2015 Subaru Forester Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 613 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2015 Subaru Forester overview page.
What owners report
“THE VEHICLES STUTTERS WHEN ACCELERATING. THE ISSUE WILL GO FOR A FEW DAYS TO A FEW WEEKS THEN DISAPPEAR AND RETURN A FEW WEEKS LATER…”NHTSA complaint 11021819 — filed 09/06/2017
“TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 5-22-17 UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. ASSURED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN WORKING ORDER WE DROVE UP TO MAMMOTH LAKES CA THAT FRIDAY (5-26-17)…”NHTSA complaint 10992367 — filed 05/30/2017
“WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH THE LEFT WHEEL BOUNCES AND MY ENGINE RPM INCREASE, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AS WELL AS THE FRONT END. THIS HAPPENS…”NHTSA complaint 10981572 — filed 05/01/2017
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2015 Subaru Forester have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2015 Subaru Forester: 94 of 613 complaints on file (15.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2015 Subaru Forester have in total?
613 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 53 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 34 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
