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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

403 reports
112,000 miles · Sep 23, 2020
Power Train

A FEW WEEKS AGO THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE DIFFICULTIES SHIFTING/ACCELERATING FROM A STOP IT WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING AND NOT RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR . IT HAS BEEN EVALUATED AS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT A COST OF $10,000. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WOULD COVER THE POWER TRAIN…

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A FEW WEEKS AGO THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE DIFFICULTIES SHIFTING/ACCELERATING FROM A STOP IT WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING AND NOT RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR . IT HAS BEEN EVALUATED AS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT A COST OF $10,000. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WOULD COVER THE POWER TRAIN UP TO 100,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AND ALL OF IT AT THE SAME DEALER SERVICE CENTER WITH DOCUMENTATION. THIS INCLUDES A 90,000 MILE SERVICE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS INCLUDED IN THE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE CHECK AND INDICATED AS NO ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN USED FOR NORMAL DRIVING. NO HAULING OR TOWING AND NO HEAVY CARGO. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL ONLY 12,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED AND HAVING BEEN SERVICED APPROPRIATELY AND INSPECTED WITHIN 20,000 OF THE CURRENT ISSUE. SUBARU OF AMERICA IS NOT COVERING THE REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT REQUIRED THEM TO EXTEND THIS SAME 100,000 WARRANTY COVERAGE TO ALL VEHICLES FROM THIS MODEL YEAR UNDER WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT. THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND SLIPPING IN THE SHIFTING WHEN POWERING AWAY FROM A STOP IS DANGEROUS IF THE VEHICLE STALLS OR SUDDENLY SLOWS DUE TO LOSS OF POWER AND THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN CVT ISSUE. SUBARU SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THE VEHICLES THEY PRODUCED WITH THIS DEFECT AND NOT BE ABLE TO HIDE BEHIND A A LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT THAT ALLOWED THEM TO LEAVE VEHICLES LIKE MINE ON THE ROAD AS TICKING TIME BOMBS ALL BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE ISSUE DIDN'T SHOW UP BEFORE 2018 OR A ONLY 12,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF THEIR OWN WARRANTY THAT THEY SOLD.

NHTSA ODI #11360802

34,069 miles · Sep 21, 2020
Service BrakesStructureWheelsCrash

MY CAR HAD AN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHEN APPLIED THE BREAK TO PARK ON THE PARKING LOT. AS A RESULT VEHICLE WENT AND COLLIDED INTO A RESTAURANT, DAMAGING THE RESTAURANT GLASS WALL AND FRONT BUMPER, PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL/TIRE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11360320

57,000 miles · Sep 15, 2020
Suspension

REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. LEFT REAR OF CAR SAGGING. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11355066

90,000 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE HORN STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ODI #11355019

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2020
Unknown Or Other

HORN DOESN'T WORK. ONLY WORKS WHEN I LOCK THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11353738

88,271 miles · Sep 3, 2020
Wheels

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, I HEARD AN UNUSUAL SOUND AND FELT VIBRATION UNDER THE REAR PORTION OF THE DRIVERS FLOOR MAT. THIS WAS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS 40 AND ABOVE, ON BOTH HIGHWAY AND SIDE ROADS. IT OCCURRED BOTH WHEN ACCELERATING AND WHEN COASTING. DIAGNOSIS BY MECHANIC RESULTED IN LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS/HUBS BEI…

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WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, I HEARD AN UNUSUAL SOUND AND FELT VIBRATION UNDER THE REAR PORTION OF THE DRIVERS FLOOR MAT. THIS WAS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS 40 AND ABOVE, ON BOTH HIGHWAY AND SIDE ROADS. IT OCCURRED BOTH WHEN ACCELERATING AND WHEN COASTING. DIAGNOSIS BY MECHANIC RESULTED IN LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS/HUBS BEING REPLACE 9/27/19. THIS WAS REPORTED ON COMPLAINT #11320955. THEN ON 6/18/20, THE SAME THING OCCURRED, WITH SOUND AND VIBRATION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS/HUB WAS REPLACED. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT I DID NOT MISS OR IGNORE THIS SOUND AND HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FRONT WHEELS AT THIS TIME, AS IT SEEMS IT MAY HAPPEN WITH THEM ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #11352963

63,000 miles · Aug 30, 2020
Visibility/wiper

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID HOSE THAT RUNS BETWEEN THE WIPER RESERVOIR AND THE SPRAYERS HAS SOME CHEAP WHITE PLASTIC THAT CRACKED AND BROKE, RENDERING THE WIPERS PRACTICALLY INOPERABLE. THIS IS SOME LOUSY PRODUCT USAGE THAT SHOULDN'T BE BREAKING ON A 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THE RESERVOIR LOW FLUID LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF TOO SO …

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THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID HOSE THAT RUNS BETWEEN THE WIPER RESERVOIR AND THE SPRAYERS HAS SOME CHEAP WHITE PLASTIC THAT CRACKED AND BROKE, RENDERING THE WIPERS PRACTICALLY INOPERABLE. THIS IS SOME LOUSY PRODUCT USAGE THAT SHOULDN'T BE BREAKING ON A 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THE RESERVOIR LOW FLUID LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF TOO SO THE SENSOR IS PROBABLY BAD, DESPITE BEING FULL.

NHTSA ODI #11352051

125,500 miles · Aug 24, 2020
StructureInjury

THE TOP NUT OF THE REAR LEFT LIFT GATE PISTON BALL SNAPPED/RUSTED OFF CAUSING THE BACK HATCH TO DROP VIOLENTLY AS WE WERE UNLOADING THE CAR. HITTING MY DAUGHTER ON THE BACK AND MY HUSBAND ON THE HEAD KNOCKING THEM TO THE GROUND. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY ON A FLAT SURFACE. I TOOK IT TO RUGES SUBARU IN RHINEBECK NY TO HA…

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THE TOP NUT OF THE REAR LEFT LIFT GATE PISTON BALL SNAPPED/RUSTED OFF CAUSING THE BACK HATCH TO DROP VIOLENTLY AS WE WERE UNLOADING THE CAR. HITTING MY DAUGHTER ON THE BACK AND MY HUSBAND ON THE HEAD KNOCKING THEM TO THE GROUND. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY ON A FLAT SURFACE. I TOOK IT TO RUGES SUBARU IN RHINEBECK NY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WAS CHARGED FOR IT AND GOT HOME TO FIND OUT THEY NEVER FIXED IT, STATING I DECLINED REPLACEMENT, WHICH I DID NOT, BUT WAS STILL CHARGED FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI #11351030

121,286 miles · Aug 17, 2020
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL WITH THE CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HAD TWO O-RIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL WITH THE CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HAD TWO O-RINGS AND CRANK SEAL REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. DESPITE THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE CHECK OIL LIGHT WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE AFTER EVERY 1,500 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CENTER SUBARU (45 WINSTED RD, TORRINGTON, CT 06790) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE EXCESSIVE OIL FAILURE DUE TO THE VEHICLE NO LONGER BEING UNDER WARRANTY AND NO OTHER RECALLS BEING PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED AND GAVE HER THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,286.

NHTSA ODI #11349869

98,049 miles · Aug 8, 2020
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ON LONG ROAD TRIP. THE LIGHT REMAINED ON FOR THE 5 HOURS REMAINING ON THE DRIVE. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PART, LABOR AND TAXES CAME TO A TOTAL OF $1007.22.

NHTSA ODI #11344064

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