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2014 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Forester years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Subaru Forester are substantially higher than the model-year median of 131.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

298 reports with mileage · 105 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 94 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

48 crash reports3 fire reports18 injury reports

Engine complaints

69 reports
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106,663 miles · Mar 5, 2019
Engine

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. …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11184309

92,000 miles · Nov 19, 2018
EnginePower Train

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11152642

119,412 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Engine

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 B…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11151768

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2018
Engine

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11145060

35,000 miles · Oct 15, 2018
Engine

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11140302

41,870 miles · Aug 30, 2018
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11123382

36,643 miles · Aug 2, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other

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 NOWHE…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11115470

33,000 miles · Jul 24, 2018
Engine

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 MANUFA…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11113365

48,000 miles · May 10, 2018
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

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.)

NHTSA ODI #11093272

40,000 miles · Mar 2, 2018
EngineFire

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 NO…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11075834

Official recalls

2

19V149000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: 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.

13V159000 · Equipment

Apr 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems