This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Subaru Forester brakes problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
What stands out
Among the 16 model years of Subaru Forester in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information bulletin announces availability of a new front brake pad shim kit to specifically address customer concerns of a squeaking or squealing sound on the models listed above.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, and WRX vehicles to replace the brake lamp switch. A total of 1,303,530 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates. Under certain circumstances, some customers may have a concern regarding a howling-type sound from the rear of the vehicle later diagnosed as a faulty hub / bearing assembly. Unevenness of the backing plate surfaces may affect the concentricity (roundness) of the hub / bearing after torqued during assembly and over time, cause the howling -type sound to develop. Production changes for the backing plates have been implemented to optimize their mounting surface quality.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Brake light switch failures are the most common issue, occurring at various mileages and triggering cascading warning lights for ABS, hill-start assist, and vehicle dynamics control. Several owners report the switch was replaced but failed again, sometimes within 2 years. One owner paid out of pocket after extended warranty kicked in when Subaru's own recall (WUE-90 and later 19V149000) supposedly didn't cover the Forester, despite other models being included. Dealers acknowledge the problem exists but coverage varies.
Beyond the switch, owners report soft brake fade—pedal sinking to the floor after highway driving when the vehicle is warm—that neither dealer nor Subaru will treat as a safety issue. One owner reports brake line corrosion with visible bubbles at 101,000 miles in a salt-winter climate; the dealer called it an unsafe condition.
Most alarming: several owners describe complete brake failure at low speeds, with the pedal going to the floor and the vehicle not stopping. One incident occurred just 6 days after dealer service; another involved a crash into a bank building. Hill-start assist also misfires on flat terrain, locking brakes during highway merges. Owners note these are safety-critical failures, not minor inconveniences.
Same Subaru Forester brakes reports on nearby years: 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Brake light switch failure
Brake light switch fails, triggering false warning lights (ABS, hill-start assist, vehicle dynamics control) and in some cases unintended braking events or loss of power to wheels while driving.
When: 101,000 miles (replacement needed), 56,915 miles (initial failure), 2 years apart in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple dashboard warning lights flash (ABS, hill-start assist, vehicle dynamics control); Vehicle applies brakes on its own while in motion despite foot off brake pedal; Loss of power to wheels while driving with rising engine RPM; Vehicle unable to accelerate
Codes mentioned: ABS warning, Vehicle Dynamic Control warning, Hill-start Assist System warning, Check Engine light
Repairs/costs cited: $16 part with $160+ labor costs; Subaru recall WUE-90 and 19V149000 exist for brake lamp switch on some models; replaced twice in one owner's case within 2 years
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall WUE-90 and 19V149000 issued for brake lamp switch on some Forester model years; owner reports Forester not included in initial recall scope despite repeated failures
Brake line corrosion and deterioration
Steel brake lines develop bubbles and corrosion in salt-winter environments, creating a condition dealer described as unsafe that could lead to brake failure.
When: 101,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Bubbles visible on brake lines; Corrosion on steel brake lines
Repairs/costs cited: All new brake lines installed behind cabin; dealer stated bubbling could lead to brake failure if the bubbles burst
Soft brake fade and spongy pedal
Brake pedal becomes soft or sinks to the floor, particularly when vehicle is warm after highway driving; brakes feel ineffective at stopping the vehicle. Dealer and Subaru claim this is normal behavior despite owner concern about safety.
When: Escalates as vehicle ages; one case at 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sinks to floor when brakes applied; Brakes fade, especially when vehicle warm after highway use; Reduced stopping effectiveness; Stiff brake pedal requiring multiple applications to stop vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports service bulletins exist for this issue on other Subaru models but not Forester; no repair documented in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru and dealer reportedly dismiss as normal behavior rather than safety issue despite owner claims
Complete brake failure or loss of braking
Brake pedal goes to floor without stopping the vehicle, occurring at low speeds in city driving and on highways; one incident involved unintended acceleration into a building.
When: Low mileage reported in one case (2,000 miles); incidents occurred 6 days after dealer service in one case; ongoing from mid-April 2016 in another
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed but vehicle does not stop or continues rolling; Complete loss of braking at low speed (5-10 MPH); Foot on brake floor with no stopping effect; Vehicle acceleration into obstacle despite foot on brake pedal
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer unable to locate failure at 2,000 miles; no repairs completed in several narratives; one incident required emergency brake to stop vehicle
Hill-start assist system malfunction
Hill-start assist activates inappropriately on flat or near-flat terrain, repeatedly engaging and disengaging brakes and limiting vehicle acceleration to unsafe speeds during highway merge.
When: During highway acceleration/merge on flat ground
Symptoms owners cite: Hill-start assist engages on flat terrain; Brakes repeatedly engage and disengage during acceleration; Vehicle speed limited to 25 MPH or less despite accelerator input; Unable to merge safely onto 60 MPH highway
Codes mentioned: Hill-start Assist System warning
Premature brake and rotor wear
Brakes and rotors wear prematurely, though limited detail provided in complaint.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Premature brake wear; Premature rotor failure
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2015 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 14,000 and 45,000 miles, with the median around 30,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,000; a quarter make it past 45,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.