2014 SUBARU FORESTER

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    suspension struts shocks

    2 stranded, 65 unsafe, 7 broken

    74
    incidents
    Typical range: 43,000–72,500 mi

    Median 56,000 mi, based on 70 reports (10% had no usable mileage)

    • "THERE IS METAL CLICKING NOISE FROM DRIVER SIDE REAR END WHEN RUNNING ON BUMPY OR ROUGH ROADS. DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR FELT AS IF IT IS NOT CLOSED PROPERLY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. REAR END BOTTOMED OUT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. CAR FEELS UNSTABLE. THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROB…"~15,450 mi, complaint #1109268
    • "BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS PREMATURELY FAIL IN THE 2014 AND 2015 MODELS. THE PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED AND IS NOW IN A NATIONAL SHORTAGE. THIS SPRING CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AND PUNCTURE A TIRE. MY INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE IT WAS STATION…"~43,000 mi, complaint #1564689
    • "REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. PRIOR TO THIS EVENT, THE OTHER REAR COIL SPRING HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST DAMAGE."~56,000 mi, complaint #1572480
    • "THE RIGHT REAR SPRING RUSTED OUT, BROKE AND ULTIMATELY DROPPED DOWN SO IT WAS HANGING BELOW THE SUSPENSION MOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS HANGING LOW ON THE RIGHT REAR QUADRANT. A BODY SHOP TECHNICIAN NOTICED THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THE SPRING BROKE…"~72,342 mi, complaint #1569998
    • "REAR SPRINGS BROKE. CAR NEVER OVERLOADED OR DRIVEN OFF ROAD"~137,000 mi, complaint #1619838
  2. #2

    airbag system

    51 unsafe

    51
    incidents
    Typical range: 55,000–110,000 mi

    Median 77,500 mi, based on 54 reports (40% had no usable mileage)

    • "THIS SUBARU OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN MY 2014 FORESTER IS DEFECTIVE. IT DOES NOT DETECT MY WIFE AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT TURN ON. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SUBARU THAT THEY HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED TO AN "ELECTROSTATIC CAPACITANCE SENSOR" TO REPLACE THE P…"~11,800 mi, complaint #1190373
    • "AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS LIT ON THE MAIN CLUSTER BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO ON THE CENTER DISPLAY. I BELIEVE THE SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND I'M SEEING AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. I'M WORRIED THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1677960
    • "DRIVING AT [REDACTED ADDRESS] HIGHWAY DRY CONDITIONS IN THE EARLY MORNING WHEN I HIT A DEER IN THE FRONT, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE."~75,000 mi, complaint #1564345
    • "MY VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I WAS FIRST ALERTED BY MY CARS WARNING SYSTEM, WHICH STATES 'SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED' AND GIVES ME A RED WARNING SYMBOL OF THE AIRBAG BEING INFLATED. SECONDLY IT SHOWS MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF EV…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1515840
    • "The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The diagnostic test showed that the ODS (O…"~191,000 mi, complaint #1905243
  3. #3

    unintended acceleration

    31 unsafe

    31
    incidents
    Typical range: 15,000–44,000 mi

    Median 36,000 mi, based on 39 reports (36% had no usable mileage)

    • "I SLOWLY PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT WALMART AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED VIOLENTLY AND JUMPED THE MEDIAN. THE CAR CRASHED INTO METAL RACKS WITH PLANTS ON THEM. THE CAR WAS SUSPENDED ON THE MEDIAN. WITNESSES SAW THAT THE CAR SURGED FORWARD WHILE…"~2,500 mi, complaint #1073046
    • "I WAS MAKING A ROUTINE VISIT TO MY MOTHER AT HER APARTMENT. TURNED LEFT INTO THE COMPLEX THEN TURNED RIGHT AND WENT UP A SMALL HILL. AT THE TOP OF THE HILL AT NO MORE THAN 5-10 MPH I TURNED FAIRLY SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT TO ENTER THE PARKING SPACE. AT THAT PO…"~14,901 mi, complaint #1111850
    • "WHEN SLOWLY ENTERING HOME GARAGE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED & DESPITE STANDING ON THE BREAK PEDAL & PULLING THE EMERGENCY BREAK IT CRASHED INTO TABLE & WORK BENCHES AT FRONT OF AREA CAUSING DAMAGE TO FURNITURE & DAMAGING FRONT OF VEHICLE. PREVIOUSLY IN NO…"~36,000 mi, complaint #1376996
    • "CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE TO PARK MY CAR IN A PRIVATE COMPANY'S PARKING LOT. *TR"~44,700 mi, complaint #1663800
    • "AT/ABOUT 1230 CENTRAL TIME ON 31 OCT 2019, MY WIFE [XXX] EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION EVENT IN OUR 2014 SUBARU FORESTER AND NARROWLY ESCAPED BEING KILLED. CONTEXT: MY WIFE WAS TAKING THE CAR THROUGH AN AUTOMATED CARWASH AT THE CASEYS GAS STATION…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1621589
  4. #4

    engine oil consumption

    26 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    29
    incidents
    Typical range: 12,500–87,500 mi

