Model year guide

2015 Subaru Forester

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2015 Subaru Forester is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 234 on record.

2015 Subaru Forester — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2015 Subaru Forester at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints613
Combined26 mpg
Typical price$22,179

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2015 Subaru Forester recalls 3

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #19V149000 · 28/02/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. 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 transm…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification NHTSA Campaign #19V701000 · 03/10/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger NHTSA Campaign #16V162000 · 21/03/2016

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.

Fix: 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 re…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2015 Subaru Forester common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 613 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

2015 Subaru Forester MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2015 Subaru Forester worth?

Low
$14,900
Typical price
$22,179
High
$24,100

From 231 comparable 2015 Subaru Forester listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2015 Subaru Forester costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$11,400
Total$24,400
Per mile$0.33

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($22,179) with the same model 5 model-years older ($10,799), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2015 Subaru Forester trims & engines on record

Trims
2.5i Premium PZEV · Premium+Moonroof · 2.5i Limited PZEV · 2.0XT Touring · 2.5+ · 2.5i PZEV · Limited+Moonroof · Premium+Moonroof+NAVI+EyeSight · 2.5 · Touring+Moonroof+H/K(Harman Kardon)+Keyless Access
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl

2015 Subaru Forester vehicles on record

Other Subaru Forester model years

2015 Subaru Forester — frequently asked questions

Does the 2015 Subaru Forester have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2015 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Subaru Forester?

Based on 613 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, air bags, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Subaru Forester get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2015 Subaru Forester at about 26 mpg combined (23 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2015 Subaru Forester worth?

Comparable 2015 Subaru Forester listings run roughly $14,900–$24,100, typically around $22,179 (from 231 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.