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: suspension
94 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Nov 1, 2025
LOW CONTRL ARM BUSHINGS DISTROYED,LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATION UNDER THE CAR.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Jun 23, 2024, crash
Basically, as I was driving on the freeway with my son and his brother, I got 5 lights flashing on dashboard. Abs at temp check engine cruise control hill assist vss etc.. the code were for cut but before I could check them everything shut down. Car went dark, no brakes and burning smell as well as burns oil. Front end damage on car with passenger side damage. Car started back up next day called Subaru and because it’s 2014 forester, may not qualify but it only has 126k on the dash. Well maintained and had no issues besides the oil consumption.
Suspension, Nov 10, 2023
During driving on the highway control arm failure causing wheel bearing failure and loss of control of the vehicle putting my safety and others at risk of collision at high speeds. Thankfully no major issue occurred and the vehicle was taken to be confirmed and fixed immediately. I paid for all service repairs out of pocket The vehicle was inspected and issue confirmed by independent service center. There was no warning prior to the issue.
Suspension, May 3, 2023
Car started to excessively shake at 60,000 miles. The control arm bushings wore out. After doing some research, there was a technical service bulletin issued by Subaru on this issue which changed the design of the bushings. However, they did not notify owners.
Suspension, Jan 10, 2023
Took car for 60000 mile check up mechanic said it should not have worn bushings and control arms at 60000 miles.
Steering, Suspension, Jun 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel moved back and forth while on cruise control with the tires wobbling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the front driver’s and passenger’s side tires were able to move 6-8 inches without effort. The steering gear and all four tires were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Suspension, Jun 3, 2021
left rear suspension coil fractured when car put in reverse
Suspension, Structure, Engine, Oct 27, 2020
OIL IS CONSTANTLY HAVING TO BE CHECKED BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE GOES THROUGH LOTS OF OIL. I'VE PUT A NEWER ENGINE IN THE CAR DUE TO THE FIRST ONE DOING THIS. ALSO THE FRONT RIGHT CV JOINT IS ABOUT TO NEED REPLACEMENT AND IS LOUD. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES HAVE HAPPENED AS SOON AS I BOUGHT THE CAR APRIL 2020.ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WORKS ON AND OFF LITERALLY BACK WINDOWS WON'T COME DOWN, HORN WON'T HONK AND BLUETOOTH IS HORRIBLE.
Suspension, Sep 15, 2020
REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. LEFT REAR OF CAR SAGGING. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Suspension, Jul 28, 2020
FRONT WHEELS WOULD SHIMMY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS FAILING FRONT LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT.
Suspension, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN DRIVING AT 90 MPH DURING WINDY WEATHER CONDITIONS, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE 'CHECK FUEL' LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MIKE SHAW SUBARU DEALER, LOCATED AT 1650 W 104TH AVE, DENVER, CO 80234 WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Suspension, Mar 10, 2020
I STARTED GETTING SEVERE VIBRATION AND WOBBLING OF FRONT SUSPENSION ON SWEEPING CURVES ON FREEWAY AT SPEEDS OVER 65 MPH AT ABOUT 33,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. I REPLACED THE TIRES, YET IT CONTINUED. NOW THE MECHANICS SAY BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEED TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF ROAD OR EVEN IN SNOW. SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. IT IS LIKE A NEW CAR.
Suspension, Mar 7, 2020
WHILE REPLACING MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUSPENSION STRUT WAS CRACKED AND BROKEN. I'VE HAD MORE ISSUES WITH MY 2014 IN FIVE YEARS THAN I DID MY 2002 IN THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR (12 YEARS).
Suspension, Feb 12, 2020
WHEN GETTING REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED MECHANIC ADVISED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. NO KNOWN CAUSE.
Suspension, Feb 5, 2020
BOTH COIL SPRINGS ON MY 2014 FORESTER FAILED LOCAL SUBARU DEALER REPLACED BOTH SPRINGS AT A COST TOME OF $561.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. IN ADDITION, I WAS CHARGED 99.95 FOR A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT MANDATED BY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRINGS. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 51,972 ON THE ODOMETER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A SMOOTH STREET WHEN THE SPRINGS SNAPPED. THE RESULT OF THE BROKEN SPRINGS WAS A SAGGING REAR END OF THE VEHICLE MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A SAFETY FAILURE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED WITHOUT CHARGE TO ME. I CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION...HOWEVER, THERE SEEM TO BE VERY MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED ON SUBARU OWNER WEBSITES.