    Median 41,000 mi, based on 28 reports (26% had no usable mileage)

    • "I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2014 FORESTER IN 2013. IT NOW HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I NEED TO ADD A QUART TO A QUART AND A HALF ABOUT EVERY MONTH. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT IS 'NORMAL' FOR THE CAR TO USE A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1200…"~1,400 mi, complaint #1279125
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL LOW WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL LEVEL IN THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISS…"~22,900 mi, complaint #1182913
    • "WE HAVE HAD TWO ONGOING ISSUES WITH OUR 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WE PURCHASED OUR CAR WHEN IT WAS TWO YEARS OLD HAVE HAD OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES AND A HARD TIME GETTING OUR KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER DRIVING. ON OUR LAST TRIP TO FLORIDA FROM NY AND BACK WE H…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1597857
    • "I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AFTER STOPPING ALSO I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING A QUART OF OIL IN WHEN THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING"~80,000 mi, complaint #1716465
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL WITH THE CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE…"~121,286 mi, complaint #1685402
  5. #5

    engine stall or no start

    1 stranded, 20 unsafe

    21
    incidents
    Typical range: 2,500–40,000 mi

    Median 11,500 mi, based on 26 reports (38% had no usable mileage)

    • "I STARTED THE VEHICLE, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND NOTHING!! IT DIDNT MOVE. STEPPED ON THE GAS, NOTHING! TRIED THIS 4 TIMES. AFTER ABOUT ONE HOUR IT STARTED AND WENT IN GEAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TESTED IT , SAID NOTHING WRONG. SECOND TIME, WHICH WAS LA…"~900 mi, complaint #1030441
    • "STARTING FROM A COLD OR WARM TEMPERATURE THE VEHICLE CRANKS EXCESSIVELY AND WILL NOT START UNTIL A SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT RANDOM AND ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE MONTHS. *TR"~5,927 mi, complaint #1087383
    • "WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TEMPERATURES AROUND 85-90 (OR GREATER) DEGREES VEHICLE WILL NOT ALLOW ACCELERATION. VEHICLE STUMBLES, DETONATES AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO APPLY POWER WITHOUT HESITATION AND ENGINE STUMBLES. THIS PROBLEM CAN B…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1317771
    • "DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 MPH, CAR ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, RPM'S WERE STILL UP AS IF CAR ON, COASTED OUT OF TRAFFIC, NO CHECK ENGINE, NO SPUTTERING, HAD GAS, BUT ACTED AS IF I HAD RUN OUT. TURNED IGNITION KEY TO OFF AND REMOVED IT, ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR S…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1565395
    • "FIRST NOTICE THIS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BUT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. STARTED WHEN YOU WOULD HAVE A LOW SPEED HARD LEFT TURN SUCH AS IN A PARKING LOT A/C WOULD STOP WORKING, POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT DOWN AND THEN EVERYTHING WOULD COME BACK TO NORMAL.…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1611738
  6. #6

    trunk or liftgate

    12 unsafe, 1 broken

    13
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "TAILGATE LIFT SUPPORT FAILURES- ON NOV 3, 2019, MY 2014 FORESTER WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I OPENED THE TAILGATE AND ALLOWED MY DOG TO JUMP INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR. WHEN I CLOSED THE TAILGATE THERE WAS A LOUD METAL-ON-METAL CRUNCHING NOISE. I CAREFULLY OPEN…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1632506
    • "The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. While attempting to open the liftgate, the contact stated that the left strut on the liftgate fractured which caused the liftgate to independently close. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that strut bolt was co…"~88,500 mi, complaint #1760500
    • "The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while parked in the driveway, the contact noticed that rain had leaked through the hatchback which caused mold to form on the rear passenger’s side roof. The interior lights became inoperable. Af…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1931953
    • "I WALKED BEHIND THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED ON SIDE OF THE STREET, AND PRESSED THE BUTTON THAT ACTIVATES THE POWERED TAILGATE AND CAUSES IT TO OPEN. AS THE TAILGATE WAS OPENING, THE LEFT TAILGATE GAS LIFT SUPPORT BROKE OFF FROM THE TAILGATE. WHEN THE TAILGATE…"~109,000 mi, complaint #1586684
    • "The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the tailgate was in an upright position and then the tailgate closed unexpectedly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to repair the vehicle. The contact related t…"~174,944 mi, complaint #1879687
  7. #7

    other

    5 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    12
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "I WAS DRIVING MY 6 MONTH OLD 2014 SUBARU FORESTER AT ABOUT 50 MPH AT NIGHT AND MY DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN RECLINING. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE MECHANISM TO STOP IT WAS NOT WORKING. IT HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES AFTER THAT OCCU…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1061974
    • "I HAD JUST GASSED UP AT BJ'S IN FARMINGDALE AND WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ADJACENT TO AND FACING THE PUMP AREA I HAD JUST LEFT. SEPARATING MY PARKING SPACE AND THE PUMP I JUST LEFT WAS A CURB AND A SHORT UPHILL EMBANKMENT OF ABOUT 45 DEGREES , AND 20 FEE…"~11,335 mi, complaint #1202741
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER XT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FRIEND WHO WAS DRIVING, PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY ROLLING OVER THE DRIVER'S FOOT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRAS…"~41,000 mi, complaint #1568618
    • "The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed up an incline, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplic…"~54,600 mi, complaint #1931969
    • "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, th…"~166,000 mi, complaint #2189289
  8. #8

