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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

613 reports
69,000 miles · Dec 24, 2019
Visibility/wiper

I AM AN OWNER OF OF A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER XT AND I BELIEVE THAT I HAVE A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD THAT IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER AFTER EXPERIENCING A SMALL ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIELD ON THE HIGHWAY.I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I AM ABLE TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD BY SUBARU BECAUSE I B…

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I AM AN OWNER OF OF A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER XT AND I BELIEVE THAT I HAVE A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A CRACK ON MY WINDSHIELD THAT IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER AFTER EXPERIENCING A SMALL ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIELD ON THE HIGHWAY.I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I AM ABLE TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD BY SUBARU BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE QUALITY OF THE WINDSHIELD IS FAULTY AND A SAFETY HAZARD. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.*DT CONSUMER STATED INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN ON DEC.30TH,2019 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AND A ROCK HIT WHICH CAUSED A INDENT ON THE WINDSHIELD BY A HAIRLINE CRACK.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11291101

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2019
Engine

VEHICLE CONSUMES OIL AT IRREGULAR PACE. 1 QUART NEEDS TO BE ADDED EVERY 1,500-2,000 MILES. THIS MEANS USING 3 ADDITIONAL QUARTS OF OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND FOR CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11290918

74,000 miles · Dec 23, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT NO RESPONSE, LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE DID NOT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER. WHILE COASTING ON THE SHOULDER, THE CAR SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS, BUT I HAD 1/4 TANK. IT THEN BEGAN TO RUN…

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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT NO RESPONSE, LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE DID NOT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER. WHILE COASTING ON THE SHOULDER, THE CAR SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS, BUT I HAD 1/4 TANK. IT THEN BEGAN TO RUN NORMALLY. I PULLED OFF TO A GAS STATION, FILLED IT UP, AND CONTINUED MY TRIP WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE OCCURRENCE WAS VERY DANGEROUS ON A CONGESTED HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11290811

62,000 miles · Dec 21, 2019
Suspension

REAR STRUT SPRING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAILED SPRING AND ITS COUNTERPART. LOOKS LIKE A METAL FRACTURE. VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY ACUTE TRAUMA (E.G. POTHOLE), HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING, HAULING, OR OFF-ROADING. VEHICLE HAS 62K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11290579

174,000 miles · Dec 20, 2019
Suspension

MECHANIC NOTICED A SMALL PIECE OF THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION SPRING HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS UP ON A LIFT. UNCLEAR EXACTLY WHEN THE SPRING HAD BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI #11290412

59,000 miles · Dec 19, 2019
Suspension

IN MAY OF 2018, WITH 59000 MILES ON MY SUBARU, THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. IT WAS REPLACED, FREE OF CHARGE, BY SUBARU. AT THE TIME, I STATED THAT IT MUST BE A DEFECT AND THE LEFT SPRING SHOULD BE CHANGED BUT IT WAS STATED THAT IT WAS INSPECTED AND WAS FINE. THIS WEEK, DECEMBER 2019 WITH 79,000 MILES, THE CAR WAS NOT HANDLI…

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IN MAY OF 2018, WITH 59000 MILES ON MY SUBARU, THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. IT WAS REPLACED, FREE OF CHARGE, BY SUBARU. AT THE TIME, I STATED THAT IT MUST BE A DEFECT AND THE LEFT SPRING SHOULD BE CHANGED BUT IT WAS STATED THAT IT WAS INSPECTED AND WAS FINE. THIS WEEK, DECEMBER 2019 WITH 79,000 MILES, THE CAR WAS NOT HANDLING WELL. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO SERVICE (A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP), I WAS TOLD THE LEFT SPRING WAS CRACKED. AGAIN, THEY FIXED IT FOR FREE BUT I WAS TOLD THAT A SEARCH OF THE SUBARU'S SYSTEM DID NOT TURN UP ANY ISSUES REPORTED WITH THE SPRINGS. THIS HAD TO BE A LIE BECAUSE A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH THAT I JUST DID SHOWS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS OF CRACKED AND BROKEN SPRINGS INT HE 2014 AND 2015 FORESTERS. IT'S TIME TO ISSUE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11290161

