2015 Subaru Forester: check engine light

Filed Jan 24, 2026 · Lights, Transmission · TN

I bought a used 2015 subaru forester with 117,000 miles from an auto shop/used car dealer in March of 2024. In September of 2025, 11,000 miles of driving later, a bunch of lights came on my dash. Check engine, traction control, ABS, at oil temp, and incline assist. I took it to Autozone to get the codes read and the part it suggested was the transmission oil pressure sensor. I then took it to a trusted mechanic who said they weren’t able to get the lights to turn back on and told me to come back when the lights reappeared. In December of 2025, the lights came on and they were on long enough to take it back to the mechanic. The mechanic told me that it looked to be the transmission valve body and recommended a local transmission shop. I took it there and the mechanic told me there was a speed sensor that was failing and the transmission and valve body would need to be replaced. He said that they don’t sell the speed sensor anywhere and it is impossible to obtain. I got quoted 9,100 to fix my car (I originally paid around 8,500 for it). I was told it would not be worth my time or money to fix the transmission. The transmission guy told me that Subaru cvt transmissions are horrendous and to take this is a lesson to never buy a Subaru. I heeded to this advice and traded her in for $2000 towards a 2010 rav4. Additional info: It had a rebuilt title and had been in an accident before I got it. Lived its entire life between kentucky and tennessee. I replaced the engine oil and filter every 4,000-6,000 miles. Tire treads were very mismatched for the time I had it (almost two years) which I was told by a subaru dealership can damage the transmission. Back tires had significantly lower tread than front. I had front left lower control arm, rear spring coils, brake switch lamp, and one of the battery terminals replaced during the time I had it. My TPMS light was always on. My front right headlight went out frequently. My brake light assembly also broke and wasn’t worth fixing

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Transmission · 73,600 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle accelerated at high speed and stability, the traction control, the check engine, and the cruise control warning light illuminated, and the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the transmission module was updated, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the throttle pedal assembly was replaced multiple times, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 73,600.

Filed Dec 4, 2022 · KY

Check engine light keeps coming on for an O2 sensor that has been recently replaced.

Filed Aug 11, 2022 · Brakes · 56,915 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the antilock braking system (ABS), vehicle dynamic control (VDC), and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then stated that the vehicle was previously repaired at a local dealer under a manufacturer's recall code WUE-90 for Brake Lamp Switch. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they were not available. The failure mileage was 56,915

Filed Jul 25, 2022 · Transmission · CT

Car continues to have ongoing lack of response with acceleration. Car was at dealer for 3 weeks for inspection after I was nearly rear ended due to lack of response in acceleration at a stop light, as well as shifting gears. No lights came on to indicate issue, thus the car was returned to me with no repairs. 2 weeks after car obtained from dealer, car again started having issues with acceleration, and pulling into a lot, the AT oil temp light, hill assist, ABS, and check engine light came on. In the 2 prior attempted repair sessions at dealer, the team stated that they were unable to replicate the problem that has been occurring nearly daily for almost 2 months, and stated that they cannot figure it out without any lights coming on. Given the lack of responsiveness to accelerate, my safety is at-risk as well as others, as I am not able to clear traffic as quickly as I should.

Filed Jan 25, 2022 · Engine · ME

Cam carrier/front cover seal failed on our 2015 Forester with the 6 speed MT. This oil leak has ruined the O2 sensor, the drivers side VVT solenoid and according to the dealer has caused oil to run down the wiring harness which will cause further sensor failures if not corrected. All told the dealer wants over $3700 to fix the issues and will not warranty any parts unless the oil leak is fixed. The car currently has ~105k miles on it, out of warranty, but we had mentioned oil loss issues to our mechanic and local Subaru dealer when the car was serviced for the 2019 airbag sensor recall. The car was 4 yrs old, had ~65k miles and was "consuming" about 1 qt per 2500 miles at which time the low oil light would come on, but not the check engine. The concern was dismissed by the dealer as minor and likely oil consumption common on this engine. This is concerning as I now know that a service bulletin for this leak was issued in 2019. Now the car "consumes," leaks, about 1 qt every 1500 miles with no visible signs under when parked, but does have a distinct smell of burned oil in the car when idling in the driveway or stopped in traffic. The check engine light is no on constantly and cruise control does not function.

