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Subaru · NHTSA safety record

2015 Subaru Forester

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

613

Complaints

53

Crashes

7

Fires

34

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2015 Subaru Forester have filed 613 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2014 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 131 of them (21%). The typical failure was reported at 43,919 miles, the median across the 410 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints fell 28% year on year: 18 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 25 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

19V701000 · October 3, 2019

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 366,282 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

19V149000 · February 28, 2019

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 1,303,530 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

16V162000 · March 21, 2016

The 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.
The risk
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 18,187 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 613.

ENGINE 131 21%
AIR BAGS 101 16%
POWER TRAIN 95 15%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 82 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 73 12%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 70 11%
SUSPENSION 66 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 55 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 34 6%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 23 4%
SEATS 22 4%
STRUCTURE 20 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 131.

2014 2019 2026
2014 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

4 injured · crash · 130,000 miles

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 65MPH, WHEN WITH NO WARNING MY CAR'S ENGINE STOP. I TOUGH IT WAS OUT OF GAS, BUT THE COMPUTER WAS TELLING ME I HAD 30 MORE MILES OF FUEL. AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PARK BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION ON THE FREEWAY. THIS UNFORTUNATE EVENT CAUSE 3 OTHER CARS TO BE INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. SOME HOW MY CAR WAS OK, I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO MY HOUSE PRAYING THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. MY HUSBAND DROVE IT FOR A LITTLE TO SEE IF IT WILL BE OK TO DRIVE. SAME THING HAPPEN TO HEM, BUT THIS WAS IN A MUCH CONTROLLED WAY.

NHTSA complaint 11413873. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 injured · crash · towed · 37,500 miles

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. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IN AN INSTANT THE MOTOR WENT WIDE OPEN. I HIT THE BRAKES, BUT NO NOTICABLE EFFECT. I NARROWLY MISSED THE CORNER OF THE GARAGE. THE CAR DUG FOUR DEPRESSIONS IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT TOOK OFF. AND THREW GRAVEL ALL THE WAY DOWN THE HILL AND ON THE FLAT UNTIL IT HIT A LARGE TREE, THE MOTOR STILL RACING. THE RUNAWAY HAPPENED IN SECONDS. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. MY WIFE SUFFERED A BADLY BROKEN RIGHT WRIST. I WAS NEARLY KNOCKED OUT. I HAVE BEEN A SAFE DRIVER FOR 60 YEARS. DROVE PROFESSIONALLY

NHTSA complaint 11051387, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 52,000 miles

OUR 2015 SUBARU FORESTER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. WE WERE TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION. THE SUV WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND FRONT FENDER BY ANOTHER SUV. NO SIDE OR CURTAIN AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint 11276933. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed · 35,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A TRUCK RAN A RED LIGHT AND THE CONTACT T-BONED THE TRUCK AT 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUCK FLIPPED AS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COLLIDED WITH THE TRUCK. THE CONTACT AND HER PASSENGER WERE INJURED AND HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT'S WRIST AND ARM WERE SORE AND SHE REQUIRED PHYSICAL THERAPY. THE PASSENGER WAS IN A BACK BRACE WITH TWO COMPRESSION FRACTURES IN THE BACK, A FEW BROKEN RIBS, SHE HAD A CONCUSSION, AND A SWOLLEN FOOT AND ANKLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH THE FRONTAL COLLISION. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS

NHTSA complaint 11317314, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

crash · towed

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.

NHTSA complaint 11750125. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

108,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11748724. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

127,684 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11747820, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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.

NHTSA complaint 11746865. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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

NHTSA complaint 11745979. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

1 injured

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

NHTSA complaint 11740025, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Subaru Forester

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 15 3 —
2025 88 3 1
2024 29 2 —
2023 73 1 —
2022 95 1 —
2021 207 0 —
2020 595 0 —
2019 831 3 1
2018 491 3 —
2017 581 1 —
2016 409 3 —
2014 403 2 —
2013 77 12 —
2012 105 15 —
2011 147 16 —
2010 262 17 —

Other 2015 Subaru models

Outback 508 Legacy 159 Impreza 77 XV Crosstrek 77 WRX 52 Crosstrek 17

Every Subaru on this site — 97 vehicles, 147 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst