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 5 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

Jun 062018

Forester

  • 39,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. While pulling into a parking space at a very low rate of speed, the engine began to rev. The vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a brick wall. After the collision, the engine continued to rev very high while the brake pedal was being depressed. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle sustained severe damage; however, the air bags did not deploy. No injuries were reported and no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 39,000.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #43

May 152018

Forester

  • 21,000 miles
From a stop, car hesitates when turning left crossing incoming traffic. Initial coasting, then accepting accelerator pressure, taking a second or two to respond. Dealer found no codes and offered no fix, other than to leave my car for additional test driving. In three years and 21,000 miles, there has been six left turn hestitions from a stop position. Very scary event that could be fatal with a stall in an incoming lane.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #42

Apr 142018

Forester

  • 21,883 miles
I bought the car a month ago around March 10,2018 from glanzmann Subaru. After 2 weeks of driving, the car was shaking and had trouble accelerating intermittently when at stop signs or at low speeds. After words I noticed when the car is around 80 mph, sometimes the rpms go up but there is no torque. I was told to drop the car off at the service station which I did and after 4 days got the car back but they said they "could not replicate" the issue that I was having. I also get 18mpg while the advertised mpg is around 25. I should atleast get 22mpg. I have a very good feeling I was sold a car with a clutch that was on its way out. The dealer is not acknowledging the issue but I was able to replicate the issue on my way from the service center. I was told I would be able to drive the car with a tech but on the day of the pickup, the tech was unavailable. It has become a safety issue because sometimes when merging into a highway or turning into streets from a center lane the car does not have good pick uplike it is suppose. I know my car is an issue because the loaner that I got from glanzsmann was also a Forester and I could tell the difference right away. Thank you.

- Philadephia, PA, USA

problem #41

Sep 012016

Forester

  • miles

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

2015 Subaru Forester. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle excessive oil consumption. The consumer stated that the vehicle consumes 16 ounces of oil in 50000. The manufacturer was notified and stated the vehicle was operating as designed, but did offer a rebate to cover additional charges. The consumer declined.

- Harwinton, CT, USA

problem #40

Jan 302018

Forester

  • 24,000 miles
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.

- Gulf Shores, AL, USA

problem #39

Jan 102018

Forester

  • 50,200 miles
Engine shut off while driving on interstate at 70 mph. No warning or engine sputtering. Plenty of fuel. Foggy weather and 37degrees F. dash lights stayed on same as if it was in the on position. After 1 1/2 hours vehicle restarted and hasn't shut down while driving since. Took in to the dealer and they said battery was weak and replaced that. They said other engine codes pointed to power supply. I have never heard of a vehicle quitting while driving because of a weak battery so am suspicious about this as a good repair. This is potentially a very dangerous problem.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #38

Dec 222017

Forester

  • 54,000 miles

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

On two occasions: Traveling at approx 65-70mph the engine suddenly stalls and we have been forced to stop on the shoulder. The steering works, but there is no power going to the engine which eventually stalls. It starts after 2 attempts and then drives normally. First occasion, it was raining and the 'eyesight cameras; were on. At first we thought this was the issue. The second occasion, it was again raining and I turned the cameras off (thinking that may have been the problem before) and it stalled again. Very dangerous to be traveling at such a high rate of speed in traffic to have engine stall.

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #37

Nov 182017

Forester

  • 53,800 miles
I bought the car and less than a month later the engine light came on. I took it into the dealership that I bought it from and they told me to take it to the Subaru dealership if the engine light came back on. It never came back on. Four days later I was driving and the gas pedal quit working. I looked down to see if any lights were on and they weren't. I pulled over to the side of the highway to turn the car off. Before I could turn the car off I saw flames coming out of the front passenger side of the hood near the lights. Then all of the warming lights came on. I quickly turned off the vehicle. Before I could get out of the vehicle the whole front end of the vehicle was in flames.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #36