Filed Aug 10, 2021 · Electrical, Seat belts · NJ

1) OIL CONSUMPTION. My 2015 Subaru was purchased used in 2017 with approx 56k on engine. From the first oil change I had done one month later the car’s computer would say that the oil level was low. I would check the dip and it would be at least a quart low. From that point on the car would burn oil that I would keep the 5 gallon oil container in my car. 2) My Subaru is and has been driven consistently until one week I did not use it for a few days not more than 3. The battery completely drained water and all. Filled the battery with appropriate water and trickle charged it for about 5 days. I then was able to jump start the car just to drive to the auto parts store to buy a new one. Noticed the signal lights would not work but the car was driving fine. I thought it may be a fuse so I pulled the proper fuse out and replaced it with the proper fuse. I started the car and every single light on the dash board lit up. Oil temp, check engine light, the up hill etc. I drove the car back home from the auto parts store and it was jerking, revving, stumbling all over the place. Nearly drove into the car in front of me and just about made it home without it stalling. I was scheduled to have two recalls fixed but I had to have my insurance company tow it to the dealer. They said it could be a number of things. I paid them 149 to do a diagnostics check but said they needed an additional 500 to do a thorough check and it would not go towards any fix of any issue. He printed me a list of items that needed to be done but none would fix that issue. He said maybe the wire harness but not sure. I was just basically screwed. So I have a 2015 Subaru Forester that I have no idea what is wrong with the engine. 3) seat belt warning on the passenger side will not stop alerting to fasten seat belts even though no one is in the seat. I have to keep it buckled at all times. I have notified the dealer the day the recalls were done but he said he didn’t know why it was doing that.

Filed Mar 14, 2021 · 135,000 miles · OR

After 4hrs of driving with 2 pit stops in between, I was in 3 lane traffic and down to 1 bar on fuel gauge stating I had 50mi left of driving remaining in tank.. Low fuel light hadn't even turned on yet, only to find that the car had lost power and reduced speed and wouldn't accelerate when I used has pedal. However the interior lights and power windows still worked. I was able to pull off to the side of road and shut the car off. I looked under the hood and found nothing to be out of sorts. No dash lights went off either such as battery or check engine. I started the car back up in 5mins and fueled my car up. Also, during the trip my fuel mileage was consistently going down which the lowest reading days 17mpg when normally 30mpg. This happened the day after taking my vehicle in for new tires at a corporate tire company. 2 weeks later car having troubles starting. Battery and alternator checked out good, so suspected fuel pump. Car dealership states fuel filter inside the pump and even if there was a way to test the pressure it may not be accurate because it could be intermittent failure and doesn't recommend me replacing it. They wanted me to wait until it happens again before looking into it any further. They checked for dtc codes and found none. Also suggested I just upgrade to a newer vehicle and I stated that at 138,000 the car should still be repairable and driveability otherwise what's the point of purchasing to own the vehicle. Obviously the situation was dangerous and could lead to a slew of problems such as standing, accident or even death.

Filed Mar 16, 2020 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact called on behalf of her father who owns a 2015 subaru forester. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. Three different dealers were contacted including frank subaru located at (2829 national city blvd, national city, ca 91950), kearny mesa subaru located at (4797 convoy st, san diego, ca 92111), and subaru of el cajon located at (900 arnele ave, el cajon, ca 92020) and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000. *bf

Filed Mar 15, 2020 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 129,735 miles · AZ

We were driving down the road approx 65 and the eye sight disabled, ABS disabled, traction control and hill assist stopped, cruise control stopped at transmission oil started flashing and then check engine light all came on we were driving down hwy 61 in az. Power to the vehicle slowed and we could not go faster than 40mph. The brake light switch was on recall and replaced 10/2019 and the 3xacr same thing happened except the check engine light didnt come on.

Filed Jan 7, 2020 · 50,000 miles · NY

Loss of power. It feels like there is simply no throttle response. It has happened after turning into traffic from a stop sign or red light at low speed ( 60 MPH). Pressing the gas pedal just results in continued vehicle deceleration. The engine is still running but no response to throttle. After several cycles of backing off throttle and pressing, the engine will just suddenly start responding. Sometimes the hill assist and ABS lights on the dash will illuminate, sometimes not. There is never been a check engine light when it happens. It has happened several times. Scary, especially on the highway.

Filed Dec 6, 2019 · Electrical · 42,206 miles · AZ

I was driving on city streets (speed limit 45mph) to run simple errands when the check engine light came on. I immediately turned around to go home which was just a minute or two away. As I sat at a traffic light, I realized the engine was idling a bit rough. The check engine light remained on. I parked the car in the garage and spoke with subaru as well as our mechanic at new dimensions automotive. Apparently, subaru had issued a mechanics notice to be aware that alternator problems existed. We ultimately had the repair completed at new dimensions on 8/6/19 in the amount of $877.53. Our mechanic suggested that this mechanical issue may well become a recall, and to keep our receipt for just that reason.