2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,249 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2015 Subaru Forester:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #22

Jul 302019

Forester

  • 51,534 miles
On July 30 2019 I came back from a 6 week vacation. My Subaru sat in my driveway while on vacation, I got in the car to move it, I noticed it wasn't sitting right. I asked my boyfriend to check my tires thinking one was low or flat. All tires were good so I pulled my car out off the driveway, as I walked back into my driveway I saw the pieces of my spring where my car was moved from. How can this spring brake just sitting in the driveway ? the attached picture shows the pieces, rust and all. I've found from my web search this is a common issues with the 2014 -2015 Subaru's, my experience is not an isolated issues. Some break sitting in their garage or driveway, some break when driving causing accident and additional damage to vehicle and driver. To where I was one of the lucky ones, it could have happen different. This coil spring is most defiantly defective rusting from the inside out.

- Oakdale, PA, USA

problem #21

Jul 272019

Forester

  • 45,000 miles
During routine 45000 car maintenance (oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection) the technician discovered that the rear driver's side coil spring had rusted away from its' retaining brackets (top and bottom) and was hanging loose around the shock absorber and could be wiggled or rotated by hand. Initial cost estimate is $1300 to replace both springs. The car is unsafe to drive until it is repaired.

- Lake Zurich, IL, USA

problem #20

Jul 192019

Forester

  • 108,000 miles
Right rear coin spring failed (broke). Appears to be rusted through the coil. Discovered when vehicle was stationary and on a lift. Part of coil fell out.

- Montclair, VA, USA

problem #19

Jul 152019

Forester

  • 20,000 miles
I took my car in for a recall on brake light switch and stohlman Subaru told me the right rear spring was broken, but the parts are out of stock. They reccommend replacing both rear springs at $700-800, when they are available. A hardship for me as I am a senior. I was not aware of when it broke, or that it was broken. They told me it probably rusted

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #18

Jul 072019

Forester

  • 42,000 miles
I was pulling out of a parking spot yesterday when I heard a loud bang. I had difficulty driving home on the street with brakes & steering even at a very slow speed. Car had to be towed to Subaru today. The control arm was totally rusted through & broke apart.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #17

Jun 082019

Forester

  • 40,000 miles
At 40K miles, the rear suspension coil spring is found broken during a regular oil change and brake inspection. The spring is rusted inside out. Mechanics said it is rare that this part would break in the lifetime of a car. There are many similar broken spring cases among 2014 and 2015 Subaru Forester model cars. Please check https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-T61866_ds789686. this is a safety concern that Subaru did not take prompt action. Even if one life lost as a result of this in the future is too little too late. Subaru values money over lives. It is now up to NHTSA to take further actions to protect public safety.

- Prairie View, IL, USA

problem #16

Jun 132019

Forester 4-cyl

  • 61,683 miles
The car was wobbly and went in for service and they found one rear strut the technician took it for a drive and the other one broke on him. It costs me $1390 to fix it and I drove it on the highway and it still wobbly. Subaru does not want to acknowledge the fact there is a major issue with this vehicle. This should have been recalled by Subaru when they knew about this. This car also had rotors that needed to be replaced, the arm control, wheel bearings all under 60,000. This is a serious issue, I could get killed or have a major accident and Subaru does not want to hear about it. I am scared to drive this car. The consumer stated the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to assist with the repairs.

- Monroe Twp, NJ, USA

problem #15

Jun 192019

Forester

  • 53,600 miles
Broken left rear coil spring at 52,600 miles. Dealer stated this is a known issue with this model year.

- Newville, PA, USA

problem #14

Jun 102019

Forester

  • 9,533 miles
Both rear springs broken at the lower perch of the strut. Car has 9533 miles. Subaru replaced both springs for no cost because it was a safety issue. Owner did not notice any problem until car was brought to dealer for brake lamp switch recall. The dealer knew right away what the problem was before it went on the lift.

- Holbrook, MA, USA

problem #13

Jun 072019

Forester

  • 38,000 miles
Car was not moving and sitting in my driveway. When I noticed the left rear body frame low, almost touching the tire. Looked under car and found broken spring pieces, that was totally rusted inside out. This should not happen to a 4 year old car with only 38K miles. I was very lucky not driving the when this failure happen or it could of lead to a major accident. I also found out though the internet this is not a one time problem Subaru is having with these springs breaking. I believe it's a manufactured material defect that should be recalled immediately before some one gets injured! also the cost should be be handled by Subaru..

