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
What owners actually said
613 reports
11,265 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
FROM A FULL STOP, A/C ON, I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT A GREEN LIGHT. CAR STOPPED ACCELERATION AT APROX. 2 MILES PER HOUR AND COASTED THRU LARGE INTERSECTION BEFORE ACCELERATING AGAIN. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS OFF. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO SAID NO "ERROR CODE" IS AVAILABLE THAT WO…
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FROM A FULL STOP, A/C ON, I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT A GREEN LIGHT. CAR STOPPED ACCELERATION AT APROX. 2 MILES PER HOUR AND COASTED THRU LARGE INTERSECTION BEFORE ACCELERATING AGAIN. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS OFF. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO SAID NO "ERROR CODE" IS AVAILABLE THAT WOULD INDICATE A PROBLEM AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE ANOTHER DRIVER MADE THIS SAME REPORT. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR ME BECAUSE 1) WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CAR FAILS AGAIN WHEN I PULL INTO TRAFFIC WITH MY KID IN THE CAR? AND 2) I BOUGHT A SUBARU BECAUSE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE AND RELIABLE. I'M SERIOUSLY RECONSIDERING MY DECISION NOW.
NHTSA ODI #10725836
5,800 miles · Jun 13, 2015
Visibility/wiper
6/2/15 MORNING I DROVE MY 2015 SUBARU FORESTER TO WORK. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK OR ANYTHING ELSE, THERE WAS NO CRACK OR DAMAGE ON THE WINDSHIELD. I PARKED IT IN THE COMPANY'S PARKING LOT AT 7 AM. IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN I WAS READY TO GO HOME AT 4 PM, I FOUND A LONG CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS TOO LARGE TO RE…
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6/2/15 MORNING I DROVE MY 2015 SUBARU FORESTER TO WORK. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT HIT BY A ROCK OR ANYTHING ELSE, THERE WAS NO CRACK OR DAMAGE ON THE WINDSHIELD. I PARKED IT IN THE COMPANY'S PARKING LOT AT 7 AM. IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN I WAS READY TO GO HOME AT 4 PM, I FOUND A LONG CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS TOO LARGE TO REPAIR AND IT MUST BE REPLACED. I HAVE HEATED WINDSHIELD WITH EYESIGHT CAMERAS, IT WOULD COST UNDER $500 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 6,000 MILES AND LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OLD, AND I'VE GOT A CRACKED WINDSHIELD BEFORE ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE.
NHTSA ODI #10725081
8,581 miles · Jun 11, 2015
Engine
I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT NORMAL RATE OF SPEED ON CITY STREET WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A SENSATION/SOUND OF GRAVEL AND THEN I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE CAR DIED AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE LIGHTS AND SENSORS WERE ALL FUNCTIONING, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD OIL CHANGE DONE AT 6000 MILES WITH S…
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I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT NORMAL RATE OF SPEED ON CITY STREET WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A SENSATION/SOUND OF GRAVEL AND THEN I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE CAR DIED AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE LIGHTS AND SENSORS WERE ALL FUNCTIONING, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD OIL CHANGE DONE AT 6000 MILES WITH SYNTHETIC OIL AS RECOMMENDED. DEALER SAYS ENGINE IS BLOWN. HAD NO WARNING PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING -- JUST STOPPED WORKING. UNACCEPTABLE FOR BRAND NEW CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10724697
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2015
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BEFORE THE GLASS BEGAN TO CRACK. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND EXTENDED UPWARDS APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES BEFORE EXTENDING TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BEFORE THE GLASS BEGAN TO CRACK. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND EXTENDED UPWARDS APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES BEFORE EXTENDING TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE REPLACEMENT WINDOW. SINCE OBTAINING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
NHTSA ODI #10724486
8,088 miles · Jun 8, 2015
Unknown Or Other
I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM COLONIAL SUBARU IN DANBURY CT. ITS A 2015 SUBARU FORRESTER XT WITH ONLY 11 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS DISSATISFIED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON(S): I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JAN 2015 BUT THE EXHAUST ON THE VEHICLE HAS A LOT OF RUST BUILDING UP ON THE PIPE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER WHE…
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I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM COLONIAL SUBARU IN DANBURY CT. ITS A 2015 SUBARU FORRESTER XT WITH ONLY 11 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS DISSATISFIED FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON(S): I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JAN 2015 BUT THE EXHAUST ON THE VEHICLE HAS A LOT OF RUST BUILDING UP ON THE PIPE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY SAID CONTACT SUBARU HEADQUARTERS. I CONTACT SUBARU HQ AND THEY SAID CONTACT THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #10724031
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2015
Air Bags
2015 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR BAG SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IF A PASSENGER IS NOT A CERTAIN WEIGHT, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT REGISTER THE PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THERE AIR BAG IS NOT ACTIVATED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10722959
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCH FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS AND WAS UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCH FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS AND WAS UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0.
