2015 Subaru Forester Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 93 electrical system complaints for the 2015 Subaru Forester, 15% of all complaints for that year, with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles. A related recall (19V149000) covers a faulty brake light switch on 2014-2016 Foresters.
- Electrical System complaints
- 93
- 15% of 613
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 40,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Some owners report the accelerator pedal or engine control stopped responding after a dashboard warning light appeared.
- Several owners describe multiple warning lights, alarms, and beeping sounds followed by stalling, with one report of a burning electrical smell from under the hood.
- Owners report the fan switch failing at high speed, with the switch burning and melting internally.
- Multiple owners describe a speedometer and instrument panel that are too dim or too small to read in daylight, making speed hard to judge.
- The rear backup camera display was reported to show a dark bar down the middle when viewed through polarized sunglasses.
- One owner reported the battery drained completely after the vehicle sat parked for two weeks.
When 2015 Subaru Forester electrical complaints were filed
First complaint May 30, 2014, latest Jan 24, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2015 Subaru Forester
- NHTSA 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Electrical System1,303,530 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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 transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System complaints by Forester model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2015 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA lists 93 electrical system complaints for the 2015 Forester, which is 15% of the 613 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
- Yes. Recall campaign 19V149000, reported in 2019, covers a brake light switch defect in 2014-2016 Foresters, along with several other Subaru models. It does not carry a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2015 Forester?
- NHTSA data shows a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles for electrical system complaints on this model year.
- Have electrical issues on the 2015 Forester caused any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA records show 2 crashes and 3 fires tied to electrical system complaints on the 2015 Forester, with no reported injuries.
- Is the 2015 Forester's electrical complaint rate high compared to other years?
- The 15% share for 2015 is close to nearby years like 2014 (12%) and 2018 (15%), though 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020 all show higher shares of 16-23%.