- Syosset, NY, USA

problem #12

May 152019

Forester

  • 22,000 miles
On May 15, 2019 I approached my Forester in the parking garage and noticed that the left rear suspension was low (I am not sure if the left suspension broke when I was driving slowly of if the vehicle was static). As I drove down the ramps in the parking garage, I heard a loud noise from the back of the car. I stopped, inspected the rear suspension and found out that the right side was now as low as the left. It appeared that both rear suspensions had a similar problem (right suspension failed as the vehicle was moving a low speed). I dropped the vehicle off at a muller Subaru in highland park, il on May 17. I requested that the parts removed from my vehicle were made available for my inspection. On May 30 I went to the dealership to pick up the Forester and was able to inspect the rear suspension springs. Both of them were corroded to the core at the bottom end. The coating on the spring was ripped (see pictures). The dealership didn't mention of the front springs were inspected for the same problem. I think this could be a model/year problem, bad quality control and/or material used on the suspension springs, and it could break at anytime, low or high speed driving.

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #11

May 232019

Forester

  • 53,000 miles
Coil spring of rear strut broke, only 53K miles and not taken offroad. Car was parked in our driveway and it just "popped" and I found a piece of the coil on the ground. There are multiple complaints about this exact issue for 2014 and 2015 Foresters and this can be dangerous if it snaps while turning. Subaru needs to correct this before someone gets killed. Https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-T61866_ds789686

- Horsham, PA, USA

problem #10

May 142019

Forester

  • 25,594 miles
Failed state safety inspection at 25,594 miles due to two broken rear coil springs.total cost to replace: $560.94 plus tax.

- South Portland, ME, USA

problem #9

Apr 282019

Forester

  • 10,000 miles
Both left and right rear springs and struts broke and needed to be replaced.

- New Castle, PA, USA

problem #8

May 132019

Forester

  • 29,800 miles
Rear passenger coil spring cracked. Vehicle only has 29800 miles. Never over loaded and only driven on paved roads. May have been factory defect. Told by dealer was safety related and needed to be replaced. Problem found when rear brakes were being done.

- Tiverton, RI, USA

problem #7

Jan 152018

Forester

  • 90,000 miles
The cv axle joint went bad at 90K. Clicking noise. I thought that was an issue for down the road. Subaru Corp gave me a $500 coupon for the right front axle going bad. Approximately 5 months later, that axle had to be replaced. Also both back wheel bearings had to be replaced. Currently, the driver side cv joint sounds like it is going bad again. About 60K later. Weak parts. This is a progressive issue and not a sudden one.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #6

Feb 152019

Forester

  • 60,000 miles
Drivers side lower control arm have worn out twice with in 24 months. On any street or highhway was getting a knocking noise. First time my private mechanic stated it was bad. Took it to dealer their mechanic said there was no problem. Few weeks later went back to dealer for same reason. Then they admitted it was bad and repaired. Now on 2/18/19 I have the same problem. Went to the dealer their mechanic said everything was fine. Everything nice and tight. Took the vehicle which was still making the noise for state inspection he stated the lower control arm was bad. Now I must go back to the dealer for them to get warranty approval to repair. This is constantly making me do everything twice because the dealer mechanic fails ti be honest.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #5

Feb 032019

Forester

  • 128,982 miles
Excessive oil loss, 1 qt per 3,000 miles. Started around 90,000 miles. Mileage now 129,000 miles. At 129,000 miles, major engine and transmission issue. Found oil in coolant. At oil temperature light flashing. Evaluating cost of repair this week of Feb 12 2019. At 126,000 miles, both front axles were replaced. Heard clicking at 125,000 miles. At 100,000 miles, upper and lower front suspension arms replaced.

- Fair Lawn, NJ, USA

problem #4

Nov 052018

Forester

  • 43,000 miles
Right rear coil spring broke while car was parked. Car has only 43,000 miles and has never been used for towing, off-roading, and no accidents.

- Modena, NY, USA

problem #3

Oct 152018

Forester

  • 20,800 miles
Rear coil spring broke after car had only 20,800 miles

- Bethel Park, PA, USA

Read the next 2 complaints »