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: service brakes
31 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Jul 14, 2017
AT VEHICLE START, OR WHILE DRIVING, THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR ON THE VEHICLE INFORMATION PANEL: 1) VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED; 2) ABS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED; AND 3) HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED. THESE WARNINGS APPEAR, GO AWAY, AND THEN REAPPEAR RANDOMLY. WHEN THESE WARNINGS APPEAR AT VEHICLE START, I AM UNABLE TO PUT IN GEAR WITHOUT PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN THESE WARNINGS APPEAR WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, I AM UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, WARNINGS WERE NOT BEING DISPLAYED AT THE TIME, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, I WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE SOON AND WILL ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AT THAT TIME.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 21, 2015
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE DRIVING IT THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR (IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TINES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THEY WILL GO AWAY AND TEN REAPPEAR DAYS OR WEEKS LATER): VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED ABS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE IN JULY (BAY RIDGE SUBARU) THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, MESSAGES STARTED REAPPEARING. ISSUE WITH THESES MESSAGES IS CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR UPON STARTING UNLESS YOU PUMP BREAKS MULTIPLE TIMES.
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Service brakes, Nov 19, 2014
THE EYESIGHT, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEMS DO NOT RECOGNIZE STOPPED VEHICLES - HARD BRAKING IS REQUIRED TO STOP VEHICLE IN TIME. WHEN SYSTEMS DO FUNCTION THEY DO NOT GRADUALLY SLOW VEHICLE AND COME TO A STOP, BUT DO SO SUDDENLY AND DANGEROUSLY, CAUSING ME TO BRAKE HARD TO COME TO A STOP AT A SAFE DISTANCE BEHIND STOPPED VEHICLE. SAME SYSTEMS ARE ALSO DANGEROUSLY AFFECTED BY BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AND FAIL TO FUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER SAID THEY CHECKED SYSTEMS OUT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. GAVE ME PRINT-OUT FROM OPERATING MANUAL STATING IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DRIVER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE SAFELY AT ALL TIMES AND THAT THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM IS NEVER A SUBSTITUTE FOR ACTIVE DRIVER INVOLVEMENT AND MAY NOT OPERATE OPTIMALLY UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS!!!!!!! SUBARU CORPORATE CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE SAID THERE WAS NO SOFTWARE UPGRADE/FIX AVAILABLE FOR THE FORESTER MODEL. CERTAIN SUBARU 2015 MODELS ARE ADVERTISED TO HAVE AN UPGRADED EYESIGHT SYSTEM THAT RECOGNIZES LIGHTED TAILLIGHTS, AMONG OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. I WAS TOLD THE 2015 SYSTEM WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE 2014 FORESTER. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. A RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Service brakes, Sep 16, 2014
WHEN SOMEONE DEPARTS ROAD ON AN EXIT AND THEY ARE DECELERATING EVEN IF THEY ARE CLEAR AND OUT OF THE LANE THE CAR WILL PRACTICALLY STOP ON THE HIGHWAY, SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES HARD. EVEN UNDER NORMAL USE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM DOES NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES SLOWLY IN A PROGRESSIVE PATTERN IT HITS THEM ABRUPTLY. I AM IN A CONGESTED AREA AND HAVE OFTEN HAD TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM BY HITTING THE BRAKES MANUALLY TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM OR FLOOR THE GAS TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM REAR ENDING ME ON THE HIGHWAY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION THEY SAY IT IS OPERATING AS IT SHOULD AND HAVE BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE ATTENTION ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS ASKING FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE. I BELIEVE THE SYSTEM IS GOOD BUT NEEDS REFINEMENT OF ITS SOFTWARE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.
Service brakes, Aug 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND THAT HIS STATE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.