This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when tire/wheel balance is suspected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Subaru Forester steering problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Subaru Forester have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 41,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Forester | 16 |
| 2015 Forester (this page) | 19 |
| 2016 Forester | 19 |
| 2017 Forester | 24 |
| 2018 Forester | 24 |
| 2019 Forester | 14 |
4crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 19 steering complaints filed for the 2015 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
As part of Subaruâs dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcingan extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) GearBox Assembly for certain 2012-2018 MY vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗As part of Subaruâs dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for the Electronic Power Steering Gear Box Assembly for certain 2012-2018 MY vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗As part of Subaru of Americaâs dedication to customer satisfaction, this letter is to inform you of an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for your vehicleâs Electronic Power Steering Gear Box Assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides helpful tips to simplify the diagnosis of sound concerns originating in the electronic power steering (EPS) gearbox (steering rack) assembly. If a vehicle presents with a ?rattling?, ?knocking? or possibly a ?clanging? type sound coming from the steering rack and / or a vibration felt through the steering wheel, use the flow chart below to help make diagnosis of the concern easier.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power steering failure is the dominant complaint. Owners describe sudden, complete loss of electric power steering assist—sometimes with no warning light, sometimes with one—at highway speeds and even during routine startup. Steering wheels become immovable or extremely stiff. Repair requires power steering control module or entire rack replacement. One owner's module wasn't replaced because the dealer chose not to proceed; another had the issue repeat despite a module swap.
Front suspension bushings wear out prematurely. One owner needed lower control arm bushing replacement at 38,000 miles and again at 44,000; another at 47,800 miles. That second failure caused severe loss of control in wet conditions. Tie rod ends also fail early and sometimes recur after repair.
Horn and clock spring failures appear together. The steering wheel roll connector develops an open circuit, disabling the horn. Owners express concern about airbag system connection; dealers acknowledge the link but won't confirm or deny if it affects airbag function.
Several owners report the electrical system shutting down entirely—all dash lights on, safety systems (ABS, EyeSight, Hill Assist) disabled, vehicle inoperable. One vehicle experienced this twice over three years. Keyless ignition malfunctions in some cases.
Two owners allege uncontrolled acceleration during parking or from stops despite brake application. One crash was declared a total loss. Another owner describes sudden steering unresponsiveness during light rain and cruise control; Subaru blamed tire wear rather than investigating the steering system itself.
Same Subaru Forester steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Loss / EPS Failure
Sudden loss of electric power steering assist while driving or upon startup. Warning light illuminates. Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn. Multiple owners report complete power steering failure at highway speeds, creating severe safety hazard.
When: 38K–74K miles; occurs without warning during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist warning light illuminates; Steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn; Complete loss of power steering; Loss occurs suddenly while driving at various speeds; Loss occurs immediately upon startup
Codes mentioned: Power steering control module fault codes (unspecified by owners)
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering control module replacement; power steering rack replacement; entire steering rack assembly replacement (gearbox failure)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not typically made aware or addressed; dealer unable to replicate issue in some cases
Lower Control Arm Bushing Wear
Lower control arm bushings fail prematurely, causing excessive vibration and noise. Some owners report replacement is necessary again within 6,000 miles. One owner reports this caused a severe loss of vehicle control in slick conditions.
When: 38K–47K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shaking or vibration in steering wheel, especially at highway speeds; Excessive vibration and noise at highway speeds; Severe loss of control in slick conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced both front lower control arm bushings at 38K; bushings failed again by 44K and control arm assemblies were replaced instead; wear verified by dealer technician
Tie Rod End Failure
Tie rod ends wear prematurely, causing front-end vibration. Failure recurs after dealer repair, suggesting underlying design or durability issue.
When: 59K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front of vehicle shakes while driving at 75 mph; No warning indicators
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rod ends replaced by dealer; failure recurred after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified
Steering Wheel Horn/Clock Spring Failure
Horn stops functioning; diagnosed as open circuit in steering wheel roll connector (clock spring). Owners note potential connection to airbag safety system. Clock spring replacement required.
When: 60K–70K miles; one owner notes failure about 6 months after battery replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Horn fails to operate when pressed; Horn only works when steering wheel turned to extreme left or right; Open circuit in steering wheel roll connector
Repairs/costs cited: Steering wheel roll connector (clock spring) replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed potential airbag connection but could not confirm or deny if airbag function would be affected
Uncontrolled Acceleration / Loss of Braking Response
Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly from stop or during parking despite brake pedal application. In two incidents, brakes did not respond. One owner reports sudden acceleration from a stop sign at high speed with stiff steering wheel and complete brake failure, resulting in crash.
When: Varies; incidents during parking and at stop signs
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates from stop sign at high speed without driver input; Brakes pushed down with no response; Steering wheel becomes stiff; Vehicle continues at high speed uncontrollably
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; one vehicle declared total loss
Electrical System Shutdown / Keyless Ignition Failure
All dash lights illuminate simultaneously and multiple safety systems shut down (ABS, EyeSight, Hill Assist, etc.). Vehicle becomes inoperable and difficult to restart. Issue recurred multiple times in one owner's vehicle across nearly 3 years.
When: August 2015 and June 2017 (same vehicle, 2-3 year interval); also reported during highway driving at 55 mph
Symptoms owners cite: All warning lights come on simultaneously; Multiple safety features disabled (ABS, EyeSight, Hill Assist); Loss of acceleration and power; Vehicle will not restart or is very difficult to restart; Brake pedal cannot be depressed far enough to trigger keyless ignition
Codes mentioned: P1531, B2809
Repairs/costs cited: Part 83311FJ000 was replaced after first occurrence; no successful repair documented for recurring issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: First instance: Dealership replaced part 83311FJ000; subsequent instances: unable to replicate or resolve; Subaru towed vehicle but resolution not documented
Vehicle Dynamics Control Malfunction
Vehicle Dynamics Control (stability control) system malfunctions, forcing vehicle to drive straight on a curved, banked road, causing collision with barrier.
When: During highway driving on curved overpass
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle forced to drive straight on a curved banked overpass; Unable to navigate curve; collision with concrete barrier
Steering Unresponsiveness / Hydroplaning Response
Owner alleges traction control or stability system malfunction caused sudden steering unresponsiveness when hydroplaning occurred during light rain and cruise control operation. Vehicle veered left uncontrollably and could not be steered, resulting in 40-foot skid into center median. Subaru attributed cause to wet pavement, high speed, and excessive rear tire wear rather than investigating steering system.
When: 7 months old, 20,000 miles; light rain, 65.6 mph, cruise control on
Symptoms owners cite: Shaking and vibration in steering initially attributed to wind or low tire pressure; Sudden jerk to the left; Unable to turn steering wheel; Complete loss of steering control; 40-foot slide down center median with wheels pointed straight
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle torn apart; main pulley found with 1" ding; fan belt knocked off main pulley and partially off second pulley; excessive rear tire wear noted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru attributed cause to wet pavement, high speed, and excessive rear tire wear; did not investigate steering system failure
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
At 38k excessive vibration and noise at highway speeds was noticed. Dealer replaced both of the front lower control arm bushings. At 42k the front right wheel bearing went bad and was replaced. Probably caused by the bad control arm bushings. At 44k the control arm bushings were bad again. This caused a severe loss of control of the car in slick conditions. This time the dealer replaced both…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 34,000 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 41,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 65,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.