The Lemon Index2015 Subaru Forester.
The 2015 Subaru Forester is about average by owner complaints: 194 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 114, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 25 to 27 mpg combined. The best Subaru Forester year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2014–2018 Subaru Forester, 22.4M views. The 2015 is the same generation.
- Gauges, lights & wiring357K views
How to Replace Headlight Bulbs - Subaru Forester (2014-2018)Virar Automotive · 156K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service252K views
Project 2014 Forester: Replacing The Old CVTF (Full Service), Clearing Adaptives, & Learn Process!MrSubaru1387 · 178K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension250K views
2017 Subaru Forester Rear Wheel Bearing ReplacementThePracticalMechanic · 183K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter140K views
Changing CVT Transmission Fluid 2017 Subaru ForesterHomegrown Country Homeplace · 140K views
Show 2 more
- Death wobble & steering75K views
Project 2014 Forester: Fix Horn, Steering Wheel Controls, Etc. Easy DIY Clock Spring Replacement!MrSubaru1387 · 75K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x459K views
How to Replace Front CV Axle Assemblies 2014-2018 Subaru ForesterTRQ · 59K views
Before you buy, watch
USED Subaru Forester (4th Gen) - Common problems and should you buy one? | ReDriven used car reviewReDriven · 296K views
Top 5 Problems Subaru Forester SUV 2014-2018 4th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 183K views
Should You Buy a SUBARU FORESTER? (Test Drive & Review 2014 2.0D)High Peak Autos · 155K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 615 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Forester year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 70K miles on the car (410 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 21K–75K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 31K–90K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 15K–76K miles
Recalls 3
- airbags 2019
An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
- lights 2019
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 …
- engine 2016
The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 502 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Seen various online and other
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
While pulling into a parking space at low speed (<5mph) the engine surged suddenly and the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Required immense pressure on brake to eventually override engine after impact with other vehicle.
2015 Subaru Forester owner · NHTSA complaint 11082471
More owner reports
Vehicle stalls at highway speeds. Most likely a defective turbocharger which under pressure will develop cracks. Vehicle will not restart until turbocharger cools. This has happened twice to me on long trips.
NHTSA complaint 10995757
On acceleration from idle or slow speed, engine looses power and does not respond to throttle inputs. Several times stall happens during merging or crossing traffic. Seems to occur on left turns.
NHTSA complaint 11066129
Quick answers
Is the 2015 Subaru Forester reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 114; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Forester year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2015 Subaru Forester problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (28%), speed control (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Subaru Forester have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Subaru Forester get?
25 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 Subaru Forester safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2015 Subaru Forester problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 70,000 miles. The middle report was at 43,900 miles, from 410 complaints.
Does the 2015 Subaru Forester have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2015 Subaru Forester cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Subaru Forester have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Forester year is better than the 2015?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2011 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works