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
403 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Apr 21, 2019
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON APRIL 19, 2019. I MADE A LEFT TURN AND HEARD A POP. THE CAR BECAME SQUIRRELLY. I CALLED OUR MECHANIC AND HE ASKED IF THE CAR LEANED TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. I SAID YES. HE SAID IT WAS LIKELY A BAD SPRING OR STRUT. WHEN I GOT HOME I JACKED UP THE CAR AND THE RIGHT REAR SPRING WAS BROKEN. I GOT 3 QUOTES FROM TOM WOOD SUBARU. ONE FOR SPRINGS. ONE FOR STRUTS AND HARDWARE. THE LAST WAS FOR TOM WOOD TO FIX IT. I WASN'T SURE IF I LOST ANY PARTS SO I LOOKED AT THE LEFT REAR SIDE. TO MY SURPRISE, THAT SPRING WAS ALSO COMPLETELY BROKEN BUT HASN'T SNAPPED OFF THE STRUT YET. THIS SEEMS LIKE DEFECTIVE SPRINGS. THE CAR HAD 54,448 MILES AND HAS NOT CARRIED A LOT OF WEIGHT. IN MY 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR BREAK A SPRING, LET ALONE HAVE 2 BROKEN SPRINGS.
Exterior lighting, Apr 19, 2019
MY HIGH BEAM/DAYTIME RUNNING BULB BLEW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN REPLACING THE BULB I FOUND IT HAD ACTUALLY MELTED, AND HAD A LARGE BUBBLE IN THE GLASS. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR PREVIOUS THE DRIVERS SIDE BULB HAD BLOWN AND I HAD FOUND THE SAME BUBBLE, BUT DIDN'T REPORT IT AT THAT TIME, ASSUMING IT WAS JUST SOMETHING WEIRD THAT HAPPENED ONCE. NOW THAT IT'S HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE ON EACH SIDE, I'M MORE CONCERNED THERE'S A LARGER ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR THE BLURB TO GET SO HOT THAT IT ACTUALLY MELTED THE GLASS.
Suspension, Power train, Apr 16, 2019
1) CVT VALVE KIT DAMAGED (3 YEARS OLD) 2) BUT MAIN REASON FOR THIS COMPLIANT IS REAR COILS BREAKING, I DO NOT KNOW BUT THEY HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME CAUSING REAR BEARINGS AND REAR SHOCKS DAMAGE. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND EVERYONE W/ 2014 THRU 2015 FORESTERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AT ANY MILEAGE. TOLD DEALER AND THEY SAID SUBARU KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL? THE AVERAGE PERSON WILL NOT REALIZE THEIR COILS COULD BE BROKEN LIKE ME UNTIL BEARINGS AND SHOCKS FAIL ..... THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR ISSUE TO ME?
Air bags, Apr 2, 2019
VEHICLE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT FIRST CAME ON AND IT HAS BEEN ON EVER SINCE. HAVE TAKEN IT TO LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR/PASSENGER SEAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE (WATER OR BLUNT FORCE) THAT OCCURRED TO THE FEATURE AND THAT IT WAS NOTHING WE HAD DONE; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT BE REPLACED UNDER ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY. SINCE SUBARU PRIDES THEMSELVES IN SAFETY, IT SEEMS ODD THAT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THIS COMPLAINT THAT HAS BEEN CITED REPEATEDLY, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS NO FAULT TO THE OWNER BUT RATHER A MANUFACTURING ISSUE.
Suspension, Mar 26, 2019
PREMATURE REAR SPRING BROKE. CAR IS 65K MILES. REAR SPRING RUSTED AND BROKE; CAUSES THE ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION TO BREAK. THIS MAKE THE CAR TILTED AND ALMOST OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS ON A LOCAL ROAD TRAVELING AT 25 MPH GOING STRAIGHT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO STAR SUBARU SERVICE AND WAS BEING CHARGED $890.00 TO REPLACE REAR DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION. UPON INSPECTION, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPRING ALSO RUSTED.
