINTAGE SUBARU FORESTERS.

NHTSA ODI #11185037

55,000 miles · Mar 5, 2019
Exterior LightingCrash

THIS COMPLAINT IS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL ID NUMBER :19V149 WHILE WE HAVE NOT NOTICED BREAK LIGHTS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REAR ENDED TWICE, IN 2017 AND IN 2018, POSSIBLY INDICATING THAT BREAK SWITCH WAS INTERMITTENTLY FAULTY.

NHTSA ODI #11184256

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

40,000 miles · Mar 1, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHEN HIGHWAY DRIVING MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED ON DASH, TRACTION CONTROL, EYESIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL OFF, HILL ASSIST. THE EYESIGHT SYSTEMS ARE DISABLED SHUTTING OFF CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE REAR BRAKES LIGHT ARE NOT WORKING. WHEN THE CAR IS THE SHUT OFF THEN RESTARTED AND THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED THE …

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WHEN HIGHWAY DRIVING MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED ON DASH, TRACTION CONTROL, EYESIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL OFF, HILL ASSIST. THE EYESIGHT SYSTEMS ARE DISABLED SHUTTING OFF CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE REAR BRAKES LIGHT ARE NOT WORKING. WHEN THE CAR IS THE SHUT OFF THEN RESTARTED AND THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED THE CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK AFTER STARTING. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT IS RESET AFTER THE CAR SITS OFF OVERNIGHT. THE LAST TIME I COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF THE PARK I WENT BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MOVE THE BRAKE SWITCH AND PRESSED THE CONNECTION ON TOP IN. THIS RESET THE SYSTEM AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH DISAPPEARED. THE STOPLIGHT SWITCH/BRAKE SWITCH PART #83311FJ001 IS DEFECTIVE. ON 3/1/19 SUBARU ANNOUNCED A RECALL NOT SURE IF IT'S THIS PART/ISSUES BUT I AM HOPING IT IS.

NHTSA ODI #11183345

72,000 miles · Feb 23, 2019
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FIRST CAME ON AS SOON AS I STARTED MY CAR ONE MORNING IN MID-OCTOBER 2018, IN WHICH I TOOK MY CAR TO SUBARU OF KENNESAW, GA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY FIRST ASKED IF I HAD SPILLED ANYTHING ON THE FRONT SEAT (IN WHICH I RESPONDED "NO") AND THEN ADVISED ME THAT THE WHOLE SEAT BOTTOM WOULD NEED T…

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THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FIRST CAME ON AS SOON AS I STARTED MY CAR ONE MORNING IN MID-OCTOBER 2018, IN WHICH I TOOK MY CAR TO SUBARU OF KENNESAW, GA TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY FIRST ASKED IF I HAD SPILLED ANYTHING ON THE FRONT SEAT (IN WHICH I RESPONDED "NO") AND THEN ADVISED ME THAT THE WHOLE SEAT BOTTOM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED (ABOUT $989 PARTS AND LABOR) AND THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK-ORDER. I FOLLOWED-UP WITH THEM IN DECEMBER 2018 AND NEVER HEARD BACK. WHEN I RECENTLY WENT THERE FOR AN OIL CHANGE FEBRUARY 18, 2019 THEY BROUGHT THE ISSUE UP TO ME AGAIN, IN WHICH I RESPONDED THAT NOBODY EVER RETURNED MY CALL. THEY CHECKED AGAIN TO SEE IF THEY HAD THE PART BUT STATED IT IS STILL ON A NATIONWIDE BACK-ORDER. WE ARE NOW GOING ON 5+ MONTHS OF MY PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BEING ON (IT SOMETIMES TURNS OFF INTERMITTENTLY, BUT IN THOSE INSTANCES THE PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT WILL COME ON AND DING REPEATEDLY UNTIL THE SEATBELT IS PLUGGED IN - EVEN IF THERE IS NO PASSENGER). I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH INTO THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF OTHER CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES. SUBARU SEEMS TO HAVE DIFFERENT EXPLANATIONS AND SEEMS VERY UNWILLING TO FIX THEIR FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSORS. IT IS UPSETTING AND DISCOURAGING TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE AROUND THIS LONG WITH A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG/PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #11182111

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