2015 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 614 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 53 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 34 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V701000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 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.
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
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.
Campaign 19V149000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, gasoline, turbo/superchargerMar 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.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V162000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
614 reports, newest first.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 9, 2016
DRIVING WITH EYESIGHT ENABLED AT 75MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON LOOP 202 FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30PM LOCAL TIME. WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND DRY, APPROXIMATELY 97 DEGREES. NEARLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. FEET WERE NOT ON ANY PEDAL. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND REVD TO REDLINE AS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL, ENGINE THEN SHUT OFF. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SHOWED EVERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. EYESIGHT DISPLAY SHOWED A VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT YET THERE WAS NO VEHICLE PRESENT. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE GEAR SELECTOR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR WHICH HAD NO AFFECT, NO RPM CHANGE. WAS ABLE TO COAST A SHORT DISTANCE BUT STILL OBSTRUCTED TRAFFIC. POLICE HAD TO SHUT DOWN FREEWAY TO MOVE MY VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART VEHICLE FAILED, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATE ANY TIME THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION. SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED VEHICLE TO LOCAL SUBARU DEALER, AWAITING DIAGNOSIS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 1, 2016
THERE IS AN ODD HESITATION AS IF IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO FORWARD AT IDLE AFTER BRAKING. IF I PRESS THE GAS, THERE IS A DELAYED REACTION AND A LURCH. THIS IS SCARY! AT TIMES, WHEN I AM HEAVILY BRAKING TO A STOP I CAN FEEL MY CAR LURCHING SLIGHTLY WHEN IT UNLOCKS BEFORE IT COMES TO A STOP. THIS LURCHING IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS TO COAST, IT SEEMS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN VERY ABRUPTLY AS IF I WAS IN THE WRONG GEAR. EVEN UNDER LIGHT BRAKING, THESE UNEXPECTED OCCASIONAL FORWARD LURCHES OCCURS. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD, AS I AM NOT EXPECTING THE VEHICLE TO SPEED UP MOMENTARILY AS I AM BRAKING. I NOTICE THAT THESE LURCHES CORRESPOND TO RPM BLIPS AND THE MILEAGE MPG GOES TO 11, 12, OR 13. ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING AT A DECENT SPEED, SAY 50 - 70 MPH, IF I HIT THE GAS TO OVERTAKE SOMEONE, SOMETIMES THERE IS A HESITATION BEFORE I GET A CHANGE IN THE ENGINE RPM (AND SPEED). FINALLY, WHEN I PUSH THE PEDAL TO ACCELERATE IT OFTEN HESITATES BEFORE REVVING UP. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THESE ISSUES DOES NOT OCCUR ALL THE TIME BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE ME FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO HAVE ON THE ROAD.
Vehicle speed control, Visibility/wiper, Sep 27, 2016
VEHICLE MAY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED HARD AFTER REMOVING FOOT FROM BRAKE. HAD TO REAPPLY BRAKES HARD TO STOP CAR AND MAINTAIN CONTROL. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC. AS I ENDED UP A LANE FURTHER THAN WERE I INTENDED. .
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2016
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW ON OCTOBER 31, 2014 AT A MARYLAND DEALER. THE FOLLOWING ARE DATES, MILES AND THE ISSUES THAT HAVE ARISED SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP. ALL ISSUES RELATED TO VEHICLE HAVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. NO SPECIFIC ROADS, VEHICLE MANEUVERING OR WEATHER CONDITION, CHANGED OR CAUSED THE THE FOLLOWING ISSUES. 12/09/14 6680 MILES, ISSUE WITH STEERING & ALIGNMENT 12/20/14 8524 MILES, ISSUE WITH STEERING & ALIGNMENT APRIL 2015 REPLACED BATTERY 06/20/15 41,700 MILES, ISSUE WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 07/23/15 47672 MILES, ISSUE WITH DRIVEABILITY 08/26/15 53037 MILES, ISSUE WITH BODY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 08/2015 ALL ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED 09/23/15 57923 MILES, ISSUES WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT & STOP LIGHT LAMP SWITCH 10/08/15 60428 MILES, ISSUE WITH POWER WINDOWS 12/03/15 68762 MILES, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPLACED, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM JUNE 2016 ISSUES WITH STARTING VEHICLE BEGINS, UNDETERMINED CAUSE JULY 2016 ISSUES BEGAN WITH HVAC BLOWER FAN INTERMITTENT FAILURE 09/25/16 110839 MILES, UNKNOWN A/T POSSIBLE FAILURE SUBARU OF AMERICA STILL HAS AN OPEN TICKET FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT STILL PLAGUE THE VEHICLE; INCLUDING POWER WINDOWS, HILL START ASSISTANT, LOW OIL PRESSURE, AUDIO SPEAKER, VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, ABS, BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHTS. DEALER HAS STATED THAT FAILURE CAN ONLY BE DUPLICATED WHEN AN ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CODE IS PRESENT. THUS THE REASON FOR OUTSTANDING ISSUES. FURTHERMORE, NOT ALL REPEATED ISSUES OR COMMUNICATIONS WITH DEALER ARE LISTED DUE TO LACK OF RECORDS.
