CarComplaints.com Notes: Subaru thinks burning through a quart of oil every 1,000 miles or so is perfectly normal. That's a crude stance if you ask us.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,043 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Subaru Forester engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2015 Subaru Forester:

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

2015 Subaru Forester Owner Comments (Page 2 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #104

Jan 042021

Forester

  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Pulling into parking spot, vehicle started to stall, gave a little more gas and vehicle launched forward and hit cement pole. No damage to pole car damage around 8K.air bags did not deploy. This has happened when pulling out into traffic also

- Palmer, MA, USA

problem #103

Apr 112021

Forester

  • miles
Car burns oil. No leaks and oil light comes on every 2,000-3,000 miles when it shouldn't be changed but every 5000. Ac makes horrible noise and intermittently works but hardly ever. Will run for a couple min then not work the rest of the drive time

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #102

Jan 192021

Forester

  • 82,401 miles
Vehicle had 82,401 miles when on January 19, 2021 the "engine low level warning light" illuminated. Oil level on dip-stick measured at very end of stick. Added 1qt 0-20W synthetic oil, scheduled a complete "leak-down test" at dan O'brien Subaru in Vermont. The service also performed a 2K mile "consolidated engine oil consumption test". the results measured no oil consumption but the "compression & leak-down test" measured: Cylinder #1 = 160psi & 5%, #2 = 148psi & 25%, #3 = 165psi & 5%, #4 = 153psi & 20%. they reported most of "leakage was going into block past pistons and some was "leaking" by intake valves. Recommend replacing short-block". to date, due to the "oil consumption test" and not the "compression and leak-down test" results, the dealer is not willing to repair and/or remedy the problem, even though, the compression and leak-down test indicates a "severe" degradation to the engine with only 84,770 miles. This is well below Subaru's advertised 100,000 mile drive-train warranty publicized. Note: This vehicle has been serviced regularly by only Subaru dealerships since it was purchased in 2017, and the carfax report stated it was only used by Subaru dealership as a corporate personnel rental before then. Additionally the current carfax report showed no incidents or accidents and all vehicle services maintained properly.

- Hartland, VT, USA

problem #101

Dec 132020

Forester

  • 134,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle experienced an unintended acceleration, causing the speed to increase to approximately 62 mph after leaving from a stop light. On another occasion while driving, the failure recurred and the driver downshifted to slow the vehicle which caused damage to the transmission. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer austin Subaru located at 8100 burnet rd, austin, tx 78757 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #100

Dec 242020

Forester

  • 87,000 miles
Engine using to much oil between oil changes. Transmission will not shift into final gear until driven for 10-15 miles

- Mentor, OH, USA

problem #99

Jan 092021

Forester

  • 61,000 miles
Car accelerates both when in motion and stationary. Sometimes when starting the car it shoots straight up to 2 on it's on. Car has accelerated when easing in and out of parking spaces, I have been very close to hitting other cars because of this.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #98

Dec 092020

Forester

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the speed suddenly decreased independently to approximately 20 mph. During the sudden lose of power, no warning messages were displayed. The vehicle was towed the local dealer schomp Subaru located at 580 S havana St, Aurora, co 80012 who was unable to duplicate the failure. There was no repair performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #97

Aug 312020

Forester

  • 47,000 miles
This car was repaired under campaign 19V149000 on July 27 for the brake light switch issue. Since the repair of the recall, I have taken my car back to international Subaru in tinley park, il for follow up service related to the replacement part. The problem I've encountered on a number of occasions is the car alerts that there is an issue stating "hill start assist system needs to be checked" while the car is in motion. The car then cuts all throttle capabilities for approximately 5 seconds and the car just coasts before resuming taking a throttle input. When this happens the car is just coasting and drops 15+ mph in speed. This alert seems to be triggered randomly and it causes serious safety concerns when without warning my car suddenly loses any usage of the throttle. This problem has been traced back to the part replaced in the recall and the dealer found the records in the car's computer showing the switch was active when it wasn't being pressed. This issue first surfaced on 8/31/20 but has come back numerous times since then. Furthermore, I had issues where the brake lights were on on the car overnight with the switch active with no input causing a drained battery. This is a more serious issue than just lights because the car's throttle cuts out without warning and this has been traced back to the switch on my car. I would rather have the original recalled part replaced in my car compared to the recall replacement part.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #96

Feb 012018

Forester

  • miles
Car surges at start up and low speeds. Neither the car dealership or Subaru of America can fix it. I sent an email in about my complaint to you. This has been going on for a few years. It randomly happens. They refused to fix it many times due to no code even though they drove it and could see the issue. When it did code they fixed it but always a surge different codes. They have replace fuel sensors, values, electronic components, my key, fuel line, spark plugs, etc all for this same issues. There are several lawsuits in other states about this same issue. I just want them to purchase my vehicle back or replace it with one that works properly. Please help.

