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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
500 miles · Jul 20, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING (USUALLY TO GET ON FREEWAY OR SPEED UP DRASTICALLY WHILE ON FREEWAY). DOESNT COMPLETELY LOSE POWER, ONLY OCCURS FOR ABOUT 1-4 SECONDS BUT DURING THAT TIME CAR DOES NOT SPEED UP EVEN WHEN PRESSING GAS (ACTUALLY ACTS AS IF FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF GAS), AND MAKES A CLICKING NOISE. HAS HAPPENED EVER …

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OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING (USUALLY TO GET ON FREEWAY OR SPEED UP DRASTICALLY WHILE ON FREEWAY). DOESNT COMPLETELY LOSE POWER, ONLY OCCURS FOR ABOUT 1-4 SECONDS BUT DURING THAT TIME CAR DOES NOT SPEED UP EVEN WHEN PRESSING GAS (ACTUALLY ACTS AS IF FOOT WAS TAKEN OFF GAS), AND MAKES A CLICKING NOISE. HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE PURCHASING CAR NEW, AND MENTIONED AT EVERY SERVICE BUT THEY CAN NEVER RECREATE THE ISSUE AND THEREFORE CANT FIX IT. SAW A SIMILAR STALLING ISSUE ON A RECALL FOR SAME TYPE OF CAR BUT NOT MY VIN. DEALERSHIP WONT CHECK UNLESS I PAY FEE.

NHTSA ODI #11112756

75,000 miles · Jul 11, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR UN/LOCK FUNCTION DOESN'T OPERATE . ALL OTHER LOCKS WORK CORRECTLY FROM KEY FOB. MANUAL OPERATION OF DRIVER DOOR LOCK WORKS.

NHTSA ODI #11110728

30,000 miles · Jul 7, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

THE ELECTRICAL KEEPS HAVING PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET FOR SEVERAL YEARS OF THE FORESTER. I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE HASN'T ALREADY BEEN A RECALL. THERE WILL BE A BE A BEEP, USUALLY WHEN DRIVING - SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR OR MOVE OUT OF PARK, AND ABOUT ANY "SAFETY" FEATURE THAT THIS CAR HAS EXHI…

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THE ELECTRICAL KEEPS HAVING PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET FOR SEVERAL YEARS OF THE FORESTER. I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE HASN'T ALREADY BEEN A RECALL. THERE WILL BE A BE A BEEP, USUALLY WHEN DRIVING - SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR OR MOVE OUT OF PARK, AND ABOUT ANY "SAFETY" FEATURE THAT THIS CAR HAS EXHIBITS A LIGHT AND/OR WARNING. WHILE THIS HAPPENS OVER DAYS, SOMETIMES THE GEARS STICK IN PARK. I HAVE TO TAKE A TOOL AND PRESS BESIDE THE GEAR STICK TO GET OUT OF PARK. THE LIGHTS WILL STAY LIKE THIS FOR DAYS OR WEEKS AND THEN IT JUST STOPS. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED, BUT IT IS JUST RESET UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS. JUST THE OTHER NIGHT, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME AND TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING CONSISTENTLY. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!! WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE IS NOT WORKING WHEN THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI #11109975

58,000 miles · Jul 1, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

ON 6/7/18 AFTER SIX HOURS BEHIND THE WHEEL, WHILE TRAVELING 78MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL SYSTEMS, AS IF IT HAD RUN OUT OF GAS, ON INTERSTATE 85 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. MIRACULOUSLY GETTING ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER FROM CENTER LANE I SAT FOR 10-20 MINUTES IN SHOCK. THINKING I HAD RUN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH NO L…

