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.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 30, 2018, crash
I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT ON AUGUST 19, 2018 -COMPLAINT NUMBER 1120961. I HAD SUV TOWED THE FOLLOWING DAY TO DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT BRAND-NEW. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT IS TRYING TO TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SUV, BUT THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE. THE DEALER HAS ARRANGED FOR SUBARU OF AMERICA FROM NJ TO CONTACT ME, BUT I NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THIS RESOLVED. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE IT. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY WHEN I PLACED IT IN REVERSE AND IT ACCLERATED AT SUCH A HIGH RATE IN REVERSE WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED AND I COULD NOT STOP IT WHEN MY FOOT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, I HAD MY ACCIDENT RUNNING INTO THE BACK OF MY DAUGHTER'S SUV IN WHICH WAS PARKED IN HER DRIVEWAY - CAUSING OVER $2,000 DAMAGE TO HER SUV - MY SUV WAS DAMAGED IN THE REAR BUMPER BUT DEALER HAS NOT TOLD ME THE ESTIMATE OF DAMAGE. SUBARU IS HAVING ACCIDENT REP CONTACT ME WITHIN NEXT 48 HOURS. THIS SUV IS SO DANGEROUS THAT I COULD BE KILLED AND SO COULD OTHERS IN MY CAR OR OTHER VEHICLE PASSENGERS. PLEASE PLEASE TAKE THIS COMPLAINT SERIOUSLY BECAUSE IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE REFER TO MY INITIAL COMPLAINT.. THANK YOU *TR
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2018
I NOTICED THAT (WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE) THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ACCOUNT OR COMPENSATE FOR DOWNHILL TRAVEL AT ALL. WHILE SET TO ~60MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN A MODERATE DOWNHILL INCLINE TO REACH 70MPH. AS I BEGAN TO NOTICE AND CORRECT THIS TECHNICAL ERROR, I WAS STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER AND WRITTEN A TICKET FOR SPEEDING 70MPH IN A 55MPH ZONE.
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!
Power train, Aug 13, 2018
TRANSMISSION/COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. INITIALLY DRIVING THROUGH MOUNTAINS, USING SPORT # MODE IN LOW SPEED CURVES ON OLD ROAD. HAD ONE 'SURPRISE' EPISODE WHERE IN A STRAIGHT SECTION OF HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION DOWSHIFTED SUDDENLY, WITH RPMS RACING UP TO NEARLY 5000RPM, ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T TOUCH THE PADDLES, AND DIDN'T EVEN HAVE MY HANDS ON THEM. AFTER REACHING A NORMAL STRAIGHT HIGHWAY OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS, AN HOUR LATER, WHILE SIMPLY DRIVING AT 75MPH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, GAS PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, RPMS FELL, VEHICLE WAS COASTING DOWN FROM HIGHWAY SPEED, AND TRANSMISSION DID SEVERAL ODD SHIFTS WITH VARYING RPMS, AND DECELERATIONS. COASTED TO A STOP, FLASHERS ON, OFF THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. STARTER MOTOR WORKED. ENGINE WOULD NOT START. FLASHING LIGHTS ON CRUISE CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE, AND "AT TEMP", AND POSSIBLY OTHERS NOT RECALLED. CALLED SPOUSE. CONTACTED TOWING SERVICE. OPENED HOOD: FLUIDS, OIL LEVEL, ETC ALL APPEARED NORMAL WHEN CHECKED. TEMP DISPLAY IN VEHICLE SHOWED NORMAL (219 DEGREES RADIATOR TEMP). TRIED TURNING KEY ON/OFF REPEATEDLY TO SEE IF COMPUTER WOULD RESET: NO LUCK. SPOUSE CALLED 30 MIN LATER: ONLINE RESEARCH FOUND REMOVING PLUG NEXT TO TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IN CENTER CONSOLE, AND USING LONG SCREWDRIVER TO PRESS SWITCH AT BOTTOM MIGHT RESET SOME DEVICE. TRIED IT DIFFERENT TIMES: KEY 'ON', KEY 'OFF', ETC, RESET APPEARED TO TAKE EFFECT WITH KEY 'OFF', THEN TURNED ON. VEHICLE NOW COOLING DOWN (45 MINUTES ON ROADSIDE, NOT RUNNING). NOW RESTARTS WHEN CRANKED. VARIOUS LIGHTS "CHECK ENGINE', 'AT TEMP', CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT NO LONGER FLASHING. WARNING ON PANEL STATING "VEHICLE HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE" NO LONGER SHOWING. CAR APPEARS TO RUN. DROVE ~ 5 MILES TO ROADSIDE BUSINESS. CANCELLED TOW. CHECKED CAR AGAIN. DROVE GENTLY TO HOME CITY. RESCHEDULED FLIGHT TO ALASKA VACATION BECAUSE OF THE DELAY.