Dec 032017

Forester

  • 44,400 miles
The car lost all power in the middle of interstate 95 heading South approx 17 miles North of the ga fl state line. The fuel indicator showed 30 miles until I had to refuel. This was on 12/3/2017. I was at speed(75 mph) and managed to go through traffic and go to shoulder. There was no power and the engine had quit. I waited a couple of minutes and the car restarted. I drove to the second exit and refueled. A few days later on 12/06/2017 on the way back to atlanta on I-95 South of savannah and the fuel gage reading 30 miles until I had to refuel, the very same thing happened. Except, this time it would not restart. I called aaa and continued to try to restart. After 45 minutes, the car restarted. I drove approx 10 miles and refueled. I have had no incident since but, I have not driven the car with low fuel. This could have had a very different result if I had not been able to get through the traffic on a busy interstate. Both me and my wife could be dead. I believe there is a flaw in the low fuel warning software and something shuts the power. I have driven this car with lower fuel levels. The instrument panel shows miles to you have to refuel, I.e., 50 miles, 40 miles, 30 miles, 20 miles then ------. you have access to data on these cars, I don't. please have some advise me what is your thinking on this matter.

- Sandy Springs, GA, USA

problem #35

Sep 232017

Forester

  • 37,500 miles
While backing up a winding hill on a hard packed gravel driveway I backed into a seven inch diameter tree on the edge of the road. Did not hit it hard enough to damage the back bumper. I put the car in drive and in an instant the motor went wide open. I hit the brakes, but no noticable effect. I narrowly missed the corner of the garage. The car dug four depressions in the driveway when it took off. And threw gravel all the way down the hill and on the flat until it hit a large tree, the motor still racing. The runaway happened in seconds. The car was totaled. My wife suffered a badly broken right wrist. I was nearly knocked out. I have been a safe driver for 60 years. Drove professionally for about four and a half years. I also have over 175,000 miles and counting on motorcycles. This car definitely did malfunction. Fortunately the house security camera captured the action. I don't know if I can upload the video to your site. Please advise. Sabaru Canada and the my Subaru dealer ignored my complaint, with the dealer rep saying, 'the floor mat was probably on the gas petal.'

- Indio, CA, USA

problem #34

Oct 052017

Forester

  • 81,000 miles

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

Car burning oil at substantial rate between oil changes. Need to top up oil twice between 6000 mile oil change intervals. Car is an automatic transmission. Subaru provides engine block replacement for issue for 2015 Foresters with manual transmission and for previous model years with automatic transmissions. 2015 auto transmissions are obviously also affected -- our car is affected.

- Wamego, KS, USA

problem #33

Sep 012017

Forester

  • 10,000 miles
The vehicles stutters when accelerating. The issue will go for a few days to a few weeks then disappear and return a few weeks later. Have tried changing to sport and sport + modes and also using the paddle shifters and none of them had any change in the stuttering. The car has 25,000 miles on it and the issue has been happening since about 10K miles. When I brought the vehicle in for a recall it was functioning fine and the techs could not find any issues. I have another appointment scheduled for 2 weeks from now.

- Pinole, CA, USA

problem #32

Aug 012017

Forester

  • 15,000 miles
Engine hesitates on acceleration, especially from a dead stop, leaving me stuck in the oncoming lane for several seconds. This is a recurring problem and is very dangerous! it?S virtually impossible to accelerate without feeling hesitation and surging. It feels like the car is very slow to go into gear and then lunges to catch up. This happens in all weather and all driving conditions, it happens every day. Very disappointing performance for a car I bought brand new.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #31

Aug 042017

Forester

  • 18,500 miles
Car passed state inspection on 8/3/2017 with 18500 miles. One week later, car was taken on short errand and burst into flames with driver inside upon being placed in park. Fire department and police assessed the situation.

- Exton, PA, USA

problem #30

Jul 212017

Forester

  • 56,000 miles
Excessive oil use between oil changes requiring adding oil. Oil light comes on unexpectedly causing driver to have to carry oil on board and to pull over to add. Should not happen in 2 year old car. Safety issue due to pulling over in bad weather, unfamiliar area. I was alone and approached by suspicious w/M while adding oil.

