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2014 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Forester years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Subaru Forester are substantially higher than the model-year median of 131.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

298 reports with mileage · 105 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 94 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

48 crash reports3 fire reports18 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

3 reports
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97,000 miles · Apr 24, 2023
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming a quart of engine oil every 1,000 miles. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and deter…

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The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming a quart of engine oil every 1,000 miles. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to TSB Number: 02-157-14R (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #11518773

35,000 miles · May 20, 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

AIR CONDITIONING WORKS ONCE TURN ON CAR THEN AFTER DRIVING FOR 1ST FIVE TO TEN MINUTES, AIR CONDITIONING STOP WORKING, THIS ISSUE STARTED HAPPENING IN 2018. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325267

10,500 miles · Feb 22, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2014 FORESTER XT 2.0 UPHILL ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH, THE CEL, HILL-ASSIST, EYESIGHT-DISABLED AND ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT ALL CAME ON. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, STOPPED AND CALLED THE DEALER, WHO SAID THE CAR COULD BE SAFELY DRIVEN IN FOR INSPECTION AS THE CEL WAS NOT BLINKING. APPARENTLY THE CEL LIGHT SETS OF…

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WHILE DRIVING OUR 2014 FORESTER XT 2.0 UPHILL ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH, THE CEL, HILL-ASSIST, EYESIGHT-DISABLED AND ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT ALL CAME ON. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, STOPPED AND CALLED THE DEALER, WHO SAID THE CAR COULD BE SAFELY DRIVEN IN FOR INSPECTION AS THE CEL WAS NOT BLINKING. APPARENTLY THE CEL LIGHT SETS OFF A BUNCH MORE TO GET YOUR ATTENTION. THE OBD CODES THE DEALER PULLED SAID THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD FAILED (NO FURTHER EXPLANATION WAS OFFERED). THEY SAID A NEW ONE WOULD BE ORDERED AND INSTALLED UNDER WARRANTY. SO THE DEALER PUT IN THE NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER YESTERDAY, AND NOW THE ENGINE PERFORMS EXTREMELY POORLY COMPARED TO BEFORE SERVICE. THE ELECTRONIC TURBO BOOST GAUGE NOW SHOWS NEGATIVE BOOST (I.E., NO ACTIVATION) UNTIL OVER 20% THROTTLE POSITION IN I MODE (BEFORE, TURBO BOOST WAS OBTAINABLE AT 8% THROTTLE). THERE IS A HUMMING SOUND (RATHER LIKE THE ALTERNATOR BELT NOISE FORD VANS MAKE) THAT DROWNS OUT THE ENGINE PURR WHEN GENTLY REVVING THE ENGINE IN PARK AND, WHEN DRIVING, THE CVT SHIFTS VERY IRREGULARLY AND AT MUCH HIGHER RPMS IN I MODE (E.G., STAYING IN ONE GEAR UNTIL TACH HITS 2000 BEFORE SHIFTING WHERE BEFORE THE TACH NEVER WENT ABOVE 1500 AT ANY SPEED UNLESS WE WERE IN S/I OR S# MODE AND SHIFTING MANUALLY WITH THE PADDLES). I HAVE NOTIFIED SUBARU OF AMERICA OF THE SITUATION AND THIS CAR IS GOING BACK TO THE SHOP FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565461

Official recalls

2

19V149000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 28, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

13V159000 · Equipment

Apr 24, 2013

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2014 Forester vehicles manufactured from January 2013 through March 2013. The backing for the carpeted floor mats was not manufactured to specification. As a result, the floor mats may curl when exposed to heat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Curling of the driver side floor mat could distract the driver and/or interfere with proper operation of one or a combination of, the vehicle's clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals. Brake or accelerator pedal interference may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace each of the vehicle's four (4) carpeted floor mats with new ones. These services will be performed free of charge. Subaru issued an interim notification during April 2013. Notification that the remedy is now available was mailed to owners on June 5, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQH-44.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems