2015 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (64) · Engine (64) · Power Train (61)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Forester model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
411 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification 2019-10-03 · campaign 19V701000 · 366,282 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2019-02-28 · campaign 19V149000 · 1,303,530 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger 2016-03-21 · campaign 16V162000 · 18,187 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (502)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Power Train 2026-08-20 · 16-156-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin announces a design change made to the cvt control valve body. the updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 502 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-26 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 184,064 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2015 subaru forester. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 74,700, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 184,064.…”
2026-10-06 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i started to have problems with my forester, and reading upon what could be the issue, i ran across recall 16v162000, on which describes exactly what my car simptoms are. i went into different sites, and my car does not show to be part of the recall. can you help me with the reason on why my car is not part by the recall, when in fact is the same…”
2026-09-27 · Air Bags“the passenger seat belt went off when my beagle was jumping around on the front seat and i had made an appointment to bring it into the shop the dealer and the light was off but i had the appointment so i brought it in anyway and now the lights on all the time now and it's coming up on the screen too they just made the whole problem even worse and …”
2026-07-13 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“i was parking at the dentist office in their parking lot going slow, turned into a parking space and thought i was slowly braking but my car lunged forward and hit a tree. i would normally be minimally braking, so i'm not sure what happened but it was sudden. i could have hit the gas pedal but i would have pressed it a lot i think for the sudden …”
2026-07-07 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:abs Warning Light · 108,000 mi“the contact's spouse owns a 2015 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving from a complete stop or at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended. the hill assist and automatic transmission oil temperature warning lights flashed, and the abs, traction control, and vdc warning lights …”
2026-07-01 · Air Bags · 127,684 mi“the contact owns a 2015 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated, and the air bag module warning light was illuminated. the air bag occupant classification system was not operating as intended. the vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic to be di…”
2026-06-27 · Air Bags“codes for b1760 and b1650 present, intermittent srs light for the passenger airbag. passengers put at risk in event of crash. srs sensor issues seem to be common for this vehicle according to online databases and dealership technicians.…”
2026-06-23 · Wheels“2 rear wheel bearings failed on low milage vehicle.although car is 10 years old it is well maintained and has 57k miles on od.never driven off road or in water. perhaps worse three studs and lugs had to be replaced due to snapping off. apparently this is common as the same story was told to others waiting at dealership…”
2026-05-26 · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate“subaru part # 63269sg002 "hatch lift support / stay tailgate (rear gate, right)". pin that attaches hydraulic lift to rear tailgate snapped in half when closing trunk - available for inspection. lift extended fully, preventing closure of rear tailgate. failure left tailgate solely held up with (1) remaining lift which could not fully support weig…”
2026-05-01 · Unknown Or Other“i was pulling into a parking spot almost stopped when the vehicle suddenly surged forward. i slammed on the brake and put the car in reverse since it had driven upon the walkway. this happened earlier today and i plan to have it checked out as soon as possible . never have had this problem before, no warning lights or messages.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.