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ON 6/7/18 AFTER SIX HOURS BEHIND THE WHEEL, WHILE TRAVELING 78MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL SYSTEMS, AS IF IT HAD RUN OUT OF GAS, ON INTERSTATE 85 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. MIRACULOUSLY GETTING ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER FROM CENTER LANE I SAT FOR 10-20 MINUTES IN SHOCK. THINKING I HAD RUN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH NO LOW FUEL INDICATORS HAD SHOWN UP I TURNED THE KEY TO SEE IF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD TURN ON. IT DID, A QUARTER TANK OF GAS SHOWED ON GAUGE. I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE ENGINE STARTED. I SAW A SIGN FOR EXIT IN 2 MILES, PUT ON HAZARDS, WENT 50 MPH TO EXIT, STRAIGHT TO GAS STATION. 9 GALLONS WENT IN PROVING THE GAUGE TO BE CORRECT. I STOPPED FOR THE NIGHT AND GOOGLED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND FOUND MANY HITS INDICATING A POSSIBLE FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM. I WAS STILL 5 HOURS FROM HOME SO CALLED NEAREST SUBARU REPAIR SHOP, THEY COULDN'T FIT ME IN FOR A WEEK. TOOK BACK ROADS HOME, NEVER GOING OVER 50 MPH. CALLED SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND THEY HAD A TWO WEEK WAIT FOR SERVICE. CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO INTERVENED AND LOCAL DEALER GOT ME IN THAT DAY. 6/11/18. THAT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ON THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT HAD BEEN WIPED CLEAN BY SOMEONE. REGARDLESS, I ASKED IF THEY WOULD LOOK AT FUEL SYSTEM BUT THEY WOULD NOT, INSTEAD OFFERING TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FOR FAIR MARKET PRICE AND SELL IT ON THEIR USED CAR LOT TO A NEW UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMER. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SUBARU DEALER WHO DID PULL THE FUEL SYSTEM AND FOUND FUEL TRANSFER PUMP FAULTY. THIS CAUSED MY CAR TO THINK IT WAS OUT OF GAS AS I TRAVELED. I ASKED SUBARU OF NA IF THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPLIED "THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR YOUR VEHICLE", I KNOW FROM MY GOOGLE SEARCH THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT FOR MY VEHICLE. IN FACT WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR THE MECHANIC SAID HE HAD ANOTHER SUBARU COME IN THE NEXT DAY WITH SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11104959

7,945 miles · Jun 19, 2018
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

2015 SUBARU FORESTER MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO PARKING SPACE BETWEEN 2 CARS IN A PARKING GARAGE. GOING UPHILL INTO THE SPACE WHEN VEHICLE SURGED AT GREAT SPEED IN A 10 FT DISTANCE HITTING THE WALL AT GREAT SPEED, CAUSING EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, DEPLOYING AIRBAGS, AND DISLODGING THE FRONT DASHBOARD. THE 2 CARS ON EITHER SIDE W…

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2015 SUBARU FORESTER MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO PARKING SPACE BETWEEN 2 CARS IN A PARKING GARAGE. GOING UPHILL INTO THE SPACE WHEN VEHICLE SURGED AT GREAT SPEED IN A 10 FT DISTANCE HITTING THE WALL AT GREAT SPEED, CAUSING EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, DEPLOYING AIRBAGS, AND DISLODGING THE FRONT DASHBOARD. THE 2 CARS ON EITHER SIDE WERE NOT HIT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT LOU FUSZ SUBARU. THE SECOND EVENT HAPPED ON 7/6/16 (25463 MILES) IN THE SAME PARKING GARAGE, NEAR THE SAME PARKING SPACE. WHILE TURNING INTO THE PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD STRIKING THE WALL AT GREAT SPEED. THOUGH THE FRONT END WAS AGAIN DAMAGED, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THERE WERE A DOZEN SIMILAR REPORTS FOR 2015 THE SUBARU FORESTER WHILE PARKING. ANEIGHBOR WITH A 2015 SUBARU LEGACY HAD THREE INSTANCES OF UNEXPECTED ACCELERATIONS. NO CAUSE WAS IDENTIFIED BUT REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE CAR AT WEBSTER GROVES SUBARU. IT APPEARS TO HAVE RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE SUBARU FORESTER WAS REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP AND THEN CHECKED AT WEBSTER GROVES SUBARU. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD THE CAR TO THE DRIVER (LOU FUSZ), THE SUBARU CORPORATION SENT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (FROM BOSCH EEA) TO EVALUATE THE CAR. THE DRIVER WAS TOLD IN AN EMAIL THAT THE REPORT WAS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND NO DETAILS OF THE EVALUATION WERE MADE AVAILABLE. THE EMAIL ONLY REPORTED THE LACK OF ANY PROBLEMS FOUND THAT COULD EXPLAIN THE UNEXPECTED SURGING WHILE PARKING. THE DRIVER SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT WEBSTER GROVES SUBARU. SHE WAS UNABLE TO HELP SINCE NO ONE HAD REPRODUCED THE PROBLEM. AS FAR AS SUBARU WAS CONCERNED, THE CAR WAS NORMAL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER HELP. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE SECOND REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED.