    suspension arms and bushings

    11 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 40,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1065643
    • "DURING A BRAKE CHECK, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE RIGHT PASS SPRING WAS BROKEN ON MY 48K MILE FORESTER. HE FELT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE PART COULD HAVE BROKEN OFF COMPLETELY AND POSSIBLE INJURED SOMEONE ELSE OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE PARTS ON OTHERS…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1588359
    • "FRONT WHEELS WOULD SHIMMY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS FAILING FRONT LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT."~50,000 mi, complaint #1680344
    • "FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION BUSHING COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 55,000 MILES. DRIVER SIDE BUSHING STILL INTACT BUT SHOWING SIGNIFICANT SIGNS OF WEAR. THE MISSING BUSHING IS CAUSING SEVER VIBRATIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY."~55,000 mi, complaint #1371542
    • "2014 SUBARU FORESTER WAS IN SHOP TO REPLALCE BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, AND MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT ONE OF THE REAR SPRINGS WAS ALSO BROKEN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2014 FORESTERS, AND A PART THAT SHOULD BREAK THIS EASILY"~90,000 mi, complaint #1596662
  9. #9

    key fob and immobilizer

    7 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 85,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION, WONT COME OUT! THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY"~35,000 mi, complaint #1594116
    • "TAKATA RECALL: THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY WHEN I TURN OFF THE MOTOR AND PUSH IT IN TO RELEASE THE KEY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I PARK THE CAR, HAVE TURNED OFF THE MOTOR AND PREPARE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE."~70,000 mi, complaint #1594848
    • "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."~80,000 mi, complaint #1474837
    • "THE KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN I GO TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. OF COURSE THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN PARK. *TR"~84,000 mi, complaint #1668018
    • "THE IGNITION CYCLINDER WILL NOT RELEASE VEHICLE KEY. UPON TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION THE KEY WILL NOT TURN PAST ON TO THE OFF POSITION. IT CAN TAKE UP TO 30 TRIES OF CYCLING KEY TO REMOVE KEY. MOVING THE SHIFTER AND STARTI…"~129,700 mi, complaint #1651640
  10. #10

    transmission cvt

    1 stranded, 9 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER TOURING 2.0 TURBO MODEL. WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AFTER DRIVING, IT DID NOT TURN OFF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, THE BELTS WERE STILL SPINNING AND I HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY TO SHUT IT O…"~56,861 mi, complaint #1590804
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE GRINDING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1271200
    • "CVT 2.5I 70K MILEAGE. ON 8/12/17, WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY NONSTOP FOR 310 MILES, WITH CRUISE ON 76 MPH, TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WENT "OUT OF GEAR." ENGINE RPMS RACED TO OVER 5,000 BUT CAR WAS OUT OF GEAR. NO PROPULSION WHATSOEVER.…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1402105
    • "VALVE BODY SOLENOID INSIDE THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED AND FULLY LOCKED UP. SUBARU STATES THAT THEIR CVT TRANSMISSION NEVER NEEDS TO BE SERVICED BUT COVERS THE CVT TO 100,000 MILES. SHORTY AFTER A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES, THE VALVE BODY SOLENOID FAILED AND S…"~124,000 mi, complaint #1618825
    • "FAILURE OF THE CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT) IS A KNOWN AND DANGEROUS DEFECT FOR CERTAIN MODELS OF SUBARUS. SUBARU OF AMERICA ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN 2018 WHICH PARTIALLY ADDRESSED CVT PROBLEMS, BUT FELL SHORT OF A RECALL, WHICH IS WHAT CUSTOME…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1715766
  11. #11

    brake hydraulics

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 30,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS DRIVING UP MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS BRAKING WHEN THE CAR JERKED FORWARD AND HIT THE GARAGE DOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE GARAGE DOOR WAS DAMAGED AS WAS THE FRONT BUMPER AND GRILL OF THE CAR. *TR"~3,500 mi, complaint #1072242
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND THAT HIS STATE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VE…"~7,000 mi, complaint #1093395
    • "VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED UPON STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT."~25,000 mi, complaint #1720266
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) REGARDING A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT. AFTER THE RECALL WAS SERVICED, WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE HILL ASSIST WARNING I…"~76,032 mi, complaint #1591681
    • "ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING AND IT'S SPORADIC"~87,000 mi, complaint #1663580
  12. #12

    throttle and pedal

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "I WAS TURNING RIGHT TO PARK AT A STATE PARK. THE PARKING AREA IS SANDY AND FULL OF POT HOLES. I WAS ALMOST STOPPED WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED VIOLENTLY. MY CAR MOUNTED A FLAT BOULDER, ONE OF MANY IN THE PARKING AREA. I STILL DON'T FEEL LIKE I COULD HAVE ST…"~10,261 mi, complaint #1047668
    • "AFTER A ROUTINE PERIODIC MAINTENANCE THAT WAS REPORTED TO INCLUDE A SOFTWARE UPDATE (UNRELATED?), INTERMITTENT EVENTS WITH UNEVEN AND BRIEFLY ABSENT ACCELERATION OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO INCREASE VEHICLE SPEED FROM SLOW SPEEDS OR FROM A STOPPED CONDITION WH…"~11,500 mi, complaint #1065382
    • "WHEN SWITCHING FROM THE BRAKE TO THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP AND WHEN SWITCHING FROM BRAKING TO ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS IN CITY TRAFFIC. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY. DRIVER HAS BEEN VERY AWAR…"~20,400 mi, complaint #1276479
    • "CAR WAS PARKED IN STREET. STARTED IT AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO A DRIVEWAY. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED IN REVERSE. I WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE STOMPED HEAVILY ON GAS PEDAL TO GET IT TO THAT SPEED BUT I'M NOT SURE I EVEN TOUCHED IT. TRAVELED…"~46,000 mi, complaint #1391031
    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND RESTARTED IT - IT WORKED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, TWO DAY…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1357419
  13. #13

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 64,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "VEHICLE HESITATES FOR 3+ SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM "CANNOT BE DUPLICATED." DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO GET UP TO SPEED WHETHER IT'S ENTERING A LOCAL ROADWAY OR A HIGHWAY."~64,000 mi, complaint #1277848
    • "DRIVING [REDACTED ADDRESS]. CAR SUDDENLY NO LONGER RESPONSIVE TO ACCELERATOR AND SPEED DROPS. RECOVERED IN A FEW SECONDS. DEALER EXAMINED AND STATES IT WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE CONDITION IN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT WAS INSTALLED 6 MONTHS EARLIER DUE TO RECALL. DEAL…"~81,000 mi, complaint #1615671
    • "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…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1516987
  14. #14

    transmission automatic

    1 stranded, 6 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "SUBARU AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION--- WHEN BACKING UP ON A HILL AND SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT LOCK UP. THE CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL BACKWARD AND CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY USING THE BRAKES . IT ACTS LIKE A STANDARD SHIFT TRANSMISSION. THIS D…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1281012
    • "STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT, WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATION HEARD A LOUD THUMP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. ABS, TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I THOUGHT I LOST MY TRANSMISSION. HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF BUSY HIGHWAY AND THEN CALLED TRIPLE A TO HAVE CAR TOWED. WAS ON ROUTE 1…"~68,413 mi, complaint #1663479
    • "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 50…"~71,000 mi, complaint #1490815
    • "I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY ENGINE TURNED OFF. LATER IN THE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING UPHILL, MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD AS I WAS DRIVING. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, ALL MY WARNING SENSOR LIGHTS WENT ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP A…"~107,000 mi, complaint #1694941
    • "THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY IN JULY, 2018. I CONTACTED A SUBARU DEALER ON JULY 30 FOR SERVICE, BUT THE FIRST APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE WAS ON AUGUST 1ST. I FOUND OUT THAT SUBARU HAD BEEN HAVING SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS AND EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTIES. BECAUS…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1542102
  15. #15

    lighting exterior

    3 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ARE VERY POOR, THEY ONLY PROJECT 100 FT . BECAUSE OF THIS WE HIT A DEER WHICH CAUSED $4000 DAMAGE. PLASE TELL ME YOU ARE LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM "~45,000 mi, complaint #1280298
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MEC…"~68,000 mi, complaint #1627153
    • "REPEATED ISSUE WITH HEADLIGHTS FAILING AFTER VERY SHORTY PERIOD OF TIME FROM INSTALLATION. REPLACED HEADLIGHTS 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 11 MONTHS (HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 1 ADDITIONAL TIME SINCE MAY 2017). BULBS INSTALLED CORRECTLY WITHOUT MAKING CONTACT WITH ANY…"~109,000 mi, complaint #1580113
    • "MY HIGH BEAM/DAYTIME RUNNING BULB BLEW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN REPLACING THE BULB I FOUND IT HAD ACTUALLY MELTED, AND HAD A LARGE BUBBLE IN THE GLASS. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR PREVIOUS THE DRIVERS SIDE BULB HAD BLOWN AND I HAD FOUND THE SAME BUBBLE, BUT DIDN'…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1559511
  16. #16

