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2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,249 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2015 Subaru Forester Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

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problem #42

May 012018

Forester

  • 59,000 miles

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

In may of 2018, with 59000 miles on my Subaru, the right rear coil spring broke. It was replaced, free of charge, by Subaru. At the time, I stated that it must be a defect and the left spring should be changed but it was stated that it was inspected and was fine. This week, December 2019 with 79,000 miles, the car was not handling well. When I took it in to service (a different dealership), I was told the left spring was cracked. Again, they fixed it for free but I was told that a search of the Subaru's system did not turn up any issues reported with the springs. This had to be a lie because a quick internet search that I just did shows numerous problems of cracked and broken springs int he 2014 and 2015 Foresters. It's time to issue a recall.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #41

Nov 252019

Forester

  • 72,000 miles
Vehicle is garaged, no towing, no heavy loads and no accidents. Vehicle was parked in garage and heard a bang. Next day after moving vehicle, noticed driver's side bumper was much lower than right and found one of the coil springs broken and on the garage floor. It was very lucky I was not driving it at the time as it probably would have caused an accident.

- Rexford, NY, USA

problem #40

Aug 012019

Forester

  • 45,000 miles
Own a 2015 Subaru Forester 2.0 xt touring. Have driven 48,200 miles. Have driven on regular highways/roads with zero off-roading. Began hearing a creaking noise when I used to brake and come to a stop. Took the car to the dealer and found the bushing on the front were cracked. Was told it will take $800 to fix this at the dealership. Checked with a google search on the issue - found plenty of other posting on this issue. This seems a very common issue with the Subaru Forester 2.0 xt models on a poorly designed suspension and the crash risk increases especially while driivng at high speeds. We use this car now for mainly our outdoor trips and now iam scared to drive this car with our daughter in it at high speeds on the freeway. Request to open an investigation into this since there are multiple reports on the bushings going bad on the 2015 Subaru Forester.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #39

Nov 092019

Forester

  • 43,838 miles

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

We noticed that the right rear of the Forester was 4-5 inches lower than the left. On inspection of the suspension, I noticed that the right rear coil spring was broken. This was confirmed by the Subaru dealer. The break looked rusty (it is coated with black plastic material) but not completely degraded. This vehicle has 43,838 miles on it, is in perfect shape, and has never been off road or in an accident. Nothing that we did justifies a broken coil spring, especially on an SUV like a Subaru. The best I can think of is that the spring might have broken a week earlier when we were riding though a neighborhood with speed bumps, but we were going less than 25 mph. Certainly not something that you would expect to break a coil spring. When I searched on-line, I found hundreds of similar complaints for 2014 and 2015 Foresters. There is clearly a fault in the spring material or design parameters. I believe this is a potential safety hazard since with a broken spring the vehicle felt unstable when turning and the rear swayed somewhat at 50 mph and above. I believe it requires a recall. The Subaru dealer replaced the broken spring and the rear strut for $500.

- Mechanicsville, MD, USA

problem #38

Nov 012019

Forester

  • 60,000 miles
Like many others - rear coil spring has broken at 60,000 miles. This is a huge safety issue as it may cause severed brake like with immediate loss of braking or tire blowout. Subaru has an updated spring and of course, will recommend replacing both springs and alignment at our expense. Dealer is taking pictures and will advocate for us but

- Rochester, NY, USA

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problem #37

Nov 042019

Forester

  • 39,000 miles
While the vehicle was stationary and parked for a period of 1 week both rear coil springs broke. My mechanic said the rusted from the inside out and the vehicle can not be driven till repairs are made due to safety issue. The vehicle only has 39,000 miles on it.

- Pompton Lakes, NJ, USA

problem #36

Oct 282019

Forester

  • 98,145 miles

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

While pulling out of garage heard a clang of metal falling on concrete. Stopped and found a 4 inch section of metal coil spring. It appeared rusted from inside out where it broke. Came from left rear shock absorber spring bottom. We are original owners car has 98,145 miles. No heavy loads or hauling. No accidents thus far.

