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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.

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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

Steering complaints

16 reports
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119,000 miles · Jun 12, 2026
Steering

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…

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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 electrical power steering failures. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure after the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #11743796

78,000 miles · Jun 17, 2021
SteeringSuspension

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel moved back and forth while on cruise control with the tires wobbling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the front driver’s and passenger’s side tires were able to move 6-8 i…

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The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel moved back and forth while on cruise control with the tires wobbling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the front driver’s and passenger’s side tires were able to move 6-8 inches without effort. The steering gear and all four tires were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #11421275

78,000 miles · Apr 15, 2021
Steering

THE 12-16 IMPREZA, 13-17 CROSSTREK, AND 14-18 FORESTER HAVE A KNOWN ISSUE OF THE ELECTRIC STEERING RACK BECOMING COMPROMISED, LEADING TO STEERING ISSUES. THE ISSUE IS DESCRIBED IN THE ISSUE BULLETIN AS JUST "UNEVEN STEERING EFFORT" AND THAT IT IS NOT UNSAFE AND SO IS NOT A RECALL ITEM, HOWEVER I CAME TO LEARN ABOUT THIS ISSUE WI…

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THE 12-16 IMPREZA, 13-17 CROSSTREK, AND 14-18 FORESTER HAVE A KNOWN ISSUE OF THE ELECTRIC STEERING RACK BECOMING COMPROMISED, LEADING TO STEERING ISSUES. THE ISSUE IS DESCRIBED IN THE ISSUE BULLETIN AS JUST "UNEVEN STEERING EFFORT" AND THAT IT IS NOT UNSAFE AND SO IS NOT A RECALL ITEM, HOWEVER I CAME TO LEARN ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH MY CAR AFTER IT SUDDENLY STARTING THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ME TO JERK WILDLY TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH ONLY THE SLIGHTEST LEFT TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH COULD HAVE VERY DEFINITELY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT (THIS ALL BEING IN FRONT OF A POLICE OFFICER, OF COURSE). I AM 8 MONTHS PREGNANT AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVE A POSSIBLE DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH MY CAR BUT CANNOT AFFORD THE FIX IMMEDIATELY- I AM HOPING THIS CAN BECOME A RECALL ITEM IN ORDER TO FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11408228

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2020
SteeringUnknown Or Other

14 SUBARU FORESTER AND IT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION GETTING STUCK. STARTED WITH MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN AND JIGGLING THE KEY TO NOW IT'S BECOME A HUGE ISSUE. GETS STUCK ALL THE TIME! TAKES UP TO 30 MINUTES TO REMOVE THE KEY! SUBARU NEEDS TO FIX THIS! IT'S BECOMING A COMMON FAULTY IS…

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14 SUBARU FORESTER AND IT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION GETTING STUCK. STARTED WITH MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN AND JIGGLING THE KEY TO NOW IT'S BECOME A HUGE ISSUE. GETS STUCK ALL THE TIME! TAKES UP TO 30 MINUTES TO REMOVE THE KEY! SUBARU NEEDS TO FIX THIS! IT'S BECOMING A COMMON FAULTY ISSUE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323881

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2020
Steering

STEERING DOESN'T RETURN TO A NEUTRAL STATE WHEN TURNING AT SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #11320470

55,000 miles · Jul 22, 2019
Steering

THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE CAR TURNS ON. UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL UNLESS A TON OF FORCE IS APPLIED. TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN A FEW TIMES AND MESSAGES GOES AWAY. BUT DOES IT MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.

NHTSA ODI #11233985

73,624 miles · Jun 12, 2019
Steering

A GRINDING NOISE OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STEERED WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11219529

73,624 miles · Jun 12, 2019
Steering

POWER STEERING APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE. A GRINDING NOISE WILL BE HEARD WHEN STEERING ON A FREQUENT BASIS WHEN MOVING.

NHTSA ODI #11219511

69,000 miles · May 17, 2019
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

THE STEERING WHEEL "LEATHER" COATING HAS BEEN DISINTEGRATING FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. THE SUBARU SERVICE SAID IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2014 SUBARU FOREST. & SHOULD BE RECALLED. EVENTUALLY, THE UNDERCOAT FOAM MATERIAL WILL ALSO DISINTEGRATE, HE SAID. ALSO, BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BUSHINGS,BAND DRIVE, (SOMETHING LIKE A DRIVE…

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THE STEERING WHEEL "LEATHER" COATING HAS BEEN DISINTEGRATING FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. THE SUBARU SERVICE SAID IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2014 SUBARU FOREST. & SHOULD BE RECALLED. EVENTUALLY, THE UNDERCOAT FOAM MATERIAL WILL ALSO DISINTEGRATE, HE SAID. ALSO, BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BUSHINGS,BAND DRIVE, (SOMETHING LIKE A DRIVE SHAFT), STRUT & AXEL JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 69K MILES. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT OR HIT ANYTHING. SUBARU PAID FOR FAILED CONTROL ARM REPLACEMENT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CAR!

NHTSA ODI #11208277

24,000 miles · Feb 1, 2019
Steering

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 C…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11173631

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