    wheel bearing

    6 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "REAR WHEEL BACKING [REDACTED PLATE]. NHTSA ID #10185064. OCCURRED ON MY 2014 FORESTER WITH 34,000 MILES (GARAGED). MADE A HOWLING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS. REPLACED BY DEALER $700 PARTS AND LABOR. NEVER HAD THIS ON ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. CLEARLY A DESIGN ISS…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1738533
    • "FAILED REAR WHEEL BEARINGS TWICE WITHIN 20,000 MILES. INCREASINGLY LOUD NOISE WHEN IN MOTION."~65,000 mi, complaint #1435133
    • "REPEATED THUMPING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT AT SPEED APPROX. 25 MPH. NOTICED 2 OR 3 MONTHS AGO. ODOMETER AT ABOUT 79000 MILES.DEALER DIAGNOSED BAD WHEEL BEARINGS AND REPAIRED THEM FOR $700+. NO CHANGE NOTICED. DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE AUTO TRANSMI…"~79,000 mi, complaint #1525355
    • "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, [REDACTED PHONE], BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1419412
    • "WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, I HEARD AN UNUSUAL SOUND AND FELT VIBRATION UNDER THE REAR PORTION OF THE DRIVERS FLOOR MAT. THIS WAS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS 40 AND ABOVE, ON BOTH HIGHWAY AND SIDE ROADS. IT OCCURRED BOTH WHEN ACCELERATING AND WHEN COASTING…"~88,271 mi, complaint #1689621
  17. #17

    engine internal

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "MY 2014 FORESTER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RPMS OF THE ENGINE. IN COLD WEATHER & AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP (DASH BLUE LIGHT TURNS OFF) & WHILE CITY DRIVING, THE ENGINE RPM GOES UP 300 TO 400 RPMS WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL (HEATER) IS TURNED ON. THEN IF I STOP FOR…"~4,240 mi, complaint #1048645
    • "I WAS ON AN ON RAMP ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE COMPUTER IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH STARTED ALERTING THAT SEVERAL SYSTEMS NEEDED CHECK. ALL THE DASHBOARD INDICATORS WENT OFF AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER EVEN WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1322169
    • "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, [REDACTED ADDRESS], MOORESVILLE, NC 28117) REPROGRAMMED THE ENGINE CONT…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1451687
    • "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 PI…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1467648
  18. #18

    glass and windshield

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "CRACKED WINDSHIELD. ON DECEMBER 14, 2016, A 6 DEGREE DAY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ACROSS HEATER STRIP, SIDE TO SIDE, WHILE PARKED. NO EVIDENCE OF, OR PRIOR DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD. ONLINE REPORTS STATE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH NEWER SUBARU MODELS, BEC…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1368437
    • "A LARGE NUT FELL FROM TREE (WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH) AND HIT DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD WHICH SHATTERED. THIS VEHICLE COMES WITH SPECIALTY HEATED WINDSHIELDS, WHICH WAS ON AT THE TIME AS IT HAPPENED DURING WINTER. THE SECOND TIME, THE WINDSHIELD BROKE…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1096028
    • "The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, a small crack appeared on the front windshield without impact. While driving, the crack expanded from the passenger’s side of the windshield to the driver’s side. T…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1750120
    • "MY FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A SPONTANEOUS CRACK. IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE AND THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IN THE EVENING, I NOTICED A HORIZONTAL CRACK ABOUT 24" LONG, NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEFROSTER WAS NOT ON. THIS…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1702974
    • "GOING [REDACTED ADDRESS]. MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THERE WAS JUST ONE VERY LOUD NOISE AND THE GLASS FRAGMENTS STAYED IN PLACE, WITH ONLY A FEW PIECES FALLING INTO THE CAR. NOTHING SUGGESTED THAT THE WINDOW WAS STRUCK BY ANYTHING."~77,000 mi, complaint #1644943
  19. #19

    steering rack mechanical

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "A GRINDING NOISE OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS STEERED WHILE IN MOTION."~73,624 mi, complaint #1574257
    • "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 AN…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1741283
    • "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…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1752702
    • "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 contacte…"~119,000 mi, complaint #2215544
  20. #20

    door latch and hinge

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "ON JUNE 22, 2016, MY HUSBAND PARKED THE CAR ON OUR DRIVEWAY, LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS] IN POCATELLO, IDAHO. I GOT OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND STEPPED TO THE SIDE AND CLOSED THE DOOR WITH MY LEFT HAND. I WAS NOT FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM DOOR AND THE C…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1317032
    • "The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle’s hood had suddenly opened impairing the contact’s vision. The contact ended up swerving the vehicle and crashing into a nearby tree. The air bags…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1841233
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HOOD INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED AND OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEW MOTORS SUBARU ([REDACTED ADDRESS], ERIE, PA 16509) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC HAD…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1747101
  21. #21

    horn

    1 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "HORN CEASED TO WORK . STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR REPLACED."~40,984 mi, complaint #1326584
    • "THE HORN WOULD INTERMITTENTLY WORK THEN CEASED TO WORK AT ALL. IF YOU TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL THE HORN WOULD WORK BUT NOT WORK IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STATIONARY. THIS SYMPTOM MEANT IT WAS A HIGH PROBABILITY THE CLOCK SPRING/ ROLL CONNECTOR WAS BAD."~123,000 mi, complaint #1736986
  22. #22

