2015 Subaru Forester
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 615
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Engine
Campaigns on file for 2015
None on file
21% of complaints
Complaints per year
2015: 615 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 101 |
| 1999 | 131 |
| 2000 | 75 |
| 2001 | 139 |
| 2002 | 88 |
| 2003 | 189 |
| 2004 | 219 |
| 2005 | 93 |
| 2006 | 88 |
| 2007 | 74 |
| 2008 | 50 |
| 2009 | 178 |
| 2010 | 262 |
| 2011 | 147 |
| 2012 | 105 |
| 2013 | 77 |
| 2014 | 403 |
| 2015 | 615 |
| 2016 | 413 |
| 2017 | 587 |
| 2018 | 497 |
| 2019 | 832 |
| 2020 | 601 |
| 2021 | 209 |
| 2022 | 98 |
| 2023 | 74 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 96 |
| 2026 | 25 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine
21% · 131 reportsShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-13
Also filed under Structure
While backing up a winding hill on a hard packed gravel driveway I backed into a seven inch diameter tree on the edge of the road. Did not hit it hard enough to damage the back bumper.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-30
Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc) and service brakes
Air bags
19% · 114 reportsMost commonly citing occupant classification and front passenger.
Show complaint excerpts
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-27
Power train
15% · 95 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-12-19
Electrical system
13% · 82 reportsMost commonly citing horn and 12v/24v/48v battery.
Vehicle speed control
12% · 71 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-03
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-12-08
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2015Complaint volume 615 complaints filed for this model year.
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2016-04-15Engine and engine cooling16V162000 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.
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.
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2019-04-15Exterior lighting19V149000 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.
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.
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2020-02-11Air bags19V701000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2015 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine: 131 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 114 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 95 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 16V162000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 19V149000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 19V701000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2015 Subaru Forester reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Subaru Forester is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Subaru Forester?
- The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2015 Subaru Forester have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.