2015 Subaru Forester Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 131about this part
- Share
- 21%of 615 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,340miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 131 complaints about the engine of the 2015 Subaru Forester, 21% of the 615 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,340 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When applying the brakes at low speed and attempting to come to a stop the vehicle occasionally accelerates requiring a much harder brake pedal pressure to stop the vehicle. This has happened on city streets when pulling into a parking place or coming to a stop sign. While not a common occurrence I have experienced this more than a dozen times over the 5 years I have had the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11355100, filed 2020-09, 20,000 miles“This is an intermittent problem. The vehicle surges sometimes and misfires when it cold starts. I took the car to the retailer, they did not found any issue. Only the differential oil was changed. They told me to return if the problem occurs again. Again it came back and intermittent. I am sure retailer will not be able to find the problem again. It is sudden loss of powers for couple seconds and it a hazard on the road. Hope there are recalls on this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11325095, filed 2020-05, 60,000 miles“On two different occasions, my car stalled while driving on the highway. The engine stopped running and I had to coast to the side of the road. After the first stall, the engine restarted on the first attempt to restart it. When this happened the second time (about 3 months later), it took several attempts to start the car before the engine would turn over. The first time was on sept. 17, 2016 and then again on oct. 9, 2016.”
NHTSA complaint #10919048, filed 2016-10, 16,000 miles“While driving on highway at 70mph, the vehicle suddenly lost power. The engine revved but no response, like it was in neutral. The engine did not completely shut off, and I was able to get over to the shoulder. While coasting on the shoulder, the car sputtered as if it was out of gas, but I had 1/4 tank. It then began to run normally. I pulled off to a gas station, filled it up, and continued my trip without a problem. The occurrence was very dangerous on a congested highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11290811, filed 2019-12, 74,000 miles“I've noticed I run extremely low on oil at about 1,500 miles before my scheduled oil change. I've been adding a quart at every 5,000 as to not run dry and damage the engine. I mostly drive highway miles and starting having this issue at 30,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10820863, filed 2016-01, 30,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11034269Jun 30, 2026This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11033065May 13, 2026This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11027982Jan 12, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
- 11027090Dec 12, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11027083Dec 8, 2025This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
- 11023536Sep 30, 2025In the interest of customer satisfaction Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage in the models listed. The extension will address…
- 11022313Aug 14, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11018914May 29, 2025This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components…
- 11017452Apr 22, 2025This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 34 | 16% |
| 2020 | 81 | 13% |
| 2019 | 106 | 13% |
| 2018 | 32 | 6% |
| 2017 | 47 | 8% |
| 2016 | 60 | 14% |
| 2015 | 131 | 21% |
| 2014 | 69 | 17% |
| 2013 | 27 | 35% |
| 2012 | 27 | 25% |
| 2011 | 60 | 41% |
| 2010 | 34 | 13% |
| 2009 | 27 | 15% |
| 2008 | 7 | 14% |
| 2007 | 9 | 12% |
| 2006 | 11 | 13% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 23 | 11% |
| 2003 | 12 | 6% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2015 Subaru Forester
102 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
95 complaintsElectrical system
82 complaintsOther or unknown
74 complaintsVehicle speed control
70 complaintsSuspension
66 complaintsFuel system
57 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsSeats
22 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsWheels
20 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology