NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
95 reportsClear category filter73,600 miles · Jun 20, 2023
Power Train
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle accelerated at high speed and stability, the traction control, the check engine, and the cruise control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle op…
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The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle accelerated at high speed and stability, the traction control, the check engine, and the cruise control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the transmission module was updated, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the throttle pedal assembly was replaced multiple times, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 73,600.
NHTSA ODI #11527981
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2023
Power Train
Transmission faiure at 112,000 miles
NHTSA ODI #11522018
71,545 miles · Mar 10, 2023
Power Train
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the vehicle made abnormal grinding sounds. Additionally, the vehicle was vibrating while turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty bearing. The bearing was replaced; however, …
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The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at high speeds, the vehicle made abnormal grinding sounds. Additionally, the vehicle was vibrating while turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty bearing. The bearing was replaced; however, the failure recurred while driving approximately 70-75 MPH. The vehicle was then taken to Farrish Subaru (10407 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030) where it was diagnosed that all four bushings needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the four bushings. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,545.
NHTSA ODI #11511217
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2023
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
We were driving at 75 mph in the left lane when our car suddenly dropped in speed to 40 mph as though the transmission had dropped into neutral. There were no warning lights or any indication about what was happening. We were in heavy traffic, with trucks and car hitting their brakes. This could have caused a very serious accide…
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We were driving at 75 mph in the left lane when our car suddenly dropped in speed to 40 mph as though the transmission had dropped into neutral. There were no warning lights or any indication about what was happening. We were in heavy traffic, with trucks and car hitting their brakes. This could have caused a very serious accident. We managed to move our car to the right shoulder. The car's transmission re-engaged and we picked up our speed. This happened 3 times in the space of a few hundred miles while we were on a road trip. I called Subaru. They had no idea what it was. We went to the nearest Subaru dealer and they ran a diagnostic test, even including a 12 mile test drive with the computer hooked up. Nothing showed up. They told us to continue our trip. Then it happened 2 more times! The last time, again, in the left lane, on cruise. The engine rpm clocked up at 7500 rpm before I was able to get the car off the road. The engine died and we had to be towed to a shop. Again, no warning dash lights. This is a serious flaw and very dangerous.
NHTSA ODI #11510749
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2023
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I was backing out of a parking spot, and there was a telephone poll behind me in my path. I needed to pull forward to navigate around this poll. After backing up some, I put the car into drive to pull slightly forward, and the car lurched aggressively, so much so that I got out to see if it'd caught on something. It did not -- t…
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I was backing out of a parking spot, and there was a telephone poll behind me in my path. I needed to pull forward to navigate around this poll. After backing up some, I put the car into drive to pull slightly forward, and the car lurched aggressively, so much so that I got out to see if it'd caught on something. It did not -- there was absolutely nothing there. So I got back in and tried to continue forward, and the accelerator went full force. I floored the brake pedal, but the car behaved as though I was flooring the accelerator. The car drove itself over a cement block, through a staircase and into the brick wall of an abandoned building, continuing to accelerate for a few seconds while against the wall. Air bags did not deploy. I walked away without physical injury, thank goodness. There were no warning lights, symptoms of or dashboard indicators of a problem before or during the issue. Upon investigation online, we see that there is a pending class action for this exact issue. The vehicle has been inspected by our insurance carrier and been deemed a total loss. Insurance has asked that we turn the title over to them in order to receive our payout, and I believe they plan to destroy the car.
NHTSA ODI #11507009
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2023
Power Train
APRIL 2022 MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE NOISES WHEN ACCELARATING. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. DEC. 30, 2022 I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BRAKES AND REPLACED THEM. HE THEN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE NOISE REMAINED, SO HE STOPPED AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAID…
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APRIL 2022 MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE NOISES WHEN ACCELARATING. I TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. DEC. 30, 2022 I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BRAKES AND REPLACED THEM. HE THEN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE NOISE REMAINED, SO HE STOPPED AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAID POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION ISSUES, NOT SURE. NO WARNING LIGHT EVER CAME ON. I WAS DRIVING ON DEC. 31, 2022 WHEN THE SOUNDS WERE LOUDER. I TURNED AROUND TO GO HOME AND WAS IN TRAFFIC AND DOWN SHIFTED TO DESCEND A HILL WHEN I DOWNSHIFTED THE CAR STOPPED AND MANY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOSRD. I SHIFTED BACK INTO REGULAR GEAR AND THE LEFT LANE WAS AVAILABLE SO I CHANGED LANES AND PULLED IN TO THE MNDOT PARKING LOT WHICH WAS ABOUT 100 FEET AWAY. I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE SUBARU DEALER. THEY DIAGNOSED THE CAR WITH A BROKEN TRANSMISSION AND THAT SINCE I HAVE A SALVAGE TITLE IT IS NOT COVERED. THE REPAIR COST IS OVER $9000.
NHTSA ODI #11499898
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2022
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
While driving 45mph on an icy road (approximately 25 degree(F) outside temp) the car suddenly lost power as if the CVT transmission was in neutral. However, it was still in drive. Pressing the accelerator only raised the RPMs but no power was sent to the wheels. There were cars behind me and my car was slowing down due to no pow…
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While driving 45mph on an icy road (approximately 25 degree(F) outside temp) the car suddenly lost power as if the CVT transmission was in neutral. However, it was still in drive. Pressing the accelerator only raised the RPMs but no power was sent to the wheels. There were cars behind me and my car was slowing down due to no power. I was fortunately able to pull off to the side of the road, stop, put in park. I put back into drive, power returned, and car drove normally for the remaining ~10miles of my trip. No warning lights from vehicle occurred during this event. This sudden loss of power could have been very dangerous especially given the road conditions. If drivers behind me were not following at a safe distance the sudden reduction in speed could have caused an accident due to the icy roads. I have not yet taken the car to be inspected, but will do so as soon as possible.
NHTSA ODI #11496398
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2022
Power Train
My transmission is having issues after being repaired by dealer. It is stalling when I try to accelerate leaving me at risk of being rear ended.
NHTSA ODI #11493724
40,300 miles · Oct 28, 2022
Power Train
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that his wife smelled like the brakes were burning. The contact stated that his wife did not notice any warning lights being illuminated. The driver pulled over a…
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The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that his wife smelled like the brakes were burning. The contact stated that his wife did not notice any warning lights being illuminated. The driver pulled over and turned off the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the clutch flywheel had fractured and separated. The mechanic also stated that the clutch plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,300. The consumer stated the flywheel was in two pieces and outer two pieces broke apart, destroying the clutch assembly.
NHTSA ODI #11491303
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2022
EnginePower TrainSteering
Driving in merging four lane traffic 70mph when forward motion stopped due to power loss. Almost wrecked getting to shoulder of road. Stranded in 90+ heat. Vehicle would not crank.
NHTSA ODI #11487360
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 ↗