2014 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 403 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 48 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 28 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 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.
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
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.
Campaign 19V149000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentApr 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 13V159000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
72 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 8, 2016
VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE DUE TO STALLING AND LURCHING FORWARD UNDER ALL THROTTLE RANGES. VEHICLE MAY "CHUG" AT VARIABLE DRIVING SPEEDS. THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT AND VARIES FROM SUBTLE TO HEAVY EFFECTS. SEVERE EFFECTS CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHUDDER AND/OR STALL THEN ABRUPTLY ACCELERATE. ISSUE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO "TURBO LAG" AS IT OCCURS UNDER LOW BOOST CONDITIONS. TRANSMISSION ALSO PRODUCES "CLICKING" SOUND WHEN ENGAGING FROM NEUTRAL OR UNDER CHANGES IN SPEED. CONDITION OCCURS THROUGHOUT ALL DRIVING MODES (I, S, S#). CONDITION OCCURS MOSTLY UNDER ACCELERATION FROM DEAD STOP, BUT MAY ALSO OCCUR UNDER "PICK UP" ACCELERATION, IE OFF THROTTLE TO DECELERATE (55MPH-45MPH) THEN LIGHT THROTTLE TO RESUME DRIVING SPEED. VEHICLE MAY ALSO BACKFIRE UNDER ACCELERATION. VEHICLE MAY HESITATE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ACCELERATION FROM STOP OR AT HIGHWAY SPEED THAN UPON RESUMING ACCELERATION VEHICLE MAY HAVE A FLAT/SLOW ACCELERATION IN SPITE OF HEAVY THROTTLE. FACTORY AUTHORIZED REPAIRS ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY CONDITION BY CLEANING THROTTLE BODY AND "UPPER ENGINE" CLEANSE AND STATES UNABLE TO REPLICATE FAILURE. CONDITION HAS BEEN ON-GOING FROM PURCHASE WITH APPROXIMATELY 30K MILE TO CURRENT WITH 74K MILES.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 13, 2016
SAFETY PROBLEMS FROM SUMMER 2014. THE CAR ABRUPTLY LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN OVERTAKING LOG TRUCKS AND OTHER SLOW TRAFFIC ON STEEP TWO-LANE HIGHWAYS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIPS SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR AND EXCEPT FOR UPDATING THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT FIRMWARE; THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ISOLATE THE CAUSE. IN FEBRUARY 2016, SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) MAILED US RECALL WQW-58R. THE DEALER DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR RECALL APPOINTMENT REQUESTS. WE ASKED FOR SOA ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS HOSTILE, YET CLAIMED TO PERFORM THE RECALL. LATER, A DEALER EMPLOYEE INFORMED US THAT SOME EMPLOYEES SABOTAGED THE VEHICLE WITH THE INTENT OF HAVING THE ENGINE EXPLODE. ANOTHER SHOP CONFIRMED FACTS AND CORRECTED SOME DAMAGE. CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CASE (SA2016005132) CITED THE DEALERSHIP . THE SUDDEN POWER LOSS REMAINS AND IT IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. IT HAS FAILED TO START ON OCCASION. WE ARE AFRAID THAT THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM OR OTHER ACTS BY THE DEALERSHIP MAY CAUSE US OR TO BE INJURED OR KILLED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHEN POWER FAILS. IT MAY STRAND US IN AN ISOLATED AREA DURING A SNOWSTORM OR IN SOME DANGEROUS LOCATION. WE HAVE REQUESTED THAT SOA ACCEPT THE CAR BACK AS A LEMON. THEY HAVE REFUSED. THE INSTRUCTIONS TOSERVICE DEPARTMENTS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: 'REMINDER: ENGINE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT WILL ONLY BE REQUIRED IN A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CASES.' [SOA INSTRUCTIONS TO DEALERS INCLUDES THE WORDS 'REMINDER' AND 'VERY LIMITED' IN BOLD TYPE] IN OUR OPINION, THE 'REMINDER' TO DEALERS WAS INTENDED TO SUPPRESS CORRECTIVE ACTION AND REDUCE COSTS TO SUBARU OF AMERICA. THE SUBARU OF AMERICA WQW-58R RECALL DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE LIST OF SAFETY RECALLS. FROM OUR EXPERIENCE, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE TO OPERATE, AND WE REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA INCLUDE THIS RECALL AS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL.
Power train, Engine, May 2, 2016
I ALSO HAVE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM WITH MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER, PURCHASED AT EARLY 2014. THOUGH, MY FORESTER'S OIL CONSUMPTION RATE IS ABOUT 1-1/2 QUART PER 5000 MILES. I VISITED THIS SITE BECAUSE I RECEIVED A SETTLEMENT NOTICE IN THE MAIL, PER DISTRICT COURT OF NEW JERSEY. I WAS HOPING THERE ARE SOME OFFICIAL POST TO GO ALONG WITH THE SETTLEMENT NOTICE FOR GETTING A NO-CHARGE FIX FROM THE DEALER, IF THERE IS ONE. I SUPPOSE THE NOTICE ITSELF WILL HAVE TO DO. A OFFICIAL POSTING APPEARING SOON ON THIS SITE WOULD BE NICE. HERE IS THE URL FOR THOSE THAT DID NOT GET THE NOTICE: HTTP://WWW.OILCONSUMPTION.SETTLEMENTCLASS.COM/
Engine, Apr 29, 2016
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2014 FORESTER IN 2013. IT NOW HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I NEED TO ADD A QUART TO A QUART AND A HALF ABOUT EVERY MONTH. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT IS 'NORMAL' FOR THE CAR TO USE A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1200 MILES. SUBARU RECOMMENDS CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 7500 MILES. THAT MEANS THAT I AM ADDING OVER 6 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN EVERY RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. THE OIL IS SYNTHETIC AND VERY EXPENSIVE. AFTER HAVING THE LOW OIL LIGHT COME ON SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I WAS ALONE AT NIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE, NOW I CARRY SEVERAL QUARTS OF OIL WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT SUBARU KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IS A PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF SUBARU MODELS OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS. HOPEFULLY NHTSA OR EPA (WHOM I ALSO NOTIFIED) WILL HELP PERSUADE SUBARU TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND RECALL THEIR DEFECTIVE CARS AND FIX THEM.
Engine, Aug 5, 2015
CAR ENGINE CONSUMES UNREASONABLE AMOUNTS OF OIL DURING USE REQUIRING CONSTANT MONITORING TO AVOID ENGINE FAILURE. CAR BURNS THROUGH ONE QUART OF OIL PER 2000 MILES. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH THE DEALER AND COMPANY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR THE CAR TO BURN UP TO ONE QUART PER 1200 MILES. TO PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE, THE CAR HOLDS SEVEN QUARTS OF OIL AND THE MANUFACTURER'S MAINTENANCE SCHEDULED SPECIFIES CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 7500 MILES. THIS MEANS THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BURN SIX AND A HALF OUT OF SEVEN QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN SCHEDULED SERVICES TO MEET CRITERIA.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 3, 2015
VEHICLE HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP WITH SLIGHT SHUTTERING. CAR NOW HAS 6,600 MILE AND STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM BUT CLAIMS THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED.
Engine, May 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL LOW WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL LEVEL IN THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED TO PERFORM AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,900.
Engine, Jan 8, 2015
ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR ON A COLD MORNING. BATTERY HAD GOOD CHARGE, BUT CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START AS NORMAL. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS I PLACED A BATTERY BOOSTER INLINE WITH THE BATTERY, AGAIN AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS NOTHING BUT A FEW SPURTS.. THIS HAPPENED OVER A 20 MINUTE PERIOD. AT NO POINT WAS THERE NOT ENOUGH CRANKING VOLTAGE OR AMPERAGE. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE COLD -10, BUT MIND YOU NO COLDER THEN THE 2013 WINTER IN WHICH MANY MANY MORNINGS AND DAYS WHEN THE POLAR VORTEX WAS UPON US DID THE CAR EVER FAIL TO START. THIS IS A 2014 TURBO XT MODEL, IN GENERAL TURBOS ARE HARD STARTERS, AS I RECENTLY OWNED A 2009 ACURA RDX TURBO, BUT AGAIN NEVER HAD STARTING ISSUES WITH THAT CAR. I SPOKE TO MY DEALER , BUT HE OFFERED LITTLE HELP, ALSO CALLED AND CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA, WHO TRIED TO WRITE OF OFF AS A BAD BATTERY, BUT AS I MENTIONED PLENTY OF CRANK, TO DTC'S ERROR, NOTHING , JUST HARD TO START.. THIS CAR HAS A PROVEN HISTORY OF STARTING IN COLDER WEATHER. THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED ROUGH IDLES ON AN OFF, BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS. WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS THE CAR UNDER THE CONDITIONS SHOULD HAVE STARTED FIRST FEW CRANKS, NOT OVER A DOZEN ATTEMPTS IN A 20 MINUTE PERIOD. *TR
Engine, Nov 24, 2014
ON COLD START THE VEHICLE WILL ROLLOVER AND OVER AND NOT START. IT HAPPENS IN ALL TEMPERATURES. IT DOES SEEM TO START ON SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS. THIS IS A NEW CAR. IT SHOULD START! *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 29, 2014
IN OCTOBER OF 2013, I PURCHASED BY WAY OF LEASE, A BRAND NEW 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER I BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION IN MY VEHICLE. IN EXAMPLE, BEFORE MY FIRST OIL CHANGE OF 3,000 MILES, I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR ASSESSED BY THE OIL TECHNICIANS AS THE OIL LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THE OIL TECHNICIANS WOULD ?TOP? OFF MY FLUIDS AND ALONG I WENT. SADLY, AFTER HAVING MY 3,000 MILE OIL CHANGE, I CONTINUED TO HAVE ISSUES WITH OIL CONSUMPTION. I THINK I PAID A VISIT TO THE OIL TECHNICIANS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 6 WEEKS OR SO; SO MUCH SO THAT THE OIL TECHNICIANS WERE TIRED OF SEEING MY VEHICLE. I PRACTICALLY DEVELOPED A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OIL TECHNICIANS. IF THEY DID NOT KNOW ME BY NAME, THEY WERE AT LEAST FAMILIAR WITH MY VEHICLE. TO MAKE A LONG STORY LONGER, THIS MONTH (SEPTEMBER) OR BETTER STATED LESS THAN A YEAR OF HAVING A 2014 IN MY POSSESSION, WHILE STILL BEING IN THE YEAR 2014 WITH 3 MONTHS LEFT TO GO IN THIS YEAR, I HAD SOME MAJOR WORK DONE TO MY VEHICLE. UP TO AND INCLUDING A REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED INVOICE TO SEE ALL THE ITEMS THAT WERE REPLACED. NOW YOU ARE PROBLEM ASKING WELL HOW MANY MILES ARE ON THE CAR? THERE ARE ONLY 7,600 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. IN OTHER WORDS I PUT MAYBE 760 MILES ON MY VEHICLE PER MONTH IN LESS THAN A YEAR.OPPORTUNITY: CLEARLY, I WAS SOLD A HIGH PRICED LEMON; A DUD. IN ORDER TO IMPROVE ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, IT IS IN MY OPINION THAT SUBARU SHOULD PROVIDE ME WITH A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER THAT IS NOT DEFECTIVE OR ONE THAT DOES NOT HAVE DESIGN FLAWS. NO VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 8,000 MILES AND LESS THAN A YEAR OLD SHOULD REQUIRE AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT AFTER THE WORK WAS DONE NOW THE CAR HAS A VIBRATION AND FEELS AS IF IT IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. *TR
Engine, Sep 7, 2014
OIL LIGHT (YELLOW) CAME ON TO SIGNIFY OIL LEVEL IS LOW. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND REQUIRES APPROXIMATELY ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY 1200-1500 MILES DRIVEN. SUBARU WAS NOTIFIED FROM THE BEGINNING AND HAS MADE MANY EXCUSES OVER THE PAST 18-MONTHS. I HAVE NOW BEEN ASKED TO LEAVE THE CAR WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR AT LEAST A WEEK, FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2014
THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORST. THE CAR HAS BEEN HAVING TROUBLES TURNING OVER ON COLD STARTS, AND HAS EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF PROPULSION AND STALL GOING UP HILL INCLUDING A LOSS OF BRAKES SINCE I BOUGHT IT A YEAR AGO. ON 9/6/2014 THE CAR WAS STARTED AND WAS IDLING HIGH (APPROXIMATELY 4000RPM), CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, SPEED CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON, INCLINE ALERT LIGHT ON, SPORT MODE LIGHT WAS ON AND CHECK EMISSIONS SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ON. HAD TO MOVE THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE AND IT BARELY MADE IT UP THE INCLINE IN THE UNDERGROUND GARAGE AS IT WAS NOT RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR, CALLED FOR A TOW WHICH NEVER ARRIVED AND TRIED TO RESTART OUT OF FRUSTRATION ALL LIGHTS WERE OFF AND CAR I MADE IT TO THE DEALER WHICH WAS NOT FAR AWAY. HAVE ALREADY HAD THE DEALER INSPECT THE CAR ONCE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY REPORTED THEIR DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THAT CAR ELECTRICAL\COMPUTER PROBLEMS CANNOT BE FIXED UNTIL THEY BREAK COMPLETELY (OR SOMEONE IS HURT OR INJURED PERHAPS). THERE WAS ONE MORE REPORT SIMILAR TO THIS ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THAT OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED. SEEMS TO ME THAT CAR IS NOT SAFE AT THIS POINT. *TR
