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 897 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 20, 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
131
10crashes3fires7injuries
AIR BAGS
101
17crashes12injuries
POWER TRAIN
94
6crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
78
1crashes3fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
73
6crashes2fires2injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
66
23crashes8injuries
SUSPENSION
62
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
55
3crashes1fires5injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
34
4crashes2injuries
VISIBILITY/WIPER
23
Total complaints897
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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 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…”
“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,…”
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 20, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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