Structure, Engine, Sep 12, 2016, crash
WHILE PARKING AND APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR AND WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING STALL SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAMMED INTO A STEEL CABLE THAT SEPARATED THE PARKING STALLS.
Service brakes, Aug 23, 2016
I WAS GOING LESS THAN TEN MILES PER HOUR ON CITY STREETS AND TRIED TO STOP AT A STOPLIGHT WHEN MY BRAKES FAILED. MY FOOT WAS FLOORING THE BRAKE AND I CONTINUED TO ROLL INTO THE CROSS WALK AND PART OF THE INTERSECTION BEFORE PUTTING MY CAR INTO REVERSE TO MAKE IT STOP AS IT FELT LIKE THE GEAR CHANGED TO NEUTRAL WITH THE WAY I WAS ROLLING. LUCKILY THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC REMAINED STOPPED WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. MY CAR WAS SERVICED 6 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT BY MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP WITH NO REPORT OF ANY BRAKE ISSUES.
Engine, Aug 23, 2016
WHILE DRIVING 75-80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANES ( I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN I LOST POWER) AND PULL OVER. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON (CHECK ENGINE, AT OIL TEMP, BATTERY,ECT) AND WHAT I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, IT STALLED. EVERY TIME I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, IT WOULD STALL. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE SAME THING HAPPENED EXCEPT WITHOUT THE LIGHTS AND STALLING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT I PROBABLY WAS HITTING THE GAS AND BREAK AT THE SAME TIME. I DRIVE WITH ONE FOOT, ALWAYS HAVE.
Suspension, Aug 19, 2016
DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING WEARING OUT PREMATURELY POOR DESIGN.
Engine, Aug 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND HESITATED. IN ADDITION, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER CONSULTING WITH A MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM TO THE TURBO CHARGED ENGINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 17, 2016
OUR 2015 SUBARU FOREST WILL RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING HAVE ALL OF IT WARNING LIGHTS COME ONE. EYESIGHT, HILL ASSIST, ABS, LANE DEPARTURE, ECT. IF YOU STOP AND PUT IT IN PARK THEN IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK UNLESS OVER RIDDEN. I CALLED IN TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID "2015 SUBARU FORESTER RIGHT? IT PROBABLY HAS A BAD BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH OR BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR, WHICH MEANS YOUR BRAKES WILL NOT LIGHT UP WHILE DRIVING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE TO SUBARU AS I HAVE SEEN MANY EXAMPLES OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE ON SUBARU BOARDS. I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY 170 DOLLARS JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE WHEN THEY CLEARLY KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY HAZARD, IF MY BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL TO LIGHT UP WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT, I OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD BE INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THEM NOT BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE MY BRAKING.
Power train, Engine, Aug 10, 2016
VEHICLE SURGES WHEN TRYING TO LIGHTLY ACCELERATE IN HOT WEATHER. RPMS BEGIN TO DROP, CAR BUCKS BACK AND FORTH UNTIL MORE THROTTLE IS GIVEN, THEN CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THERE SEEM TO BE TSBS OUT TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE, BUT THEY FEEL LIKE A BANDAID REPAIR AND JUST MASK IT. NOW INSTEAD OF BUCKING BACK AND FORTH, THE VEHICLE JUST ACCELERATES VERY LIGHTLY. THROTTLE IS VERY UNRESPONSIVE. THE INCONSISTENT THROTTLE RESPONSE CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE VEHICLE CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE WHEN ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A POTENTIAL HAZARD (ACCELERATING TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE, ACCELERATING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, ETC.).