- Ripley, OH, USA

problem #35

Oct 142019

Forester

  • 52,120 miles
Left rear coil spring just broke while in my driveway, no off road driving. Car now tilts and I fear it is going to ruin the tire. I am unable to find any parts store that carries the part - it appears that a large number of owners are having the same problem with the coil springs.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #34

Jun 272019

Forester

  • 60,804 miles
I brought my 2015 Subaru forrester into sheehy Subaru for a va safety inspection and other work. I was advised that my right, rear coil had a crack in it. When I saw it, it was obvious that about one half coil turn on the bottom was totally detached (photo). Sheehy provided an initial estimate of $1,900 to replace both of the back coils/struts and that it would take 3-4 days. I did some internet searching and was surprised to find how many other people have had the same problem over the last year-some pics were identical to mine. There have been so many coils that have broken, that there is a shortage of coils nationwide. Based on what I saw on-line, I pointed out to the sheehy service person that this seems to be a common problem and I asked if Subaru would cover the cost. He asked and heard back within an hour that Subaru would pay for the right broken coil as a good will gesture, but I'd have to pay for the other one, estimated at $920. Since sheehy advised me that my car was 'not safe to drive' (see P. 3 of att. Receipt) because of the broken coil, I authorized sheehy's to make the repair and was given a loaner. 5 days later, I hadn't heard anything so I called and was advised that there is a problem getting replacement coils. In the end, it took 2 and weeks for sheehy to obtain the coils and repair my vehicle on July 15, 2019. While I'm not an expert, given how common this defect occurs, it's fairly clear to me to that there is either a manufacturing defect in a large number of coils, or the coil has a design defect. I'm not sure which it is but it should be dealt with on a broader basis. The new coil does have a slightly different design with a protective sleeve on the bottom few turns of the coil, which may indicate a design defect. Frankly, I'm surprised there hasn't been a recall, given how common this problem is and the safety risk that it presents.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #33

Sep 052019

Forester

  • 23,000 miles
The passenger side rear suspension coil broke while on a trip. It didn't break while driving but in the evening I heard a loud pop thinking something hit the car from above. However, the next day the car wheel well and tire were almost touching. My mechanic said I should replace both and the driver side suspension coil broke in his hands while he was taking it off. My car had 23,000 miles on it when it broke and is garage kept. I had to drive the car home over 700 miles on a broken coil since there is still a shortage on the part. Now my tire needs replaced because of the wear from the drive home and I have had to replace two rear suspension coils.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #32

Sep 152019

Forester

  • 74,730 miles

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

Rear coil spring - left side. Broke at low speed entereing garage. No rust/corrosion on exterior of break.

- Maynard, MA, USA

problem #31

Aug 062019

Forester

  • 21,428 miles
Rear coil spring failure. Took car into dealership for pa state safety inspection. Was told (and personally verified) that right rear coil spring was broken. The car had 21,428 miles at that time.

- Bethel Park, PA, USA

problem #30

May 012018

Forester

  • miles
'springs' I had the unfortunate experience of having a broken spring that just snapped while driving on a regular straight road. The first dealer I brought the car to tried to blame me and charge me a ridiculous amount to fix. I contacted Subaru of America and after a few back and forth emails and calls another dealer fixed the one that was broken. The most disturbing thing is the were rusted from the inside and coating was fully intact. I had posted on cargurus to see if anyone else was having this experience. And I have continued to receive hundreds of responses with the same problem. Subaru needs to make this a recall before someone gets hurt. These can brake at higher speed driving and puncture a tire which can make a driver lose control.

- Hazlet, NJ, USA

problem #29

Aug 162019

Forester

  • 26,000 miles
My car started to look low in the driver side rear. It has only 26,000 miles on it, is not rusted and has never been in an accident, pothole or off road driving. The suspension coil or spring broke right off. I don't know when it happened. Since I didn't hear it I can't guess. Checking online this has happened to lots of 2014 and 2015 Forester owners. Subaru said it was ok to drive to the shop, but when I got there and insisted on an estimate first, they told me if I drove it, the remaining coil could puncture my tire.

- Merrimac, MA, USA

problem #28

Aug 172019

Forester

  • 39,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact's son noticed that the vehicle was leaning. When the contact look underneath the vehicle, he noticed that both rear springs were detached. The vehicle was towed to ganley Subaru of bedford (123 broadway ave, bedford, oh 44146, (440) 439-3444) where it was diagnosed that both springs and struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and agreed to pay half of the repair cost. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.

