Verdict
2015 Subaru Forester: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2015 Subaru Forester — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most SUV.
Owners filed 612 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 87% of 2015 SUVs. Air Bags leads the reports (15%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2015 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
612
Reports to NHTSA, 2015
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
25
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 87% of 2015 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2015 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (15% of 612 reports), followed by power train (15%).
+ 18 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 612 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11625052, ODI 11551551, ODI 11515233, ODI 11467842, ODI 11377910.
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Air BagsMar 2019 · 19V701000Details +Close −
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.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling · 16V162000Details +Close −
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.
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.
Exterior Lighting · 19V149000Details +Close −
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.
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2015 Subaru Forester SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 24 | 31 | 27 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 22 | 28 | 25 |
| Forester AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | 23 | 27 | 25 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2015 Subaru Forester: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2015 Subaru Forester?
Owners filed 612 NHTSA complaints about the 2015 Subaru Forester — more complaints than 87% of comparable 2015 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (15% of complaints) and power train (15%).
How many recalls does the 2015 Subaru Forester have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2015 Subaru Forester, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Subaru Forester get?
The EPA rates the 2015 Subaru Forester between 25 and 27 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.