While driving on highway at 70mph, the vehicle suddenly lost power. The engine revved but no response, like it was in neutral. The engine did not completely shut off, and I was able to get over to the shoulder. While coasting on the shoulder, the car sputtered as if it was out of gas, but I had 1/4 tank. It then began to run normally. I pulled off to a gas station, filled it up, and…
2015 Subaru Forester powertrain problems
severe 90 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
90
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
6crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 90 powertrain 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 18 model years of Subaru Forester we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 90.
Owners have filed 90 powertrain 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Subaru Forester CVT transmission is the dominant complaint pattern here, with 90 reports documenting a constellation of failures spanning loss of power, unintended acceleration, jerking, and stalling. Most critical: multiple owners report the transmission dropping into neutral at highway speeds (50–80 mph), engine RPMs climbing to 4,000–7,500 while the car slows uncontrollably. Several incidents involved heavy traffic with real near-miss potential.
Jerking and bucking during light acceleration (10–30 mph) is nearly universal—owners describe inconsistent throttle response, as if the CVT clutch is slipping or engaging erratically. Dealers consistently say they cannot replicate the problem, even when owners trigger it on test drives. Whining noises and bearing/pulley damage appear around 85,000 miles in several cases, well within Subaru's extended warranty window, but some owners hit the 10-year expiration and lose coverage.
Unintended acceleration without driver input—transmission slamming into gear, revving to 4k rpm, requiring hard braking to stop—is documented multiple times. Stalling at traffic lights, transmission overheating with metal particles found in fluid, and shift-lock failures tied to brake lamp switch faults round out the pattern.
A 2017 warranty extension for CVT models exists, but owners uniformly report dealers demanding documented stall events before approving repairs, ignoring service bulletins that don't mandate this. Many failures occur months or years after purchase when the extended warranty has expired or when owners discover the extension only after problems surface.
Same Subaru Forester powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Failure – Loss of Power/Neutral Condition
During highway driving, the CVT transmission appears to drop into neutral—engine revs climb but power delivery ceases. Car slows dramatically without brake input. Occurs with no warning lights in many cases. Drivers report being stranded on highway shoulders after restart capability is regained. Multiple complaints describe RPM spiking to 4000–7500 range while vehicle loses acceleration.
When: Typically highway speeds (50–80 mph), some instances after 2+ hour drives; mileages vary from 40k to 134k; reported on both recently purchased and older vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs without corresponding acceleration; Sudden loss of forward propulsion; Vehicle slows rapidly despite being in Drive; No or delayed warning lights; Intermittent recurrence
Codes mentioned: P0133 (O2 sensor circuit), Check Engine Light (inconsistently present)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement quoted at $9,100 in one case; one complaint mentions transmission fluid found to contain metal particles; some owners reported transmission valve body and speed sensor failures; TSB 16-107-17 and 16-90-13R referenced by one technician
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru issued transmission warranty extension (November 2017) for 2010–2015 Legacy/Outback, 2012–2015 Impreza, 2013–2015 Crosstrek, 2014–2015 Forester, 2015 WRX CVT models; dealers report owners must experience stall event for warranty claims; many complaints indicate extended warranty period expired before failures manifested
CVT Transmission – Jerking, Bucking, and Loss of Acceleration Control
Vehicle jerks, bucks, or stutters under light to medium acceleration, particularly between 10–30 mph. Drivers report inconsistent response to throttle input: sometimes an initial lurch followed by hesitation, then another lurch. Especially dangerous during turns or lane changes when reliable acceleration is critical. Issue intermittent, occurring several times per trip but impossible for dealers to replicate.
When: Early in ownership (10k–25k miles) through higher mileages; some owners report issue from purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking or bucking during acceleration; Delayed throttle response; Unpredictable acceleration magnitude; Sensation similar to manual transmission with slipping clutch; Affects low-speed maneuvers and highway merging
Codes mentioned: None consistently recorded
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to replicate; throttle pedal assembly replaced multiple times in one case without resolving issue; transmission module updated in another without success; some owners suspect CVT clutch wear or bushing failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 16-90-13R addresses lock-up torque converter design and low-rpm sensation at stops; warranty extension covers this symptom; dealers inconsistently apply TSB guidance
CVT Transmission – Noise and Bearing/Pulley Failure
Vehicle develops pronounced whining, grinding, or high-pitched noise increasing with speed, consistent with internal bearing or pulley failure. In one case, noise progressed over months (April–December 2022) before transmission failure. Noise often accompanied by vibration.