Service brakes, Engine, Jul 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE BRAKES FAILED UPON MAKING A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Engine, Jul 25, 2014
I BOUGHT MY BRAND NEW SUBARU FORESTER 2014 IN AUGUST, 2013. AFTER MY FIRST OIL CHANGE I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS OVERFILLED WITH 1 - 2 QUART OIL. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE AGENT AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND HE WAS TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT WAS THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT. ON MY SECOND OIL CHANGE I CLEARLY ASKED THEM IF THERE IS ANY OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM WITH MY ENGINE AND IF THIS IS THE REASON FOR OVERFILL . THE ANSWER WAS NO PROBLEM WITH OIL CONSUMPTION. I MADE A COMPLAIN FOR THIS OIL CONSUMPTION TO SUBARU USA. THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT THIS IS A NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION. ON MY THIRD OIL CHANGE I COULDN'T MAKE EVEN 3000MI.WITHOUT ADDING EXTRA QUARTER +THE EXTRA ONE I HAD FROM THE DEALER. TO BE FARE I DON'T SEE ANY SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST, BUT I'M SURE THAT'S GOING TO COST ME EMISSION PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. ACCORDING TO THE 2014 SUBARU FORESTER MANUAL - 1 QUART FOR 1200 MILES IS CONSIDERED NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION.. TODAY THE VEHICLE IS OVER 12 000MI. AND I'M CONSTANTLY ADDING OIL AND PAYING OUT OF MY POCKET AND WONDERING HOW THIS IS GOING TO END. AFTER SHORT RESEARCH I REALIZED I'M NOT ALONE. IF I KNEW FOR THIS PROBLEM EARLIER I'D NEVER BUY THIS EXPENSIVE SUBARU FORESTER. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 17, 2014
STARTING FROM A COLD OR WARM TEMPERATURE THE VEHICLE CRANKS EXCESSIVELY AND WILL NOT START UNTIL A SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT RANDOM AND ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE MONTHS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 1, 2014
AT COLD STARTING, APPROXIMATELY ONE TIME OUT OF 20, THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO START. IT CRANKS FOR UP TO 10 SECONDS BEFORE STARTING. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A FUEL DELIVERY OR AN IGNITION PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FROM 35 TO 65 DEGREES. IF I DIDN'T CONTINUE CRANKING THE ENGINE TO AN EXTENT THAT I THINK IS HARMFUL TO IT, IT WOULDN'T START. I CONSIDER THAT A SAFETY ISSUE, IF I NEEDED TO GET THE CAR GOING QUICKLY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 24, 2014
THIS VEHICLE IS A FORESTER XT TURBO. I WAS OPERATING ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 78 MPH, APPROXIMATELY 900 MILES FROM HOME, WHEN A SUDDEN LOSS OF PROPULSION OCCURRED. DASHBOARD HAD MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS. ENGINE WAS STILL OPERATING, THOUGH AT VERY LOW RPM SO I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN STEERING AND BRAKING CONTROL. AFTER MANEUVERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I NOTICED THE TACHOMETER WAS FLUCTUATING BETWEEN 500-800 RPM. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS WERE STILL ILLUMINATED: CHECK ENGINE, HILL CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL, AND OPERATING MODE. OPERATING MODE WAS STUCK IN "SPORT" MODE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE AT NORMAL SPEED TO NEAREST DEALER APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES AWAY. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED I HAD AN ERROR CODE OF P0606. THIS IS A VOLTAGE ISSUE ON THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, (ECM). THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO RE-FLASH THE ECM COMPUTER CHIP. THIS IS A RESTRICTED ACTION, REQUIRING A FIELD SERVICE ENGINEER TO COME TO THE DEALER TO DO THE PROCEDURE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THEY HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED THIS WITH A VEHICLE THEY SOLD BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MODULE USUALLY OCCURS ON ENGINE START. THE TECHNICIAN CLEARED THE ERROR CODES AND I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP. UPON RETURNING TO MY HOME, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY DEALER TO BE SERVICED. MY DEALER STATED THEY WERE ONE OF THE FIRST TO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. I AM WONDERING WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL/NOTICE TO OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR A WHILE. IT IS FRIGHTENING TO LOSE POWER WHEN CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