NHTSA ODI #11102645

39,000 miles · Jun 14, 2018
Air BagsEngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV VERY HIGH WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV VERY HIGH WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ODI #11101824

1 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION: I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 10 MPH THROUGH A CAMPGROUND. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN TO TURN RIGHT INTO MY PARKING SPOT. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL MORE FIRMLY BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED. I TRAVE…

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SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION: I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 10 MPH THROUGH A CAMPGROUND. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN TO TURN RIGHT INTO MY PARKING SPOT. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL MORE FIRMLY BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED. I TRAVELED ABOUT 100 FEET UP A STEEP HILL ON THE SIDE OF THE CAMPSITE AND KNOCKED DOWN A SMALL TREE AND STRUCK SEVERAL BUSHES BEFORE HITTING A LARGE TREE THAT FINALLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE IN ADDITION TO DEEP SCRAPE MARKS TO ITS SIDES AND REAR FROM THE TREES/BUSHES. THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND HAD DRIVEN IT FOR MORE THAN 42,000 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11099502

47,000 miles · May 24, 2018
Electrical System

THIS VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN MID-DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY 4 TIMES. THE BATTERY, FUEL SENSORS, FUEL PUMP, AND 'CLUSTER' HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK FROM SUBARU SERVICE ON A WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, AND ON THURSDAY MORNING AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE THE FUEL GAUGE WAS AGAIN DISPLAYING BLANK EVEN THOUGH THERE …

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THIS VEHICLE HAS SHUT DOWN MID-DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY 4 TIMES. THE BATTERY, FUEL SENSORS, FUEL PUMP, AND 'CLUSTER' HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK FROM SUBARU SERVICE ON A WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, AND ON THURSDAY MORNING AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE THE FUEL GAUGE WAS AGAIN DISPLAYING BLANK EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS MORE THAN A HALF TANK OF GAS IN THE CAR. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND THEN EVERY WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTED UP. THERE HAVE BEEN 5 REPAIR ATTEMPTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11097862

21,000 miles · May 24, 2018
Engine

FROM A STOP, CAR HESITATES WHEN TURNING LEFT CROSSING INCOMING TRAFFIC. INITIAL COASTING, THEN ACCEPTING ACCELERATOR PRESSURE, TAKING A SECOND OR TWO TO RESPOND. DEALER FOUND NO CODES AND OFFERED NO FIX, OTHER THAN TO LEAVE MY CAR FOR ADDITIONAL TEST DRIVING. IN THREE YEARS AND 21,000 MILES, THERE HAS BEEN SIX LEFT TURN HESTI…

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FROM A STOP, CAR HESITATES WHEN TURNING LEFT CROSSING INCOMING TRAFFIC. INITIAL COASTING, THEN ACCEPTING ACCELERATOR PRESSURE, TAKING A SECOND OR TWO TO RESPOND. DEALER FOUND NO CODES AND OFFERED NO FIX, OTHER THAN TO LEAVE MY CAR FOR ADDITIONAL TEST DRIVING. IN THREE YEARS AND 21,000 MILES, THERE HAS BEEN SIX LEFT TURN HESTITIONS FROM A STOP POSITION. VERY SCARY EVENT THAT COULD BE FATAL WITH A STALL IN AN INCOMING LANE.

NHTSA ODI #11097841

45,000 miles · May 21, 2018
Electrical System

THIS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED. I TURNED THE CAR ON IN THE PARKING LOT AFTER A GROCERY STORE TRIP (WITH MY BABY IN THE BACKSEAT) AND THE VEHICLE SAID IT COULD NOT ESTABLISH THE REMAINING FUEL LEVEL AND THE GAUGE WAS BLANK. TUR…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED. I TURNED THE CAR ON IN THE PARKING LOT AFTER A GROCERY STORE TRIP (WITH MY BABY IN THE BACKSEAT) AND THE VEHICLE SAID IT COULD NOT ESTABLISH THE REMAINING FUEL LEVEL AND THE GAUGE WAS BLANK. TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AND FUEL GAUGE REAPPEARED, BUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN CITY STREET, ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP. I DROVE DIRECTLY TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAY THAT THE CLUSTER (ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. STILL WAITING FOR PART TO COME IN AND FOR VEHICLE TO BE RETURNED TO ME. I AM NOT CONFIDENT THIS WILL FIX MY VEHICLE SINCE THEY SAID THEY WERE 99% SURE OF THE FIX THE LAST TWO TIMES. THIS VEHICLE IS FAULTY AND IS ENDANGERING MY FAMILY. IT IS BY SHEER LUCK THAT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT AND INJURED SO FAR.

NHTSA ODI #11097149

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