- Marshfield, MO, USA

problem #95

Sep 142016

Forester

  • 20,000 miles
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.

- Choteau, MT, USA

problem #94

Jul 062020

Forester 4-cyl

  • 76,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle lost power while driving today on the interstate. I had cruise control set and the car was accelerating up a hill. It was like my car shifted into neutral. I was able to safely get to the shoulder and initially my car would not restart. I did get it to restart after a couple of tries and drove it home. I see a recall for a similar issue: 19V-856, but my car is not included. I have replaced the PCV already and this is the second time my car has done this toward the end of a long road trip (1000+ miles).

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #93

Jun 282020

Forester 4-cyl

  • 43,500 miles
Driving on the highway at roughly 70 mph, engine suddenly revved and then car essentially went into neutral. Engine didn't seem connected to the transmission. Coasted to the shoulder, then engine died. Shifted back to park and tried to restart, all lights on dashboard lit up and engine turned over, but would not start. Had to be towed to dealer. Found many similar experiences online. Some found fuel pump and pump relay failure. I have not received a diagnosis from the dealer yet. This was a potentially deadly failure.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #92

Jun 062020

Forester 4-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
Going 70 miles an hour on interstate with cruise control on, when the gas light came on the car lost power like it switched to neutral. We made it to the side of the road and the engine shut off. This happened twice.

- Berlin, MD, USA

problem #91

Apr 062020

Forester 4-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
At the moment to stop on a parking spot, press brakes and engine RPM idles up and runs, causing me to press brakes harder and so I don't hit whatever is in front of the vehicle.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

problem #90

Oct 122019

Forester 4-cyl

  • 60,000 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.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #89

May 012020

Forester 4-cyl

  • 82,300 miles
While driving in the highway at 75 mph with cruise control on the car suddenly went to 5000 RPM and at the same time started to brake all the lights in the dashboard came on I pulled over and the car's engine shut down. I tried to started about 5 06 times the car wouldn't star and after that the car was completely dead. I had it tow to a shop. The next morning it started like nothing the mechanic at the shop said it was the battery.after changing the battery I took it to the gas station after putting gas it wouldn't start again after several tries it started.at this point I don't think the battery was the issue but I am glad I got home. This happened in starkville ms 200 miles from where I live.

- Collierville, TN, USA

problem #88

Feb 262020

Forester

  • 99,300 miles
Head gaskets leaking, also the cars hesitates and jerks when driving

- West Orange, NJ, USA

problem #87

Mar 132020

Forester 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
The contact called on behalf of her father who owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. Three different dealers were contacted including frank Subaru located at (2829 national city blvd, national city, ca 91950), kearny mesa Subaru located at (4797 convoy St, san diego, ca 92111), and Subaru of el cajon located at (900 arnele ave, el cajon, ca 92020) and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #86

Jan 102020

Forester

  • 65,000 miles
Smell of burning oil from the engine. Dealer says head gasket needs to be replaced at a cost of $5500.

- Los Altos Hills, CA, USA

problem #85

Dec 152019

Forester 4-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
Loss of engine power/acceleration. Traveling home in our 2015 Forester, VIN [xxx], 93K miles, when we encountered a problem. On the interstate, traveling approximately 70mph, our Forester seemed to come out of gear, all the dash lights illuminated & the gas pedal would not work as far as actually accelerating the car (the gas pedal would "rev up" when pressed, but there was no actual acceleration happening with the engine). There was no warning; no engine issues; no warning lights on the dash prior to this event. We were luckily able to pull safely off the interstate. We did shut the car off in hopes of "resetting" something but could not get the car to restart (it would just crank). Therefore, we had to have it towed. This is the third time this has happened in the past year on this vehicle. We have taken it to our trusted local mechanic. No issues were found, and no codes were identified. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Beaverdam, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?