2015 Subaru Forester Problems and Recalls (610 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2015 Subaru Forester is Engine (12% of 610 owner reports). There are 3 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 610 complaints · 3 recalls

What problems show up on the 2015 Subaru Forester?

73 of 610 filings named Engine (12% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Airbags (69 reports).

There are 3 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Engine, Lights, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2014 has 401 reports on file; this year has 610. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2015 Subaru Forester

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 3 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
  4. Suspension. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 73 complaints · 12.0% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 53
  • Fires 7
  • Injuries 34
  • Deaths 0
All Subaru Forester years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 73 of 610 owner complaints (12.0%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 73 complaints, 12.0% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 3 crash reports 1 fire reports 73 · 12.0% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 69 complaints, 11.3% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 10 crash reports 69 · 11.3% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 64 complaints, 10.5% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 64 · 10.5% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 63 complaints, 10.3% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 crash reports 63 · 10.3% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 58 complaints, 9.5% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 22 crash reports 58 · 9.5% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 48 complaints, 7.9% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 2 fire reports 48 · 7.9% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 30 complaints, 4.9% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 30 · 4.9% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 26 complaints, 4.3% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 26 · 4.3% Wheels (WHEELS): 19 complaints, 3.1% of reports Wheels (WHEELS) 19 · 3.1% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 140 complaints, 22.9% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 12 crash reports 3 fire reports 140 · 22.9% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Engine (ENGINE) 73 12.0% 3 crashes · 1 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 69 11.3% 10 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 64 10.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 63 10.3% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 58 9.5% 22 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 48 7.9% 1 crashes · 2 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 30 4.9% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 26 4.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Wheels (WHEELS) 19 3.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 140 22.9% 12 crashes · 3 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Apr 2014; the first recall shown was reported in Mar 2016. 2014-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q1: 14 owner reports 14 2015-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2015-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2015-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2016-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2016-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2016-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 2016-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2017-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2017-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2017-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2017-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2018-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2018-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2018-Q3: 20 owner reports 20 2018-Q4: 15 owner reports 15 2019-Q1: 21 owner reports 21 2019-Q2: 40 owner reports 40 2019-Q3: 39 owner reports 39 2019-Q4: 31 owner reports 31 2020-Q1: 34 owner reports 34 2020-Q2: 14 owner reports 14 2020-Q3: 22 owner reports 22 2020-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2021-Q1: 17 owner reports 17 2021-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2021-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2021-Q4: 16 owner reports 16 2022-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2022-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2022-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 2022-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2023-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2023-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 2023-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2023-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2024-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2024-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2024-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2025-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2025-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2025-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2025-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2026-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2026-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2026-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 Owner reports Apr 2014 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 16V162000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V162000 Recall campaign 19V149000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V149000 Recall campaign 19V701000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V701000
  • Campaign 16V162000 was reported 416 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 19V149000 was reported 1,288 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 19V701000 was reported 1,749 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2014-Q2 Owner reports 1
2014-Q3 Owner reports 1
2014-Q4 Owner reports 5
2015-Q1 Owner reports 14
2015-Q2 Owner reports 12
2015-Q3 Owner reports 14
2015-Q4 Owner reports 7
2016-Q1 Owner reports 12
2016-Q2 Owner reports 8
2016-Q3 Owner reports 13
2016-Q4 Owner reports 12
2017-Q1 Owner reports 6
2017-Q2 Owner reports 10
2017-Q3 Owner reports 16
2017-Q4 Owner reports 10
2018-Q1 Owner reports 6
2018-Q2 Owner reports 12
2018-Q3 Owner reports 20
2018-Q4 Owner reports 15
2019-Q1 Owner reports 21
2019-Q2 Owner reports 40
2019-Q3 Owner reports 39
2019-Q4 Owner reports 31
2020-Q1 Owner reports 34
2020-Q2 Owner reports 14
2020-Q3 Owner reports 22
2020-Q4 Owner reports 10
2021-Q1 Owner reports 17
2021-Q2 Owner reports 13
2021-Q3 Owner reports 11
2021-Q4 Owner reports 16
2022-Q1 Owner reports 13
2022-Q2 Owner reports 6
2022-Q3 Owner reports 15
2022-Q4 Owner reports 14
2023-Q1 Owner reports 12
2023-Q2 Owner reports 11
2023-Q3 Owner reports 10
2023-Q4 Owner reports 12
2024-Q1 Owner reports 3
2024-Q2 Owner reports 5
2024-Q3 Owner reports 7
2024-Q4 Owner reports 7
2025-Q1 Owner reports 6
2025-Q2 Owner reports 3
2025-Q3 Owner reports 7
2025-Q4 Owner reports 4
2026-Q1 Owner reports 4
2026-Q2 Owner reports 6
2026-Q3 Owner reports 3
Recall campaign 1 16V162000
Recall campaign 1 19V149000
Recall campaign 1 19V701000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (3)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Engine, Lights, and Airbags.

  1. Recall campaign 16V162000

    Engine

    Report date
    Component:
    Engine (ENGINE)
    Consequence:
    An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 19V149000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 19V701000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 8 of 610 complaints · page 1 of 25
2026-07-13Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11750125
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 lunge to happen.
2026-07-07SERVICE BRAKESUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11748724
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off to cool down on each occurrence. After approximately 45 minutes, the vehicle was restarted and was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
2026-07-01Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11747820
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 diagnosed, and an occupant detection system malfunction code was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 (Air Bags); as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,684.
2026-06-27Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11746865
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2026-06-23Wheels (WHEELS)
NHTSA ODI 11745979
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2026-05-26STRUCTUREUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11740025
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 weight, letting door sag/droop and causing injury to scalp of (1) person. A 4 year old child was not injured, but was present - safety was at risk based on proximity to the door at the time of failure. Dealer advised no active recalls open on vehicle 5/26/26. Manufacturer does appear to have issued service bulletin 12-289-20 in 2020 providing warranty extension for this component. Component was not inspected. No warnings or symptoms were observed - corrosion noted on attachment point of life gate after removal.
2026-05-01Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11735015
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2026-04-21Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11732834
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Front passenger airbag sensor light stays on continuously

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2015 Subaru Forester?

Owners named Engine most often — 73 of 610 reports (12%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2015 Subaru Forester?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Engine, Lights, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2015 Subaru Forester?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources