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2015 Subaru Forester Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 615 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Subaru Forester, most often about the engine (22% of complaints, typically around 44,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Forester model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2015 Subaru Forester problems
Engine
135 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The car lost all power in the middle of interstate 95 heading south approx 17 miles north of the ga fl state line. The fuel indicator showed 30 miles until I had to refuel. This was on 12/3/2017. I was at speed(75 MPH) and managed to go through traffic and go to shoulder. There was no power and the engine had quit. I…
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…
Air bags
102 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
The passenger airbag seat sensor intermittently fails to detect the passenger causing the passenger airbag not to arm. This is also accompanied by the SRS dash light to turn on as well.
Driver was rear ended on the highway when at a dead stop by a vehicle going around 60-70 MPH. The bottom of the driver's seat jerked forward and impacted driver leg causing contusions and the back support and head rest portion flew backwards, causing driver glasses and hat to come off and land toward the back hatch of…
Transmission
95 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission.
Takara recall wue-90 safety issue with grand forks nd Subaru has unreasonable two week wait time to replace brake lamp switch failure and rendering consumer at unreasonable safety risk or unusable car. Car locks in park or ABS lights and hill start electrical malfunctions during driving unpredictably. Car was serviced…
Sudden onset of rubbing noise from left front wheel, worse when turning to right, varied directly with speed. Inspection by Subaru confirmed bad wheel bearing.
Electrical
82 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Twice in the last four months vehicle has run out of gas while traveling on a level highway despite gas gauge indicating that there was 70 miles still to travel and the gas gauge reading one bar. Low fuel warning indicator did not display.
At 40,000 miles the eye sight cameras have failed, according to the dealer. That system no longer works nor do I have cruise control. The cost to repair is $2,306.58.
Other or unspecified
73 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles.
My 2015 Forester stalled while driving in the middle lane on the nj parkway (going about 65-70mph.) there were no warning lights or any indications that this would happen. I had about 3/4 of a tank of gas left. When the car stalled, it felt like it downshifted and then completely stopped - almost as if we ran out of…
Eyesight driving assist cameras failed, intermittently at first then complete failure. This failure also takes out the rear backup camera and cruise control and brake assist functions.
Speed control
70 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power while driving various speeds. The check engine warning indicator illuminated when the failure occurred. The dealer diagnosed that the throttle body and brake sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
While pulling into a parking space at low speed (<5mph) the engine surged suddenly and the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Required immense pressure on brake to eventually override engine after impact with other vehicle.
Suspension
66 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
Left rear coil spring just broke while in my driveway, no off road driving. Car now tilts and I fear it is going to ruin the tire. I am unable to find any parts store that carries the part - it appears that a large number of owners are having the same problem with the coil springs.
On july 30 2019 I came back from a 6 week vacation. My Subaru sat in my driveway while on vacation, I got in the car to move it , I noticed it wasn't sitting right. I asked my boyfriend to check my tires thinking one was low or flat. All tires were good so I pulled my car out off the driveway, as I walked back into my…
Fuel system
57 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles.
I bought the car and less than a month later the engine light came on. I took it into the dealership that I bought it from and they told me to take it to the Subaru dealership if the engine light came back on. It never came back on. Four days later I was driving and the gas pedal quit working. I looked down to see if…
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. While driving approximately 70-75 MPH, the fuel gauge indicator displayed approximately 50 miles to empty and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to harvey Subaru (located at 3351 benton rd, bossier city, la…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2015 Subaru Forester recalls
Air bags: occupant classification
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: switch
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2015 Subaru Forester
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Subaru Forester?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (135 complaints, typically around 44,000 miles); air bags (102 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); transmission (95 complaints, typically around 51,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2015 Subaru Forester have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 3, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2015 a bad year for the Subaru Forester?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Forester model year since 2000, with 615 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.