When: Around 85,000 miles in one case; heard April 2022 in another; well within extended warranty mileage limits (100k miles)
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched whining noise; Grinding or pulsing sounds; Noise increases with vehicle speed; Intermittent or progressive worsening; Vibration during turning in one case
Codes mentioned: None reported
Repairs/costs cited: Authorized dealer and District Parts & Service Manager confirmed transmission failure; transmission replacement required; one owner quoted $9000+ for repair on salvage-title vehicle, repair denied due to title status
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty covers up to 100,000 miles; Subaru refused replacement citing 10-year extension expiration, despite failure occurring within mileage window
Unintended Acceleration – Sudden High-Speed Engagement
Without driver input, transmission slams into gear or vehicle accelerates uncontrollably. Engine revs to 4,000–6,000 rpm, vehicle launches forward. Drivers must slam brakes and shift to Neutral to regain control. Occurs intermittently at both low and high speeds.
When: At various mileages; one case at 18k miles, another at 53k miles, another at 134k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration without accelerator input; High engine RPM without driver command; Transmission engagement with force; Loss of driver control requiring hard braking; Intermittent recurrence
Codes mentioned: None consistently thrown or recorded
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to replicate; transmission reprogrammed in one case without resolution; throttle pedal assembly replaced multiple times; no definitive repair achieved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case filed with manufacturer in at least one instance; no recall issued
Transmission Shaking, Jerking, and Stalling at Stop
At traffic lights or stop signs, vehicle shudders, jerks, or nearly stalls, sometimes completely stalling. Low rpm sensation at complete stops, jerking when braking. One owner noted sensation like driving manual transmission without depressing clutch.
When: Occurs during everyday driving (city stops, traffic lights); reported at various mileages from early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering at complete stop; Jerking when braking; Low RPM sensation; Stalling at red lights; Feeling of engine-transmission disconnect
Codes mentioned: None in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru issued information in July 2017 citing solid bushing issue in torque converter causing converter clutch to remain locked; TSB 16-107-17 and 16-90-13R reference lock-up torque converter design change
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 16-90-13R outlines design change to lock-up torque converter; warranty extension issued for multiple related CVT issues; dealers report requiring stall event for warranty approval despite TSB not mandating it
Transmission Overheating and Metal Debris
Transmission fluid found containing metal particles, indicating internal wear or bearing failure. Vehicle experiences rapid heat buildup during normal operation or after aggressive driving. Transmission replacement becomes necessary.
When: One case at approximately 75,000 miles; another after highway driving with cruise control
Symptoms owners cite: Chemical or burning smell from engine bay; Metal particles in transmission fluid; Rapid slowdown or loss of power; All dash lights illumination
Codes mentioned: Multiple warning lights (Check Engine, ABS, Traction Control, Oil Temp, Hill Assist)
Repairs/costs cited: Complete transmission replacement required; one case involved $600 tow fee; metal found during fluid inspection indicated internal component failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One vehicle covered under extended warranty; replacement authorized
Brake Lamp Switch Failure – Shift Lock and Electrical Cascades
Brake lamp switch fails, causing vehicle to become trapped in Park intermittently or preventing shifting. Manual shift-lock override may fail. Related recall WUE-90 (Campaign 19V-149) issued but owners report remedy recurrence. Brake switch failure also cascades to multiple warning lights (ABS, Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Stability Control).
When: Reported failures occur after recall repair in some cases; one case shows recurrence after 2019 recall remedy
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle trapped in Park; Inability to shift out of Park; Manual shift-lock override failure; Multiple warning lights (ABS, Hill Assist, VSC); Intermittent locking
Codes mentioned: ABS light, Hill Start Assist light, Vehicle Stability Control light
Repairs/costs cited: Brake lamp switch replacement resolves issue; one owner reports technician initially suggested shifter assembly replacement until only brake switch was replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall WUE-90 / Campaign 19V-149 issued; Subaru declined to acknowledge recurrence as safety remedy failure despite confirmed diagnosis
Multiple Electrical and Powertrain Faults – Intermittent and Cascading
Vehicle exhibits constellation of electrical faults including Check Engine light, ABS light, Traction Control light, Hill Start Assist light, oil temperature warning, and others. Faults appear intermittently, with some related to transmission issues and others to electrical system. Dealers unable to replicate or diagnose without stored diagnostic trouble codes.
When: Throughout ownership; one case with chronology from 6,600 miles onward showing increasing faults; another case at 110,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights illumination; Check Engine light (intermittent); ABS light; Traction Control light; Hill Start Assist warning; Oil Temperature warning; Power windows failure; Audio speaker issues; Vehicle Stability Control warning
Codes mentioned: Multiple stored and pending codes vary by case
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru of America holds open tickets for unresolved electrical issues; dealers state failures can only be diagnosed when DTC is present; root cause often undetermined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty covers CVT; electrical issues remain unresolved in some cases despite multiple dealer visits
Synthesized from 90 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 90 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 56 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 19,100 and 76,000 miles, with the median around 58,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 19,100; a quarter make it past 76,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.