    power steering hydraulic

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "POWER STEERING FAILED ON WARM START. CAR WAS DRIVE-ABLE BUT STEERING TOOK CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND MAY HAVE NOT BEEN POSSIBLE FOR PERSON WITHOUT SUFFICIENT STRENGTH."~17,000 mi, complaint #1352214
    • "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 C…"~24,300 mi, complaint #1449448
    • "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."~55,000 mi, complaint #1587085
    • "POWER STEERING APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE. A GRINDING NOISE WILL BE HEARD WHEN STEERING ON A FREQUENT BASIS WHEN MOVING."~73,624 mi, complaint #1574234
  23. #23

    power windows and locks

    2 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY UP/CLOSED WHEN USING AUTO UP SWITCH. MUST CLOSE WINDOW USING MULTIPLE START STOP ENGAGEMENTS OF WINDOW CONTROL. DEALER TRIED MULTIPLE TO REPAIR MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, NOT UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER BLAMED DIR…"~11,000 mi, complaint #1639789
    • "LIFT GATE: THE LIFT GATE BUTTON ON THE DASH WHEN DEPRESSED DOES NOT ALWAYS OPEN THE LIFT GATE. SEVERAL PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER, AND IT STILL FAILS OCCASIONALLY. USING THE KEY FOB OPENS THE THE LIFT GATE 100% OF THE TIME, BUT NOT USING THE BUTTON…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1328888
  24. #24

    stability and traction control

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "THIS INCIDENT IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO AN EARLIER COMPLAINT: NHTSA ID NUMBER 10574697. I WAS TRAVELLING ON A STRAIGHT PORTION OF INTERSTATE AT REDUCED HIGHWAY SPEED DUE TO COLD WEATHER AND LIGHT SNOW WHEN I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A WIGGLING SENSATION IN THE REA…"~11,200 mi, complaint #1060491
    • "UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE DRIVING IT THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR (IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TINES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THEY WILL GO AWAY AND TEN REAPPEAR DAYS OR WEEKS LATER): VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED ABS SYST…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1221224
    • "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…"~28,800 mi, complaint #1413123
    • "AT VEHICLE START, OR WHILE DRIVING, THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR ON THE VEHICLE INFORMATION PANEL: 1) VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED; 2) ABS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED; AND 3) HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED. THESE W…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1392135
  25. #25

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 broken, 2 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AIR CONDITIONING WORKS ONCE TURN ON CAR THEN AFTER DRIVING FOR 1ST FIVE TO TEN MINUTES, AIR CONDITIONING STOP WORKING, THIS ISSUE STARTED HAPPENING IN 2018. *TR"~35,000 mi, complaint #1664143
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLOW SUBARU (485 SILAS CREEK PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127), FOR AN INOPERABLE AIR CONDITION SYSTEM. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COMPRESSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REP…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1658497
  26. #26

    adas collision warning

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "THE EYESIGHT, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEMS DO NOT RECOGNIZE STOPPED VEHICLES - HARD BRAKING IS REQUIRED TO STOP VEHICLE IN TIME. WHEN SYSTEMS DO FUNCTION THEY DO NOT GRADUALLY SLOW VEHICLE AND COME TO A STOP, BUT DO SO SUDDENLY AND…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1132255
  27. #27

    alignment and pull

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS EXTREMELY WORN DOWN, BUT THE OTHER TIRES HAD NO ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHI…"~5,000 mi, complaint #1363867
    • "SUBARU CORPORATE RECENTLY PURCHASED MY 2014 FORESTER BACK UNDER THE LEMON LAW. THIS WAS AFTER I HAD 4 DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS OF THE VEHICLE VEERING SPORADICALLY OUT OF CONTROL AROUND 55 MPH. IT WAS INCONSISTENT BUT THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT SOMETHI…"~6,500 mi, complaint #1049444
    • "WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND CAR INSPECTED AT THE VISTA AUTOMOTIVE GROUP SUBARU OF SILVERTHONE, COLORADO ON DECEMBER 29, 2014. EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CAR WAS REPORTED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. UPON DEPARTING FOR CALIFORNIA ON JANUARY 2, WE WERE ON INTERSTATE 70 W…"~113,000 mi, complaint #1156990
  28. #28

    battery and charging

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHEN PARKED FOR A TWO WEEK PERIOD, THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. HAS LEFT US STRANDED AT A PARKING GARAGE AT THE AIRPORT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. SUBARU SERVICE CLAIMS THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR A CAR BATTERY TO GO DEAD WHEN IT HASN'T BEEN RUN FOR TWO WEEKS…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1364714
    • "I WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND DIDN'T START MY CAR FEW ABOUT TEN DAYS. WHEN I COME BACK THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAD IT JUMP STARTED. AS I WAS LEAVING THE LOT AND GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE THE CAR STALLED WHILE IN DRIVE - THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. I COUL…"~61,222 mi, complaint #1329594
  29. #29

