Due to incomplete repair instructions previously provided in the WQK-47 recall bulletin, the WQQ-52 recall will involve applying additional anti-corrosion material to the four-way (2-2 way) joint connector area of the brake line system on Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles previously repaired under the WQK-47 (14V-311) brake line corrosion recall prior to the December 23, 2014 WQK-47 recall bulletin revision. The revisions to the bulletin are for part number changes.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Subaru Forester suspension problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Subaru Forester have filed 64 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 52,120 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
64
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Forester | 91 |
| 2015 Forester (this page) | 64 |
| 2016 Forester | 10 |
| 2017 Forester | 8 |
| 2018 Forester | 11 |
| 2019 Forester | 6 |
When does it fail?
Of the 64 suspension 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
Owners have filed 64 suspension 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.
Among the 13 model years of Subaru Forester in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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 bulletin outlines the judgment criteria to be used when inspecting front transverse link bushings to reduce unnecessary bushing replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the front stabilizer bushings.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the front stabilizer bushings.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant issue is rear coil spring failure across this generation. Owners describe loud pops or bangs—sometimes from parked vehicles—followed by the rear end sagging 4–5 inches on one or both sides. Broken coil pieces litter driveways and garage floors. The fractures expose internal rust despite intact exterior coating, suggesting material degradation or design flaw. Breakage occurs at mileage from 23,000 to 98,000, with clustering around 40,000–65,000. Many failures happen at rest; others occur at low speed or highway speeds, creating sudden loss of rear suspension geometry and handling instability. Parts shortages have been widespread, forcing owners into multi-week waits or long-distance drives on broken suspensions.
Subaru's response has been inconsistent: some owners received goodwill coverage on one spring; others were charged $500–$1,900 for both springs and struts. Replacement springs feature different construction—more coils and plastic coating—hinting at design revision. One owner noted Subaru issued a recall in Japan but not in the U.S.
Secondary issues include premature wheel bearing failures (sometimes recurring), lower control arm wear, CV joint clicking, and front bushing cracking. These pile on repair costs beyond the coil spring problem itself.
Same Subaru Forester suspension reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Rear Coil Spring Fracture/Breakage
Rear coil springs fracturing or breaking completely, often with visible internal rust despite intact exterior coating. Breaks typically occur at the lower coil turns. Springs fail without warning, sometimes while the vehicle is parked, sometimes while driving at low or highway speeds. Owners report finding broken coil pieces on the ground or discovering the break during routine service inspections. Many failures show rust originating from inside the spring outward.
When: Mileage range 23,000–98,000; most common 35,000–65,000 miles. Occurs within 4–6 years of ownership. Breaks happen both at rest and while driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop or bang, sometimes heard from parked vehicle; Rear end of vehicle suddenly lower on one or both sides; Vehicle sagging 4–5 inches on affected side, fender nearly touching tire; Broken coil spring piece visible on ground or under vehicle; Coil spring hanging loose around shock absorber, can be moved by hand; Poor handling, instability when turning, swaying at highway speeds; Abnormal grinding or clunking noise from rear suspension
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of broken coil spring(s) and typically both rear struts. Owners report repair estimates ranging from $500 to $1,900. Parts shortage reported nationwide. Replacement springs have different construction: some have 8 coils instead of original 6, with plastic or tape coating on bottom coils. Tire replacement sometimes needed due to wear from driving on broken spring.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru offered goodwill coverage on one spring per vehicle in some cases; owners paid for second spring out of pocket. Some dealerships replaced both springs at full owner cost (~$500–$1,900). At least one case where Subaru paid half the repair cost. Subaru of America initially claimed no information on the issue despite widespread online complaints. One owner noted Subaru issued a recall in Japan but not in the U.S. One case mentions Subaru sent letter stating coil spring damage 'does not affect the safe operation' despite safety risks. Replacement springs appear to have updated design with protective coating.
