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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2015
2015 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER JACKET WITH A ZIPPER HAD A TENDENCY TO GET CAUGHT ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SHE ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AS SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE HER ARM, TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *JB
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 9, 2015
I HAD MY NEW VEHICLE ONLY 4 DAYS WITH 120 MILES OR SO THAT I PERSONALLY PUT ON IT. I WAS OUT ONE DAY AND CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND STOPPED. THE CAR JUST POWERED DOWN TO NOT RUNNING AT ALL. I PUT IT IN PARK, RESTARTED, PUT IT IN DRIVE TO MOVE ON AND IT DID IT AGAIN. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND HAD SOMEONE PUSH ME TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I WOULD BE OUT OF THE WAY. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 5 TIMES WHEN FINALLY IT TOOK HOLD AND I MANAGED TO GET HOME OK. THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO GO OUT AND IT SEEMED TO BE OK AND HAD TO PUT GAS IN IT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERS ON FRIDAY AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT SO THEY KEPT IT TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. GOT A CALL BACK TODAY ON MONDAY 2-9-15 AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. WOW, ON A NEW VEHICLE! SAID THE PART SHOULD BE IN ON THURSDAY DUE TO BEING THE ONLY FUEL PUMP ANYWHERE NEAR OUR AREA AND THE WEATHER BEING IFFY IT WOULD TAKE LONGER. THIS WAS SO UNEXPECTED OF A HIGHLY RATED VEHICLE. I HAD MY PONTIAC VIBE FOR 10 YEARS W/ ONLY A A/C PROBLEM ONCE. WITH 130K MILES ON HER I DECIDED TO UPGRADE TO ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES AND NOW THIS. I AM DISHEARTENING FOR SURE. LET'S HOPE THIS IS THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING MORE. THANKS FOR LISTENING. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2015
WITHIN ONE HOUR OF GETTING THIS NEW VEHICLE, THE EYESIGHT WARNING AND BRAKING SYSTEM TURNED ITSELF ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. THIS CONTINUES AFTER TWO DEALERS HAVE MADE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE SYSTEM. SUBARU HEADQUARTERS FORCED ME TO PAY FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD, BECAUSE THEY SAID I HAD PUT A NICK IN THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM STILL CONTINUES TO TURN ITSELF ON AND OFF APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES PER HOUR OF TRAVEL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE YOU ARE EXPECTING THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM TO WARN YOU OF UNUSUAL LANE CHANGES AND YOUR PROXIMITY TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU. ALSO WHEN YOU ARE USING THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM WITH CRUISE CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN WHENEVER THE SYSTEM TURNS ITSELF OFF. SINCE NO BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLES BEHIND YOU DO NOT GET A SIGNAL THAT YOU HAVE REDUCED YOUR SPEED. THIS IS ALSO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS ALSO IMPOSSIBLE TO REACTIVATE THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM YOURSELF, UNLESS YOU STOP, TURN OF THE ENGINE AND RESTART THE CAR. SUBARU HEADQUARTERS CANNOT MAKE THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM FUNCTION CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE IT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE MARKET. *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 23, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CERVICAL NERVE DAMAGE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 21, 2015
PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE, FOOT ON BRAKE. SUDDEN ACCELERATION, COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE. IT DROVE DOWN A HILL, FINALLY STOPPING WITH BRAKE PEDAL AND EMERGENCY BRAKE FULLY ACTIVATED. TWO FLAT TIRES ON DRIVER SIDE OF CAR FROM RUNNING OVER AN ELEVATED SIDEWALK PAD. DEALER COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE THROTTLE RESPONSE WAS DELAYED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,400. UPDATED 03/10/15*LJ UPDATED 9/18/2017*CN
Air bags, Dec 30, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE SPECIFICS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 625. UPDATED 07/06/15.*JB
Power train, Air bags, Dec 19, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO TREES AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 8, 2014, crash
I WAS TURNING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT MY CONDO, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER THE CAR STOP AND THE SIDEWALK AND FINALLY STOPPED WHEN I HIT A WALL AND PALM TREE. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT WOULD NOT STOP. I KEPT THINKING "WHY ISN'T IT STOPPING". I KNOW I WAS GOING SLOW BECAUSE I HAVE TO MAKE A TURN TO GO INTO MY SPACE, AND AS MY NEIGHBORS SAID, I NEVER DRIVE FAST COMING INTO THE PARKING LOT. *TR
Structure, Nov 13, 2014, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT RUNNING IN PARK ON A SLIGHT UPHILL GRADE IN A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY WHILE THE DRIVER RAN INTO THE HOUSE TO DROP SOMETHING OFF. SHE CAME RIGHT OUT OF THE HOUSE TO FIND THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE ITSELF FORWARD UP THE GRADE INTO A GARAGE DOOR. IT WAS STILL RUNNING IN PARK WEDGED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. ONLY MINOR DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND GARAGE DOOR. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Oct 3, 2014
THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES WITH THE PASSENGER SITTING ON A THIN PILLOW. WHEN ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT IS VERY DIFFICULT IF EVEN POSSIBLE TO SEE IN THE SUNSHINE, SO IT IS UNKNOWN HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO AUDIBLE INDICATION THAT WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL WAS LATER READ WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AS THE VEHICLE IS BUILT, THAT A PASSENGER NEEDING A PILLOW MUST USE THE BACK SEAT. WITHOUT THAT KNOWLEDGE BEFOREHAND AND A NON-NOTICEABLE LIGHT, A LIFE WAS ENDANGERED. THE SECONDARY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE MANUAL STATES TO WRITE TO "CONTACT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING MODIFICATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES THAT MAY AFFECT THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM." I PROPOSE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE MANUAL AS A LEGAL SIDESTEP AND THAT HANDICAPPED PERSONS RIGHTS ARE ABUSED WITH THIS DESIGN. I RECOMMEND WRITING TO THAT ADDRESS TO SEE IF THERE IS A RESPONSE. (100 MILEAGE IS ESTIMATE). *TR
Service brakes, Sep 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Electrical system, May 30, 2014
I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND CANNOT BELIEVE THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS. THEY PRAISE THIS CAR FOR RELIABILITY, SO THAT IS WHY I PURCHASED THIS CAR. HOWEVER THE SPEEDOMETER AND ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS ARE SO SMALL YOU CAN'T READ THEM. ALSO, WITH THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD TURN PINK ON BLACK. WITHOUT THE RUNNING LIGHTS THE NUMBERS ARE A PALE GRAY ON BLACK. WITH THE DIAL TO BRIGHTEN...THAT IS A JOKE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS OVERSIGHT. I WISH I HAD REALIZED THIS BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS CAR. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN, BUT I HAVE PRETTY GOOD EYESIGHT. *TR