Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2015 Subaru Forester
The 2015 Subaru Forester has moderate owner complaints and three major recalls, primarily involving the engine, airbags, and brake light switch issues. While substantial concerns exist, particularly with engine performance and occupant safety systems, evidence is limited due to the relatively low number of recalls compared to complaints. Proceed with caution and verify specific known issues during inspection and test drive.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2015 Subaru Forester has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 616 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19V701000 Occupant Detection System May Deactivate Airbag NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V149000 Brake Lights May Not Illuminate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V162000 Turbocharger Intake Duct Crack may cause Stall NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 131 complaints
- Air Bags 102 complaints
- Power Train 95 complaints
- Electrical System 83 complaints
- Unknown or Other 73 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 70 complaints
Of the 616 complaints on file, 53 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 616 complaints, owners report 34 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Turbocharger duct cracking
How to check: Inspect turbocharger air intake duct for cracks.
Passenger seat sensor loose connection
How to check: Check if Occupant Detection System functions properly.
Brake light switch malfunction
How to check: Test brake lights and keyless ignition operation.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises.
Red flag: Loud knocking or ticking sounds
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Observe any warning lights on dash.
Red flag: Persistent warning lights
- 03
Low-speed driving
What to check: Feel for smooth gear transitions.
Red flag: Harsh or delayed shifting
- 04
Hard braking
What to check: Ensure brake lights function.
Red flag: Brake lights not activating
- 05
Dashboard monitoring
What to check: Check for passenger airbag light status.
Red flag: Passenger airbag light on
- 06
Highway acceleration
What to check: Check for engine stall or hesitation.
Red flag: Engine stalls or hesitates
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the turbocharger duct been inspected?
- Any recent issues with passenger airbag?
- Has the brake light switch been replaced?
- Are there any unexplained warning lights?
- What is the car's service history?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Service and repair records
- Recall repair confirmations
- Vehicle title and registration
- Accident history report
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2015 Subaru Forester at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2015 Subaru Forester? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.