Visibility/wiper, Aug 8, 2016
WINDSHIELD PROBLEM ON NEW VEHICLE. WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED ON 3 (THREE) SEPARATE OCCASSIONS TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO BE REPLACED WITH SUBARU GENUINE GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE DAMAGE OCCURRED. THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO UNKNOWN ROAD DEBRIS (GRAVEL/ROCK), BUT INSTEAD OF DINGS IN THE WINDSHIELD, THE GLASS AUTOMATICALLY CRACKED AND RESULTED IN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON ALL 3 OCCASIONS WITH SUBARU GENUINE GLASS. IS THERE A WINDSHIELD DESIGN FLAW ON THE SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED? IT THE DESIGN FLAW AND WINDSHIELD BREAKAGE DUE TO THE HEATING ELEMENT? WHAT IS CAUSING THE WEAKNESS IN THE WINDSHIELD OF THE 2015 SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED? WINDSHIELD BREAKAGE INCIDENTS: 1. JUNE 2015 - IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY @60 MILES 2. 12/28/2015 - IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY @60 MILES 3. 04/28/2016 - IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY @60 MILES
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 30, 2016
OUR 2015 FORESTER TURBO HAS 15,00 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES NOW ASKING THEM TO FIND OUT WHY IT IS LOOSING POWER IN TIMES OF NEED. THE DEALERS FROM 2 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS HAVE SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE IT BACK THIS WEEK, IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT SHUTS OFF, CARS TRAVELING ALONG SIDE AND BEHIND HAD TO SKID THE BRAKES TO STOP. THIS HAS BECOME A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR. IT LOOSES POWER IN TURNS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 16, 2016
SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, WHEN AT INTERSECTIONS, CAR HESITATES AND STUMBLES ON ACCELERATION WHEN REQUIRING INSTANT ACCELERATION TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. I REPORTED THIS AT THE FIRST OIL CHANGE, THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AND DOES IT INTERMITTENTLY, AND ALSO REPORTED IT TO SUBARU DEALERS AT MY SECOND AND THIRD OIL CHANGES, AND LEFT CAR FOR 3 DAYS BUT DEALER CANT DUPLICATE. IT SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME NOT KNOWING IF CAR WILL RESPOND OR NOT AND GETTING HIT FOR CUTTING IN FRON OF ON COMING TRAFFIC. SUBARU OF AMERICA BELIEVES THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM BUT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND REFUSE TO BUY BACK CAR. I DRIVE DEFENSIVELY UNTIL I CAN GET RID OF VEHICLE DUE TO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM, CAR ITSELF DOES FINE BUT THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM IS TOO DANGEROUS TO KEEP VEHICLE FOR ME OR ANYONE THAT WOULD BUY IT IF TRADED IN WITHOUT BEING INFORMED OF PAST HISTORY. I LIKE SUBARU BUT FAILURE TO BUY BACK CAR IS PUTTING OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK, AND WHY WOULD A DEALER WANT TO TAKE MY CAR IN TRADE WITH THIS HISTORY SINCE AUGUST OF 2014. SUBARU NEEDS TO BUY BACK THIS CAR OR RISK LIABILITY OR NEGLIGENCE ON SUBARU OF AMERICA AND ITS DEALERS. JUST BUY BACK THE CAR AND GET IT OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT BECAUSE I DID NOT PUT THE FULL VIN NUMBER PREVIOUSLY WHICH WAS FH403648
Power train, Jul 1, 2016
CAR WAS IN PARK. LEFT RUNNING TO COME BACK & GET SOMETHING IN HOUSE. WHEN WENT BACK TO CAR, OPENED DOOR & VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. BY TIME I WAS ABLE GET IN, THE CAR ROLLED IN DITCH & DAMAGED DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF 3 MINUTES TOPS. BOTTOM OF DRIVER'S DOOR WAS FOULED IN ON SIDE OF BANK.
Engine, Jun 28, 2016
THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP ON 12/05/15 (NHSTSA ID 10808561) - PROBLEM ON CHECK ENGINE OIL AROUND 1,500 MILES BEFORE THE NEXT SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE. REPORTED TO SUBARU AND DID AN OIL CONSUMPTION STUDY, BASICALLY BRINGING THE CAR TO A SUBARU DEALER AT 1,200 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. ASKED THE TECHNICIAN AT DEALER WHAT THEY DID. I WAS TOLD THEY JUST LOOKED AT THE OIL DIP STICK LEVEL - HOW VERY SCIENTIFIC. SO, HE SAID EVERYTHING WAS OK AND THAT WAS IT. SINCE THEN, I HAVE BEEN PUTTING A QUART OF OIL AROUND 1,300 MILES BEFORE MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. MILEAGE OF MY CAR IS NOW OVER 58,000 MILES. I AM CONCERNED THAT AT 60,000 MILES, THE WARRANTY WILL BE OVER AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AS THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES. SUBARU STILL CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NORMAL. PREVIOUS CARS I OWNED NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. WHY IS SUBARU NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT?
Service brakes, Jun 23, 2016
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.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jun 15, 2016
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.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 1, 2016
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.
Vehicle speed control, May 7, 2016
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
Engine, May 4, 2016
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.
Steering, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Apr 18, 2016, crash
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.
Electrical system, Apr 4, 2016
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
Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2016
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.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Mar 16, 2016, crash
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.