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.
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 14, 2015
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I81 AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH A SMALL PEBBLE TAPPED THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSANGER SIDE AND IT CRACKED. WITHIN 24 HRS IT HAS GROWN HALF WAY ACROSS THE WINDOW. PLANNING ON HAVING IT REPLACED WITHIN FIVE DAYS. GOING DOWN HIGHWAY 31 AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THREE DAYS AFTER THE FIRST CRACK ANOTHER ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ( WINDSHIELD HAD NOT YET BEEN REPLACED) AS WELL AS ONE MONTH OF PURCHASING THE CAR A SMALL ROCK HIT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AREA AND ONLY MADE A SMALL DING IN IT. I BELIEVE THESE WINDSHIELDS ARE VERY DANGEROUS. IF YOU HEAR ANYTHING HIT YOUR WINDSHIELD AND YOU SEE NOTHING INITIALLY, PLEASE STOP ASAP AND INSPECT IT AS THESE LINE CRACKS EXPAND VERY FAST. NOT KNOWING IF THESE WINDSHIELDS CONTAIN THE ABILITY TO STAY TOGETHER IF IT SHADERS. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD, THIS COULD BECOME DEVASTATING VERY FAST. PLEASE STAY AWARE OF THE SMALLEST HITS TO THESE WINDSHIELDS. CONCERNED FOR ALL.
Engine, Aug 12, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE BURNED A QUARTER OF OIL EVERY 2,500 TO 3,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 10, 2015
ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A ROAD TRIP, A TINY ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED PART OF IT. OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 24 HOURS THE CRACK GREW IN TWO DIRECTIONS RAPIDLY. THIS FORCED ME TO HAVE TO GET A COMPLETE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT ONLY 1 MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE BRAND NEW VEHICLE. LOOKING ONLINE, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A VERY WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH SUBARU WINDSHIELDS THAT ARE EASILY CRACKED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2015
WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM PARK, OR FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR VICE VERSA THERE IS A DELAY OF APPROXIMATELY THREE SECONDS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. ON A HILL, THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL IF THE FOOT IS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES. I HAVE ASKED SUBARU TO CORRECT THIS, BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS TRANSMISSION AND THAT THEY WILL NOT CORRECT IT. WHILE IT MAY NOT BE A MAJOR DEFECT THAT WILL LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY, IT REPRESENTS A RISK TO THE PEOPLE AND CARS AROUND THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 8, 2015
WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON I-80 IN IOWA JUST EAST OF EXIT 220 (WILLIAMSBURG) OUR CAR LOST POWER BUT, BECAUSE IT HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND COAST TO THE LEFT ROAD MARGIN. THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR HAD COME ON A FEW MILES BEFORE BUT THE DISPLAY INDICATOR SHOWED THAT WE HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL TO DRIVE 60 MILES AT THE DISPLAYED AVERAGE OF 30.5 MILES PER GALLON. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECT AS THE MANUAL STATES THAT WHEN THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR COMES THERE ARE 2.6 GALLONS REMAINING. I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AS THE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO SHOW ONE INCREMENT IN THE GAS GAUGE AND A RANGE OF 60 MILES ON THE DISPLAY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING FUEL. WE EVENTUALLY WERE ASSISTED BY AN IOWA STATE PATROL OFFICER WHO TOOK ME BACK TO THE CASEY'S STATION IN WILLIAMSBURG WHERE I BOUGHT A GASOLINE CAN AND ABOUT 3.5 GALLONS OF FUEL. WITH HIS ASSISTANCE I WAS ABLE TO FUEL MY CAR (THE TRAFFIC AT THAT TIME AND PLACE WAS VERY HEAVY AND FAST), AND THE CAR STARTED IMMEDIATELY. IT IS BE IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR DID NOT COME ON AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. I HAD NOT PUT ALL OF THE GAS IN THE CAN INTO MY CAR, AND THE MANUAL STATES THAT THE INDICATOR WILL NOT COME ON WHEN THE TANK IS HOLDING 4.5 GALLONS OF FUEL, SO THERE WAS CLEARLY A GALLON OR MORE OF FUEL IN THE TANK WHEN IT DIED. ALSO, THAT SECTION OF EASTBOUND I-80 IS SLIGHTLY UPHILL. IT SEEMS THEN THAT EITHER THE ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATED WITH THE READING FUEL LEVELS ARE VERY INACCURATE, OR THE GAS TANK IS BUILT IN SUCH A WAY THAT WHEN THE TANK IS LOWER ON FUEL AND GOING UPHILL GAS IS NOT GETTING TO THE ENGINE. HAD I NOT BEEN DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND ABLE TO ROLL ONTO THE MARGIN UPHILL BUT SIMPLY SLOWED TO A SUDDEN STOP IN THAT TRAFFIC WHEN THE ENGINE DIED, I BELIEVE IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS SERIES IF COLLISIONS.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 8, 2015, crash
SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION: THE VEHICLE VIGOROUSLY ACCELERATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH A FENCE ~8 FEET AWAY, PUSHED OVER 2 EIGHT FOOT TREES BEHIND THE FENCE THEN BECAME HIGH CENTERED ON A 30" "RETAINING ~5 FEET BEYOND THE FENCE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN SPITE OF FULL APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD ANY MORE AFTER IT WAS HIGH CENTERED ON THE RETAINING WALL BUT THE ENGINE SPEED REMAINED AT A HIGH RPM. THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN ONLY WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 17, 2015
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.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 13, 2015
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.
