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.
Traction control system, Mar 9, 2016
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.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2016, crash
CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, ABOUT 10-15 FEET, FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE INTO A BRICK BUILDING,IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT CAUSING 7K DAMAGE TO MY CARS. PRIOR TO THIS CRASH, THE LANE DEPARTURE AND AUTO BREAKING LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON AND OFF. I WAS GOING TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE CRASH PREVENTED THAT. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AND TAKEN TO THE SUBARU DEALER WHERE PURCHASED, AND THEY EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. SINCE THEN, MY SCREEN DATE WAS SET AND THEN REVERTED BACK TO FEB 4, 2010. ALSO, THE LANE DEPARTURE AND AUTO BRAKING LIGHTS HAVE TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING TWICE SINCE GETTING THE CAR BACK. ADDITIONALLY, THE SCREEN NOW DISPLAYS ADDITIONAL MESSAGES THAT IT HADN'T IN THE PAST, SUCH AS VEHICLE AHEAD HAS MOVED, AND ROAD CONDITIONS MIGHT BE ICY. THE LATTER SHOULD HAVE SHOWN UP PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT, LIVING IN THE SNOW BELT OF NE OHIO. HAS THERE BEEN ANY "SILENT RECALLS" PLACED ON THIS CAR SINCE 2010 REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUES THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A FORMAL RECALL ON, RATHER THAT SUBARU HAS ISSUED THIS INFORMATION TO IT'S TECHS ONLY? I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS GAS PEDAL ISSUE HAS BEEN DISMISSED DUE TO WEATHER MATS, DRIVERS AGE OR DRIVER'S FOOT MISSING THE CORRECT PEDAL. I AM AN EXPERIENCED AND SAFE DRIVER WHO DOES NOT LIKE GETTING SCAMMED BY A MANUFACTURE OF INFERIOR PRODUCT. SUBARU IS LOVE....QUESTIONABLE SINCE IT SEEMS TO ME THEY ARE MAKING CHANGES WITHOUT INFORMING THE GOVERNMENT OF THESE PROBLEMS.
Steering, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 4, 2016, crash
7 MONTHS OLD, 20,000 MILES. DRIVING 65.6 MPH, IN LIGHT RAIN WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. 1ST TIME DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER, NOTICED WIND OR FLAT TIRES CAUSING SOMETIMES SIDE SHAKING. STOPPED TO CHECK TIRES. NOTICED NO WIND NOR LOW TIRES PRESSURE. CONTINUED ON. HAD USED CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF, AND TURNING ON AND OFF THE TRACTION SWITCH TO FIND A PATTERN FOR THE IRADIC DRIVING. COULD NOT ID A CAUSE. CONTINUED DRIVING. CAR TOOK A SUDDEN JERK TO THE LEFT, KNEW WE WERE GOING TO CRASH AND COULD NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL. 'CRASH' . WE SLID 40 FEET DOWN THE CENTER DIVIDE. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE STILL POINTED STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE WERE LUCKY. THE REAR WHEELS HAD 'EXCESSIVE WEAR' , FRONT WHEELS WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. WHEN THE CAR WAS TORN APART, THE MAIN PULLY HAD A 1" DING AND THE FAN BELT WAS KNOCKED OFF THE MAIN PULLY AND PARTICALLY OF THE 2ND PULLY. THE BELT WAS ON ALL THE OTHER PULLIES.. I BELIEVE THE TRACTION DEVICE MALFUNCTIONED WHEN I WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HYDROPLANED. AND THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED SENDING ME INTO A OUT OF CONTROL CRASH, THAT I COULD NOT STEER OUT OF. SUBARU OF AMERICA SAID WET PAYMENT, HIGH SPEED AND EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR TIRES CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THEY DOCUMENTED THE SPEED AND WEAR OF REAR TIRES. RAIN WAS VERY LIGHT, A DRIZZLE. HIGHWAY WAS STRAIGHT AND LIGHT TRAFFIC. NO DEBRE ON THE HIGHWAY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 26, 2016
