WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES (APPROX 40MPH OR LESS), I'VE HAD 6 OCCURRENCES WHERE THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED. MY FOOT IS LITERALLY ON THE FLOOR & THE CAR IS STILL MOVING. ON THE LAST OCCURENCE, I HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AS MY CAR WAS GOING INTO TRAFFIC. STARTED IN MID APR 2016 TO CURRENT.
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
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.
What owners actually said
613 reportsWHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IS I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (DOES NOT MATTER HOW FAST I AM GOING) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON AND I LOSE ACCELERATION AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO SUBARU THEY CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM SO IT CANNOT BE FIXED. THIS LAST TIME I WAS ON A VERY BUSY ROAD GOING…
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WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IS I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (DOES NOT MATTER HOW FAST I AM GOING) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON AND I LOSE ACCELERATION AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO SUBARU THEY CANNOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM SO IT CANNOT BE FIXED. THIS LAST TIME I WAS ON A VERY BUSY ROAD GOING ABOUT 55 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN AGAIN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ETC CAME ON AND I LOST ACCELERATION AND POWER. I QUICKLY CHECKED MY REARVIEW MIRROR TO MAKE SURE NO ONE WAS TOO CLOSE BEHIND ME. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST AND ABRUPTLY TURN INTO AN ENTERPRISE RENTAL. I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT HIT FROM BEHIND OR HAVE MY KIDS IN CAR. THIS LAST TIME TOO WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON. I AM NOW COMPLETELY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING A CAR THAT CONSISTENTLY HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE THAT NO ONE CAN FIX.
WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, INSTANCES WHERE THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR VARIOUS SAFETY SYSTEMS ON MY 2015 SUBARU FORESTER WILL COME ON, INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. THESE LIGHTS ALWAYS COME ON WHILE DRIVING, WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF THE CAR BEING STARTED. …
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WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, INSTANCES WHERE THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR VARIOUS SAFETY SYSTEMS ON MY 2015 SUBARU FORESTER WILL COME ON, INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN DISABLED DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. THESE LIGHTS ALWAYS COME ON WHILE DRIVING, WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF THE CAR BEING STARTED. THE FIRST TWO INSTANCES RELATED TO MY AIR BAGS BEING TURNED OFF. WHEN BROUGHT TO A DEALERSHIP, THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION, AND DESIRED $70 TO DO AN ELECTRICAL ASSESSMENT. WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR THAT, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE DISPLAYING THE LIGHT AT THE TIME I BROUGHT IT IN, WHICH THE INDICATOR LIGHT HAD TURNED OFF IN BETWEEN VISITS. TODAY, MY ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND INCLINE ASSUSTANCE LIGHTS CAME ON , INDICATING THAT THOSE SYSTEMS WERE DISABLED DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. I BROUGHT IT TO MY DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES WAS RESPONSIBLE, WHICH RANGED FROM 28LBS TO 35 LBS. I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT SAID DEALERSHIP 2 MONTHS AGO AND THE PRESSURE WAS 35 LBS EACH. IT WAS SUGGESTED TO ME THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS DISCREPANCY WAS "PARKING MY CAR IN THE SUN." BOTH COMPUTER-RELATED PROBLEMS APPARENTLY DIDN'T LEAVE A CODE TO BE READ, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. ANY INFORMATION WAS WIPED WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF.
SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, WHEN AT INTERSECTIONS OR STOP SIGNS, CAR HESITATES AND STUMBLES ON ACCELERATION WHEN REQUIRING INSTANT ACCELERATION TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. I REPORTED THIS TO SUBARU DEALERS AND TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM. VEHICLE DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY BUT SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME NOT KNOWING …
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SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, WHEN AT INTERSECTIONS OR STOP SIGNS, CAR HESITATES AND STUMBLES ON ACCELERATION WHEN REQUIRING INSTANT ACCELERATION TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. I REPORTED THIS TO SUBARU DEALERS AND TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM. VEHICLE DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY BUT SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME NOT KNOWING IF THE CAR IS GOING TO ACCELERATE OR NOT AND GET HIT BY ON COMING TRAFFIC
STRONG COOLANT SMELL SINCE BOUGHT CAR NEW, OCCURS IN UPPER RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AREA AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING AND OCCURS RIGHT AFTER WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND DOOR IS OPENED; DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE - INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IS THINKING IT IS TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE. PASSENGERS AND DRIVER EXPOSED TO CO…
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STRONG COOLANT SMELL SINCE BOUGHT CAR NEW, OCCURS IN UPPER RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AREA AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING AND OCCURS RIGHT AFTER WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND DOOR IS OPENED; DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE - INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IS THINKING IT IS TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE. PASSENGERS AND DRIVER EXPOSED TO COOLANT SMELL ON A CONTINUAL BASIS.
VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVER WAS PARKING WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. VEHICLE HIT HOUSE AND PORCH, SHEARING OFF THE GAS METER WHERE IT MEETS THE UNDERGROUND LINE. EYESIGHT OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE.
FORESTER SAT FOR 2 WEEKS AND BATTERY WAS DRAINED COMPLETELY THOUGH NO LIGHTS OR ACCESSORIES WERE LEFT ON. RECHARGED BATTERY, DROVE IT FOR TWO DAYS THEN CAR SAT FOR TWO DAYS. AGAIN BATTERY WAS. COMPLETELY DEAD. VERY DISAPPOINTED AND CONCERNED OVER LACK OF RELIABILITY
CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, APPROX 70MPH. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH TURN ON AS CAR DIES. THESE INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THE DEALER CANNOT LOCATE THE ISSUE TO RESOLVE THE MATTER. THE DEFECT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. THE DATE INDICATED IS THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE.
WHILE FINALIZING PARKING WITHIN A PARKING LOT SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEED (LAST 2 FEET) WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED AND THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND STRUCK THE PARKED CAR ON THE OPPOSITE PARKING SPACE. BOTH CARS SUSTAINED MODERATE FRONT-END DAMAGE. THE OTHER CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY BUT OURS HAD…
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WHILE FINALIZING PARKING WITHIN A PARKING LOT SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEED (LAST 2 FEET) WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED AND THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND STRUCK THE PARKED CAR ON THE OPPOSITE PARKING SPACE. BOTH CARS SUSTAINED MODERATE FRONT-END DAMAGE. THE OTHER CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY BUT OURS HAD FRONT FENDER PARTS PUSHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVERS TIRE AND HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY TO THE REPAIR SHOP. NOT SURE OF THE COST TO REPAIR THE OTHER (PARKED) CAR BUT OURS RAN APPROXIMATELY $5000 DUE TO FRONT FRAME DAMAGE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, NO ONE WAS INJURED. POLICE OFFICER WHO RESPONDED SAID LOW SPEED IMPACTS DO NOT NORMALLY SET OFF THE AIR BAGS. REPAIR SHOP SAID THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO TELL ON THE CAR COMPUTER WHAT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO. CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE AGENT WHO RECOMMENDED WE REPORT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION TO SUBARU AND NHTSA. SUBARU DEALER DENIED ANY SUCH ACCELERATIONS AND SAID THERE WAS NO RECOURSE. FOUND SEVERAL INSTANCES VERY SIMILAR TO OUR ON NHTSA SITE FOR SUBARU FORESTERS IN 2014 AND 2015 MODEL YEARS AND DECIDED TO MAKE A REPORT. ODOMETER READING AT TIME OF ACCIDENT: 5,814.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING IN SNOWY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
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.
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