Suspension, Mar 10, 2019
MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER WAS SITTING IN MY GARAGE. I HEARD THIS HORRIBLE, ALMOST EXPLOSIVE NOISE AND FOUND THAT MY LEFT COIL SPRING SNAPPED! THIS CAR HAS 68K MILES AND HAS NEVER CARRIER HEAVY LOADS OR TRAVELED ROUGH ROADS. I DRIVE ALL HIGHWAY. SUPER SHOCKING TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN WHILE IT IS JUST SITTING, BUT I CRINGE TO THINK IF THIS HAPPENED 1 DAY EARLIER DRIVING 22 MILES FROM WORK OR WITH MY FAMILY. THE COIL WAS JUST COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF. MY CAR IS SITTING ON THE CROSSBAR VERY CLOSE TO SITTING DIRECTLY ON MY TIRE. WAITING FOR THE ASSESSMENT FROM SUBARU TO SEE IF IT CAUSED ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE.
Structure, Mar 6, 2019
I OPENED THE TRUNK OF MY SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED EDITION WITH THE REMOTE. WHILE I WAS REMOVING THE LUGGAGE FROM THE TRUNK, I HEARD A NOISE AS THE LIFTGATE WAS CLOSING. BEFORE I TURNED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING, THE LIFTGATE LANDED ON MY LOWER BACK. I REALIZED THAT THE RIGHT SUPPORT OF THE LIFTGATE WAS BROKEN.
Engine, Mar 5, 2019
AT 106,000 MILES THE CHECK OIL LEVEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 3/22/2017. AT THAT TIME AFTER CHECKING I ADDED 1 AT OF OIL. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER AFTER READING ONLINE THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF MY VEHICLE MODEL HAVING OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS. AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PERFORMED WHICH WAS NEGATIVE. IT WAS SUGGESTED TO ME BY THE DEALER THAT I COULD CONTACT SUBARU DIRECTLY IF I STILL HAD CONCERNS WHICH I DID. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL FOR CARS TO USE EXTRA OIL AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. SINCE THEN THE CHECK OIL LIGHT HAS REGULARLY ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO MY NEXT OIL CHANGE AND HAS REQUIRED THE ADDITION OF 1 QT OF OIL AT DECREASING MILEAGE INTERVALS. I AM NOW DOWN TO SEEING THE CHECK OIL ILLUMINATE AND ADDING OIL AT 3000 MILES. I HAVE FOLLOWED THE SUBARU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SERVICE. I HAVE OWNED CARS MADE BY TOYOTA, NISSAN, HONDA, FORD, JEEP, CHEVROLET, VOLKSWAGON, MAZDA AND SUBARU OVER THE LAST 45 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR REQUIRE OIL ADDITIONS. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER THAT WAS TOLD AT HER LAST SERVICE THAT THERE WAS NO OIL REGISTERING ON THE DIPSTICK. THAT YEAR MODEL HAS NO CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT WHEN 1 QT DOWN. FOR MY YEAR MODEL THE VEHICLE WAS REDESIGNED AND A CHECK OIL LIGHT WAS ADDED WHICH MAY SUGGEST THERE WAS A PROBLEM DEVELOPING.
Electrical system, Structure, Feb 27, 2019
WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE SUNROOF, NORMALLY THE ROOF WINDOW WOULD SLIDE BACK AND A SET OF PIN WILL PUSH THE REAR SIDE OF THE WINDOW UP TO SEAL THE GAP BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND ROOFTOP. HOWEVER THE DEVICE IS DEFECTIVE AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO BACK TO ITS SUPPOSED LOCATION. WATER MAY LEAK IN TO WIRING AND CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE.