I WAS APPROACHING A LIGHT THAT TURNED GREEN, AND WHEN I TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR, NO GAS. PULLED AROUND THE CORNER, AND PUT IN PARK, ENGINE REVVED HIGH RPM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, XMODE LIGHT, AND ANOTHER 'CAR ON HILL' LIGHT CAME ON DASH'..MESSAGES ON DISPLAY WINDOW 'HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM' AND 'EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM' MESSAGES FLASHED. WE TURNED EVERYTHING OFF, STARTED ENGINE AGAIN, SAME THING, SAME MESSAGES. TURNED OFF AGAIN, RESTARTED, AND THIS TIME THE GAS PEDAL WORKED, BUT DASH LIGHTS STAYED ON WITH WARNING LIGHTS. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 5 MORE MILES, THEN STOPPED FOR DINNER. AN HOUR LATER, THE CAR STARTED FINE, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO GAS PEDAL ISSUES. TOOK TO SUBARU WEST 2/25/16 WHERE THE TECHNICIAN HOOKED UP HIS HAND HELD COMPUTER THING TO PLACE NEAR HOOD RELEASE. HE SAID THERE WAS JUST ONE SIGNAL THAT TOLD HIM IT WAS PROBABLY FROM THE FACT I HIT THE GAS AND BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME, AND THE VEHICLE SENSES THIS AND SHUTS OFF THE THROTTLE. SAFETY ISSUE? I AM A ONE FOOTED DRIVER, SO NOT SURE HOW THAT HAPPENS, BUT HE SAID HE CLEARED THE COMPUTER AND ALL SHOULD BE GOOD, BUT TO BRING IT BACK IN ASAP IF THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT GOES ON. HMM.
Power train, Feb 25, 2016
WE WERE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65-70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2016. THE CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND JERK AND WE SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. WE PULLED ONTO THE BERM AS SOON AS WE COULD AND WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK. WE KNEW IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION PLACED IN THE CAR. WE HAD THE CAR BACK FROM THE REPAIR SHOP LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AFTER THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER WERE COMPLETELY REPLACED FROM THE MANUFACTURER'S. SUBARU HAS NOTIFIED US THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER PLUS 4 NEW TIRES ARE BEING PLACED IN THE CAR NOW CURRENTLY BACK AT THE DEALER IN THE REPAIR SHOP. THE TIRES WERE RUINED BY THE BURNING TREAD AS THEY LOCKED UP WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR SINCE IT WAS AT THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS NO LONGER JUST A WARRANTY ISSUE IT IS NOW A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR'S TIRES WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED WHEN IT WAS BEING TAKEN OFF THE TOW TRUCK. IT HAD TO BE JACKED UP AND SLID OFF THE BACK OF THE FLAT BED RAMP.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Feb 18, 2016
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK, ABOUT 35MPH ON A PAVED ROAD. SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ITEMS SUDDENLY FAILED, ALL AT THE SAME TIME - WIPERS, WINDSHIELD WASHER, HEATER FAN, TURN SIGNALS ALL WOULD NOT WORK. WHEN SHE STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND TURNED IT BACK ON, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKED AGAIN. I AM TAKING IT IN FOR WARRANTY SERVICE AT GANLEY SUBARU, WICKLIFFE, OHIO.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 4, 2016
THIS IS MY FIRST WINTER OWNING A SUBURU FORESTER AND MOST OF THE TIME IT IS STORED IN OUR GARAGE. WE LIVE IN WNY AND SOME TIMES HAVE TO PARK IT OUTSIDE. ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE SUV WAS PARKED OUTDOORS IN TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 25 DEGREES AND ALL THE WINDOWS FROZE OVER ON THE INSIDE. FOR THOSE TIMES IT WAS PARKED 3 HOURS OUTDOORS AND IT TOOK US 15-20 MINUTES TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS BEFORE WE COULD DRIVE. A COUPLE OF TIMES WE RAN INTO STORES AND IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES THE INTERIOR OF THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO FREEZE. THIS WEEK WE HAD A SERVICE CALL AT OUR LOCAL SUBURU DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US HE WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT SUBURU HAS GIVEN THEM NO SOLUTIONS. HE TOLD ME TO TRY LOWERING A WINDOW WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT TO TRY TO GET THE MOISTURE OUT. IT APPEARS THIS MODEL IS OVERLY AIR TIGHT AND THIS DESIGN FLAW HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. SINCE IT IS ALWAYS COLD DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THE PROSPECTS OF THIS CONTINUING TO HAPPEN WILL RESULT IT ME BUYING A DIFFERENT MAKE VEHICLE NEXT TIME AROUND.