    control module

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "THIS VEHICLE IS A FORESTER XT TURBO. I WAS OPERATING ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 78 MPH, APPROXIMATELY 900 MILES FROM HOME, WHEN A SUDDEN LOSS OF PROPULSION OCCURRED. DASHBOARD HAD MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS. ENGINE WAS STILL OPERATING, THOUGH AT VERY LOW RPM SO I WAS…"~7,700 mi, complaint #1049279
    • "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.…"~24,000 mi, complaint #1536107
    • "STARTED CAR ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING OIL, AND,AWD, EMISSION CONTROL NEED TO BE CHECKED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR STAYS ON. HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A HOT DAY STOPPED TO GET GAS WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ALL THE CHECK ENGIN…"~121,425 mi, complaint #1680411
  30. #30

    tire failure

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "RIGHT REAR TIRE BLOWOUT ON INTERSTATE 40 WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. YOKAHAMA TIRE WAS SHREDDED BY TIME I PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. TIRES ONLY HAD 15,600 MILES ON THEM. IF NOT FOR ALL WHEEL DRIVE, I MIGHT NOT BE HERE TO WRITE THIS. AFTER LOOKING AT CONSUMER AF…"~15,600 mi, complaint #1233990
    • "YOKOHAMA G-91 TIRES- ON A SUBRAU FORRESTER 225-60-17 WITH LESS THAN 30K MILES THE TIRES WERE BALDING. ROTATIONS WERE DOWN BETWEEN 6000 AND 7000 MILES- LIKE CLOCKWORK. I WROTE YOKOHAMA. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER OWNERS, (SUBRAU US…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1185646
  31. #31

    wiper and washer

    1 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "IF IT IS SNOWING AND THE TEMPERATURE IS FREEZING OR BELOW, THE WIPER BLADES ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO GET ICE BUILD-UP AND THE WINDSHIELD ALSO ACCUMULATES ICE. AFTER FURTHER STUDY, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THERE IS A PLASTIC TRIM, ALMOST LIKE A WATER TROUGH, IM…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1255846
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY FAILED TO OPERATE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO PARTS TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT R…"~27,183 mi, complaint #1351085
    • "THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID HOSE THAT RUNS BETWEEN THE WIPER RESERVOIR AND THE SPRAYERS HAS SOME CHEAP WHITE PLASTIC THAT CRACKED AND BROKE, RENDERING THE WIPERS PRACTICALLY INOPERABLE. THIS IS SOME LOUSY PRODUCT USAGE THAT SHOULDN'T BE BREAKING ON A 6 YEAR OLD…"~63,000 mi, complaint #1688399
  32. #32

    abs module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WARNING LIGHTS KEEP GOING ON WHILE DRIVING INCLUDING THE "ABS WARNING LIGHT", "HILL ASSIST" AND "VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL" . THIS ALWAYS DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL AND OFTEN HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE. THIS DIDN'T START HAPPENING UNTIL I HAD THE DEA…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1720477
  33. #33

    adas adaptive cruise

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE HAS NOT RECOGNIZED STOPPED VEHICLES, AND DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN THUS POTENTIALLY CONTRIBUTING TO A CRASH AND INJURY. THE CAR HAS BEEN EVALUATED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THIS BY THE DEALER AND HAS NOT FOUND A PROBLEM. THE DYSFUNCTION CONTIN…"complaint #1032331
    • "LETTER FROM CONGRESSWOMAN KATHLEEN M. RICE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE RECALL ON EYESIGHT DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEM ON A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE SYSTEM DETECTED A CAR SLOWING DOWN IN FRONT OF HIM TO GET ONTO AN EXIT RAMP, IT SLOWS…"complaint #1226291
  34. #34

    backup camera

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DUAL CAMERA SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED OVER TIME. THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS AFFECTED BY THE FOG BUILD UP ON THE DUAL CAMERA SYSTEM FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TWO FRONT…"~24,000 mi, complaint #1395331
    • "MY BACKUP CAMERA ONLY WORKS PERIODICALLY. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE DASHBOARD SCREEN SOMETIMES JUST SHOWS A BLACK SCREEN WITH THE DISTANCE LINES DISPLAYED. OTHER TIMES IT WORKS FINE. DOESNT SEEM TO BE A PATTERN. MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBL…"~25,000 mi, complaint #1706791
  35. #35

    brake booster

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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."~70,000 mi, complaint #1448711
  36. #36

    fuel pump

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 78 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FUEL INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL WAS LOW. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE AND WAS ESCORTED TO GET SOME FUEL…"~17,000 mi, complaint #1519425
    • "MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER'S ENGINE AT TIMES ACTS AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. IT ACTS AS THOUGH IT IS GETTING NO FUEL. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL FILTER/FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND IT SEEMED TO RUN OK FOR A SHORT TIME. THE STALLING ACTION DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN.…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1710318
  37. #37

    interior trim

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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…"~69,000 mi, complaint #1567164
    • "WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2016 THE DRIVERS SEAT COVER HAD CRACKS IN THE BOTTOM LEFT SEAT CUSHION COVER. THE LEFT BOTTOM SEAT COVER WAS REPLACED. NOW 4 YEARS LATER THE SAME AREA ON THE REPLACEMENT SEAT COVER IS CRACKING. IN ADDITION THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CO…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1655629
  38. #38

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE DRIVING OUR 2014 FORESTER XT 2.[REDACTED ADDRESS] AT ABOUT 50 MPH, THE CEL, HILL-ASSIST, EYESIGHT-DISABLED AND ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT ALL CAME ON. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD, STOPPED AND CALLED THE DEALER, WHO SAID THE CAR COULD BE SAFELY DRIVEN IN FOR INSPECT…"~10,500 mi, complaint #1040267
  39. #39

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 ERRO…"complaint #1494484
  40. #40

    driveshaft axle cv

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DISCOVERED AT ROUTINE SERVICING AT JUST OVER 34K. THE FRONT AXEL SEAL IS LEAKING. THE REAR SHOCKS ARE FAILING AND NEED REPLACING. NO OFF ROAD OR OVER BUMPY STREETS DRIVING. THIS MUCH TOO EARLY FOR BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS TO OCCUR WITHOUT HEAVY DRIVING OR ON UNE…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1364159
  41. #41

    fuel tank and lines

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS 3/4 FULL EVEN WHEN FILLED TO CAPACITY. I DROVE 50 MILES ON MAY 8, 2017 AND IT STILL REGISTERED THE SAME WHEN I RETURNED. I TRIED ADDING ADDITIONAL GAS BUT THE GAS PUMP SHUT OFF AS IT WILL DO AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL."~44,742 mi, complaint #1377302
  42. #42

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND CAR STARTING VIBRATING VIOLENTLY FOR A FEW SECONDS. CONTINUED DRIVING AND 10 MINUTES LATER SAME THING FOR SAME LENGTH OF TIME HAPPENED AGAIN. "~43,000 mi, complaint #1211778
  43. #43

    parking sensors

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The parking sensor has failed, there's a TSB (16-112-18R) related and numerous other complaints on forums and websites. "complaint #1841971
  44. #44

    seat mechanism

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that he lowered the rear passenger’s seat to make some room in the vehicle to install the child safety seat. While attempting to raise the seatback up to lock it into place, the rear passenger seat wo…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1767099
  45. #45

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "While driving the seatbelt above the driver side shoulder came disconnected and fell into the driver lap. There was no warning, no alarms nothing. The casing and everything came off with it. I was able to screw the bolt back in, but thought Subaru needed to ta…"complaint #2028902
  46. #46

    starter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR ON A COLD MORNING. BATTERY HAD GOOD CHARGE, BUT CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY START AS NORMAL. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS I PLACED A BATTERY BOOSTER INLINE WITH THE BATTERY, AGAIN AFTER SEVERAL MORE ATTEMPTS NOTHING BUT A FEW SPURTS.. THI…"~21,677 mi, complaint #1146028
  47. #47

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I STARTED THE CAR AND THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS INCREMENTAL WHEN YOU ROTATED THE WHEEL. IT WAS COLDER THAN NORMAL OUT BUT NOT THAT COLD. THE TEMP WAS PROBABLY IN THE 40'SF. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM SINCE THEN. I HAVE HAD IT AT THE SUBARU 4 TIM…"~8,000 mi, complaint #1115526
  48. #48

    sunroof

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE SUNROOF, NORMALLY THE ROOF WINDOW WOULD SLIDE BACK AND A SET OF PIN WILL PUSH THE REAR SIDE OF THE WINDOW UP TO SEAL THE GAP BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND ROOFTOP. HOWEVER THE DEVICE IS DEFECTIVE AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO BACK TO ITS SUPPOSED L…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1543707
  49. #49

    timing belt or chain

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "JANUARY 2019. THE ISSUE STARTED AS CEL CAME ON. ROUGH IDLE, SURGE OF POWER AND THEN CAM TIMING BECAME ISSUE. WAS AT A STOP SIGN IDLING WHEN SURGE OCCURRED LURCHING VEHICLE FORWARD. TOOK TO DEALER WAITED WEEKS FOR A TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE TO GIVE ADVICE TO DE…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1598801
  50. #50

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My wife, [XXX] , shifted into reverse to back up a steep driveway. It was difficult to put the transmission lever into reverse. After backing up several feet, the car made a strange noise and ran forward over a steep bank, resulting in a compression fracture…"complaint #1956319
  51. #51

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "SEPTEMBER, 2019 - I DETECTED A NEW AND DISTINCT SOUND, ALONG WITH AN ODD VIBRATION FEELING IN MY VEHICLE. IT WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE, WITH THE VIBRATION SEEMING TO COME FROM THE AREA UNDER MY FEET AS I DRIVE. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 30- 40 MPH AND DID NOT SUBSIDE,…"~79,364 mi, complaint #1658276
  52. #52

    wiring harness

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DON MILLER SUBARU (WEST [REDACTED ADDRESS], MADISON, WI 53719) FOR AN INSPECTION, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT RODENTS HAD CHEWED THE SOY-BASED WIRING IN THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND DAMAGED TH…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1410154

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for SUBARU FORESTER directly.