NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
613 reports24,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
I'M HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2015 FORESTER 2.5I CVT THAT HAS NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE TODAY I WAS DISMISSED WITHOUT BEING HELPED. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 24,700 MILES ON IT, SO IT'S THOROUGHLY BROKEN IN AND I'M USED TO THE WAY THE CVT WORKS. IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO, I'VE NOTICED BUCKING, SHUDDERING, …
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I'M HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2015 FORESTER 2.5I CVT THAT HAS NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE TODAY I WAS DISMISSED WITHOUT BEING HELPED. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 24,700 MILES ON IT, SO IT'S THOROUGHLY BROKEN IN AND I'M USED TO THE WAY THE CVT WORKS. IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO, I'VE NOTICED BUCKING, SHUDDERING, AND POWER LOSS DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. SOMETIMES THIS IS JUST A LITTLE BUMPING, BUT OTHER TIMES IT'S A NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, LONG ENOUGH TO BE VERY DANGEROUS WHILE ACCELERATING OR ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE, THE ADVISOR THERE STARTED TO TELL ME THAT THE BEHAVIOR IS NORMAL EVEN BEFORE ANYONE HAD STARTED TO LOOK AT THE CAR. AFTER A TECH TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE, THE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT MY CONCERNS "DESCRIBE A PERFECT CVT" AND HE DOESN'T SEE A PROBLEM, AND THAT IT'S EXPECTED BEHAVIOR TO HAVE DANGEROUS POWER LOSS LIKE THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT MY PROBLEM IS NOT A PROBLEM AND SENT AWAY. POWER LOSS LIKE THIS DURING ACCELERATION IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM, DESPITE THE CLAIMS OF THE SUBARU EMPLOYEES, AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR. SUBARU REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SUGGESTED THAT I AVOID ACCELERATING OR TURNING ANY TIME POWER LOSS WOULD BE A DANGER OR ISSUE - THIS IS CLEARLY NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #10750259
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THIS MODEL VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY DEFECT. THE SPEEDOMETER IS LOCATED UNDER A VISOR WHICH LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT FALLING ON THE INSTRUMENT, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT HAVE ANY BACK LIGHTING UNDER DAYLIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE RESULT IS THAT UNDER MOST DAYTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER …
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THIS MODEL VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY DEFECT. THE SPEEDOMETER IS LOCATED UNDER A VISOR WHICH LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT FALLING ON THE INSTRUMENT, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT HAVE ANY BACK LIGHTING UNDER DAYLIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE RESULT IS THAT UNDER MOST DAYTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER AND DETERMINE THE SPEED THAT THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT. THIS IS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM AS DEALER STAFF HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAS NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA TO DISCUSS THIS DEFECT, AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY SOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #10750097
3,277 miles · Aug 19, 2015
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,277. ...UPDATED 10-13-15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/15/15*JB
NHTSA ODI #10749912
1,200 miles · Aug 14, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING THE DAYTIME AT 25 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT AS VISIBLE AND FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TO TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS STANDARD FOR THOSE MODELS OF VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING THE DAYTIME AT 25 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT AS VISIBLE AND FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TO TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS STANDARD FOR THOSE MODELS OF VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.
NHTSA ODI #10748656
20,000 miles · Aug 14, 2015
Equipment Adaptive/mobility
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I81 AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH A SMALL PEBBLE TAPPED THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSANGER SIDE AND IT CRACKED. WITHIN 24 HRS IT HAS GROWN HALF WAY ACROSS THE WINDOW. PLANNING ON HAVING IT REPLACED WITHIN FIVE DAYS. GOING DOWN HIGHWAY 31 AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THREE DAYS AFTER THE FIRST CRACK ANOTHER ROCK HIT THE W…
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WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I81 AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH A SMALL PEBBLE TAPPED THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSANGER SIDE AND IT CRACKED. WITHIN 24 HRS IT HAS GROWN HALF WAY ACROSS THE WINDOW. PLANNING ON HAVING IT REPLACED WITHIN FIVE DAYS. GOING DOWN HIGHWAY 31 AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THREE DAYS AFTER THE FIRST CRACK ANOTHER ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ( WINDSHIELD HAD NOT YET BEEN REPLACED) AS WELL AS ONE MONTH OF PURCHASING THE CAR A SMALL ROCK HIT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AREA AND ONLY MADE A SMALL DING IN IT. I BELIEVE THESE WINDSHIELDS ARE VERY DANGEROUS. IF YOU HEAR ANYTHING HIT YOUR WINDSHIELD AND YOU SEE NOTHING INITIALLY, PLEASE STOP ASAP AND INSPECT IT AS THESE LINE CRACKS EXPAND VERY FAST. NOT KNOWING IF THESE WINDSHIELDS CONTAIN THE ABILITY TO STAY TOGETHER IF IT SHADERS. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD, THIS COULD BECOME DEVASTATING VERY FAST. PLEASE STAY AWARE OF THE SMALLEST HITS TO THESE WINDSHIELDS. CONCERNED FOR ALL.