NHTSA ODI #10722246
180 miles · May 21, 2015
Visibility/wiper
BOUGHT CAR IN ANCHORAGE AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON WAY BACK TO MY FATHER'S HOME IN FAIRBANKS. DEALERSHIP REPORTED NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS, (WHICH ISN'T APPARENTLY ACCURATE). AS OF NOW, I'M LIVING IN COLORADO AND THERE ARE A MILLION CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD (A SLIGHT EXAGGERATION). I'M HESITANT TO REPLACE IT, IF …
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BOUGHT CAR IN ANCHORAGE AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON WAY BACK TO MY FATHER'S HOME IN FAIRBANKS. DEALERSHIP REPORTED NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS, (WHICH ISN'T APPARENTLY ACCURATE). AS OF NOW, I'M LIVING IN COLORADO AND THERE ARE A MILLION CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD (A SLIGHT EXAGGERATION). I'M HESITANT TO REPLACE IT, IF IT'S MERELY GOING TO START THE PROCESS OF CRACKING WINDSHIELDS ALL OVER AGAIN. WINDSHIELDS ARE NOT CHEAP TO REPLACE.
NHTSA ODI #10717900
50 miles · May 17, 2015
Electrical System
THE ELECTRONIC SCREEN ON THE 2015 SUBARU FORESTER THAT INCLUDES THE BACK-UP DISPLAY REFLECTS A SOLID BLACK BAR DOWN THE MIDDLE IF YOU ARE WEARING POLARIZED SUNGLASSES. I'VE ALMOST BACKED OVER WALKERS IN PARKING LOTS WHO WERE IN THE OBSCURED AREA OF THE SCREEN BECAUSE OF THIS. I CHECKED AT THE DEALER, AND OTHER 2015 FORESTERS H…
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THE ELECTRONIC SCREEN ON THE 2015 SUBARU FORESTER THAT INCLUDES THE BACK-UP DISPLAY REFLECTS A SOLID BLACK BAR DOWN THE MIDDLE IF YOU ARE WEARING POLARIZED SUNGLASSES. I'VE ALMOST BACKED OVER WALKERS IN PARKING LOTS WHO WERE IN THE OBSCURED AREA OF THE SCREEN BECAUSE OF THIS. I CHECKED AT THE DEALER, AND OTHER 2015 FORESTERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE OUTBACK DOES NOT. SINCE I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM I HAVE DRIVEN A NUMBER OF CARS, INCLUDING TOYOTAS AND BMWS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM. SUBARU'S SUGGESTED SOLUTION IS THAT I DON'T WEAR POLARIZED SUNGLASSES. I WEAR CORRECTIVE LENSES, AND IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO BUY CORRECTIVE SUNGLASSES THAT AREN'T POLARIZED. THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO WEAR NON-CORRECTIVE LENSES THAT ARE NOT PARTICULARLY GOOD FOR MY EYES, AND THROUGH WHICH THE WORLD IS BLURRED. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO GO SPEND $300+ TO BUY SUNGLASSES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM THAT SUBARU COULD HAVE CORRECTED BY PUTTING A DIFFERENT DISPLAY SCREEN IN THE CAR, SINCE BASED ON OTHER SUBARUS I'VE BEEN IN AND CARS FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS, THEY HAD THE OPTION TO DO SO. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #10716932
250 miles · May 12, 2015
EnginePower Train
I HAVE A 2015 FORESTER PREMIUM WITH WINTER PACKAGE, I BOUGHT IT NEW WITH 10 MILES ON IT. WHEN STARTING OUT FROM A DEAD STOP. I STEP ON THE GAS AND THERE IS A DELAYED THROTTLE RESPONSE ( LIKE A HESITATION OR A SLOW SHIFT ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ) EITHER FROM THE COMPUTER MODULE OR TRANSMISSION. OTHER OWNERS , THAT I KNO…
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I HAVE A 2015 FORESTER PREMIUM WITH WINTER PACKAGE, I BOUGHT IT NEW WITH 10 MILES ON IT. WHEN STARTING OUT FROM A DEAD STOP. I STEP ON THE GAS AND THERE IS A DELAYED THROTTLE RESPONSE ( LIKE A HESITATION OR A SLOW SHIFT ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ) EITHER FROM THE COMPUTER MODULE OR TRANSMISSION. OTHER OWNERS , THAT I KNOW, HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE ALSO. FRIENDS THAT HAVE THE OUTBACK SAY ITS LESS PRONOUNCED. AS YOU MIGHT GUESS>> I HAVE A BUNCH OF SUBIE FANS !!! THIS IS MY 2ND SUBARU , AND WHILE I AM HAPPY WITH IT, I STILL CAN'T GET MY DEALER TO DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THEY SAY " ITS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST ! " I'M HOPING THERE WILL BE A SERVICE BULLETIN TO FIX THIS ANNOYING PROBLEM.
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.
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.
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 ↗