Power train, Jan 27, 2016
WHILE STARTING TO DRIVE FORWARD ( NORMAL SPEED ) FROM A STOP -WENT ABOUT FIFTY FEET. I HEARD A CLUNK. THAN THE SUV ROLLED TO A STOP. I THAN TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE - WOULD NOT MOVE. I THAN PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE - IT DID NOT MOVE. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING - IT WAS. I CALLED MY EMERGENCY HOT LINE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THAT THE CHAIN IN THE TRANSMISSION ( OR SOME PLACE IN THE DRIVE MECHANISM ) HAD BROKEN. STILL WAITING FOR IT TO BE FIXED - 11 DAYS HAVE PASSED SO FAR.
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2016
I HAD A REMOTE STARTER INSTALLED BY SOME ONE OTHER THAN SUBARU. THE STARTER FAILED REPEATEDLY SO I TOOK IT IN. WAS TOLD AND GIVEN A PRINT OUT REFLECTING A LOW BATTERY. I TOOK IT TO NORTH TOWNE SUBARU ON SHERIDAN DR. IT IS A 20 MILE TRIP ONE WAY, THEY SAID "NO PROBLEM, CHARGED THE BATTERY ANY WAY AND SENT ME HOME. I PURCHASED THE FORESTER IN SEPT.2014, GOT THE STARTER FOR CHRISTMAS,AND AFTER THE VISIT TO SUBARU IT WORKED SOMETIMES. THIS WINTER AGAIN IT FAILED TO START. NOW THAT THE WINTER HAS BECOME EXTREMELY COLD I RETURNED TO THE INSTALLER WHO REPLACED IT AND IT STILL FAILED DUE TO A LOW BATTERY. THIS, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, AND THE FIX IS A STRONGER BATTERY. I AM NOT ABOUT TO TAKE ANOTHER TRIP TO SUBARU IN ERIE CO. AS I AM IN PAIN MOST OF THE TIME AND DRIVING LONG DISTANCES INCREASES THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THE STARTER STORE TO ORDER ME A BATTERY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS I CAN'T SEE SUBARU IN AMHERST DOING ANYTHING FOR ME. BUT I DO THINK SUBARU SHOULD REIMBURSE ME. OF COURSE I WILL NOT HOLD MY BREATH. ALSO I WILL NEVER GO TO THAT DEALERSHIP AGAIN.!!!!!!
Engine, Jan 18, 2016
I'VE NOTICED I RUN EXTREMELY LOW ON OIL AT ABOUT 1,500 MILES BEFORE MY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE. I'VE BEEN ADDING A QUART AT EVERY 5,000 AS TO NOT RUN DRY AND DAMAGE THE ENGINE. I MOSTLY DRIVE HIGHWAY MILES AND STARTING HAVING THIS ISSUE AT 30,000 MILES.
Wheels, Service brakes, Dec 28, 2015
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE WHEEL LUGS HAVE SNAPPED WHILE THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT, ROTATION AND REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BRAKE CALIPER RETAINER BOLTS SNAP WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION SO THAT THE REAR BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE WERE NEXT TO INOPERABLE AS ONLY A PORTION OF THE BRAKE PAD CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR. THE DEALER DID NOT MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE OR REPAIR THE BRAKE ROTORS OR PADS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WHAT MADE IT MORE OF AN ISSUE WAS THE THE LOCAL DEALER DIDNT HAVE THESE PARTS ON HAND AND GAVE ME THE SPECS FOR THE BOLT TO PURCHASE FROM THE LOCAL HARDWARE STORE. THESE NEW BOLTS HAVE HELD.