Engine, Jun 11, 2015
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
Visibility/wiper, Jun 10, 2015
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2015
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.
Air bags, Jun 1, 2015
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
Latches/locks/linkages, May 29, 2015
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.
Visibility/wiper, May 21, 2015
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.
Electrical system, May 17, 2015
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.
Power train, Engine, May 12, 2015
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.
Power train, May 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.
Visibility, Apr 18, 2015
VEHICLE DOES NOT WARM UP WELL IN COLD CLIMATES. I LIVE IN ALASKA AND DURING THE WINTER THE VEHICLE WOULD STAY COOL EVEN WITH THE HEATER MAXED OUT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NORMALLY THIS WOULD NOT BE A BIG DEAL, BUT HAVING A NEWBORN IN THE CAR, THE HEAT WOULD BE NICE. *TR
Visibility, Mar 31, 2015
HEAT SYSTEM DOES NOT HEAT THE CAR AND WINDOW KEEP FREEZING OVER. HAVE TO KEEP TURNING FROM FLOOR HEAT WHICH IS NONE, TO WINDSHIELD TO KEEP IT CLEAR. ALWAYS COLD WHICH TAKES YOUR MIND AND CONTROL AWAY FROM DRIVING, COULD CAUSE TO ACCIDENT TAKING TIME TO KEEP TRYING TO GET HEAT TO WHERE IT IS NEEDED. PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BUY THE SUBARU FORESTER TILL THEY FIX THE PROBLEM, AND SHOULD BE BANDED TILL FIXED. THE DID NOT HAVE HEAT PROBLEM TILL THIS YEAR BY THE SOUNDS OF IT, SO THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SWITCH IT BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS IN OLDER MODEL YEAR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. A RECALL IS PASS DUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
Air bags, Mar 12, 2015
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ALL PROSPECTIVE SUBARU FORRESTER OWNERS AWARE THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES WORK IF YOU SIT ON AN ADDITIONAL CUSHION. THESE SENSORS DO NOT WORK ON WEIGHT BUT ON SOME SORT OF ELECTROSTATIC SENSOR THAT IS BLOCKED BY ANY CUSHION OR PILLOW. THIS IF A DANGEROUS PROBLEM FOR BACK PATIENTS AND ALSO FOR SHORT PEOPLE WHO SIT ON CUSHIONS TO ELEVATE THEMSELVES. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT, ALTHOUGH THIS IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR DID NOT NOTIFY OF THIS SITUATION ALTHOUGH I MENTIONED THAT I ALWAYS SIT ON A PAD BECAUSE OF A FUSED BACK. WITH ALL THE SAFETY NOTICES POSTED IN CARS TODAY, THIS IS ONE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE OBVIOUS. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE A $35,000 USELESS VEHICLE BEING USED AS A SPARE CAR. I CANNOT TAKE THIS CAR ON THE ROAD. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Mar 12, 2015
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR, THE HEATER DOES NOT HEAT THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR VERY WELL. THE AIR BLOWING OUT OF THE VENTS IS WEAK AND COLD TO TEPID. EVEN AFTER 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR, IT IS STILL LUKEWARM. THIS IS FOR TEMPS BETWEEN 0 DEGREES AND 40 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THE TEMP INSIDE THE CAR NEVER GOES OVER 45 DEGREES WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. IF THE TEMP IS OVER 40 DEGREES OUTSIDE, THE INSIDE WILL WARM UP TO ABOUT 55 DEGREES AFTER 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT REMOVE ACCUMULATED ICE OFF THE FRONT WINDOW DURING THE COLD TEMPS. I HAVE TO STOP ON THE ROAD, SCRAPE THE WINDSHIELD AFTER A FEW MILES AND THEN DO THAT REPEATEDLY DURING THE 45 MINUTE DRIVE EACH DAY. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN YOU ARE TOO COLD TO DRIVE, EVEN WITH GLOVES, AND YOUR FINGERS ARE NUMB AND YOUR BODY IS SHAKING FROM THE COLD. THE DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. MAYBE AN INCORRECT THERMOSTAT, OR SOMETHING. BUT, SUBARU SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