56,000 miles · Dec 16, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

MY CAR LOSSES POWER WHILE I AM DRIVING. I MERGED INTO TRAFFIC ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, AND WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS ACROSS THE NORTH & SOUTH LANES, I LOST POWER. LUCKILY ALL TRAFFIC SLOWED OR STOPPED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO MOVE MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW, I HAVE HAD IT TO MY DEALER TWICE AND WAS GIVEN ANSWERS LIKE BRAKE PROBLE…

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MY CAR LOSSES POWER WHILE I AM DRIVING. I MERGED INTO TRAFFIC ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, AND WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS ACROSS THE NORTH & SOUTH LANES, I LOST POWER. LUCKILY ALL TRAFFIC SLOWED OR STOPPED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO MOVE MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW, I HAVE HAD IT TO MY DEALER TWICE AND WAS GIVEN ANSWERS LIKE BRAKE PROBLEMS. RETURNING TO THE DEALERSHIP 12/19/2019 FOR THE THIRD TIME, BEFORE I AM KILLED, OR CAUSE A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT AND OTHER PEOPLE TO BE INJURED. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS TO CONSUMER REPORTS AND SUBARU'S MAIN LOCATION. PLEASE NOTIFY ME OF ANYTHING ELSE I CAN SEEK OUT AS TO NOT BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THIS CAR. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #11289256

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2019
Engine

CAR WILL STALL AT LIGHT AND STALL ON FREEWAY CAUSING ME TOO LOOSE CONTROL IT WILL ALSO JUST TURN OFF AT HIGH SPEED AND SOMETIMES WHEN STOPED

NHTSA ODI #11288567

42,206 miles · Dec 6, 2019
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS (SPEED LIMIT 45MPH) TO RUN SIMPLE ERRANDS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND TO GO HOME WHICH WAS JUST A MINUTE OR TWO AWAY. AS I SAT AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I REALIZED THE ENGINE WAS IDLING A BIT ROUGH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND…

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I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS (SPEED LIMIT 45MPH) TO RUN SIMPLE ERRANDS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND TO GO HOME WHICH WAS JUST A MINUTE OR TWO AWAY. AS I SAT AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I REALIZED THE ENGINE WAS IDLING A BIT ROUGH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND SPOKE WITH SUBARU AS WELL AS OUR MECHANIC AT NEW DIMENSIONS AUTOMOTIVE. APPARENTLY, SUBARU HAD ISSUED A MECHANICS NOTICE TO BE AWARE THAT ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS EXISTED. WE ULTIMATELY HAD THE REPAIR COMPLETED AT NEW DIMENSIONS ON 8/6/19 IN THE AMOUNT OF $877.53. OUR MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THIS MECHANICAL ISSUE MAY WELL BECOME A RECALL, AND TO KEEP OUR RECEIPT FOR JUST THAT REASON.

NHTSA ODI #11287424

72,000 miles · Dec 4, 2019
Suspension

VEHICLE IS GARAGED, NO TOWING, NO HEAVY LOADS AND NO ACCIDENTS. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AND HEARD A BANG. NEXT DAY AFTER MOVING VEHICLE, NOTICED DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER WAS MUCH LOWER THAN RIGHT AND FOUND ONE OF THE COIL SPRINGS BROKEN AND ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. IT WAS VERY LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING IT AT THE TIME AS IT PROBABLY W…

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VEHICLE IS GARAGED, NO TOWING, NO HEAVY LOADS AND NO ACCIDENTS. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AND HEARD A BANG. NEXT DAY AFTER MOVING VEHICLE, NOTICED DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER WAS MUCH LOWER THAN RIGHT AND FOUND ONE OF THE COIL SPRINGS BROKEN AND ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. IT WAS VERY LUCKY I WAS NOT DRIVING IT AT THE TIME AS IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11286793

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