Power train, Feb 21, 2019
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY IN JULY, 2018. I CONTACTED A SUBARU DEALER ON JULY 30 FOR SERVICE, BUT THE FIRST APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE WAS ON AUGUST 1ST. I FOUND OUT THAT SUBARU HAD BEEN HAVING SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS AND EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTIES. BECAUSE MY ACTUAL SERVICE WAS ON AUGUST 1ST, SUBARU SAID I MISSED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BY ONE DAY! CORPORATE SUBARU OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE $7,500 COST FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT I WAS LEFT TO PAY THE REST. THEY SAID IF I HAD BEEN A "MORE LOYAL" CUSTOMER THEY WOULD HAVE PAID MORE THAN HALF. I LEFT THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 3 MONTHS TRYING TO NEGOTIATE THE PRICE DOWN. EVENTUALLY I HAD TO PAY FOR $2,000 OF THE REPAIR. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SUBARU HAS NOT HAD TO RECALL THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES, OR AT LEAST PAY FOR REPAIRS ONCE IT FAILS. WHEN WE FIRST FELT THE VEHICLE NOT RESPONDING NORMALLY, WE STOOPED DRIVING. IT WAS NOT SAFE.
Steering, Feb 1, 2019
THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED TWICE IN THE LAST 4 YEARS AND 2 MONTHS. THE POWER STEERING IS LOST AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE TWO TIMES THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED HAS BEEN IN COLDER TEMPERATURES AND DURING LOCAL DRIVING. THE CAR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND FOR A SMALL PERSON IT COULD BE DANGEROUS. THE STEERING MODULE CODE PER THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS 2532. BOTH TIMES WHEN I SPOKE TO THE DEALER, IN 2014 AND 2019, THEY ACTED AS THOUGH THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE. I AM HAVING THE MODULE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 27, 2019
ON JANUARY 26, 2019, AT 8:00 PM, IN A PARKING DECK AT A SHOPPING CENTER, I WAS IN A LINE OF CARS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO AN AISLE. I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR VERY LIGHTLY TO MOVE A FEW FEET FORWARD. THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED GREATLY, AND I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE HITTING THE BRAKE DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING, BUT IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THIS WAS CLEARLY A CASE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.
Suspension, Jan 17, 2019
PIECES OF MY REAR COILS BROKE OFF SHOWING BADLY RUSTED. SOME IN STREET SOME IN MY GARAGE. VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY. TOOK TO FIRESTONE AND BOTH REAR COILS BROKE AND 1 STRUT AS WELL. SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT THIS BUT I DID NOT AND TOOK TO NON SUBARU PLACE FOR REPAIRS. SO THEY REFUSED TO MAKE GOOD OR STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLE BECAUSE I DIDNT GO TO A SUBARU DEALER AND OFFERED 500 COST ME 1556.00. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL USED METAL THAT RUSTED AND FAILED.
Suspension, Jan 2, 2019
LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN NOT DUE TO HEAVY LOAD OR ROUGH TERRAIN DRIVING VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROX. 27,000 MILES ON IT .FROM WHAT I'M SEEING ON LINE AND HEARING FROM OTHER OWNERS AND DEALERS, IT IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM.
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.
