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 and the engine shakes for the vehicle to even start moving forward. There appears to be slippage as well. This is a…
2015 Subaru Forester engine problems
severe 72 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
72
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 72 engine complaints filed for the 2015 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 19 model years of Subaru Forester we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 72.
Owners have filed 72 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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, it was raining and the 'eyesight cameras; were on. At first we thought this was the issue. The second occasion, it was…
Vehicle consumes oil at irregular pace. 1 quart needs to be added every 1,500-2,000 miles. This means using 3 additional quarts of oil in between oil changes. I am concerned about the environmental impact and for catastrophic engine failure.
My 2015 forester consumes a 1/2 quart of oil every 4000 miles. My oil light comes on.
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 72 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 52 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 21,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 50,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.