Engine, Dec 5, 2015
THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF MY CAR IS 45,751. I FAITHFULLY FOLLOW ALL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, PARTICULARLY, OIL CHANGES. ON TWO OCCASIONS NOW, MY OIL LIGHT HAS COME ON, THE LAST ONE 2,000 MILES BEFORE THE NEXT OIL CHANGE. WHEN I QUESTIONED THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP SERVICE GUY ABOUT THIS, HE SAID, WELL, I NEED TO HAVE OIL CHANGES AT 5,000K INSTEAD OF THE RECOMMENDED 6000K. HE SAID 6000K IS FOR IDEAL DRIVING CONDITION - TEMPERATURE SHOULD NOT BELOW 30 DEGREES, NO STOPPING HERE AND THERE, NO IDLING, ETC. SYNTHETIC OIL IS EXPENSIVE ENOUGH AND I CERTAINLY DO NOT NEED TO BE PAYING SOMEONE TO TOP IT OFF EVERY TIME. AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE CAUGHT WITH THIS PROBLEM WHILE I'M TRAVELLING. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND AT THIS MILEAGE, I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. FYI, THE MILEAGE OF THIS CAR IS MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES. FROM READING ONLINE, I LEARNED THAT OTHER FORESTER OWNERS ARE HAVING PROBLEM WITH OIL BURNING AS WELL. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND SUBARU NEEDS TO REMEDY THIS. WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE TO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 3, 2015
WHILE STARTING THE CAR WITH ONLY 2.2K MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DISABLED THE VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE INCLINE START ASSIST LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Dec 1, 2015
MY VEHICLE IS BUCKING/JERKING UNDER LIGHT TO MEDIUM ACCELERATION LOADS BETWEEN ABOUT 10 MPH TO 30 MPH. THE ISSUE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, BUT IT WILL OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES DURING A SINGLE TRIP TO WORK 25 MILES AWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE IN THE PARKING LOT. THEY BELIEVE IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CVT. OTHERS ONLINE HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. SPECIFICALLY, YOU DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL A CONSTANT DISTANCE, BUT THE VEHICLE WILL GIVE YOU UNRELIABLE AMOUNTS OF ACCELERATION: SOMETIMES AN INITIAL LURCH AND THEN A PAUSE AND THEN ANOTHER LURCH OR VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION AND THEN A PAUSE AND A LURCH. DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL FARTHER DURING ONE OF THE JERKY PERIODS HAS LITTLE EFFECT EXCEPT TO MAKE THE LURCH MORE VIOLENT ONCE IT FINALLY HAPPENS. NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE RELIABLY DURING A TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THE REASON FOR ME WRITING A REPORT. I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE DEALER, BUT FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE. I BELIEVE THE ONLY REASON I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND RECORDED CAR ACCIDENTS REFERENCING THIS ISSUE IS DUE THE NEWNESS OF THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2015
WITHIN 1 WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SMALL, UNKNOWN ROAD DEBRIS HIT THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING A DIVOT THE SIZE OF A PENCIL ERASER. THIS WAS REPAIRED. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, THE SAME THING HAPPENED 5-6 TIMES. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS IN GOOD REPAIR. ON A RECENT CROSS COUNTRY TRIP, A NEW CHIP EXPANDED BEFORE IT COULD BE REPAIRED, PROGRESSING TO A CRACK SEVERAL INCHES LONG AND REQUIRING THAT THE WINDSHIELD BE REPLACED.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 10, 2015, crash
CAR WAS DRIVEN OUT OF NEW CAR DEALER WITHOUT INCIDENT BY DRIVER WITH 50 PLUS YEARS EXPERIENCE. APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR MILES INTO TRIP CAR EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AFTER GOING THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT. CAR PROCEEDED INTO WOODED AREA AND HIT TREE CAUSING LOWER LEG INJURIES TO DRIVER AND MODERATE TO SEVERE DAMAGE TO CAR. DRIVER WAS NOT ENTRAPPED UPON EMT ARRIVAL. ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED. DRIVER IS CONFIDENT CAR HAS PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND /OR ENGINE COMPUTER. CAR TRAVELED AT OVER 40 MPH DURING INCIDENT AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED THROUGH NORMAL BRAKING ACTION.