Structure, Aug 4, 2018
I WAS USING MY KEY TO OPEN THE BACK TRUNK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SLAM DOWN QUICKLY ON MY ARM AS I WENT TO PLACE AN ARTICLE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. I CALLED THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AUGUST 8TH 2018
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.
Engine, Jul 24, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (WILLIAMS VOLKSWAGEN INC., 2845 EAST SAGINAW ST, LANSING, MI 48912), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Suspension, Jul 23, 2018
BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN AT THE BOTTOM COIL THAT RESTS IN THE BOTTOM SPRING BASE OF THE STRUT ASSEMBLY. MECHANIC FOUND CRACKS DURING SAFETY INSPECTION DURING BRAKE REPLACEMENT. AS TECHNICIAN WAS BACKING VEHICLE OUT OF THE BAY A PIECE OF THE RIGHT HAND COIL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE COIL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. PHOTO ATTACHED. LH COIL STILL IN THE VEHICLE.
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.
Air bags, Jun 26, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY PASSENGER SEATBELT LIGHT WAS GOING OFF & DINGING-DID NOT HAVE A PASSENGER-TURNS OUT IT WAS MY AIRBAG IN MY PASSENGER SEAT.-FAULTY SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS MY ABS, HILL START ASSIST & VEHICLE DYNAMICS LIGHTS ALL CAME ON-FAULTY SWITCH AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED MY BLUE TOOTH DISCONNECTS & STILL SAYS IT IS CONNECTED, DROPS CALLS, NOT ABLE TO PLACE CALLS, NOT ABLE TO LISTEN TO ANYTHING THROUGH MY PHONE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE CONNECTED TO MY BLUE TOOTH. IT IS ILLEGAL TO HAVE A HANDHELD PHONE AND USE IT WHILE DRIVING-THIS IS NOT SAFE-SUBARU OF AMERICA CONTINUES TO SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY STEREO OR CAR THAT ITS MY PHONE WELL I UPGRADED MY PHONE TO A SAMSUNG S9 & I CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM ON A DAILY BASIS!
Suspension, Jun 26, 2018
MY LEFT REAR SPRING LET GO. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS NOW. THE SUBURU DEALER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK AND DO NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL HAVE THEM AVAILABLE. I ASKED THEM TO REPAIR THE RIGHT REAR SPRING AS WELL BECAUSE I WANT BOTH SPRINGS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME SO THE CAR WILL NOT BE HARMED. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND AM DISAPPOINTED IT HAS TAKEN THIS LONG SO FAR. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALER AND AM CONCERNED AT HOW LONG THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TO REPAIR. THEY CANNOT TELL ME ANYTHING. I FEEL THE SPRINGS ON THE VEHICLE ARE NOT SAFE AND THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED. SUBURU SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRINGS AND NOT CHARGE ME. I DID NOT GO OVER ANY POT HOLES. I HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HAPPY WITH SUBURU CARS (THIS WAS MY THIRD PURCHASE) BUT AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I AM NOT CERTAIN I WILL PURCHASE A NEW SUBURU VEHICLE AGAIN.
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.
Suspension, Jun 7, 2018
AT 60,000 MILES,WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN A LEVEL PARKING LOT, THE REAR PASSENGER SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE CAR TO SAG AND SHIMMY. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS THE POTENTIAL OF THE BROKEN SPRING THROWING OFF A PIECE AND THAT PIECE RUPTURING THE TIRE. MY DRIVING DOES NOT INVOLVE ROUGH ROADS.
Suspension, Jun 5, 2018
I FOUND A METAL PIECE IN MY DRIVEWAY, IT IS A PIECE OF THE REAR COIL SPRING. A REPAIR SHOP ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE PART IS REPLACED, AS IT IS UNSAFE.. THE SHOP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE THE REPLACEMENT PART. SO I AM WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION
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.)
