2015 Subaru Forester: Transmission failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2015 Forester report: transmission failure. CarComplaints.com lists 7 owner complaints, average mileage 96,600 miles.
NHTSA has 95 owner complaints for the 2015 Forester in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11748724 (filed 07/07/2026): “The contact's spouse owns a 2015 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving from a complete stop or at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended. the hill assist and automatic transmission oil …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11735015 (filed 05/01/2026): “I was pulling into a parking spot almost stopped when the vehicle suddenly surged forward. i slammed on the brake and put the car in reverse since it had driven upon the walkway. this happened earlier today and i plan to have it checked out as soon as possible…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace transmission (5 reports) fixed (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $6,500 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: transmission replacement (automatic or CVT, remanufactured unit)
Average shop cost
$835
Range $400–$1,390 (labor)
4.0–10.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$1,255
Range $600–$2,085 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2015 Dodge Durango: Transmission failure · 2015 Jeep Cherokee: Transmission failure check engine light on · 2015 Nissan Murano: Transmission failure · 2018 Nissan Sentra: CVT failure · 2019 Nissan Pathfinder: Check engine light came on transmission failure · 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe: Transmission failure
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