2014 SUBARU FORESTER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
573
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
176
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2014 SUBARU FORESTER
The 2014 SUBARU FORESTER has received a total of 573 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, EQUIPMENT. 176 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Suspension (93 complaints), Engine (69 complaints), and Air Bags (55 complaints).
Recalls for the 2014 SUBARU FORESTER
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2014 SUBARU FORESTER, potentially affecting up to 1,313,667 vehicles.
Recall 19V149000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 1,303,530 vehicles affected
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...
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.
View full details →Recall 13V159000 — EQUIPMENT
| 10,137 vehicles affected
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.
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2014 SUBARU FORESTER
573 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
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 rolled the car over. There is major damage to the car and we looked at it at the tow yard but the salvage adjuster is moving it shortly.
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 rolled the car over. There is major damage to the car and we looked at it at the tow yard but the salvage adjuster is moving it shortly.
Safety Rating for the 2014 SUBARU FORESTER
The 2014 SUBARU FORESTER received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2014 SUBARU FORESTER
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 176 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
17-19-24 — AIR BAGS
Due to limited part supply, the availability of the passenger front seat cushion may not satisfy demand. To reduce extended downtime for the customer, this bulletin announces the diagnostic and repair procedures to be used when DTC B1760 (Occupant Detection Sensor Mat). The use of WUM-98 sensor harness kit should...
05-63-18R — SUSPENSION
This bulletin announces a design change made to the forward bushing used in the front lower control arm to address customer concerns of a rattle-type sound and / or a possible vibration felt in the steering wheel.
05-70-19R — WHEELS
This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates.
12-289-20R — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty for the rear gate stays on the listed models and model years.
15-186-15R — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and a corresponding installation procedure which will allow Bluetooth pairing to be completed successfully when using voice commands on the Clarion audio units listed.
WUT-05R — SUSPENSION
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service program to replace the rear coil springs on certain 2014-2016 model year Forester vehicles.
05-73-20 — EQUIPMENT
This Service Information Bulletin announces part number change information for the rear suspension coil springs used on the models listed.
05-73-20 — SUSPENSION
This Service Information Bulletin announces part number change information for the rear suspension coil springs used on the models listed.
05-70-19 — WHEELS
This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates. Under certain circumstances, some customers may have a concern regarding a howling-type sound from the rear of the vehicle later diagnosed as a faulty hub / bearing assembly. Unevenness of the backing plate surfaces may...
05-70-19 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates. Under certain circumstances, some customers may have a concern regarding a howling-type sound from the rear of the vehicle later diagnosed as a faulty hub / bearing assembly. Unevenness of the backing plate surfaces may...
Showing 10 of 176 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2014 SUBARU FORESTER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU FORESTER
- 2009 SUBARU FORESTER — 228 complaints
- 2010 SUBARU FORESTER — 306 complaints
- 2011 SUBARU FORESTER — 195 complaints
- 2012 SUBARU FORESTER — 139 complaints
- 2013 SUBARU FORESTER — 94 complaints
- 2014 SUBARU FORESTER (current)
- 2015 SUBARU FORESTER — 882 complaints
- 2016 SUBARU FORESTER — 594 complaints
- 2017 SUBARU FORESTER — 765 complaints
- 2018 SUBARU FORESTER — 650 complaints
- 2019 SUBARU FORESTER — 1,079 complaints
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU OUTBACK — 12,068 total complaints
- SUBARU LEGACY — 4,117 total complaints
- SUBARU IMPREZA — 3,406 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU WRX — 1,207 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints
- SUBARU XV CROSSTREK — 354 total complaints