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: other or unspecified
44 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2019
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAILGATE STRUT/SUPPORT FAILED JUST AS AUTOMATED CARGO DOOR WAS CLOSING AS OWNER WAS REMOVING AN ITEM FROM THE CARGO AREA. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AS THE CARGO DOOR THAT IT WAS SUPPORTING SUDDENLY FELL DOWN. USER GOT A GLANCING BLOW ON THE TOP OF THE HEAD. NO MEDICAL INTERVENTION REQUIRED, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE IF PERSON WAS MORE IN THE WAY OF THE FALLING CARGO DOOR. PASSENGER SIDE SRUT SUPPORT WAS STILL INTACT, BUT AS DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE DOOR COULD NOT BE FULLY SUPPORTED. TAILGATE STRUT SWUNG OUT AS IT WAS STILL PARTIALLY ATTACHED AS BOLTS ON ONE END DID NOT BECOME LOOSE, BUT PREVENTED DOOR FROM CLOSING ALL THE WAY, AS STRUT WAS HANGING (STUCK) OUT OF CARGO DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS ALSO CAUSED DOOR OPEN LIGHT AND VEHICLE INTERIOR LIGHTS TO STAY ON. INSPECTION OF THE FAILED SHOWA BRAND STRUT NUMBER 13I062C REVEALED CORROSION ON THE BLACK TUBE AS WELL AS ON THE END OF THE STRUT THAT BROKE OFF ON IT'S TOP END FROM THE VEHICLE. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED CORROSION ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE STRUT THAT WAS STILL IN PLACE. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT SAFE TO LEAVE REMAINING STRUT ON CAR, AS IT WOULD LIKELY FAIL AS WELL. ULTIMATELY DEALER ORDERED THE NEW PARTS AND INSTALLED THEM. SUBARU OF AMERICA REIMBURSED OWNER FOR REPAIRS AND DEALER HAD OWNER SIGN WAIVER RELEASING SUBARU OF AMERICA FROM ANY PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS AS A RESULT OF THE STRUT FAILURE. VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD AND WELL-MAINTAINED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2019
WE HAVE HAD TWO ONGOING ISSUES WITH OUR 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WE PURCHASED OUR CAR WHEN IT WAS TWO YEARS OLD HAVE HAD OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES AND A HARD TIME GETTING OUR KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER DRIVING. ON OUR LAST TRIP TO FLORIDA FROM NY AND BACK WE HAD TO PURCHASE AND USE TWO QUARTS OF OIL. WE HAD A OIL CHANGE JUST BEFORE WE LEFT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. IN 2019 I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER TO CHECK AND ADD OIL TO A CAR. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE CAR. WE HAD AT LEAST THREE CONSUMPTION TESTS DONE AND THEY CAME BACK NEGATIVE. I'M CURRENTLY AFRAID TO TAKE MY CAR ANYWHERE SINCE THE KEY AND IGNITION ARE UNPREDICTABLE. I NEVER KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH OUR SUBARU. IT IS OUR SECOND SUBARU. WE HAD NO ISSUES WITH OUR LAST CAR.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2019
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION, WONT COME OUT! THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY
Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2019
VEHICLE STALL ON A FLAT STRAIGHT HIGHWAY WITH SPEED AROUND 40MPH. THE ENGINE THEN SHUTDOWN AFTER THE STALLING. LOW FUEL LIGHT IS ON EVEN GAS IS MORE THAN HALF TANK. THEN THE HILL ASSIST LIGHTS IS ON. I PULLED OVER, RESTART THE ENGINE AND DRIVE HOME. TWO DAYS LATER, THE SAME ISSUE HAPPEN ON HIGHWAY, THIS TIME THE TRAVEL SPEED IS 55MPH ON A FLAT STRAIGHT HIGHWAY.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2019
BOTH REAR SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AND SO DO THE STRUTS. BOTH BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON A WELL PAVED RODE GOING 35 MPH. I DID NOT HIT OR RUN OVER ANYTHING. THEY COMPLETELY SNAPPED APART. THIS IS CLEARLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART AS THERE ARE 100'S OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS HAPPENING TO 2014-2015 MODEL FORESTERS AND COMING FROM A FAMILY OF MECHANICS, THIS DOES NOT JUST HAPPEN. THE CAR HAS 50K MILES AND IS ONLY DRIVEN ON WELL PAVED ROADS. SPRINGS BROKE WHILE DRIVING KIDS IN BACK. CAR VERY UNSTABLE AND CANNOT STOP AS QUICKLY. REALLY UNSAFE. THESE NEED TO BE RECALLED.