- Auburn Township, OH, USA

problem #27

Aug 222019

Forester

  • 41,350 miles
Rear coil spring broke causing spring to slowing work its way down to control arm and car to sag. This happened with the vehicle sitting in the driveway, but it isn't something that could be noticed, until the vehicle is out on the road. I didn't notice the problem until the coil started working its way down the strut, causing the car to handle drastically different, and figured out the issue after driving 30 miles, returning home, seeing the car bottomed out on one corner, and finding the broken piece of coil in my driveway, where the car was parked before I drove the car for the day. This is extremely dangerous, and could cause the car to lose control. After a little research online and speaking with the dealer service department, this seems like a defect and a common problem of 2014 and 2015 Subaru Foresters. My vehicle only has 41,000 miles on it, and others had the problem around similar mileage. I have not had the car off road, towed with it, nor overloaded it. From the image I uploaded of the broken part of the spring and other photos I have seen from other with the same issue, it looks like these springs are prone to cracking, rusting a little, then snapping. I have seen many similar complaints, and this is obviously a manufacture defect that is a major safety issue. Subaru should have a safety recall on this before many more of these problem start to arise, causing injury or death.

- Milford, MA, USA

problem #26

Aug 102019

Forester

  • 53,000 miles
While driving my car on a clear, warm day, my daughter drove over a speed bump and the rear springs both broke leaving the car undriveable. At first, I was angry with her, thinking that she had hit the speed bump too hard, but upon doing research on the problem, I discovered dozens of similar complaints in regard to the same situation. Talking with a service person at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle (kenny ross Subaru), he stated that he was aware of the problem with the 2014-2015 forresters, but there was no official recall and quoted a price of $925 for the repair. I feel that with a problem that is not unique to only me and with this many other occurrences, Subaru should step up and issue a recall and reimburse owners who have already had the repair made.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #25

Aug 082019

Forester

  • 69,300 miles
Had just got done registering my 2015 Forester with 69K miles. Had replaced my tires since they were needed to be done for inspection and as I was reversing out of the shop it felt like I had popped my tire. Got out and saw the whole rear driverside spring shot down through the strut. Luckily it all happened in the parking lot, not with me driving down to my mechanic get get my inspection done. Also had both my children in the car with me so I was pretty upset with this happening. Brought the car to my dealership (prime Subaru of manchester) where I had purchased the vehicle and told them what had happened. To my surprise not only did the driverside snapped, but also the other rear too. Was estimated to be $550 for the repair. From what I saw both springs snapped due to rust. Purchased this vehicle so I didnt have to deal with problems like this being that I am a young father of 2 and cannot really afford nor should have to repair stuff like this. With a vehicle being only 5 years I do not find this acceptable. Subaru of America really need to take action towards this before someone gets seriously injured.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #24

Aug 082019

Forester

  • 54,098 miles
2015 Subaru forster with 50,098 miles. Car was parked in my garage. I was the only person in it and there was no baggage or load. As I sat down onto the seat, ready to turn ignition on, there was a very loud pop and I felt the rear end of the car drop. The car was not even turned on. All tires were fine but two pieces of the rear passenger side coil spring lay on the floor. Pictures are attached (I hope). One break had clearly happened long ago since both broken edges were very rusted. At the other break, the part which had just snapped was fresh but half of that break was also very rusted. I could not safely drive the car since the wheel was nearly touching the top of the wheel well. On the repair shop lift, we found the driver's side spring was also broken. The Subaru dealership did not answer my phone call. Subaru nationally claims they haven't any information regarding this but I believe that there was poor quality steel in this spring. So, I googled it and found an amazing number of similar claims with 2014 1nd 2015 Foresters and many with nearly the same mileage and also photos showing the breaks in nearly the same locations. I believe there is bad steel in these springs. Just 50 miles earlier on the previous day I had been transporting a mobility limited handicapped person in very rural areas. It could have been a terrible scene if the final break had happened then. The car has been driven under normal circumstances - no undo stress.

- Blasdell, NY, USA

problem #23

Apr 012019

Forester

  • 67,000 miles
Within the span of ~3-5 months, both rear coil springs have broken. I'm not sure when/how the first broke; noticed a tilt in the vehicle (from the rear the left side was distinctly lower than the right). Took vehicle in for an oil change some weeks after left spring broke (still waiting for replacement part), they noted that the right rear spring was also broken. I suspect right rear spring broke after vehicle was parked; started driving away and noticed a clunk sound near right rear after moving 10-20 feet. I stopped, checked for debris under/behind the vehicle, didn't notice anything, continued on. Research online suggests this is a fairly common problem on this vehicle.

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

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