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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
39,000 miles · Aug 26, 2019
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT'S SON NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEANING. WHEN THE CONTACT LOOK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GANLEY SUBARU OF BEDFORD (123 BROADWAY AVE, BEDFORD, OH 44146, …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT'S SON NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEANING. WHEN THE CONTACT LOOK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GANLEY SUBARU OF BEDFORD (123 BROADWAY AVE, BEDFORD, OH 44146, (440) 439-3444) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH SPRINGS AND STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ODI #11246367

41,350 miles · Aug 23, 2019
Suspension

REAR COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING SPRING TO SLOWING WORK ITS WAY DOWN TO CONTROL ARM AND CAR TO SAG. THIS HAPPENED WITH THE VEHICLE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, BUT IT ISN'T SOMETHING THAT COULD BE NOTICED, UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS OUT ON THE ROAD. I DIDN'T NOTICE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE COIL STARTED WORKING ITS WAY DOWN THE STRUT, CAUSING T…

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REAR COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING SPRING TO SLOWING WORK ITS WAY DOWN TO CONTROL ARM AND CAR TO SAG. THIS HAPPENED WITH THE VEHICLE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, BUT IT ISN'T SOMETHING THAT COULD BE NOTICED, UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS OUT ON THE ROAD. I DIDN'T NOTICE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE COIL STARTED WORKING ITS WAY DOWN THE STRUT, CAUSING THE CAR TO HANDLE DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT, AND FIGURED OUT THE ISSUE AFTER DRIVING 30 MILES, RETURNING HOME, SEEING THE CAR BOTTOMED OUT ON ONE CORNER, AND FINDING THE BROKEN PIECE OF COIL IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHERE THE CAR WAS PARKED BEFORE I DROVE THE CAR FOR THE DAY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, AND COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH ONLINE AND SPEAKING WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT AND A COMMON PROBLEM OF 2014 AND 2015 SUBARU FORESTERS. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT, AND OTHERS HAD THE PROBLEM AROUND SIMILAR MILEAGE. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR OFF ROAD, TOWED WITH IT, NOR OVERLOADED IT. FROM THE IMAGE I UPLOADED OF THE BROKEN PART OF THE SPRING AND OTHER PHOTOS I HAVE SEEN FROM OTHER WITH THE SAME ISSUE, IT LOOKS LIKE THESE SPRINGS ARE PRONE TO CRACKING, RUSTING A LITTLE, THEN SNAPPING. I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, AND THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. SUBARU SHOULD HAVE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS BEFORE MANY MORE OF THESE PROBLEM START TO ARISE, CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #11246092

53,000 miles · Aug 16, 2019
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON A CLEAR, WARM DAY, MY DAUGHTER DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP AND THE REAR SPRINGS BOTH BROKE LEAVING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. AT FIRST, I WAS ANGRY WITH HER, THINKING THAT SHE HAD HIT THE SPEED BUMP TOO HARD, BUT UPON DOING RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN REGARD …

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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON A CLEAR, WARM DAY, MY DAUGHTER DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP AND THE REAR SPRINGS BOTH BROKE LEAVING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. AT FIRST, I WAS ANGRY WITH HER, THINKING THAT SHE HAD HIT THE SPEED BUMP TOO HARD, BUT UPON DOING RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN REGARD TO THE SAME SITUATION. TALKING WITH A SERVICE PERSON AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (KENNY ROSS SUBARU), HE STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE 2014-2015 FORRESTERS, BUT THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL RECALL AND QUOTED A PRICE OF $925.00 FOR THE REPAIR. I FEEL THAT WITH A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT UNIQUE TO ONLY ME AND WITH THIS MANY OTHER OCCURRENCES, SUBARU SHOULD STEP UP AND ISSUE A RECALL AND REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD THE REPAIR MADE.

NHTSA ODI #11244371

69,300 miles · Aug 15, 2019
Suspension

HAD JUST GOT DONE REGISTERING MY 2015 FORESTER WITH 69K MILES. HAD REPLACED MY TIRES SINCE THEY WERE NEEDED TO BE DONE FOR INSPECTION AND AS I WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE SHOP IT FELT LIKE I HAD POPPED MY TIRE. GOT OUT AND SAW THE WHOLE REAR DRIVERSIDE SPRING SHOT DOWN THROUGH THE STRUT. LUCKILY IT ALL HAPPENED IN THE PARKING LOT, …

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HAD JUST GOT DONE REGISTERING MY 2015 FORESTER WITH 69K MILES. HAD REPLACED MY TIRES SINCE THEY WERE NEEDED TO BE DONE FOR INSPECTION AND AS I WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE SHOP IT FELT LIKE I HAD POPPED MY TIRE. GOT OUT AND SAW THE WHOLE REAR DRIVERSIDE SPRING SHOT DOWN THROUGH THE STRUT. LUCKILY IT ALL HAPPENED IN THE PARKING LOT, NOT WITH ME DRIVING DOWN TO MY MECHANIC GET GET MY INSPECTION DONE. ALSO HAD BOTH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME SO I WAS PRETTY UPSET WITH THIS HAPPENING. BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY DEALERSHIP (PRIME SUBARU OF MANCHESTER) WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. TO MY SURPRISE NOT ONLY DID THE DRIVERSIDE SNAPPED, BUT ALSO THE OTHER REAR TOO. WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $550 FOR THE REPAIR. FROM WHAT I SAW BOTH SPRINGS SNAPPED DUE TO RUST. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE SO I DIDNT HAVE TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS LIKE THIS BEING THAT I AM A YOUNG FATHER OF 2 AND CANNOT REALLY AFFORD NOR SHOULD HAVE TO REPAIR STUFF LIKE THIS. WITH A VEHICLE BEING ONLY 5 YEARS I DO NOT FIND THIS ACCEPTABLE. SUBARU OF AMERICA REALLY NEED TO TAKE ACTION TOWARDS THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #11244220

