Does the 2015 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Subaru Forester, the most recent reported on October 3, 2019 (Air bags: sensor, occupant classification). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Subaru Forester?

Owners have filed 615 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (131 complaints), followed by air bags (102).

How many 2015 Subaru Forester complaints mention a crash or fire?

53 of 615 complaints report a crash and 7 a fire; 34 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2015 Subaru Forester recalls and problems

3 recalls and 615 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2015 Subaru Forester.

recalls

615

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2015 Subaru Forester recalls

Air bags: sensor, occupant classification

NHTSA campaign 19V701000 · reported October 3, 2019 · Subaru of America, Inc. · 366,282 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
The risk: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 19V149000 · reported February 28, 2019 · Subaru of America, Inc. · 1,303,530 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
The risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

Engine and engine cooling: engine, gasoline, turbo/supercharger

NHTSA campaign 16V162000 · reported March 21, 2016 · Subaru of America, Inc. · 18,187 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine131
Air bags102
Power train95
Electrical system82
Unknown or other73
Vehicle speed control70
Suspension66
Fuel/propulsion system56
Service brakes34
Visibility/wiper23

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 6, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system
I started to have problems with my Forester, and reading upon what could be the issue, I ran across recall 16V162000, on which describes exactly what my car simptoms are. I went into different sites, and my car does not show to be part of the recall. Can you help me with the reason on why my car is not part by the…

Sep 27, 2026 · Air bags
The passenger seat belt went off when my beagle was jumping around on the front seat and I had made an appointment to bring it into the shop the dealer and the light was off but I had the appointment so I brought it in anyway and now the lights on all the time now and it's coming up on the screen too they just made…

Jul 13, 2026 · Structure · crash reported
I was parking at the dentist office in their parking lot going slow, turned into a parking space and thought i was slowly braking but my car lunged forward and hit a tree. I would normally be minimally braking, so I'm not sure what happened but it was sudden. I could have hit the gas pedal but i would have pressed it…

Jul 7, 2026 · Power train · 108,000 miles
The contact's spouse owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop or at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended. The Hill Assist and Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature warning lights flashed, and the ABS, Traction…

Jul 1, 2026 · Air bags · 127,684 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated, and the air bag module warning light was illuminated. The air bag occupant classification system was not operating as intended. The vehicle was taken to a…

Forester model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2012	15	106	15	5
2013	12	78	13	3
2014	2	403	48	3
2015	3	615	53	7
2016	3	416	40	3
2017	1	592	40	1
2018	3	498	26	1

Across all years, the 2019 Forester has the most complaints (834). All Subaru Forester years →

Questions

Does the 2015 Subaru Forester have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 Subaru Forester, the most recent reported on October 3, 2019 (Air bags: sensor, occupant classification). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Subaru Forester?: Owners have filed 615 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (131 complaints), followed by air bags (102).
How many 2015 Subaru Forester complaints mention a crash or fire?: 53 of 615 complaints report a crash and 7 a fire; 34 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 6, 2026.