IllustrationTHE TIRE LOW PRESSURE INDICATOR CAME ON THE DASH BOARD. THE AIR PRESSURE WAS LOW, SO THAT WAS WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. THE PROBLEM IS THAT I CAN'T RESET THE TIRE LOW PRESSURE INDICATOR UNLESS I PAY THE DEALER $50. SO, I HAVEN'T HAD A FUNCTIONING LOW PRESSURE INDICATOR FOR TWO YEARS.
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
73 reportsEYESIGHT DRIVING ASSIST CAMERAS FAILED, INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST THEN COMPLETE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE ALSO TAKES OUT THE REAR BACKUP CAMERA AND CRUISE CONTROL AND BRAKE ASSIST FUNCTIONS.
HORN DOES NOT WORK WHEN STERRING WHEEL IN STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. HORN WORKS IN ALL OTHER POSITIONS.
WHEN USING LIGHT ACCELERATION SUCH AS IN A PARKING LOT OR AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN TO START GOING THE VEHICLE BUCKS FORWARD IT WILL LITERALLY MAKE YOU JERK BACK IN THE SEAT. ALSO WHILE PULLING ONTO A STREET IT JERKS FORWARD BUT HAS HESITATION WHICH ISNT TO SAFE IF YOU ASK ME WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT ON THE ROAD IF CARS ARE COMI…
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WHEN USING LIGHT ACCELERATION SUCH AS IN A PARKING LOT OR AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN TO START GOING THE VEHICLE BUCKS FORWARD IT WILL LITERALLY MAKE YOU JERK BACK IN THE SEAT. ALSO WHILE PULLING ONTO A STREET IT JERKS FORWARD BUT HAS HESITATION WHICH ISNT TO SAFE IF YOU ASK ME WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT ON THE ROAD IF CARS ARE COMING...
THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET, NOT RUNNING. WHEN I APPROACHED TO ENTER THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AFTER CLICKING THE UNLOCK BUTTON BUT BEFORE TOUCHING THE CAR, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES. NOTHING HIT OR FELL ON THE CAR, NO ONE WAS TOUCHING IT NOR IN IT. IT SIMPLY SHATTERED AND BROKE …
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THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET, NOT RUNNING. WHEN I APPROACHED TO ENTER THE CAR IN THE MORNING, AFTER CLICKING THE UNLOCK BUTTON BUT BEFORE TOUCHING THE CAR, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES. NOTHING HIT OR FELL ON THE CAR, NO ONE WAS TOUCHING IT NOR IN IT. IT SIMPLY SHATTERED AND BROKE AS IT WAS SITTING THERE STATIONARY AND OFF.
THE EYE SIGHT SYSTEM WILL TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHICH IN TURN TURNS OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. AND THE AUTOMATIC BRAKE THEN DOESN'T WORK, WHICH BECOMES VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC.
OIL CONSUMPTION!! I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2017 WITH 67,000 MILES WITH IN MONTH I WAS BURNING 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL. NOW THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OUT THERE BUT ONLY THRU 2014 NOT ON MINE APPARENTLY. NOW HERE I AM 1.5 YEARS LATER AND STILL BURNING 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL IN BETWEEN THE 5,000 MILE OIL CHANGE.
MY 2015 FORESTER STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE NJ PARKWAY (GOING ABOUT 65-70MPH.) THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATIONS THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I HAD ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK OF GAS LEFT. WHEN THE CAR STALLED, IT FELT LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTED AND THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED - ALMOST AS IF WE RAN OUT OF GAS (BUT WE …
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MY 2015 FORESTER STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE NJ PARKWAY (GOING ABOUT 65-70MPH.) THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATIONS THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I HAD ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK OF GAS LEFT. WHEN THE CAR STALLED, IT FELT LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTED AND THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED - ALMOST AS IF WE RAN OUT OF GAS (BUT WE DIDN'T). THE ELECTRIC (LIGHTS, RADIO, HEAT) WAS ON THE WHOLE TIME. WE WERE STALLED FOR ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES UNTIL THE COPS CAME. WE PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEY BUMPED US TO THE SHOULDER. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, WE TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORKED (ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER THE INITIAL STALL.) WE THEN DROVE TO THE NEARBY GAS STATION AND FILLED UP THE CAR; IT TOOK 12 GALLONS OF GAS AND I HAVE THE RECEIPT. THE SUBARU SERVICE CENTER CANNOT FIND THE ISSUE. THEY SAID THE COMPUTER ISN'T EVEN SHOWING A STALL CODE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT AND I WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG AND KNOW IT IS FIXED BEFORE I DRIVE IT AGAIN. IT LOOKS LIKE OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SIMILAR ISSUES.
I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. WHILE SITTING IN MY CAR USING THE ACCESSORIES TO CHARGE MY PHONE, THE CAR BATTERY DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT. THE KEY FOB DID NOT WORK EITHER. THERE IS NO INSIDE HANDLE ON THE REAR HATCH. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED A COUPLE TIMES AND AFTER ABOUT…
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I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. WHILE SITTING IN MY CAR USING THE ACCESSORIES TO CHARGE MY PHONE, THE CAR BATTERY DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT. THE KEY FOB DID NOT WORK EITHER. THERE IS NO INSIDE HANDLE ON THE REAR HATCH. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED A COUPLE TIMES AND AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES THE DOOR DID UNLOCK. WHAT IF THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD? WHAT IF I DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A CELL PHONE AND IT WAS COLD TEMPERATURES? I DO NOT THINK I WOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH TO KICK OUT THE WINDOWS. I AM CONCERNED AND HOPE YOU WILL INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.
DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP "LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE"! SAFETY FEATURES ARE DISABLED. NO EYE SIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL, LANE DEVIATION. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. LIGHTS COME ON AND GO OFF, SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM. MOSTLY STAY ON NOW.
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.