The 2015 Subaru Forester has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,687,999 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 891 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS19V7010002019-10-03366,282 affected
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.
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.
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…
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING16V1620002016-03-2118,187 affected
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.
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
130
9crashes3fires7injuries
AIR BAGS
100
17crashes12injuries
POWER TRAIN
93
6crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
78
1crashes3fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
72
5crashes2fires2injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
66
23crashes8injuries
SUSPENSION
62
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
55
3crashes1fires5injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
34
4crashes2injuries
VISIBILITY/WIPER
23
Total complaints891
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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)…”
“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,…”
“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,…”
“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,…”
“This has now happened twice to my daughter, both times on the highway. One time the car shut down completely and the 2nd time the car just started slowing while pressing the gas and coasted to a stop. Luckily she was able to avoid other cars and get to the shoulder. The car restarted both…”
“Vehicle: 2015 subaru forester mileage at failure: 85,000 miles component: powertrain – cvt transmission my 2015 subaru forester is experiencing a premature safety‑related cvt transmission failure at approximately 85,000 miles. The vehicle developed a pronounced whining noise that increases…”
“On 3 different occasions the car randomly accelerated at a high speed without stepping on the gas pedal. The first time was in a parking lot. The second time was on a busy road while traveling at 35 mph. The car accelerated to about 60 mph, fortunately once applying the brakes the vehicle slowed…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2015 Subaru Forester as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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