Engine, Oct 3, 2015
AROUND 14000, ENGINE OIL LIGHT WAS ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO SUBARU DEALER. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WAS BECAUSE APPOX. ONE QUART OIL LEFT. HE SAID HE WILL DO THE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST FOR ME. THE TECHNICIAN FILLED THE ENGINE OIL IN NORMAL LEVEL. AFTER APPOX. 1000 MILES, I BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER FO MEASURING ENGINE OIL LEVEL.THEY FOUND ONE QUART OIL BURNOUT. THE ADVISOR SAID IT WAS NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION UNDER THE RULE. OK, I DROVE AROUND ANOTHER 1500 MILES. THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK FOR ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND CHECK THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT. GOT THE SAME ANSWER FROM THE ADVISOR." NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION" I ASKED THE ADVISOR THAT MY CAR FILLS 4 QUARTS OIL FOR EACH OIL CHANGE, AND SUBARU RECOMMEND 6000 MILES TO CHANGE OIL. BUT MY CAR WILL BURN OUT THE WHOLE 4 QUARTS OF ENGINE OILS. THE ANSWER IS "YES". I NEED TO KEEP CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE AND NEED TO KEEP ADDING THE CHANGE OILS BEFORE EACH OIL CHANGE. IT IS BECAUSE THE OIL CONSUMPTION MET THE RULE. MY CAR WAS 2015 MODEL AND 17000 MILES NOW, AND I ONLY DROVE 14 MONTHS. I ASKED THE ADVISOR WHAT KIND OF THE RULE, THEN HE SAID IT WAS HARD TO EXPLAIN. ??? IS IT TRUE??? IF THE RULE IS TRUE, HOW COME I CAN'T SEE ANY INFO IN OWNER MANUAL. NOW, I AM WORRY ABOUT THE SITUATION WILL GET MORE WORST AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 19, 2015
MY NEW 2015 SUBARU FORESTER WITH ABOUT 3,000 MILES ON IT DEVELOPED A LONG CRACK FROM THE CENTER TOP OF THE WINDSHEILD CAUSED BY WHAT LOOKED LIKE AN INSIGNIFICANLTY SMALL PEBBLE. THE IMPACT WAS BARELY NOTICIBLE. I WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR. AFTER INSPECTING THE WINDSHEILD, I NOTICED A SUPER TINY PIT WHERE A MINISCULE PEBBLE MUST HAVE HIT THE WINDOW. IN THE MORNING THE TINY PIT TURNED INTO A FULL ON CRACK EXTENDING HALF WAY DOWN THEN CURVING MIDWAY TOWARDS THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH MY INSURANCE AND THEY REPLACED IT. IT WOULD HAVE COST ME 625.00. I PAID THE 50.00 DEDUCTIBLE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE WINDSHEILD. IT WAS REPLACED WITH AN OEM SUBARU WINDSHEILD. THIS WAS HIGHLY IRREGULAR. NEVER IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING HAS A SMALL PEBBLE, THE PIT SIZE OF A MILLIMETER CAUSED THIS KIND OF DAMAGE. I THOUGHT IT MUST BE A FLUKE UNTIL IT HAPPENED AGAIN LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY. I HEARD A POP AND THEN ANOTHER POP. IT SOUNDED LIKE IT CAME FROM UNDER MY CAR. SOON I SAW A CRACK COMING RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF MY WINDSHEILD. AFTER INSPECTING IT THIS MORNING, IT WAS CAUSED BY ANOTHER SUPER TINY PEBBLE AS THERE IS A SMALL PIT LESS THAN A MILLIMETER IN SIZE AT THE MIDDLE TOP OF MY WINDSHEILD. 2 WINDSHEILDS IN 7 MONTHS! THIS IS RIDUCLOUS. THIS QUALITY OF THE WINDSHEILD IS SUBSTANDARD TO NOT HANDLE THE IMPACT OF TINY PEBBLES. IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING MANY TYPES OF VEHICLES WITH WINDSHEILDS HIT BUT MUCH LARGER ROCKS HAS THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM OCCURED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFTEY CONCERN. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 18, 2015
ON TWO OCCASIONS ABOUT A WEEK APART, AFTER SLOWING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER MID TURN FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 SECONDS. THIS CAUSED THE CARS BEHIND ME TO HAVE TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES & I WAS NEARLY HIT BOTH TIMES. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE DEALER & WAS TOLD THE CVT CAUSES PAUSES, HOWEVER THIS WAS WAY TOO LONG & EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME I COULD BRING THE CAR IN FOR A TEST DRIVE, BUT BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY IT WOULD BE HARD TO DUPLICATE. ALSO IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON THERE WOULD BE NO CODE.