83,000 miles · Aug 15, 2019
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO BAIERL SUBARU (9545 PERRY PKWY, PITTSBURGH, PA 15237) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO BAIERL SUBARU (9545 PERRY PKWY, PITTSBURGH, PA 15237) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI #11244162

70,000 miles · Aug 14, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN PRESSED. THE CONTACT CALLED COLONIAL SUBARU (761 E CHESTER ST, KINGSTON, NY 12401, 845-339-3330) AND WAS INFORMED THAT IF HE WERE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT, THE HORN WOULD WORK. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN PRESSED. THE CONTACT CALLED COLONIAL SUBARU (761 E CHESTER ST, KINGSTON, NY 12401, 845-339-3330) AND WAS INFORMED THAT IF HE WERE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT, THE HORN WOULD WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11243965

40,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Air Bags

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.

NHTSA ODI #11243821

59,900 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Air BagsSeats

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.

NHTSA ODI #11243709

54,098 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Suspension

2015 SUBARU FORSTER WITH 50,098 MILES. CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN IT AND THERE WAS NO BAGGAGE OR LOAD. AS I SAT DOWN ONTO THE SEAT, READY TO TURN IGNITION ON, THERE WAS A VERY LOUD POP AND I FELT THE REAR END OF THE CAR DROP. THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN TURNED ON. ALL TIRES WERE FINE BUT TWO PIECES OF T…

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2015 SUBARU FORSTER WITH 50,098 MILES. CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN IT AND THERE WAS NO BAGGAGE OR LOAD. AS I SAT DOWN ONTO THE SEAT, READY TO TURN IGNITION ON, THERE WAS A VERY LOUD POP AND I FELT THE REAR END OF THE CAR DROP. THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN TURNED ON. ALL TIRES WERE FINE BUT TWO PIECES OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING LAY ON THE FLOOR. PICTURES ARE ATTACHED (I HOPE). ONE BREAK HAD CLEARLY HAPPENED LONG AGO SINCE BOTH BROKEN EDGES WERE VERY RUSTED. AT THE OTHER BREAK, THE PART WHICH HAD JUST SNAPPED WAS FRESH BUT HALF OF THAT BREAK WAS ALSO VERY RUSTED. I COULD NOT SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR SINCE THE WHEEL WAS NEARLY TOUCHING THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL. ON THE REPAIR SHOP LIFT, WE FOUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING WAS ALSO BROKEN. THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP DID NOT ANSWER MY PHONE CALL. SUBARU NATIONALLY CLAIMS THEY HAVEN'T ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THIS BUT I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS POOR QUALITY STEEL IN THIS SPRING. SO, I GOOGLED IT AND FOUND AN AMAZING NUMBER OF SIMILAR CLAIMS WITH 2014 1ND 2015 FORESTERS AND MANY WITH NEARLY THE SAME MILEAGE AND ALSO PHOTOS SHOWING THE BREAKS IN NEARLY THE SAME LOCATIONS. I BELIEVE THERE IS BAD STEEL IN THESE SPRINGS. JUST 50 MILES EARLIER ON THE PREVIOUS DAY I HAD BEEN TRANSPORTING A MOBILITY LIMITED HANDICAPPED PERSON IN VERY RURAL AREAS. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE SCENE IF THE FINAL BREAK HAD HAPPENED THEN. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES - NO UNDO STRESS.

NHTSA ODI #11243536

67,000 miles · Aug 12, 2019
Suspension

WITHIN THE SPAN OF ~3-5 MONTHS, BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN. I'M NOT SURE WHEN/HOW THE FIRST BROKE; NOTICED A TILT IN THE VEHICLE (FROM THE REAR THE LEFT SIDE WAS DISTINCTLY LOWER THAN THE RIGHT). TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE SOME WEEKS AFTER LEFT SPRING BROKE (STILL WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PART), THEY NOTED THAT T…

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WITHIN THE SPAN OF ~3-5 MONTHS, BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN. I'M NOT SURE WHEN/HOW THE FIRST BROKE; NOTICED A TILT IN THE VEHICLE (FROM THE REAR THE LEFT SIDE WAS DISTINCTLY LOWER THAN THE RIGHT). TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE SOME WEEKS AFTER LEFT SPRING BROKE (STILL WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PART), THEY NOTED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SPRING WAS ALSO BROKEN. I SUSPECT RIGHT REAR SPRING BROKE AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED; STARTED DRIVING AWAY AND NOTICED A CLUNK SOUND NEAR RIGHT REAR AFTER MOVING 10-20 FEET. I STOPPED, CHECKED FOR DEBRIS UNDER/BEHIND THE VEHICLE, DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING, CONTINUED ON. RESEARCH ONLINE SUGGESTS THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11243312

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