Engine, Mar 2, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR DETONATION OF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER (RANDY MARION SUBARU, 301 W PLAZA DR, MOORESVILLE, NC 28117) REPROGRAMMED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. A YEAR LATER, THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THEY WERE BURNED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Steering, Feb 21, 2018
POWER STEERING FAILED. CAR WAS PARKED IN THE WA STATE FERRY LINE IN ANACORTES, WA. WHEN CAR WAS STARTED, A COMPUTER MESSAGE APPEARED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE SERVICED AND A WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND HE COULD BARELY STEER THE CAR ONTO THE FERRY. HE TOLD ME THAT IT TOOK EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD TO GET IT ONTO THE BOAT. WE PARKED THE CAR. WHEN WE REACHED FRIDAY HARBOR, MY HUSBAND STARTED THE CAR, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT NORMALLY - THE WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE WAS NO LONGER DISPLAYED. I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN BURLINGTON, WA ON 2/20/18. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE AND THE CODE WAS FOUND FOR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - $1,000 FOR PART AND AT LEAST $600 FOR LABOR PLUS TAXES. FIRST OF ALL, MY CAR ONLY HAD 30,000 MILES WARRANTY OR 3 YEARS (PAST THAT) AND IT SEEMS LIKE IF A GEAR WAS HAVING ISSUES, WHY WOULD IT WORK AND THEN NOT WORK AND THEN WORK. SAFETY CONCERNS, AND WONDERING WHY IT WOULD FAIL SO SOON. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 24, 500 MILES ON THE CAR.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 19, 2018
THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH FAILED WHICH RENDERED THE CAR INOPERABLE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE FROM PARK. THE STABILITY, HILL DECENT AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 11, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REVERSED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED VERY QUICKLY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V159000 (EQUIPMENT). NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
Wheels, Dec 26, 2017
FAILED REAR WHEEL BEARINGS TWICE WITHIN 20,000 MILES. INCREASINGLY LOUD NOISE WHEN IN MOTION.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 4, 2017, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE EXITING THE CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER REIMBURSED THE COST OF THE RENTAL VEHICLE. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLOOR MATS COULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. *JS UPDATED 9/13/18*JB
Engine, Nov 6, 2017
MY 2014 FORESTER HAS STALLED ON ME 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN SAN ANTONIO AND EL PASO TX. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (80MPH ON THIS PART OF I-10) WITH AND WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WOULD MAKE A HARD DOWNSHIFT, THEN ANOTHER, AND ALLOWED ME ABOUT 10 SECONDS TO PULL OVER TO RIGHT SHOULDER, THEN STALLED. DURING THE DOWNSHIFT NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON UNTIL I WAS COMPLETELY STALLED AND THEN THEY ALL TURNED ON. ONE TIME IT GAVE ME A WARNING LIGHT THAT MY TRANSMISSION OIL WAS HOT, AFTER IT STALLED. I HAVE TRAVELED TO OTHER PLACES IN TEXAS WITH SAME VARIABLES OTHER THAN THE INCLINES/ DECLINES OF THAT PART OF I-10. THIS VEHICLE CANNOT HANDLE INCLINES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AFTER DRIVING AN HOUR OR TWO. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY THAT THE 5 TIMES MY FORESTER STALLED I WAS NOT SURROUNDED BY HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS IS A VERY BAD SITUATION AND VERY DANGEROUS!! A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I NOTIFIED MY SUBARU DEALER WHEN THEY DID AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST (BECAUSE I HAVE TO ADD A QUART BETWEEN EACH OIL CHANGE) AND THEY DID NOTHING. THE MANAGER SPECULATED SOME WORK THEY COULD DO AT MY COST BUT HAD NO ANSWERS OR SUGGESTIONS. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL BEARINGS IN THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL. THESE THINGS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A NEW CAR WITH HIGH RATINGS. MY 86 HONDA CIVIC COULD GO BETWEEN EL PASO AND SAN ANTONIO WITH NO PROBLEMS.
Wheels, Oct 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL SHOOK SEVERELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COCONUT CREEK SUBARU IN COCONUT CREEK, FL, 888-459-5432, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 9, 2017
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE SEVERAL LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, ABS, AND A PICTURE OF AN AUTO ON A HILL. I THEN PULLED OVER AND PUT THE AUTO IN PARK. IT LOCKED UP IN PARK AND I COULDN'T GET IT OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY WALKED ME THRU A SERIES OF STEPS TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. NOT AN EASY TASK. I TOOK THE AUTO INTO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A SWITCH STOP, I KNEW THERE HAD BEEN A SERVICE BULLETION PUT OUT ON THIS PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED THE SWITCH HAD BEEN REDESIGNED. OF COURSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE SWITCH AND LABOR, ALTHOUGH IT WAS ONLY OUT OF WARRANTY FOR A MONTH. I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS! WHAT WOULD I HAVE DONE IF IT HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE OR I WASN'T ABLE TO CONTACT A DEALER. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAD REPLACE MANY OF THESE SWITCHES. THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS SWITCH. IT'S DANGEROUS. WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS AON A CITY STREET, PULLED OVER AND PUT IT IN PARK. IT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND COME OUT OF PARK