2015 Subaru Forester Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 4%of 616 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,450miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the seats of the 2015 Subaru Forester, 4% of the 616 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,450 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The passenger airbag warning light first came on as soon as I started my car one morning in mid-october 2018, in which I took my car to Subaru of kennesaw, ga to have it looked at. They first asked if I had spilled anything on the front seat (in which I responded no ) and then advised me that the whole seat bottom would need to be replaced (about $989 parts and labor) and that the part was on back-order. I followed-up with them in december 2018 and never heard back. …”
NHTSA complaint #11182111, filed 2019-02, 72,000 miles“While driving down the highway the seatback emitted a loud bang sound. It then lost all support and structure, forcing me to drive my vehicle while attempting to maintain an upright position. At the time of the failure I was not adjusting any element of the seatback -- I'm one of those people who set it once when I bought the car and hasn't touched the adjustments since then. I brought it to my local Subaru dealership, and they stated that the seat frame broke internally and the entire seat needs to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11395933, filed 2021-02, 85,000 miles“While taking groceries out of back seat, I found a 14mm shiny nut on back floor, left back side of front passenger seat. It fell off the bolt holding the front passenger safety belt retainer (part you click buckle into). After putting it back on, and torquing the heck out of it, I found that the two bolts holding front passenger seat down, were loose and standing about 0.75 above bracket surface. I also torqued those down to avoid seat becoming loose. I then checked all other bolts for front seats and found no problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11407410, filed 2021-04, 52,178 miles“I purchased a certified preowned 2015 Forester in november from northtown Subaru in amherst, ny in november 2017. I was sold a basic model and assured that the remote car starter and heated seat that they could install at the dealership were as good as the ones included in more expensive Forester models. Safety issue: on wednesday 3/28/18 I was driving in the city of buffalo with my heated seat turned on. The back of my leg, right below my knee became intolerably hot. I turned the heated seat off immediately and reached down. The seat instantly burnt two of my finger tips. …”
NHTSA complaint #11082160, filed 2018-03, 30,000 miles“The passenger side seat registers that no one is sitting in the seat and it disables the airbag system. Someone can be sitting in the seat buckled up and then it will randomly pop-up with a warning message that there is an airbag issue and that no one is sitting in the seat.”
NHTSA complaint #11300528, filed 2020-01, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10252544Mar 28, 2024Due to limited part supply, the availability of the passenger front seat cushion may not satisfy demand. To reduce extended downtime for the customer, this bulletin announces the…
- 10213197May 23, 2022This bulletin announces a design change made to the Slide Rail components of the left and right front power seat frame / track assembliesd.
- 10201027Aug 4, 2021This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10186399Jan 26, 2021This bulletin announces a design change made to the front seat hinge bolts.
- 10186363Jan 12, 2021This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10185082Dec 15, 2020This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 0% |
| 2018 | 30 | 6% |
| 2017 | 34 | 6% |
| 2016 | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 | 22 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 76 | 29% |
| 2009 | 16 | 9% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2015 Subaru Forester
131 complaintsAir bags
102 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
95 complaintsElectrical system
83 complaintsOther or unknown
74 complaintsVehicle speed control
70 complaintsSuspension
66 complaintsFuel system
57 complaintsBrakes
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 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 29, 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