2015 Subaru Forester is a popular and versatile CUV. However, it has some serious problems that potential buyers need to be aware of. The vehicle has only three recalls after seven years on the road, but they all address issues that could pose a safety risk, including stalling engines and malfunctioning airbags.
Key Points
- The 2015 Subaru Forester has three recalls along with 465 complaints reported to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- The first recall addresses an engine stall that may cause a crash.
- Another serious recall relates to brake lights that do not function properly.
- Frequently reported problems include engine issues and inaccurate fuel gauges.
- The 2015 Subaru Forester is a safe and reliable vehicle, but recall repairs are necessary.
2015 Subaru Forester’s Three Recalls All Affect Vehicle Safety and Cover Possible Engine Stalls, Bad Brake Lights, and Airbags that Don’t Deploy in a Crash
The NHTSA has issued three recalls for the 2015 Subaru Forester. The first recall was launched in 2016 and applies to Forester 2.0XT models. A faulty turbocharger air intake duct may easily crack and result in an engine stall. Dealers will inspect the system and replace it if necessary.
The 2015 Subaru Forester’s second recall was opened in early-2019 over a malfunctioning brake light switch that could prevent the brake lights from illuminating.
The issue with the brake light switch may also prevent keyless ignition vehicles from starting, and automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
The most recent recall is from fall 2019. It affects 2015-2018 Subaru Foresters equipped with heated seats. The recall is over a loose electronic connection in the front passenger seat may cause the occupant detection system to deactivate the airbag even though the seat is occupied.
Dealers will replace the occupant detection system for free if necessary.
Over 450 Registered Consumer Complaints Bring up Same Airbag Issues Mentioned in 2019 Recall, Plus Inaccurate Fuel Gauge Reportedly Stranded Drivers
The NHTSA has over 450 registered complaints about the 2015 Subaru Forester, and they cover a broad range of components, including the engine, electrical system, and vehicle speed control.
The most recent complaint of note came in early-2022. A 2015 Forester owner from Maine alleges the front engine cover seal failed on their vehicle. This caused an oil leak that reportedly led to $3,700 in damages to the engine. The car had 105,000 on the odometer at the time.
Nearly a quarter of the complaints to the NHTSA involve engine issues–particularly, engine failure or loss of power at highway speeds.
Some of the 2015 Subaru Forester owners took their car to a dealership immediately after engine failure occurred. But the service department was unable to diagnose the cause of the problem.
The NHTSA also received nearly 50 complaints about the vehicle’s inaccurate fuel gauge. An owner in Oregon reports their vehicle ran out of gas twice in four months despite a gas gauge reading of 70 miles.
2015 Subaru Forester is Safe and Reliable, but Recall Repairs are Necessary
Subaru sold 175,192 copies of the Forester in 2015. That made the Forester the 10th best-selling SUV for that year.
The 2015 Forester maintains its popularity on the used car market, and that translates into high resale value.
Kelley Blue Book estimates a fair purchase price of $15,443 for a used 2015 Subaru Forester 2.5i in good condition with 92,000 miles. That represents an impressive 63% of the original MSRP, which was $23,195.
The 2015 Subaru Forester is recognized as a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. And there are over 650 reviews of the 2015 Forester on Vehicle History, with consumers giving it a rating of 4.6 out of five stars.
Two-thirds of the reviewers gave the 2015 Forester a perfect five-star rating, and another 28% gave it four stars. No one gave the 2015 Forester the lowest rating of one1 star.
All things considered, the 2015 Subaru Forester’s high resale value and excellent crash test results make it a wise choice as a used car. But it has some serious safety issues that are repairable through recall
Photos: Subaru