Suspension, Dec 18, 2018
BOTTOM OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE - AT THE POINT WHERE THEY SIT ON THE LOWER SPRING SEAT OF THE STRUT. THEY BOTH FRACTURED AT EXACTLY THE SAME SPOT ON THE COIL - AT THE FIRST 1/2 LOOP OF THE COIL (ABOUT 4 INCHES) AND IN THE SAME DIAGONAL TYPE OF SHEAR. PICTURES ATTACHED OF THE PIECES THAT BROKE OFF EACH COIL. CAR HAS ONLY 58,000 MILES AND NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR OVERLOADED. NOT EXACTLY SURE WHEN THEY BROKE - WAS DISCOVERED BY MY MECHANIC WHILE DOING OTHER WORK ON THE CAR.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 29, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 78 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FUEL INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE AND WAS ESCORTED TO GET SOME FUEL. THE CONTACT ADDED FUEL TO THE VEHICLE, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND DROVE 400 MILES WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF DAYTONA (650 N NOVA RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114, (386) 255-2252) WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN A THIRD OF A TANK OF FUEL SINCE THAT CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO OVERHEAT. THE FUEL READER LATER DISPLAYED UNUSUAL READINGS AND STARTED ILLUMINATING CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVED NOTHING WAS DONE DURING THE WEEK IT WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED INVESTIGATION NUMBER: 1-38017139050. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK, BUT HAD NOT IN FOUR WEEKS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Suspension, Wheels, Nov 20, 2018
WHEN MAKE TURNS IN MOVING(BACKWARD OR FORWARD), THERE IS NOISY(CLICK) IN FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION
Power train, Engine, Nov 19, 2018
THE CAR COMPLETELY LOOSES POWER AND STUTTERS. THE ENGINE DOES NOT SHUT OFF, BUT THERE IS NO POWER GOING TO THE WHEELS. AT THIS POINT THIS HAS HAPPENED DOZENS OF TIME. IT BEGAN AROUND 20-30,000 MILES, AND CONTINUES INTO 90,000+ MILES. IT CAN HAPPEN GOING 20-40 MILES PER HOUR OR 55 OR 70. IT'S UNDER LOAD USUALLY, AND HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS ONCE, THEN I DON'T HAVE IT FOR MONTHS, AND OTHER TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY FOR MILE AFTER MILE OF DRIVING. I HAVE TO LET MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND RE-APPLY MULTIPLE TIMES TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING. IT'S HAPPENED IN NEIGHBORHOODS, DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AND TRYING TO PASS ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY REFUSE TO KEEP IT LONG ENOUGH AND TEST IT ENOUGH TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT IS STILL UNDER THE EXTRA WARRANTY I PAID FOR IT AND SUBARU REFUSES TO HELP AS WELL.
Air bags, Seats, Nov 15, 2018
MY VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I WAS FIRST ALERTED BY MY CARS WARNING SYSTEM, WHICH STATES 'SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED' AND GIVES ME A RED WARNING SYMBOL OF THE AIRBAG BEING INFLATED. SECONDLY IT SHOWS MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS WARNING DID NOT COME ON DUE TO A COLLISION AS MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OTHERWISE. IT SIMPLY APPEARED SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES TO DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS TO ASK WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I WAS FIRST TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM THAT PERHAPS IT WAS JUST A MALFUNCTION IN THE SENSOR. THEN THE OTHER DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR, BUT THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF THIS IS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO BE TURNED OFF. THEY SAID I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT THEY WERE UNSURE IF THIS WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MACHANIC AND THEY ALSO WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AND REFERRED ME BACK TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA ABOUT THE ISSUE AND I NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION FROM THEM, ALTHOUGH THEY PROMISED TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THE ISSUE. I JUST KNOW THERE IS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO MAKE THIS PROBLEM APPEAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE, JUST BASED ON THE FACT THAT SUBARU COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR IT'S CAUSE. SO FAR I JUST HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS SOMEHOW DEFECTIVE AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY.
Engine, Nov 15, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES LEFT BEFORE THE NEXT OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN HINE TEMECULA SUBARU (4050 DLR DR, TEMECULA, CA 92591, 951-553-2000) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER (DCH SUBARU OF RIVERSIDE, 8069 INDIANA AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, 951-428-2314) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,412.
