2014 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (88) · Vehicle Speed Control (41) · Engine (37)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Forester model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
298 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2019-02-28 · campaign 19V149000 · 1,303,530 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Equipment 2013-04-24 · campaign 13V159000 · 10,137 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (637)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Power Train 2026-08-20 · 16-156-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin announces a design change made to the cvt control valve body. the updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 637 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-12 · Steering · 119,000 mi“the contact owns a 2014 subaru forester. the contact stated that while his wife was driving and stopped in traffic, the steering wheel locked up. the contact stated the steering wheel warning light illuminated and the vehicle was towed. the dealer was contacted and notified of the failure, and the failure was diagnosed with rack and pinion and elec…”
2026-03-23 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 166,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2014 subaru forester on march 5, 2026. the contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the mileage was 77,000. at the time of the registration, it was discovered that the mileage …”
2026-03-22 · Unknown Or Other · 💥 crash“unintended acceleration while parking /braking in front of a verizon store leading to crash into store…”
2025-12-07 · Fuel/Propulsion System“on 5/15/2024 and 5/21/2024 i had sudden uninteded acceleration. i had a auto shop try to solve the problem by replacing the air fuel ratio sensor and the mass air flow sensor. this seem to fix the issue until 11/27/2025 & 12/7/2025 when the sudden uninteded acceleration returned.…”
2025-11-19 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“i was driving my 2014 subaru forester (about 148,000 miles) behind a minivan at a safe distance and speed. without warning, my vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. despite applying the brakes, shifting into low gear, and using the emergency brake, i was unable to slow it down. after impact, the car then hit a telephone pole, spun me around and ro…”
2025-11-01 · Suspension“low contrl arm bushings distroyed,loud noise and vibration under the car.…”
2025-09-25 · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate:support Device/Strut“liftgate arm (or support) broke while the liftgate was in the raised position, and the liftgate came crashing down to the closed position, while my sister-in-law was very close by. i believe a serious injury could have resulted if someone had been under the liftgate at the time. we also own a 2016 forester, and i now expect to replace the liftgat…”
2025-07-29 · Unknown Or Other“i was on the freeway when the check engine light came on with an alert i couldn't read in time before it disappeared. then the gas pedal stopped working. i got to a safe place and shut off the car. my brother-in-law then drove the car the 5 miles back home on local roads - he videod the throttle ramping up when he was either braking or the foot was…”
2025-07-15 · Power Train · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2014 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently accelerate without warning. due to the failure, the contact stated that they had hit a building while attempting to park in a parking space. the air bag did not deploy during the accident and the contact suffered stiffne…”
2025-07-08 · Engine“i have a 2014 subaru forester that i purchase in 2023 from a dealership in yonkers n.y. i been noticing oil consumption at 1qt. a week at 300 miles. i investigated it on the internet and found out that there was a recalled for oil consumption to replace the short block on it. i emailed subaru on this matter and they told me that they stopped repair…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.