The 2015 Subaru Forester has 3 safety recalls and 616 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (131 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints616filed by owners
Crashes · fires53 · 7reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths34 · 0reported in complaints
2015 Subaru Forester in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification
NHTSA recall 19V701000 · Oct 3, 2019 · 366,282 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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
NHTSA recall 19V149000 · Feb 28, 2019 · 1,303,530 vehicles
Problem: 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
NHTSA recall 16V162000 · Mar 21, 2016 · 18,187 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2015 Subaru Forester SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
16.9%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Forester AWD
27mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
Forester AWD
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Forester AWD
25mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine
131
10
3
7
46,340 mi
Air bags Sensor › Occupant classification; Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
114
17
0
12
70,000 mi
Power train Manual transmission
95
6
0
1
51,099 mi
Electrical system Horn; Instrument cluster/panel
83
1
3
0
40,000 mi
Unknown or other
73
6
2
2
38,000 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
71
27
0
11
35,000 mi
Suspension Rear; Front › Wheel bearing
66
0
0
0
52,102 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
56
3
1
5
50,000 mi
Service brakes
34
4
0
2
37,000 mi
Visibility/wiper
23
0
0
0
26,000 mi
Seats
22
1
1
2
62,450 mi
Structure Body; Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut
21
8
2
5
30,929 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 12, 2026 · 184,064 milesElectrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer 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.
Sep 21, 2026Fuel/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 car, same engine, and having the same problem. Thank you so much for your time.
Sep 24, 2026Air 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 it did have the initial fix for the harness already but that did not work
Jul 13, 2026 · crashStructure › Body 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.
Jun 30, 2026 · 108,000 milesPower train 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.
Jun 1, 2024 · 127,684 milesAir bags The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passengerâs 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…
Apr 1, 2025Air 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.
Jun 10, 2026Wheels 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