- Willow Spring, NC, USA

problem #29

Aug 042017

Forester

  • 3,000 miles
I have had excessive oil consumption since the first 3K miles driven on the car. I have gone through a slew of consumption tests, had the short block replaced and I am continuing to have the same issues. Subaru's only offer is to go through more consumption tests and a possible 2 motor replacement. Or, they will upgrade me to a new model. This is a common issue according to the numerous Subaru owners that are posting online - and it is frustrating that they were sued for this exact issue, yet continue to manufacturer cars with defective motors, and offer little resolution to the consumer. Why would I want to upgrade to a new Subaru to have the same issues I have had since the first 3K miles on the one I have now? I feel they need to refund their customers and discontinue the manufacturing of this motor! it is not normal to burn through oil at an alarming rate (1 quart every 2000-3000 miles) - it isn't just consuming the oil, but the oil in my car is black after just 1200 miles on the new motor that has less than 12K miles on it. I camp and trail in this vehicle, and to be stranded in the middle of no where with an oil light on and no where close by to pick up synthetic oil, or any oil is very bothersome. I should not have to carry oil in my 2015 car that I got brand new! how do they get away with ripping off so many consumers and not issuing a recall?

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #28

Jun 282017

Forester

  • 15,888 miles
I was driving my car at 70 mph on express way. Suddenly power decreased while my foot was on accelerator. Car lurched forward followed by a total loss of power with no steering control. I coasted into emergency lane. No warning lights on dashboard before incident. Car indicated 60 miles left in gas tank. Mileage at time of incident 15,888. Car immediately started up after stalling. Took to Subaru dealership for checkup and they were unable to replicate incident. I bought this vehicle brand new from dealership.

- Avondale Estates, GA, USA

problem #27

Jun 172017

Forester

  • 27,500 miles
I filed two earlier complaints but failed to record the complaint # on the first one. The second one is #11003831. The problem concerns engine stall at highway speeds. It occurred to me on two separate occasions (July 2016 salina, ks and 6/17/17 on I-44 okla turnpike near claremore. Both times I was going about 70 mph, cruise control was on and the A/C. couldn't restart the car. Had it towed to tulsa dealership. Mechanic said it was bad/dirty gasoline. The torque converter on the cvt transmissions apparently may also be a cause. Forbes mag recently did a article on this problem. My car year/model was included in the article, which also mentioned that federal regulators have received 100 complaints from consumers. I don't know if I will receive a letter from Subaru or what my next step is. I plan on showing the forbes article to my local dealership, but I don't know if that will force any action.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #26

Sep 072015

Forester

  • 250 miles
Engine hesitates on acceleration, especially when making left turns from a dead stop, leaving me stuck in the oncoming lane for several seconds. This is a recurring problem and is very dangerous! service manager says it's due to applying brake and gas at the same time while waiting for oncoming cars to clear, but it happens even when I'm careful not to do that. Nearly been hit several times. It's virtually impossible to accelerate without feeling hesitation and surging, even in a straight line.

- Viera, FL, USA

problem #25

Jun 252017

Forester

  • 34,000 miles
In August of 2015 my wife was driving the vehicle. All dash lights came on and the vehicle became inoperable as a result. After several attempts she was able to restart the vehicle. However, after about 150 ft all warning lights came on again saying that is was disabling several safety features (ABS, eyesight, hill assist, etc.). she again pulled over, and the vehicle would not re-start (flat-out would not come on, the power would come on but the vehicle would not start [has a key less ignition system]). she called road side assist and they came to try and help her with the car. They were able to get it started and she drove it to the dealership. They took the vehicle in and looked at it. Their servicing notes indicate that they were unable to replicate the issue, however, while my wife was there they were unable to start the vehicle as well. In review of these notes they indicate the following error codes were present P1531 and B2809 and they also replaced the following part [83311fj000]. on June 25, 2017, the problem occurred again while driving. All safety features disabled, all systems shut-off. Once I turned the vehicle off I was unable to start it again. It seemed as if I was unable to depress the brake pedal far enough to trigger the keyless start feature. So, the vehicle was unusable and unsafe. I contacted Subaru and they have towed the vehicle to the dealership as all attempts to start the vehicle have failed (all power works, but no start and all safety features indicate they are disabled). I spoke with the dealership and expressed all of these concerns as well as several others. The vehicle is at the dealership at this time. In all instances when the vehicle had issues we were either driving on a city street, a local highway, or unable to start the vehicle due to these problems. This is the second occurrence in less than three years.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?