Other or unspecified, May 6, 2019
I CANNOT GET THE VEHICLE IN GEAR I.E. FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE
Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2018
REPEATED THUMPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT AT SPEED APPROX. 25 MPH. NOTICED 2 OR 3 MONTHS AGO. ODOMETER AT ABOUT 79000 MILES.DEALER DIAGNOSED BAD WHEEL BEARINGS AND REPAIRED THEM FOR $700+. NO CHANGE NOTICED. DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE AUTO TRANSMISSION AT NO EXPENSE TO ME. (AMAZING!) I STILL HEAR THE NOISE WHEN I TURN LEFT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MIGHT INDICATE A SAFETY ISSUE. WEB SEARCH "SUBARUFORESTER.ORG" SHOWS SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT NO RESOLUTION.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 19, 2018, crash
JULY 6, 2018 DRIVING ON CITY STREET WHEN MY FOOT HAD THE BRAKE DEPRESSED AND THE AUTO SUDDENLY ACCELERATED SO MUCH THAT I HAD TO TURN INTO A CURB TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE - I HIT A CURB WITH ONE TIRE TO AVOID ACCIDENT AND HAD TO GET FOUR NEW TIRES BECAUSE IT IS AWD. TODAY MY BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND IT ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS IN REVERSE THEN ATTEMPTING TO GET SUV INTO DRIVE - DRIVING DOWN MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY TODAY, IT ACCELERATED SO RAPIDLY UNINTENDED THAT PRESSING THE BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE - ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT STILL DID NOT STOP IT - PLACED IT INTO PARK AND PRESSING BRAKE CONTINUOUSLY AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR AT ROADSIDE AFTER TURNING OFF IGNITION - VERY HAZARDOUS SAFETY ISSUE - LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT OR KILLED - THIS SUV IS A DANGEROUS VEHICLE - HAVING IT TOWED BY AAA TOMORROW MORNING TO DEALER. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? IT HAS ONLY 41,870 MILES ON IT - BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER IN MAY 2014 AND I AM ONLY DRIVER. HELP!
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 2, 2018
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.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2018
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2018
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.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 10, 2018, fire
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.)
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 24, 2017
I HAVE A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER 2.0XT TOURING WITH PUSH START AND EYESIGHT. MY CAR WOULDN'T START WITH THE PUSH START BUTTON AND THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. I COULDN'T PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN. WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED MONTHS AGO, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY AND THAT WAS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER OF 2016. AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AND I HAD THE RADIO ON FOR 30 MINUTES WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR. I COULDN'T START THE CAR AFTERWARDS AND THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED UP AT THE TIME AS WELL. I COULD NOT PRESS THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN. THE SECOND TIME IT WOULD START WAS LAST SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 IN THE MORNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND I HAD TROUBLE STARTING IT IN THE MORNING. AND THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH NO GUARANTEES THIS WILL FIX THE PUSH START ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND RESTARTED IT - IT WORKED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, TWO DAYS LATER UNDER THE EXACT SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. IT HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS AT ABOUT 25 MPH, AND THE "ERROR CODE" SAID THAT THE ACCELERATOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2016
HORN CEASED TO WORK . STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR REPLACED.
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2015
DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND CAR STARTING VIBRATING VIOLENTLY FOR A FEW SECONDS. CONTINUED DRIVING AND 10 MINUTES LATER SAME THING FOR SAME LENGTH OF TIME HAPPENED AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2015, crash
PRIOR SURGING OCCURRED WITH THIS VEHICLE. AUTO IS DUE FOR A NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND WE WERE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. WE TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT WITH WORKERS AT THE CORNER AND SLOWED DOWN. WE CONTINUED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND MADE A TIGHT LEFT HAND TURN INTO A SLOT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS WE EASED INTO THE SPOT. THE BRAKES WERE HIT PREVENTING FURTHER DAMAGE. THE TRUCK IN THE FRONT PARKING SPOT WAS HIT BUT NOT DAMAGED. OUR VEHICLE RECEIVED A DENT AND SCRAPINGS ON THE FRONT END. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE BIGGEST CONCERN WAS THE SURGING AND THE POSSIBILITY OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN. DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/7/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 P.M.
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, May 4, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY 6 MONTH OLD 2014 SUBARU FORESTER AT ABOUT 50 MPH AT NIGHT AND MY DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN RECLINING. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE MECHANISM TO STOP IT WAS NOT WORKING. IT HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES AFTER THAT OCCURRENCE. ALSO, THE POWER LIFT GATE WAS INOPERABLE. I HAD TO CRAWL INTO THE BACK CARGO AREA TO TRY TO OPEN THE REAR LIFT GATE. IT WOULD NOT OPEN, EVEN FROM THE INSIDE. IT WAS REINITIALIZED SEVERAL TIMES BY KINGERY RYE SUBARU IN RYE, NY AND THEY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY THEY REPLACED THE PART BUT THE OPERATION OF LIFT GATE REMAINS UNPREDICTABLE. I NEED TO BE ABLE TO USE THE POWER LIFT GATE AT ALL TIMES TO PUT A WHEELCHAIR IN THE BACK. I WAS INFORMED BY SUBARU OF AMERICA (IN WRITING) THAT SOME OF THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE OCCURRING ARE BECAUSE KINGERY RYE SUBARU INSTALLED AN AFTER MARKET REMOTE STARTER INTO MY CAR WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE OR APPROVAL. I HAVE WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA STATING THE DEALERS MUST INSTALL SUBARU PARTS. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR A SUBARU REMOTE STARTER. RYE SUBARU PUT A CHEAP AFTER MARKET STARTER INTO MY CAR. THAT IS FRAUD. MY CAR IS STARTING RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION. A CO-WORKER CAME INTO WORK AND TOLD ME MY CAR WAS LOCKED AND RUNNING IN THE PARKING LOT. RECENTLY I CLOSED THE LIFT GATE, USING THE BUTTON ON THE LIFT GATE AND THE CAR STARTED ITSELF AS I WAS WALKING AWAY FROM IT. THE CAR HAS STARTED ON ITS OWN MANY TIMES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE PUTTING MYSELF AND MY FAMILY'S LIVES AT RISK. THE SIDE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S WINDOWS FOG UP WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON. THE DE-FOGGER DOES NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM AT ALL. I AM UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING OUT THE SIDE WINDOWS WHICH POSES A BIG SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER. I BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE IT HAD A HIGH SAFETY RATING. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE.
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