Visibility, Feb 24, 2015
I PURCHASED A NEW 2015 SUBARU FORESTER JANUARY 31, 2015. ANYTIME THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW APPROXIMATELY 10F, THE INTERIOR WINDOWS ICE OVER. HAVE TO CONTINUALLY SWITCH FROM 100% DEFROST TO 100% SIDE WINDOWS TO BE ABLE TO SEE OUT ONE OR THE OTHER. IF ANYONE IS RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT, THE REAR SIDE WINDOWS ARE NEVER CLEAR. THIS POOR VISIBILITY IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IN ADDITION, THE CAR IS EXTREMELY COLD INSIDE, ESPECIALLY IN THE FOOT WELL. MY FEET ARE NUMB FROM THE COLD AS THE HEATER IS BLOWING COLD AIR ON YOUR FEET AND LEGS. EVEN WHEN NO AIR IS DIRECTED TO THE FOOT WELL, THERE IS A CONTINUAL COLD DRAFT. HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE WITH THESE COMPLAINTS ? BOTH TIMES THEY CONTACTED SUBARU AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED, SO NO EFFORT WAS MADE TO IMPROVE. FOR COMPARISON THE DEALER PROVIDED A LOANER CAR ? SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND FEATURES. WE DROVE IT AND OUR CAR ON THE SAME 60 MILE ROUTE AT THE SAME AMBIENT TEMPERATURE (0F), THE LOANER CAR HEATED UP QUICKER, WAS MORE COMFORTABLE INSIDE, HAD MINIMAL FOOT WELL DRAFT, HAD HIGHER ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE AND THE WINDOWS WERE MUCH CLEARER. THIS WAS COMMUNICATED TO SUBARU, WITH THE SAME RESPONSE ? YOUR CAR IS BEHAVING AS DESIGNED, NO SERVICE IS REQUIRED. IN ADDITION TO MY COMPLAINT, THERE ARE OVER 1100 COMMENTS COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE SAME ISSUES AS DETAILED ON HTTP://WWW.SUBARUFORESTER.ORG/VBULLETIN/F77/2014-FORESTER-WEAK-HEATER-263009/. ALTHOUGH MANY OF THE COMMENTS ARE FOLLOW UPS, THE TREND IS CLEAR ? THERE IS A SHORTCOMING IN SOME CARS THAT RESULT IN POOR HEATER PERFORMANCE, WITH THE SYMPTOM BEING POOR VISIBILITY AND VERY UNCOMFORTABLE PASSENGERS. FOR WHATEVER REASON, SUBARU IS EITHER UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE OR EVEN ADMIT IT. *JS
Electrical system, Feb 24, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. UPDATED 03/30/15*LJ UPDATED 6/23/2015*JS
Equipment, Feb 20, 2015
THE BLUETOOTH DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. MOST OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. WHEN IT DOES IT KEEPS ON REPEATING ITSELF AND FREEZES THE SCREEN. THE ONLY WAY I CAN UN FREEZE THE SCREEN IS PULL THE CAR OVER AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN AND " I'LL JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT ". *TR
Tires, Wheels, Feb 12, 2015
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR INDICATED LOW PRESSURE. RIGHT REAR TIRE NEEDED AIR. TIRE CONTINUED TO SLOWLY LEAK AND THE PRESSURE MONITOR TRIPPED AGAIN DAYS LATER. MENTIONED PROBLEM TO DEALERSHIP DURING SERVICE. DEALERSHIP FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE AND PROPERLY INFLATED ALL WHEELS. A FEW DAYS LATER THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW (TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR TRIPPED AGAIN). BRINGING VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF TIRE. PROBABLY A PROBLEM ISOLATED TO MY SPECIFIC CAR, BUT LOGGING THE INCIDENT IN CASE THERE ARE MORE TIRES OUT THERE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR