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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
36,643 miles · Aug 2, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I BOUGHT THIS 2014 SUBARU FORESTER SOMETIME IN AUGUST 2013. THIS WAS THE VERY FIRST VEHICLE I EVER BOUGHT, NOT KNOWING ANY FACTS ABOUT LEMON LAWS. I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM SOUTH DAKOTA SOMETIME IN JULY 2014 ON A SUNDAY NIGHT WHEN THE LOW OIL LAMP TURNED ON. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHE…

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EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I BOUGHT THIS 2014 SUBARU FORESTER SOMETIME IN AUGUST 2013. THIS WAS THE VERY FIRST VEHICLE I EVER BOUGHT, NOT KNOWING ANY FACTS ABOUT LEMON LAWS. I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM SOUTH DAKOTA SOMETIME IN JULY 2014 ON A SUNDAY NIGHT WHEN THE LOW OIL LAMP TURNED ON. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, SO I HAD TO DRIVE MAYBE 3-4 HRS MORE TO FIND AN OPEN MECHANIC. MECHANIC CAME BACK TO ME AND SAID THAT WHEN HE DIPPED THE STICK, THE OIL BARELY REGISTERED. I HAD ABOUT 8,000 MILES AT THIS POINT. I SHOULD'VE FILED A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT AT THIS POINT. BUT I WAS TOO YOUNG AND NAIVE. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WE DID AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, MAYBE 3-5 MORE TIMES. SOMETIMES THE LAMP WOULDN'T LIGHT UP, SOMETIMES IT LIGHTS UP AT AROUND 1500 MILES OR PAST IT. AROUND DEC 2015, SUBARU FINALLY DECIDED TO CHANGE MY SHORT BLOCK. I NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO FULLY DRIVE MY VEHICLE AS I GOT STATIONED OVERSEAS IN MARCH 2016. I CAME BACK FROM OVERSEAS IN APRIL 2017. ISSUE PERSISTED AGAIN IN MARCH 2018. DID ABOUT 2-3 OIL CONSUMPTION TEST UNTIL THE NEW SUBARU DEALERSHIP I WENT TO GOT AN APPROVAL TO CHANGE THE SHORT BLOCK FOR THE SECOND TIME. NOW, A MONTH LATER AFTER SHORT BLOCK OVERHAUL #2, THE LOW OIL LAMP TURNED ON AGAIN. I'VE PRETTY MUCH GOTTEN TO KNOW THE SERVICE REPS AT MY LOCAL SUBARU SHOPS. SUBARU HAS NO RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE. EXCEPT TO TOP MY OIL OFF. WASTE MY TIME EVERYTIME I GO PAST 1000+ MILES AND GIVE ME ANXIETY. I'VE EMAILED SUBARU OF AMERICA ABOUT THE ISSUE AS WELL. ALL I HAVE IS A COMPLAINT TICKET FROM THEM WITH NO REAL SOLUTION.

NHTSA ODI #11115470

33,000 miles · Jul 24, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (WILLIAMS VOLKSWAGEN INC., 2845 EAST SAGINAW ST, LANSING, MI 48912), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (WILLIAMS VOLKSWAGEN INC., 2845 EAST SAGINAW ST, LANSING, MI 48912), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #11113365

80,210 miles · Jul 23, 2018
Suspension

BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN AT THE BOTTOM COIL THAT RESTS IN THE BOTTOM SPRING BASE OF THE STRUT ASSEMBLY. MECHANIC FOUND CRACKS DURING SAFETY INSPECTION DURING BRAKE REPLACEMENT. AS TECHNICIAN WAS BACKING VEHICLE OUT OF THE BAY A PIECE OF THE RIGHT HAND COIL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE COIL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. PHOTO ATT…

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BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN AT THE BOTTOM COIL THAT RESTS IN THE BOTTOM SPRING BASE OF THE STRUT ASSEMBLY. MECHANIC FOUND CRACKS DURING SAFETY INSPECTION DURING BRAKE REPLACEMENT. AS TECHNICIAN WAS BACKING VEHICLE OUT OF THE BAY A PIECE OF THE RIGHT HAND COIL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE COIL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. PHOTO ATTACHED. LH COIL STILL IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11113166

98,000 miles · Jul 2, 2018
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

AC COMPRESSOR WENT AFTER 3 YEARS (WENT AT THE END OF SUMMER LAST YEAR 2017) AND I LIVE IN THE NORTH EAST WHERE WE ONLY USE AC LESS THAN HALF OF THE YEAR. ALSO REAR SUSPENSION SPRING WENT THIS YEAR. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE EXTREMELY PREMATURE ON A 2014 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO GOOD AFTER MARKET OPTIONS FOR EITHER OF T…

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AC COMPRESSOR WENT AFTER 3 YEARS (WENT AT THE END OF SUMMER LAST YEAR 2017) AND I LIVE IN THE NORTH EAST WHERE WE ONLY USE AC LESS THAN HALF OF THE YEAR. ALSO REAR SUSPENSION SPRING WENT THIS YEAR. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES ARE EXTREMELY PREMATURE ON A 2014 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO GOOD AFTER MARKET OPTIONS FOR EITHER OF THESE PARTS SO HAD TO USE OEM (SUBARU) PARTS. THE SPRINGS HAVE BEEN RE-ENFORCED WITH A WHITE COATING THAT IS NOT ON THE ORIGINAL AND THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER FOR 3 WEEKS (THAT'S AFTER CALLING ABOUT THE DELAY AND GETTING THEM EXPEDITED) SHOWING THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART. THE SPRINGS BROKE WHILE DRIVING MAKING A VERY LOUD BANG THEN FEELING VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11105072

64,000 miles · Jun 26, 2018
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT WAS GOING OFF & DINGING-DID NOT HAVE A PASSENGER-TURNS OUT IT WAS MY AIRBAG IN MY PASSENGER SEAT.-FAULTY SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS MY ABS, HILL START ASSIST & VEHICLE DYNAMICS LIGHTS ALL CAME ON-FAULTY SWITCH AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED MY BLUE TOOTH DISCO…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT WAS GOING OFF & DINGING-DID NOT HAVE A PASSENGER-TURNS OUT IT WAS MY AIRBAG IN MY PASSENGER SEAT.-FAULTY SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS MY ABS, HILL START ASSIST & VEHICLE DYNAMICS LIGHTS ALL CAME ON-FAULTY SWITCH AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED MY BLUE TOOTH DISCONNECTS & STILL SAYS IT IS CONNECTED, DROPS CALLS, NOT ABLE TO PLACE CALLS, NOT ABLE TO LISTEN TO ANYTHING THROUGH MY PHONE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE CONNECTED TO MY BLUE TOOTH. IT IS ILLEGAL TO HAVE A HANDHELD PHONE AND USE IT WHILE DRIVING-THIS IS NOT SAFE-SUBARU OF AMERICA CONTINUES TO SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY STEREO OR CAR THAT ITS MY PHONE WELL I UPGRADED MY PHONE TO A SAMSUNG S9 & I CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM ON A DAILY BASIS!

NHTSA ODI #11104154

47,500 miles · Jun 26, 2018
Suspension

MY LEFT REAR SPRING LET GO. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS NOW. THE SUBURU DEALER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE THEM AVAILABLE. I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR THE RIGHT REAR SPRING AS WELL BECAUSE I WANT BOTH SPRINGS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME SO THE CAR WILL NOT BE HARM…

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MY LEFT REAR SPRING LET GO. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS NOW. THE SUBURU DEALER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE THEM AVAILABLE. I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR THE RIGHT REAR SPRING AS WELL BECAUSE I WANT BOTH SPRINGS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME SO THE CAR WILL NOT BE HARMED. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND AM DISAPPOINTED IT HAS TAKEN THIS LONG SO FAR. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALER AND AM CONCERNED AT HOW LONG THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TO REPAIR. THEY CANNOT TELL ME ANYTHING. I FEEL THE SPRINGS ON THE VEHICLE ARE NOT SAFE AND THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. SUBURU SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRINGS AND NOT CHARGE ME. I DID NOT GO OVER ANY POT HOLES. I HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HAPPY WITH SUBURU CARS (THIS WAS MY THIRD PURCHASE) BUT AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I AM NOT CERTAIN I WILL PURCHASE A NEW SUBURU VEHICLE AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11104069

80,000 miles · Jun 11, 2018
Unknown Or Other

ONCE AND A WHILE I CAN,T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION . THE CAR IS OFF ,I JUST CANT REMOVE THE KEY. AFTER ABOUT 1/2 HOUR I CAN REMOVE THE KEY.

NHTSA ODI #11101129

60,000 miles · Jun 7, 2018
Suspension

AT 60,000 MILES,WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN A LEVEL PARKING LOT, THE REAR PASSENGER SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE CAR TO SAG AND SHIMMY. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS THE POTENTIAL OF THE BROKEN SPRING THROWING OFF A PIECE AND THAT PIECE RUPTURING THE TIRE. MY DRIVING DOES NOT INVOLVE ROUGH ROADS.

NHTSA ODI #11100314

28,500 miles · Jun 5, 2018
Suspension

I FOUND A METAL PIECE IN MY DRIVEWAY, IT IS A PIECE OF THE REAR COIL SPRING. A REPAIR SHOP ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE PART IS REPLACED, AS IT IS UNSAFE.. THE SHOP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE THE REPLACEMENT PART. SO I AM WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION

NHTSA ODI #11099904

48,000 miles · May 10, 2018
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

WHILE PARKING THIS VEHICLE ON THE STREET, IN FRONT OF OUR APT., SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, ONCE PARKED AND HOOD OPENED, ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE DEPT. WAS CALLED. THE CAR IS TOTALED.(I DO NOT WANT TO UPLOAD PICTURES, DUE TO IDENTIFIABLE INFO. IN THE PICTURES.)

NHTSA ODI #11093272

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.

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