Engine, Nov 2, 2018
THE PROBLEM I AM ENCOUNTERING HAS TO DO WITH THE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER, I HAVE HAD THE LOW OIL LEVEL DETECTED FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE. IN EARLY 2015 I HAD A OIL CONSUMPTION TEXT PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. THEY HAD ME BRING THE CAR BACK IN AFTER 1200 MILES. THEY SAID I DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST THAT WOULD HAVE MADE MY ENGINE BE REPLACED. I NOW HAVE TO ADD OIL EVERY 2,500 MILES, AT A COST OF $9.00-10.00 A QUART. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE NORM FOR THIS MODEL CAR. I INDICATED THAT I HAVE A VW PASSAT THAT GOES 10,000 MILES BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND NEVER LOSSES A DROP. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED THAT THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS ONLY FOR 1200 MILES. THAT DID NOT PROVE THAT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM. WHY DID SUBARU ONLY HAVE OIT FOR 1200 MILES. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE FOCUS ON OFFSETTING CUSTOMERS OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR THE REST OF THE TIME THEY OWN THERE CAR. AS I DO DRIVE A LOT OF MILES FOR MY BUSINESS, I SPEND ON AVERAGE $140 A YEAR JUST ON BUYING OIL FOR BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. IT IS ALSO INCONVENIENT IF I AM TRAVELING AND I AM SOMEWHERE WERE I CAN NOT FIND FULL SYNTHETIC OIL IN THE PROPER WEIGHT WHICH CONCERNS ME AS I MY FAMILY AND I LIKE TO VACATION IN THE MANY DIFFERENT CAMP GROUNDS AROUND MARYLAND AND THE SURROUNDING STATES.
Engine, Oct 15, 2018
I GOT MY REGULAR OIL CHANGE. ONE MONTH LATER MY INDICATOR CAME IN READING 'SYSTEM DETECTS LOW OIL'. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP WHERE I GOT MY OIL CHANGED, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BONE DRY AND THAT MY CAR IS BURNING OIL. THEY SAID THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY SUBARU OWNER WHO HAS THAT PROBLEM. THEY JUST TOP THEIR OIL OFF EVERY MONTH. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS. FOUND OUT IT'S A DEFECTIVE PISTON RING THAT SUBARU KNEW THEY WERE SELLING. I WAS DRIVING FOR 6 HOURS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THIS INDICATOR. THE CAR COULD HAVE EXPLODED. BUT I ASSUMED IT WAS JUST REACTING TO MY LONG DRIVE. I HONESTLY COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HURT OR KILLED. I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD SELL THE CAR OR PAY TO TAKE THE ENTIRE ENGINE APART.
Air bags, Oct 15, 2018
MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER 2.0 XT HAS HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. ONE OF THEM HAS BEEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT. WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT THE SEATBELT WARNING WILL CHIME THE ENTIRE TIME I'M DRIVING, THEN EVENTUALLY THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WILL COME ON AND I'LL RECEIVE AN INDICATOR TO HAVE IT CHECKED. UPON TAKING IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD NEED AN ENTIRE BOTTOM SEAT AT THE COST OF $1,000 PLUS $400 FOR INSTALL. I WAS TOLD THE PART WOULD TAKE A MONTH TO COME IN AS IT HAS TO BE CUSTOM MADE. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON NONE OF MY AIRBAGS WOULD FUNCTION ON THE VEHICLE. WITH TWO CHILDREN I CAN'T BE DRIVING A CAR THAT DOESN'T HAVE WORKING AIR BAGS. I'VE BEEN BORROWING A FAMILY VEHICLE FOR THE LAST WEEK WHILE I TRY AND WORK WITH SUBARU CORPORATE TO GET THE COST OF THE REPAIR FIXED. IT SEEMS TO ME THERE SHOULD BE A CHEAPER OPTION TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER SENSOR THAT'S UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. I'VE ALSO READ ON SOME ONLINE FORUMS THAT APPLE PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR IPHONES LAID IN THE SEAT CAN IMPACT THIS SENSOR. THAT SEEMS LIKE AN ISSUE AS WELL. I'M HOPING SUBARU ENDS UP PAYING FOR MY SEAT OR COVERING PART OF THE REPAIR SINCE IT SOUNDS LIKE A MALFUNCTION THAT DOESN'T HAVE AN EASY FIX, AND THE IMPACT OF THE MALFUNCTION IS TO NOT HAVE ANY FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS.
Suspension, Oct 9, 2018
REAR COIL SPRING FAILED AFTER 56,000 MILES. IT WAS NOT A RESULT OF ANY INCIDENT. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND NOT DRIVEN OFF ROAD, MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES.