--- title: "2015 Subaru Forester Parts and Specs" description: "Everything for the 2015 Subaru Forester: oil type and capacity, battery group size, tire sizes, wiper blades, filters, service schedule, and common problems, verified, sourced, and in one place." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2015" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # 2015 Subaru Forester parts and specs Everything you need to own and maintain this exact model year. Verified specifications, part numbers, and the problems that recur, in one place. SJ (4th generation), 2014-2018, Compact crossover SUV. ## Quick facts | Quick fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Engine oil | 0W-20, 5.1 qt (base engine) | | Battery | Group 35 | | Tire size | 225/60R17 (base trim) | | Wiper blades | 26" / 17" / 14" rear | | Key fob battery | CR1620 (flip-key remotes on base/Premium); CR2032 on push-button-start Limited/Touring/XT smart keys. Check which key your trim uses | ## Specifications for the 2014-2018 Forester ### Oil & filter Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/oil). ### Battery BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/battery). ### Tires & wheels Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/tires). ### Wiper blades Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/wipers). ### Air & cabin filters Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/filters). ### Bulbs Headlight, fog and marker bulb types [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/bulbs). ### Brakes Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/brakes). ### Fluids Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/fluids). ### Service schedule What's actually due at every mileage interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/service-schedule). ### Problems & reliability Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/common-problems). ### Oil light reset Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/oil-reset). ### Key fob battery Which coin cell the remote takes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/key-fob-battery). ### Specs Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/specs). These specifications are shared across every Forester of the SJ (4th generation) generation. See the [2014-2018 Subaru Forester overview](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018) for the full picture, or the [Subaru Forester guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester) to compare every generation. ## What changed for the 2015 Subaru Forester | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2015 | Standard rearview camera added across all trims; 18-in wheels become available on the 2.5i | ## Known problems with the 2015 Subaru Forester 4 of the 6 issues we track for the 2014-2018 generation are documented against the 2015 model year. ### Turbo oil starvation from a restricted oil-feed banjo bolt (2.0XT) (major) The FA20DIT's turbocharger oil-feed line uses a banjo bolt with a fine mesh filter screen that can become clogged with sludge or debris, restricting oil flow to the turbo bearings. Left unaddressed, this leads to premature turbo bearing wear or outright turbo failure. It's a widely documented issue in the Forester XT/WRX community; some owners proactively remove the mesh screen or clean it at every oil change. Typical cost: $50 (inspect/clean) to $2,500-$4,000 for a turbo replacement if failure occurs. ### Front passenger airbag occupant-detection sensor recall (major) An electrical connection under the front passenger seat cushion, part of the Occupant Detection System (ODS) that decides whether to deploy the passenger airbag, can loosen. If it loosens the passenger airbag may be deactivated even with an adult occupant, or an intermittent airbag warning light appears. Subaru recalled roughly 350,000 affected Foresters; dealers repair the wiring connection free of charge. NHTSA 19V701000 (Subaru campaign WUM-98). Typical cost: Free under recall. ### CVT chain slip, shudder, or failure (major) Owners report intermittent shudder, hesitation, RPM flare without a matching speed increase, or outright CVT failure on 2.5i models, most often traced to chain slip (Subaru TSB 16-95-15). Subaru's CVT customer-support program extended coverage to 10 years/100,000 miles on many affected VINs. Check eligibility with Subaru before paying for a CVT repair out of pocket. TSB 16-95-15; Subaru CVT customer support program (10-yr/100k extension). Typical cost: Free if within the 10-yr/100k CVT warranty extension; $3,500-$5,500 for a CVT replacement otherwise. ### Starlink infotainment freezes and reboots (minor) The touchscreen freezes, reboots, loses Bluetooth pairing, or shows a delayed backup camera image. Software updates fix most cases; persistent freezing can require a head-unit reflash or replacement at the dealer. Typical cost: $0 (software update) to $1,500+ (head unit replacement). 2 more issues are reported in other 2014-2018 years: FB25 oil consumption (2014 model year, class action) (2014); Spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement) (2017-2018). Full detail, costs and sources on the [Subaru Forester problems and years to avoid](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/common-problems) guide. ## Which engines were offered in the 2015 Forester? | Engine | Trims | Oil | Oil capacity | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2.5L 4-cylinder (FB25, port-injected) | 2.5i, Premium, Limited, Touring | 0W-20 | 5.1 qt | | 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder (FA20DIT, direct-injected) | 2.0XT Premium, 2.0XT Touring | 5W-30 | 5.4 qt | ## About the Subaru Forester The Subaru Forester is a compact, boxy crossover that has built its reputation on tall greenhouse visibility, class-leading ground clearance, and standard symmetrical AWD rather than outright power or luxury, which is why "Forester years to avoid" is one of the most-searched Subaru questions online. 5XT turbo held onto the EJ25 turbo (224 hp) paired to a conventional 4-speed automatic, not a CVT. 0XT trim only, now CVT-equipped) and is remembered for turbo oil-starvation from a clogged banjo-bolt oil-feed filter, a 2015-2018 passenger-airbag sensor recall, and the tail end of an FB25 oil-consumption class-action settlement. The SK generation (2019-2024) rode on the Subaru Global Platform with a direct-injected FB25D (182 hp, no turbo offered in the US) and introduced the Wilderness off-road trim in 2022; it's dogged by a well-documented Thermo Control Valve (TCV) failure that Subaru extended warranty coverage on to 15 years/150,000 miles, plus windshield-cracking and parasitic-battery-drain class actions shared across the Subaru lineup. The redesigned SL generation (2025+) keeps the FB25D (180 hp) and adds Subaru's first factory Forester Hybrid (194 hp combined, e-CVT), with EyeSight driver assist standard fleet-wide. Across every generation, maintenance follows Subaru's familiar pattern: 6,000-mile/6-month synthetic oil changes, an 11-year/137,500-mile first coolant service, a Group 35 battery, 89 ft-lb lug torque, and a CVT on nearly every trim whose long-term health is the single biggest driver of Forester resale value. For how the specifications changed across every generation, see the [full Subaru Forester guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester). ## Other Subaru Forester years - [2026](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2026) - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2016) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012) Data confidence for this generation: High confidence. ## Sources - [Wikipedia, Subaru Forester generations (SJ)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester) - [subaruforester.org, 2017 Forester engine oil capacity thread (5.1 qt, FB25)](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2017-engine-oil-capacity.832865/) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2016 Forester 2.0L FA20F Turbo oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2016/subaru/forester/2-0l-4-cyl-engine-code-fa20f-3-turbo/) - [MotorWeek, 2014 Subaru Forester review (2.0XT: 250 hp / 258 lb-ft, ~23/28 mpg)](https://motorweek.org/road_tests/2014_subaru_forester/) - [subaruforester.org, 2014 Forester 2.0XT HP and torque discussion](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2014-forester-2-0xt-hp-and-torque.134114/) - [turbochargersdirect.com, Subaru banjo bolt oil feed line/cylinder head connection explainer](https://turbochargersdirect.com/subaru-tsb-banjo-bolt-at-oil-feed-line-and-cylinder-head-connection/) - [NHTSA, Recall 19V701000 product campaign bulletin (WUM-98, passenger ODS sensor)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCRIT-19V701-9656.pdf) - [Consumer Reports, Subaru Forester SUVs recalled for airbag deactivation risk](https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/subaru-forester-suvs-recalled-for-airbag-deactivation-risk/) - [classaction.org, Subaru windshield settlement given preliminary approval](https://www.classaction.org/news/subaru-windshield-settlement-given-preliminary-approval-reimbursements-extended-warranty-available) - [tirecalculatorhub.com, Subaru Forester OEM tire size guide by year](https://tirecalculatorhub.com/guides/subaru-tire-calculator) - [wiperhaus.com, Subaru Forester wiper blade size guide](https://wiperhaus.com/blogs/subaru-forester-information/2024-subaru-forester-windshield-wiper-blade-size) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.