CarBrief

NHTSA has 615 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Forester[1]. It also has 3 recalls with free fixes, so check that each one was done[2][3][4].

615owner complaints[1]
3recalls[5]
25–27MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 615 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 53 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 34 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

The largest named groups are:

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for the engine, air bags, power train and electrical groups. These are themes in that sample only, not a share of all owners. These are themes in that sample only, not a share of all owners.

Engine[8]. In 5 of 12 sampled engine complaints, owners describe oil use or a low oil light between oil changes. In 2 of 12 sampled engine complaints, owners describe a short loss of power[8].

Power train[10]. In 7 of 12 sampled complaints, owners describe hesitation, lurching or slow acceleration from a stop. In 2 of 12, owners describe a transmission failure[10].

Air bags[9]. In 5 of 12 sampled complaints, owners describe the front passenger air bag switching off or not sensing the passenger. In 7 of 12, owners say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[9]. These are owner statements and were not verified.

Electrical[11]. In 4 of 12 sampled complaints, owners describe a speedometer or gauges that are hard to read or not working. In 3 of 12, owners describe a dead battery after the car sat unused[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year[5]. Newest first:

Remove the sentence, or keep it as common knowledge.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions[13][6][14]:

Version City / Highway / Combined Annual fuel cost
2.5L, Manual 6-spd, regular[13] 22 / 28 / 25 MPG $2,700
2.5L, Automatic (variable gear ratios), regular[6] 24 / 31 / 27 MPG $2,500
2.0L turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), premium[14] 23 / 27 / 25 MPG $3,300

EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2015 Forester 5 stars overall[7]. Frontal is 4 stars, side is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[7]. The rollover risk is 16.9%[7].

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated 250 hp[15]. The 2.5L 4-cylinder is rated 170 hp[16].

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2.0XT 2.5i
Length[17][18] 181 in 181 in
Width[17][18] 71 in 71 in
Height[17][18] 69 in 69 in
Wheelbase[17][18] 104 in 104 in
Curb weight[17][18] 3,635 lb 3,303 lb

How 2015 compares with other years

1998: 101 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 131 complaints, 1 recalls2000: 75 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 139 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 88 complaints, 1 recalls2003: 189 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 219 complaints, 2 recalls20042005: 93 complaints, 1 recalls2006: 88 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 74 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 50 complaints, 1 recalls2009: 178 complaints, 17 recalls2010: 262 complaints, 17 recalls20102011: 147 complaints, 16 recalls2012: 105 complaints, 15 recalls2013: 78 complaints, 12 recalls20132014: 403 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 615 complaints, 3 recalls61520152016: 415 complaints, 3 recalls20162017: 592 complaints, 1 recalls2018: 498 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 834 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 603 complaints, 0 recalls2021: 210 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 100 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 74 complaints, 1 recalls2024: 31 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 98 complaints, 4 recalls20252026: 29 complaints, 4 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Forester model year. The 2015 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981011
19991311
2000750
20011390
2002881
20031893
20042192
2005931
2006882
2007741
2008501
200917817
201026217
201114716
201210515
20137812
20144032
20156153
20164153
20175921
20184983
20198343
20206030
20212100
20221001
2023741
2024312
2025984
2026294

Among Forester model years on file, 2015 has the second highest complaint count at 615[5]. Only 2019 is higher at 834[5]. Next are 2020 with 603 and 2017 with 592[5]. The neighbors 2014 and 2016 have 403 and 415[5].

For recalls, 2015 has 3[5]. Years 2009 to 2013 have between 12 and 17 each[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2015 Forester?

The 2015 Forester has strong crash ratings, with 5 stars overall[7]. Its complaint count is high for the model line[5]. In the sample we read, owners describe hesitation and oil use, so test drive for both and check the oil level[10][8]. Confirm that all 3 recalls were completed, since the fixes are free[2][3][4]. This page cannot tell you about reliability scores, oil capacity or towing.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Subaru Forester?
Engine is the largest complaint group at 135 of 615 complaints[8][1]. Air bags follow with 102[9] and power train with 95[10].
Does the 2015 Subaru Forester have recalls?
Yes, 3: 19V701 for the passenger seat sensor[2], 19V149 for the brake light switch[3] and 16V162 for the turbo duct on 2.0XT cars[4]. Each has a free remedy.
What MPG does the 2015 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates the 2.5L automatic at 27 combined MPG[6], the manual at 25[13] and the 2.0L turbo at 25[14].
How safe is the 2015 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for both frontal and rollover[7].
Is the 2015 Forester worse than other years?
It has 615 complaints, second highest of the listed years after 2019 at 834[5]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 615 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Subaru Forester (53 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 34 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 19V701, filed October 3, 2019: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 19V149, filed February 28, 2019: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 16V162, filed March 21, 2016: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo / Supercharger. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Forester model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 135 complaints name the engine component group (10 crashes, 3 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 102 complaints name the air bags component group (17 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 95 complaints name the power train component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,099). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 82 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 70 complaints name the speed control component group (26 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 27 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Subaru Forester with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 250 hp. www.epa.gov
  16. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Subaru Forester with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORESTER 4DR SUV 2.0XT: length 181 in, width 71 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,635 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORESTER 4DR SUV 2.5i: length 181 in, width 71 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,303 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.