NHTSA ODI #10748642
24,000 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED A QUARTER OF OIL EVERY 2,500 TO 3,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED A QUARTER OF OIL EVERY 2,500 TO 3,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
NHTSA ODI #10748076
1,100 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Visibility/wiper
ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A ROAD TRIP, A TINY ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED PART OF IT. OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 24 HOURS THE CRACK GREW IN TWO DIRECTIONS RAPIDLY. THIS FORCED ME TO HAVE TO GET A COMPLETE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT ONLY 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE. LOOKING ONLINE, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A VERY WI…
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ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A ROAD TRIP, A TINY ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED PART OF IT. OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 24 HOURS THE CRACK GREW IN TWO DIRECTIONS RAPIDLY. THIS FORCED ME TO HAVE TO GET A COMPLETE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT ONLY 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE. LOOKING ONLINE, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A VERY WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS THAT ARE EASILY CRACKED.
NHTSA ODI #10747599
800 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Unknown Or Other
WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM PARK, OR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR VICE VERSA THERE IS A DELAY OF APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. ON A HILL, THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL IF THE FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. I HAVE ASKED SUBARU TO CORRECT THIS, BUT I …
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WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM PARK, OR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR VICE VERSA THERE IS A DELAY OF APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. ON A HILL, THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL IF THE FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. I HAVE ASKED SUBARU TO CORRECT THIS, BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS TRANSMISSION AND THAT THEY WILL NOT CORRECT IT. WHILE IT MAY NOT BE A MAJOR DEFECT THAT WILL LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY, IT REPRESENTS A RISK TO THE PEOPLE AND CARS AROUND THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10747452
7,177 miles · Aug 8, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON I-80 IN IOWA JUST EAST OF EXIT 220 (WILLIAMSBURG) OUR CAR LOST POWER BUT, BECAUSE IT HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND COAST TO THE LEFT ROAD MARGIN. THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR HAD COME ON A FEW MILES BEFORE BUT THE DISPLAY INDICATOR SHOWED THAT WE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL TO DRIV…
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WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON I-80 IN IOWA JUST EAST OF EXIT 220 (WILLIAMSBURG) OUR CAR LOST POWER BUT, BECAUSE IT HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND COAST TO THE LEFT ROAD MARGIN. THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR HAD COME ON A FEW MILES BEFORE BUT THE DISPLAY INDICATOR SHOWED THAT WE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL TO DRIVE 60 MILES AT THE DISPLAYED AVERAGE OF 30.5 MILES PER GALLON. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECT AS THE MANUAL STATES THAT WHEN THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR COMES THERE ARE 2.6 GALLONS REMAINING. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AS THE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO SHOW ONE INCREMENT IN THE GAS GAUGE AND A RANGE OF 60 MILES ON THE DISPLAY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING FUEL. WE EVENTUALLY WERE ASSISTED BY AN IOWA STATE PATROL OFFICER WHO TOOK ME BACK TO THE CASEY'S STATION IN WILLIAMSBURG WHERE I BOUGHT A GASOLINE CAN AND ABOUT 3.5 GALLONS OF FUEL. WITH HIS ASSISTANCE I WAS ABLE TO FUEL MY CAR (THE TRAFFIC AT THAT TIME AND PLACE WAS VERY HEAVY AND FAST), AND THE CAR STARTED IMMEDIATELY. IT IS BE IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR DID NOT COME ON AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. I HAD NOT PUT ALL OF THE GAS IN THE CAN INTO MY CAR, AND THE MANUAL STATES THAT THE INDICATOR WILL NOT COME ON WHEN THE TANK IS HOLDING 4.5 GALLONS OF FUEL, SO THERE WAS CLEARLY A GALLON OR MORE OF FUEL IN THE TANK WHEN IT DIED. ALSO, THAT SECTION OF EASTBOUND I-80 IS SLIGHTLY UPHILL. IT SEEMS THEN THAT EITHER THE ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATED WITH THE READING FUEL LEVELS ARE VERY INACCURATE, OR THE GAS TANK IS BUILT IN SUCH A WAY THAT WHEN THE TANK IS LOWER ON FUEL AND GOING UPHILL GAS IS NOT GETTING TO THE ENGINE. HAD I NOT BEEN DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND ABLE TO ROLL ONTO THE MARGIN UPHILL BUT SIMPLY SLOWED TO A SUDDEN STOP IN THAT TRAFFIC WHEN THE ENGINE DIED, I BELIEVE IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS SERIES IF COLLISIONS.
NHTSA ODI #10747238
4,829 miles · Jul 8, 2015
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION: THE VEHICLE VIGOROUSLY ACCELERATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH A FENCE ~8 FEET AWAY, PUSHED OVER 2 EIGHT FOOT TREES BEHIND THE FENCE THEN BECAME HIGH CENTERED ON A 30" "RETAINING ~5 FEET BEYOND THE FENCE. THE VEH…
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SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION: THE VEHICLE VIGOROUSLY ACCELERATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH A FENCE ~8 FEET AWAY, PUSHED OVER 2 EIGHT FOOT TREES BEHIND THE FENCE THEN BECAME HIGH CENTERED ON A 30" "RETAINING ~5 FEET BEYOND THE FENCE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN SPITE OF FULL APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ANY MORE AFTER IT WAS HIGH CENTERED ON THE RETAINING WALL BUT THE ENGINE SPEED REMAINED AT A HIGH RPM. THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN ONLY WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10732748
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 ↗