Subaru Forester problems
608 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced.
- Powertrain: 90 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 19,100–76,000 mi
- Engine: 72 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 21,000–70,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
For the past few weeks I have been having major issues with this vehicle. The vehicle shakes as if it is going to stall. While on the highway or the street the rpms and power will suddenly drop and when I push on the accelerator the RPM revs up to a 5 or 6 but with little power…
On two occasions: traveling at approx 65-70mph the engine suddenly stalls and we have been forced to stop on the shoulder. The steering works, but there is no power going to the engine which eventually stalls. It starts after 2 attempts and then drives normally. First occasion,…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Subaru forester. While driving 20 MPH through a green light, a vehicle crashed into the driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to the head and neck that required…
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, he heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the driver’s side wheel bearing had failed and…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2015 Subaru Forester reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 608 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Subaru Forester is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2015 Subaru Forester?
On the NHTSA data, the 2015 Subaru Forester is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 90 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 19,100–76,000 mi; Engine: 72 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 21,000–70,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 90 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 67,426 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 67,426 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Forester has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2015 Subaru Forester?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 608 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.