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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
100,000 miles · Dec 19, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System

WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS CREATED VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN HAVING TO CROSS HEAVILY TRAFFICKED LANES WITHOUT POWER TO ENTER SHOULDER. ISSUE HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. UNKNOWN CAUSE AS NO CODES ARE THROWN. VIDEO SHOWING ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS://W…

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WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS CREATED VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHEN HAVING TO CROSS HEAVILY TRAFFICKED LANES WITHOUT POWER TO ENTER SHOULDER. ISSUE HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. UNKNOWN CAUSE AS NO CODES ARE THROWN. VIDEO SHOWING ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=OMNP_VKES-K .

NHTSA ODI #11162482

80,000 miles · Dec 17, 2018
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE LIFTED THE HATCHBACK, THE LEFT SUPPORT ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARBONE SUBARU OF TROY (800 HOOSICK RD, TROY, NY 12180, 518-312-4300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT HATCHBACK SUPPORT ARM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE LIFTED THE HATCHBACK, THE LEFT SUPPORT ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARBONE SUBARU OF TROY (800 HOOSICK RD, TROY, NY 12180, 518-312-4300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT HATCHBACK SUPPORT ARM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. *TT CONSUMER REPLACED NEW LIFT ARM. BALL-HEADED BOLT HAD SNAPPED.* JB *DT *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT SIDE STRUT HAS ALSO FAILED. *JS*DT *JB

NHTSA ODI #11162001

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2018
Service Brakes

2015 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PREMATURE BRAKE AND ROTOR FAILURE. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI #11160488

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2018
Unknown Or Other

OIL CONSUMPTION!! I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2017 WITH 67,000 MILES WITH IN MONTH I WAS BURNING 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL. NOW THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OUT THERE BUT ONLY THRU 2014 NOT ON MINE APPARENTLY. NOW HERE I AM 1.5 YEARS LATER AND STILL BURNING 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL IN BETWEEN THE 5,000 MILE OIL CHANGE.

NHTSA ODI #11161215

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2018
Engine

ENGINE USES EXCESSIVE OIL. I CHANGE EVERY 6,000 MILES WITH SYNTHETIC 0W-20 AS REQUIRED. BEFORE I REACH THE NEXT 6,000 MILES, THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO ADD 1/2 QUART OR MORE TO RETURN TO THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF OIL. I NOW CARRY OIL BOTTLES IN MY CAR AT ALL TIME SO I CAN ACT AS SOON AS THE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS …

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ENGINE USES EXCESSIVE OIL. I CHANGE EVERY 6,000 MILES WITH SYNTHETIC 0W-20 AS REQUIRED. BEFORE I REACH THE NEXT 6,000 MILES, THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO ADD 1/2 QUART OR MORE TO RETURN TO THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF OIL. I NOW CARRY OIL BOTTLES IN MY CAR AT ALL TIME SO I CAN ACT AS SOON AS THE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11156624

38,000 miles · Nov 29, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

MY 2015 FORESTER STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE NJ PARKWAY (GOING ABOUT 65-70MPH.) THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATIONS THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I HAD ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK OF GAS LEFT. WHEN THE CAR STALLED, IT FELT LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTED AND THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED - ALMOST AS IF WE RAN OUT OF GAS (BUT WE …

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MY 2015 FORESTER STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE NJ PARKWAY (GOING ABOUT 65-70MPH.) THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATIONS THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I HAD ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK OF GAS LEFT. WHEN THE CAR STALLED, IT FELT LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTED AND THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED - ALMOST AS IF WE RAN OUT OF GAS (BUT WE DIDN'T). THE ELECTRIC (LIGHTS, RADIO, HEAT) WAS ON THE WHOLE TIME. WE WERE STALLED FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES UNTIL THE COPS CAME. WE PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEY BUMPED US TO THE SHOULDER. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, WE TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORKED (ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER THE INITIAL STALL.) WE THEN DROVE TO THE NEARBY GAS STATION AND FILLED UP THE CAR; IT TOOK 12 GALLONS OF GAS AND I HAVE THE RECEIPT. THE SUBARU SERVICE CENTER CANNOT FIND THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THE COMPUTER ISN'T EVEN SHOWING A STALL CODE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT AND I WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG AND KNOW IT IS FIXED BEFORE I DRIVE IT AGAIN. IT LOOKS LIKE OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SIMILAR ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11154770

12,000 miles · Nov 10, 2018
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAR HAS JERKY ACCELERATION WITH HESITATION, MOMENTARY POWER LOSS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP OR AT LOW SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #11150717

41,000 miles · Nov 8, 2018
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. WHILE SITTING IN MY CAR USING THE ACCESSORIES TO CHARGE MY PHONE, THE CAR BATTERY DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT. THE KEY FOB DID NOT WORK EITHER. THERE IS NO INSIDE HANDLE ON THE REAR HATCH. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED A COUPLE TIMES AND AFTER ABOUT…

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I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. WHILE SITTING IN MY CAR USING THE ACCESSORIES TO CHARGE MY PHONE, THE CAR BATTERY DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT. THE KEY FOB DID NOT WORK EITHER. THERE IS NO INSIDE HANDLE ON THE REAR HATCH. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED A COUPLE TIMES AND AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES THE DOOR DID UNLOCK. WHAT IF THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD? WHAT IF I DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A CELL PHONE AND IT WAS COLD TEMPERATURES? I DO NOT THINK I WOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH TO KICK OUT THE WINDOWS. I AM CONCERNED AND HOPE YOU WILL INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11150103

43,000 miles · Nov 7, 2018
Suspension

RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. CAR HAS ONLY 43,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING, OFF-ROADING, AND NO ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #11150012

34,000 miles · Nov 7, 2018
Visibility/wiper

MY VEHICLE EATS WINDSHIELDS. THEY SEEM TO CRACK WITH THE LIGHTEST TAP FROM ROAD DEBRIS OR, IN ONE INSTANCE, FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON AT ALL (WHILE DRIVING OUT OF AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE). I HAVE REPLACED 2 WINDSHIELDS IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS, AND SUBARU KEEPS SAYING IT IS DUE TO IMPACTS (EVEN WHEN NO IMPACT OCCURRED). IT S…

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MY VEHICLE EATS WINDSHIELDS. THEY SEEM TO CRACK WITH THE LIGHTEST TAP FROM ROAD DEBRIS OR, IN ONE INSTANCE, FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON AT ALL (WHILE DRIVING OUT OF AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE). I HAVE REPLACED 2 WINDSHIELDS IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS, AND SUBARU KEEPS SAYING IT IS DUE TO IMPACTS (EVEN WHEN NO IMPACT OCCURRED). IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE, DESPITE SUBARU DENYING IT.

NHTSA ODI #11149972

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