VehicleVerdict

2015 Subaru Forester engine problems

The 2015 Subaru Forester has 135 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

135

Engine complaints

15%

Share of year

9

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

16V162000EngineMarch 21, 2016 · 18,187 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.

Consequence

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.

What owners report

WHILE PARKING AND APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR AND WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING STALL SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAMMED INTO A STEEL CABLE THAT SEPARATED THE PARKING STALLS.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 12, 2016 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2015 Subaru Forester have?

NHTSA has 135 complaints about the 2015 Subaru Forester engine — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2015 Subaru Forester engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 16V162000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.