Power train, Engine, Mar 22, 2014
MY 2014 FORESTER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RPMS OF THE ENGINE. IN COLD WEATHER & AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP (DASH BLUE LIGHT TURNS OFF) & WHILE CITY DRIVING, THE ENGINE RPM GOES UP 300 TO 400 RPMS WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL (HEATER) IS TURNED ON. THEN IF I STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN OR ADJUST THE HEATER FAN SPEED, THE ENGINE RPMS WILL GO UP ANOTHER 500 TO 600 RPMS WITH THE CV TRANSMISSION GOING INTO A LOWER RANGE (TRANSMISSION WHINES QUITE LOUD AT THIS TIME). I AM NOW DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE RPM AT 1000+ OVER NORMAL RPMS (NORMAL RPMS IS CONSIDERED THE RPM WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL OFF). THIS CONDITION WILL CONTINUE FOR CLOSE ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF CONTINUED DRIVING AND THEN STOP. IF I TURN OFF THE HEATER WHILE DRIVING THE RPMS REVERT TO NORMAL. IF I AGAIN TURN ON THE HEATER, THE RPMS AGAIN WILL GO UP 300 TO 400 RPMS AND NOT GO UP THE ADDITIONAL 500 TO 600 RPMS UNTIL I WOULD STOP AGAIN. THE 1000 RPM PLUS CONDITION APPEARS TO BE DANGEROUS ON SLIPPERY ROADS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Feb 22, 2014
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
Power train, Engine, Jan 5, 2014
I STARTED THE VEHICLE, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND NOTHING!! IT DIDNT MOVE. STEPPED ON THE GAS, NOTHING! TRIED THIS 4 TIMES. AFTER ABOUT ONE HOUR IT STARTED AND WENT IN GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TESTED IT , SAID NOTHING WRONG. SECOND TIME, WHICH WAS LATER THAT NIGHT, I HAD THE CAR OUT. STARTED UP, PUT IT IN REVERSE, NOTHING HAPPENED. CAR WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, CAR THEN ROLLED FORWARD AND ALMOST HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF US. TRIED 3 TIMES BEFORE THE CAR WOULD BACK UP THIRD TIME, WHICH OCCURED ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2013. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. LIGHT TURNED, I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DIDNT MOVE, IT THEN JUMPED INTO THE INTERSECTION OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY! LUCKY I WASNT HIT FROM BEHIND OR HEAD ON! I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR GOING. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW AND I HAVE A LOANER CAR. THEY CALLED AND SAID AGAIN THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG!!! I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!! I DO NOT WANT THIS CAR BACK UNTIL IT IS FIXED OR I GET A NEW ONE TO REPLACE IT. I AM NOT VERY HAPPY WITH THE NEW 2014 FORESTER! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 20, 2013
AFTER I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED A HESITATION BETWEEN 20 - 40 MPH. THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR FOR THE FORESTER'S TO HAVE A CVT ENGINE SO I THOUGHT IT NEEDED BROKEN IN. I ALSO WENT THROUGH 3 CYCLES OF FILLING UP MY GAS TANK FROM 3 DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS AND THE HESITATION CONTINUED. THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IT IN THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE OVERFILLED THE OIL A SLIGHT BIT, REMOVED IT, AND I SHOULD NOTICE A DIFFERENCE. NO DIFFERENCE. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ADDRESSING THE SAME ISSUE. THEY PERFORMED THE TESTS SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) SUGGESTED AND NOTHING WAS FOUND. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, > MONTH AGO, I FEARED AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT HESITATED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE WANTING ANSWERS. SUBARU SENT OUT THEIR OWN TECHNICIAN TO GATHER INFORMATION TO SEND TO FUJI AND WHAT I WAS TOLD WAS THAT THEIR EQUIPMENT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR A CVT ENGINE. I TEST DROVE SEVERAL MORE FORESTERS AND THEY ALL HAD VARYING DEGREES OF HESITATION AND ALL HAD DIFFERENT MILEAGE ON THEM. *TR
Engine, Sep 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47.