Electrical system, Aug 31, 2015
THIS IS NOT EXACTLY A SAFETY PROBLEM, BUT COULD BE A CRITICAL ISSUE. WE LEFT THE BRAND NEW SUBARU 1015 FORESTER FOR TWO WEEKS WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION. WHEN WE CAME BACK THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. AAA TECH TOLD US THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM IN 2015 CARS WITH FULL COMPLEMENT OF FEATURES, AND TYPING "SUBARU BATTERY DRAINAGE PROBLEM" INTO GOOGLE BRINGS UP A LITANY OF COMPLAINTS. APPARENTLY ALL THE ELECTRONICS IN THE CAR DRAIN THE BATTERY EVEN WHEN THE CAR ISN'T RUNNING. SUBARU IMPLIED IT WAS OUR FAULT FOR NOT STARTING THE CAR. THAT'S ABSURD. WE HAVE A 2010 HONDA CIVIC THAT WAS UNDER THE SNOW FOR 6 WKS. AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. SUBARU CHECKED OUR BATTERY, PRONOUNCED IT HEALTHY, SUGGESTED WE BUY A TRICKLE CHARGER (WHICH WE HAVE DONE), AND SENT US $100 FOR OUR LOYALTY. NOWHERE IN THE SUBARU LITERATURE DOES IT SAY THAT THE CAR MUST BE STARTED EVERY FEW DAYS OR WARN ABOUT BATTERY DRAINAGE. IF WE'D HAD AN EMERGENCY THAT REQUIRED US TO USE THE CAR WHEN WE FIRST GOT HOME, WE'D HAVE BEEN POUT OF LUCK. THIS TECHNOLOGY IS NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME, AND AT THE VERY LEAST CONSUMERS SHOULD BE WARNED.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 24, 2015
I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY 2015 FORRESTER.2.5I. INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER OF 4 SECONDS DURATION. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES IS NORMAL AND NOTHING IS NOTED ON THE DIAGNOSTIC HISTORY IN THE CAR. FELT DRIVING THIS WAS UNSAFE AND TOOK A LOSS AND TRADED IT IN FOR A 2015 CRV HONDA. I FEEL THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW THIS, YOU NEED TO CHECK INTO THIS OR /AND DO A RECALL OR WHATEVER IS NECESSARY. THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS WEBSITE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 21, 2015
I'M HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY 2015 FORESTER 2.5I CVT THAT HAS NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS, BUT WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE TODAY I WAS DISMISSED WITHOUT BEING HELPED. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 24,700 MILES ON IT, SO IT'S THOROUGHLY BROKEN IN AND I'M USED TO THE WAY THE CVT WORKS. IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO, I'VE NOTICED BUCKING, SHUDDERING, AND POWER LOSS DURING INITIAL ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. SOMETIMES THIS IS JUST A LITTLE BUMPING, BUT OTHER TIMES IT'S A NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS, LONG ENOUGH TO BE VERY DANGEROUS WHILE ACCELERATING OR ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE, THE ADVISOR THERE STARTED TO TELL ME THAT THE BEHAVIOR IS NORMAL EVEN BEFORE ANYONE HAD STARTED TO LOOK AT THE CAR. AFTER A TECH TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE, THE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT MY CONCERNS "DESCRIBE A PERFECT CVT" AND HE DOESN'T SEE A PROBLEM, AND THAT IT'S EXPECTED BEHAVIOR TO HAVE DANGEROUS POWER LOSS LIKE THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT MY PROBLEM IS NOT A PROBLEM AND SENT AWAY. POWER LOSS LIKE THIS DURING ACCELERATION IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM, DESPITE THE CLAIMS OF THE SUBARU EMPLOYEES, AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR. SUBARU REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SUGGESTED THAT I AVOID ACCELERATING OR TURNING ANY TIME POWER LOSS WOULD BE A DANGER OR ISSUE - THIS IS CLEARLY NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 20, 2015
THIS MODEL VEHICLE HAS A SAFETY DEFECT. THE SPEEDOMETER IS LOCATED UNDER A VISOR WHICH LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT FALLING ON THE INSTRUMENT, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOES NOT HAVE ANY BACK LIGHTING UNDER DAYLIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE RESULT IS THAT UNDER MOST DAYTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS IS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER AND DETERMINE THE SPEED THAT THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT. THIS IS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM AS DEALER STAFF HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAS NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA TO DISCUSS THIS DEFECT, AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY SOLUTION.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 19, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,277. ...UPDATED 10-13-15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/15/15*JB
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING THE DAYTIME AT 25 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT AS VISIBLE AND FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TO TAKEN THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS STANDARD FOR THOSE MODELS OF VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.