2015 Subaru Forester electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jan 5, 2026TXBrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   REPORT OF FAILED RECALL REMEDY (RECALL 19V-149 / WUE-90) My 2015 Subaru Forester experienced a total recurrence of the defect addressed in 2019. The vehicle became trapped in 'Park' intermittently on several occasions before remaining immobilized. During one incident, the manual shift-lock override failed to function. While the brake lights functioned during these incidents, the failure to shift is a documented symptom of a failing brake light switch. I had the switch…

   NHTSA complaint #11708987 · source
2. Filed Dec 5, 2025MIAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   Passenger airbag sensor intermittently works and turns off when passenger is in the seat. Dashboard light for airbag is constantly on and passenger airbag is constantly off. Issues with seat sensor going off when no one is sitting in the passenger seat. Abs system error message. All identical to recall symptoms.

   NHTSA complaint #11703165 · source
3. Filed Nov 22, 2024HIElectrical SystemLightingOther / Unknown

   I had a problem. arming the remote control. with forester subaru 2014 -2015 model car w/n arm. with key or electronically. I had changed battery you can arm manually sometimes , alarm will go off if you use the key to open door and shut it off with key. in ignition. had a diagnostic test done. with CODE B1500. tpms lights stays on also. tires are good. pressure good. extra remote key is good batteries changed. any info concerning this. Thank you. this happen week and half…

   NHTSA complaint #11626881 · source
4. Filed Aug 27, 2024176,300 miNJElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the horn was inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,300.

   NHTSA complaint #11611268 · source
5. Filed May 29, 2024WAElectrical System

   Horn on steering wheel stopped working. Don't know when it stopped working, no lights, warnings on dash, nothing. You only use horn when you need it and when needed for safety concerns, it did not work. Almost got in an accident when needing horn which did not work and was first discovery of this safety defect. Same situation twice after first discovery of no horn while waiting for Dealership appointment day. But horn would work by pressing panic button on fob. Steering…

   NHTSA complaint #11591422 · source
6. Filed Aug 18, 2023MEAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   My Subaru just failed inspection for a defective airbag sensor in the front passenger side. We had this repaired at a Subaru dealer in Jan 2020, to the tune of $1500. There was a recall in 2020 for this exact problem, and our vehicle fell with the guidelines (2015-2018 Foresters equipped with heated seats), but for some reason our vehicle wasn't included in the recall. So we paid for our fix out of pocket. Now 2 years later we are seeing the same problem. This is…

   NHTSA complaint #11539337 · source
7. Filed Jul 21, 2023AZCrashTowedBrakesElectrical SystemSteering

   Vehicle accelerated from a stop sign at high speed and brakes were pushed down all the way with no respond the steering wheels was stiff and the Vehicle continued at high speed on its own crashing curbs side walk vegetation along the way until final crash at a tree. not warning lamps messages and air bag did not deploy. Car engine remained on at time of crash until manually turned off. safety of driver & passenger and others near by were at very high risk. Head on collision…

   NHTSA complaint #11533735 · source
8. Filed Apr 7, 2023MDAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   Unknown origin. Airbag issues started in September October 2022. 2015 Subaru Forester. Vehicle with Heated Seats similar to open recall. Warning notice display as to Airbag dysfunction. Airbag determined to not function by Dealer. But informed not within the specific airbag recall affecting other same era (2015) Foresters now under recall altho symptomatically the same issues as other Vehicles subject to recall. Quoted up to $2000 to fix the Vehicle. Subsequently, the driver…

   NHTSA complaint #11515986 · source
9. Filed Mar 9, 2023MDElectrical System

   power locks have failed in all 4 doors, must be manually unlocked from inside or key used in door. you can hear internal components trying to unlock latches but do not catch properly. especially dangerous with children in the backseat there is no quick way to unlock doors and get them out in an emergency

   NHTSA complaint #11511104 · source
10. Filed Feb 22, 2023VAElectrical System

    The horn became intermittently functional and now is no longer working and it has been diagnosed as the roll connector. When the horn fails, it is very dangerous and it appears from Internet reports, it is quite prevalent in this model.

    NHTSA complaint #11508630 · source
11. Filed Feb 1, 2023ORElectrical SystemWheels & Tires

    First Issue: Wheel lug studs and nuts have failed on two separate occasions. Second Issue: The C/S brake, hill assist and traction control emergency lights went on and off and usually stayed on after the lights went on. The O2 Oxygen sensor was replaced. Then after this didn't fix the problem with the emergency lights coming on, the hydraulic unit module was replaced. This fixed the problem.

    NHTSA complaint #11505077 · source
12. Filed Dec 7, 2022ARElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

    I parked my car in the Walgreens parking lot while shopping, less than 30 minutes. When I returned, the car would not start. I called AAA for what I thought was a battery jump. When the AAA technician arrived, checked the battery and said his equipment said to replace the battery. After several attempts he was able to finally get the car started. I drove my car to the dealer where I had just had the battery and terminal replaced five months earlier. The service person…

    NHTSA complaint #11496404 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology