Illustration2015 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Forester years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Air Bags complaints
101 reportsI HAVE HAD AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON IN MY CAR FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR AND I AM PAST WORRIED ABOUT THIS FAULTY AIRBAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY IF MY FAMILY IS EVERY IN THE CAR DURING AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS A BEGUN RECALL BUT I HAVE RECIEVED NO NOTICE AND AS IT DESCRIBES IS EXACTLY WHAT DEALERSHIP TOLD ME WAS WRONG 600$ IS THE COST OR THE LIFE OF MY…
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I HAVE HAD AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON IN MY CAR FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR AND I AM PAST WORRIED ABOUT THIS FAULTY AIRBAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY IF MY FAMILY IS EVERY IN THE CAR DURING AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS A BEGUN RECALL BUT I HAVE RECIEVED NO NOTICE AND AS IT DESCRIBES IS EXACTLY WHAT DEALERSHIP TOLD ME WAS WRONG 600$ IS THE COST OR THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY... PLEASE RECALL MY AIRBAG SENSOR..
2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF' WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR. WHEN NO PERSON IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT SAYS IT IS ON. ON…
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2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF' WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR. WHEN NO PERSON IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT SAYS IT IS ON. ON THE DASHBOARD A RED WARNING LIGHT INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG IS CONSTANTLY LIT. SO, IN SUMMARY: WHEN I START THE CAR, THIS INDICATOR TURNS ON: SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED PASSENGER AIRBAG REMAINS "OFF" EVEN PERSON SITS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS STOPPED OR MOVING WHILE THE CAR IS STARTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000 (AIR BAGS), WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH GREGORIS SUBARU (575 W MERRICK RD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580, (516) 825-8700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL BACK. THE CONTACT H…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000 (AIR BAGS), WHICH INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH GREGORIS SUBARU (575 W MERRICK RD, VALLEY STREAM, NY 11580, (516) 825-8700) AND WAS INFORMED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL BACK. THE CONTACT HAD NOT HEARD BACK FROM ANYONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
OUR 2015 SUBARU FORESTER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. WE WERE TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION. THE SUV WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND FRONT FENDER BY ANOTHER SUV. NO SIDE OR CURTAIN AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED.
"SRS AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE CHECKED" AND "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" MESSAGES 95% OF TIME WHEN OPERATING CAR, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PASSENGER IS PRESENT OR NOT. SEAT HAS NEVER BEEN DAMAGED OR DAMPENED, AS SOME FOLKS ONLINE REPORT. DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. DISAPPOINTING THAT SOMEONE MIGHT DIE WHILE SUBARU IS UNABLE/UNWILLING TO R…
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"SRS AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE CHECKED" AND "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" MESSAGES 95% OF TIME WHEN OPERATING CAR, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER A PASSENGER IS PRESENT OR NOT. SEAT HAS NEVER BEEN DAMAGED OR DAMPENED, AS SOME FOLKS ONLINE REPORT. DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. DISAPPOINTING THAT SOMEONE MIGHT DIE WHILE SUBARU IS UNABLE/UNWILLING TO RECALL AND REPAIR THIS COMMONLY REPORTED CONCERN.
PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED DUE TO SRI CODE IN SEAT. PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR DEFECTIVE.
2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF' WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR. WHEN NO PERSON IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT SAYS IT IS ON.…
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2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE PASSENGER SEAT FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS 'PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF' WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR. WHEN NO PERSON IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT SAYS IT IS ON. ON THE DASHBOARD A RED WARNING LIGHT INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG IS CONSTANTLY LIT.
FOR THE PAST YEAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY TURNING OFF AND A WARNING MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR: "SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED". MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT AND IS BARELY 4 YEARS OLD. LATELY, IT JUST DOESN'T REALLY WORK AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG…
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FOR THE PAST YEAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY TURNING OFF AND A WARNING MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR: "SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED". MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT AND IS BARELY 4 YEARS OLD. LATELY, IT JUST DOESN'T REALLY WORK AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. IT IS PART OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT'S A $1200 REPAIR BUT WITH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, I HAVE TO PAY $100 DEDUCTABLE. I AM FLOORED THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR CAN'T LAST MORE THAN 4 YEARS. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A HIGHLY RATED CAR FOR SAFETY! I'M VERY DISSATISFIED WITH SUBARU RIGHT NOW.
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO DETECT THE PASSENGER CAUSING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT TO ARM. THIS IS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY THE SRS DASH LIGHT TO TURN ON AS WELL.
Official recalls
319V701000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.