Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while pulling out of the driveway, he heard an abnormal grinding sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the driver's side wheel bearing had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger's side wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger's side and rear driver's side wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the rear wheel bearings were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she noticed an abnormal noise coming from the passenger's side wheel while the vehicle was shuddering. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a front lower control arm failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.
Every right hand turn, I hear a light metallic 'tap' on the rear, inside fender well.... I've been told by an independent auto mechanic, that it's the 'rear coil springs' that are making the noise. There is No Recall for this issue or Rear Struts. I was told by a Subaru Service Manager..... No recall for either.. Has your Organization heard anything, on the contrary? Thank you... (*Just an annoying noise!)
Rear suspension is garbage, is rusted and broken and seized to the vehicle. The spring has fallen off the strut. Did not know what the weird noise was, but apparently it is the rear suspension. Cannot use the vehicle until repaired, was not notified of the brake sensor recall, and this part should be recalled as well. I want a reimbursement for my expenses to repair this faulty suspension
The vehicle is a 2015 Subaru Forester. At that time, the car had 47800 miles on it. I started to sense a shaking or vibration on the steering wheel, especially at highway speeds. I took it to a local Subaru dealer and the dealer technician found the lower control arm bushings to be work/torn. I have been driving for over 40 years and have never had to have the bushings replaced in any of my (Toyota) cars, especially at 47800 miles. I bought the car new. I live in the city and do not do any off road driving. I bought the car because of the Eyesight safety system. I didn't realize Subaru's quality was not at the same level as Toyota. According to J.D. Power, "The bushings prevent metal-to-metal contact (friction) hence safeguarding the metal joints." and "Driving around with worn-out bushings can pose a threat to the driver and other road users. …
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. …
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. …
On May 15, 2019 I approached my Forester in the parking garage and noticed that the left rear suspension was low (I am not sure if the left suspension broke when I was driving slowly of if the vehicle was static). As I drove down the ramps in the parking garage, I heard a loud noise from the back of the car. I stopped, inspected the rear suspension and found out that the right side was now as low as the left. It appeared that both rear suspensions had a similar problem (right suspension failed as the vehicle was moving a low speed). I dropped the vehicle off at a muller Subaru in highland park, il on May 17. I requested that the parts removed from my vehicle were made available for my inspection. On May 30 I went to the dealership to pick up the Forester and was able to inspect the rear suspension springs. Both of them were corroded to the core at the bottom end. …
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. …
Right rear coil spring broke on my 2015 Subaru forster. Was not aware when it happened. Took car to a garage on 5/2/2020 to rotate the tires, and the mechanic immediately discovered it. Spring was loose and could be moved freely up and down by mechanic's hand. Right rear of car was sagging, almost down on the rear tire. Saw many many similar complaints on internet on both rear springs for 2014 and 2015 foresters like my 2015 Forester. Heard that Subaru in Japan already issued a recall for this safety issue. And that a recall in America May be forthcoming. Meanwhile, we Forester owners are at risk while driving with faulty springs. Most others said it looked like the coil rusted from the inside out. Also that the replacement spring had 8 coils instead of the OEM 6 coil springs, and some kind of tape or plastic coating the bottom coils. …
Suspension complaints in other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2015 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the suspension of the 2015 Subaru Forester, 11% of the model year's 615 complaints. The component named most often is rear (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Subaru Forester suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2015 Subaru Forester, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Subaru Forester suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.