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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.

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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

73 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2026
EngineStructureUnknown Or OtherCrash

I was parking at the dentist office in their parking lot going slow, turned into a parking space and thought i was slowly braking but my car lunged forward and hit a tree. I would normally be minimally braking, so I'm not sure what happened but it was sudden. I could have hit the gas pedal but i would have pressed it a lot I t…

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I was parking at the dentist office in their parking lot going slow, turned into a parking space and thought i was slowly braking but my car lunged forward and hit a tree. I would normally be minimally braking, so I'm not sure what happened but it was sudden. I could have hit the gas pedal but i would have pressed it a lot I think for the sudden lunge to happen.

NHTSA ODI #11750125

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2026
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

I was pulling into a parking spot almost stopped when the vehicle suddenly surged forward. I slammed on the brake and put the car in reverse since it had driven upon the walkway. This happened earlier today and I plan to have it checked out as soon as possible . Never have had this problem before, no warning lights or messages.

NHTSA ODI #11735015

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2025
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

Airbag light intermittently turns on to indicate that airbag may not deploy even if there is someone in the passenger seat. This is a known safety issue with a recall in 2019 but for some reason is affecting a much larger set of vehicles than in the recall, including mine.

NHTSA ODI #11693312

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2025
Unknown Or Other

The ignition key kept getting stuck in the ignition. Subaru acknowledged a defect in the shifter plate and parking range switch. They replaced it on 8/30/25 under service bulletin 16-12-18R but the dealer charged me $584.94 and Subaru North America refused to reimburse, stating that they had extended the warranty period to 2022,…

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The ignition key kept getting stuck in the ignition. Subaru acknowledged a defect in the shifter plate and parking range switch. They replaced it on 8/30/25 under service bulletin 16-12-18R but the dealer charged me $584.94 and Subaru North America refused to reimburse, stating that they had extended the warranty period to 2022, and therefore I was not covered for repair. However, they acknowledged that the original parts had failed for certain customers and that they had better parts available IF the original parts failed before the extended warranty period lapsed in 2022. They should have issued a recall and replaced the original parts. I was unable to remove the keys and could not secure and lock my car. I was also concerned that the steering wheel would lock up while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11685875

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2025
Unknown Or Other

An off market part from API snapped after just 10 months and 7000 miles of driving on gentle paved roads. It was the lower control arm bolt. (2703-535960) Would have caused a very dangerous situation if happened at speed! We got lucky but this was a very dangerous part to break.

NHTSA ODI #11634991

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2024
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

I had a problem. arming the remote control. with forester subaru 2014 -2015 model car w/n arm. with key or electronically. I had changed battery you can arm manually sometimes , alarm will go off if you use the key to open door and shut it off with key. in ignition. had a diagnostic test done. with CODE B1500. tpms lights s…

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I had a problem. arming the remote control. with forester subaru 2014 -2015 model car w/n arm. with key or electronically. I had changed battery you can arm manually sometimes , alarm will go off if you use the key to open door and shut it off with key. in ignition. had a diagnostic test done. with CODE B1500. tpms lights stays on also. tires are good. pressure good. extra remote key is good batteries changed. any info concerning this. Thank you. this happen week and half ago nov 11,2024. have an appt will subaru dealer on dec 5 to toubleshoot. is there any recalls for this matter

NHTSA ODI #11626881

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2024
Unknown Or Other

After replacing the valve body (part of cvt transmission). The car was released to me. Immediately upon leaving the dealership, the car kept jolting and shuddering, but no maintenance lights were lit on the dashboard. Upon returning it to the dealership, we were notified that the whole transmission would need to be replaced. Su…

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After replacing the valve body (part of cvt transmission). The car was released to me. Immediately upon leaving the dealership, the car kept jolting and shuddering, but no maintenance lights were lit on the dashboard. Upon returning it to the dealership, we were notified that the whole transmission would need to be replaced. Subaru is aware of the faulty transmission as they increased the cvt transmission warranty for approx 2010-2017 forester/outback/impreza/etc. cars to 10yr/ 100,000 miles. Upon further review, several other Subaru owners have expressed their transmissions needing to be replaced around 110,000-120,000 miles, most after just replacing the valve body. It appears Subaru knew the transmission was about to die, but they encouraged replacing just the valve body causing me to invest $2,200 knowing it would not fix the actual problem.

NHTSA ODI #11606334

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2024
Unknown Or Other

The horn stopped working. I have yet to determine exact fix. Subaru forums suggest that it may be the clock spring, a relay, the horn itself, or a fuse.

NHTSA ODI #11581608

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2023
Unknown Or OtherCrash

In the parking lot of my condo/home I was slowly approaching and driving in to my regular assigned parking space. As I applied the brakes preparing to stop, the car suddenly and without warning quickly accelerated and crashed into the building causing extensive damage to the building and the vehicle. The air bag did not react.

NHTSA ODI #11551532

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2023
Unknown Or Other

When pulling up to park behind another car in the street, the car had a burst of acceleration about 5 ft from behind the next car. I slammed on my brakes and stopped the car inches from the next car. I was not gunning the gas at that point. I was just applying lighter pressure as I was pulling up behind that parked car. Scar…

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When pulling up to park behind another car in the street, the car had a burst of acceleration about 5 ft from behind the next car. I slammed on my brakes and stopped the car inches from the next car. I was not gunning the gas at that point. I was just applying lighter pressure as I was pulling up behind that parked car. Scared the heck out of me. I have had surges of acceleration in the Subaru in the past after a lag in acceleration when I first push down the pedal. But this is the first time I’ve had it surge as I was letting up on the gas pedal.

NHTSA ODI #11549708

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