Rear Strut Failure (correlated with coil spring failure)
Rear strut assemblies failing in conjunction with or independently of coil spring fractures. When one spring breaks, technicians often discover the mating strut is damaged or recommend replacement of both strut and spring assemblies. One case reports strut breaking in mechanic's hands while removing it after coil spring failure.
When: Typically concurrent with coil spring failure, same mileage range (25,000–83,000 miles, most 40,000–65,000).
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle handling poorly or wobbly after coil spring repair; Strut observed broken during repair of coil spring; Both struts may be damaged even if one coil spring fails first
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of both rear strut assemblies recommended alongside coil springs. One owner reported $1,390 repair cost for both struts and springs, and vehicle remained wobbly afterward.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturers typically recommend replacement of both strut and spring assemblies. Subaru covered some strut replacements under goodwill; others charged owners full cost.
Wheel Bearing Premature Failure (multiple occurrences)
Front and rear wheel bearings failing prematurely, sometimes repeatedly on the same vehicle. Grinding noise from wheel bearing; failure reoccurs after replacement. One vehicle required wheel bearing replacement on driver side, then passenger side, then both rear sides, and then rear bearings again a second time.
When: Around 40,000 miles; one case shows first failure at ~40,000 and repeated failures continuing.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal grinding sound from wheel; Vehicle shuddering while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple replacement events on same vehicle; one owner reported replacing rear wheel bearings twice within a short period at independent shop.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified; repairs were eventually performed, but failures recurred despite replacements.
Lower Control Arm Wear/Failure
Lower control arm components wearing out or failing prematurely, sometimes recurring on the same side. Knocking noise on any street or highway. One case shows driver side lower control arm failure twice within 24 months; another case shows lower control arm failure at 61,000 miles. One case mentions control arm rusted through and breaking apart.
When: Lower control arm failures reported between 48,000–61,000 miles; one case shows recurring failure within 24 months of repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking or clunking noise when driving on streets or highways; Shuddering at 40 mph; Vehicle steering or handling issues
Repairs/costs cited: Lower control arm replacement; one case involved warranty approval process. One case mentions control arm rusted through.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer mechanics initially misdiagnosed or denied problem; later repairs covered under warranty.
Front Suspension Bushing Cracking
Front suspension bushings cracking prematurely. Owner reports creaking noise when braking and coming to a stop. Dealer quoted $800 for repair at dealership. Owner found multiple online complaints about this on 2015 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT models specifically.
When: Around 48,200 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Creaking noise when braking and coming to a stop
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost quoted at $800 at dealership.
CV Axle/Joint Premature Wear
Front CV axles and joints failing prematurely, with recurring issues on the same or opposite side. One vehicle had right front CV joint replaced, then required replacement again about 5 months later; left side CV joint reported failing. Clicking noise typical symptom.
When: Failures beginning around 90,000 miles; recurring issues within 5–6 months.
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise from CV joint
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of CV axles/joints. Owner reported Subaru provided $500 coupon for right front axle replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru provided $500 coupon toward right front axle replacement.
Synthesized from 64 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving.…
Rear strut spring failed without warning. I have retained the failed spring and its counterpart. Looks like a metal fracture. Vehicle was not subject to any acute trauma (e.g. Pothole), has never been in an accident, and has never been used for towing, hauling, or off-roading. Vehicle has 62k miles.
Mechanic noticed a small piece of the left rear suspension spring had rusted through and broken off while the car was up on a lift. Unclear exactly when the spring had broken.
In may of 2018, with 59000 miles on my Subaru, the right rear coil spring broke. It was replaced, free of charge, by Subaru. At the time, I stated that it must be a defect and the left spring should be changed but it was stated that it was inspected and was fine. This week, december 2019 with 79,000 miles, the car was not handling well. When I took it in to service (a different dealership), I was…
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 64 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 59 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 40,000 and 63,236 miles, with the median around 52,120. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 63,236. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.