Suspension, Jan 30, 2020
THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE CAR TO SAG. I NOTICED THE SAGGING WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED, I AM NOT SURE WHEN THE SPRING ACTUALLY BROKE. THE SPRING WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING BROKE WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN TRAFFIC. THIS SPRING WAS ALSO REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WAS MAKING A RATTLING AND BANGING NOISE. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST A HEAT SHIELD. THE NOISE GOT INCREASINGLY LOUDER AND THE RIDE DEGRADED AND BECAME VERY BOUNCY. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THE STRUT WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT WAS UNRELATED TO THE BROKE SPRING. I ALSO HAD THE REAR STRUT REPLACED AT A THIRD VISIT.
Suspension, Jan 27, 2020
I FOUND HALF OF THE COIL IN MY GARAGE. THIS WAS TO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SHOCK. I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE OTHER 3 SHOCKS. LOOKS LIKE THE COIL JUST RUSTED OUT.
Suspension, Jan 15, 2020
MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER SEEMED LOW IN THE REAR. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THE SPRING ON THE REAR STRUT IS BROKEN. I LOOKED UP SUBARU ISSUES WITH STRUTS AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. ALSO RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE LIKE THIS AS IT TAKES LONGER TO BRAKE. WHY HASNT NHTSA BEEN A CONSUMER ADVOCATE FOR THIS? THIS LETTER SERVES AS NOTIFICATION THAT I HAVE INFORMED NHTSA OF THIS DANGEROUS PART ISSUE AS IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT METAL WEAKNESS/FAILURE IS THE CAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION.
Suspension, Jan 9, 2020
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, BOTH THE SPRINGS AROUND THE BACK SHOCK ABSORBERS ARE BROKEN. THIS VEHICLE WE DRIVE VERY LIGHTLY, MOSTLY FOR 6 MILES (TO AND FRO) WORK AND DON'T CARRY ANY LUGGAGE OR MORE THAN ALLOWED PASSENGERS. VERY STRANGE TO SEE THIS HAPPENING. WILL NEVER BUY OR RECOMMEND SUBARU TO ANYONE, I HAVE OWNED TOYOTA AND NEVER THIS TYPE OF SERIOUS FAILURE OCCURRED.
Suspension, Jan 2, 2020
AS I WAS TURNING RIGHT, TO PULL INTO MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD NOICE LIKE HEAVY CLANGING SOUND AND FELT MY CAR DROP. I STOPPED AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I FOUND A CIRCULAR SHAPED PIECE OF METAL IN MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE CAR, THE DRIVER'S REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE LOOKED LIKE IT WAS NEARLY TOUCHING THE TIRE ON THAT SIDE. I PICKED UP THE METAL AND TOOK PHOTOS. THE PART WAS RUSTED ON THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39000 MILES AND WAS JUST INSPECTED THREE MONTHS AGO (9/2019). I MADE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SERVICE CENTER BECAUSE I HAD SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. IT CONCERNS ME THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55-65MPH AND COULD'VE CAUSED A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE CENTER CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE SUSPENSION (SPRING COIL AND STRUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED). REPAIRS COST APPROX $1400.
Suspension, Dec 22, 2019
A PIECE OF THE REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FELL OUT ONTO THE ROAD WHEN I WAS DRIVING, AND CAME TO A HALT BEHIND ME ON THE STREET. IT IS SIMILAR TO A PIECE I FOUND IN MY DRIVEWAY A YEAR AGO (WHICH I DID NOT RECOGNIZE OR KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM. THE CAR'S HANDLING HAS BEEN 'DIFFERENT' BUT CAN'T TELL IF IT WILL BECOME UNSAFE.
Suspension, Dec 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING INTO THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED METAL ON THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPRING FRACTURED. THE CONTACT CALLED CAPITALAND MOTORS (37 SARATOGA RD, SCHENECTADY, NY 12302, (518) 631-5792) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
Suspension, Dec 18, 2019
REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN RIGHT AND LEFT 01/07/2019 - 27811 MILES ON CAR, REPLACED BY DEALER DURING STATE INSPECTION I DID NOT KNOW THEY WERE BROKEN UNTIL TOLD BY SERVICE ADVISOR
Suspension, Dec 16, 2019
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING COLLAPSED. WE HEARD A LOUD METAL BANG AND WHEN WE GOT HOME I NOTICED THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN.
Suspension, Nov 11, 2019
REAR SPRINGS BROKE. CAR NEVER OVERLOADED OR DRIVEN OFF ROAD