CarComplaints.com Notes: Is burning a quart of oil every 1,000 miles normal? Depends on who you ask. While Subaru says it's within "normal specifications," owners wonder why they need to top off their oil reservoir 4 times between every 5,000 mile oil change.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,960 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Subaru Forester engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2014 Subaru Forester:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2014 Subaru Forester Owner Comments (Page 4 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #5

Mar 142014

Forester 4-cyl

  • 7,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 able to maintain steering and braking control. After maneuvering to the side of the road, I noticed the tachometer was fluctuating between 500-800 RPM. I turned off the engine and was able to restart. The following warning lights were still illuminated: Check engine, hill control, cruise control, and operating mode. Operating mode was stuck in "sport" mode. I was able to drive vehicle at normal speed to nearest dealer approximately 10 miles away. The service technician stated I had an error code of P0606. This is a voltage issue on the engine control module, (ECM). The corrective action is to re-flash the ECM computer chip. This is a restricted action, requiring a field service engineer to come to the dealer to do the procedure. The technician stated they had already experienced this with a vehicle they sold but the problem with the module usually occurs on engine start. The technician cleared the error codes and I continued on my trip. Upon returning to my home, I took the vehicle to my dealer to be serviced. My dealer stated they were one of the first to experience this issue. I am wondering why there has been no recall/notice to owners of this problem since it has been known for a while. It is frightening to lose power when cruising at highway speed.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #4

Dec 022013

Forester 4-cyl

  • 4,240 miles
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 a traffic light or a stop sign or adjust the heater fan speed, the engine rpms will go up another 500 to 600 rpms with the cv transmission going into a lower range (transmission whines quite loud at this time). I am now driving with the engine RPM at 1000+ over normal rpms (normal rpms is considered the RPM with the climate control off). This condition will continue for close about 20 minutes of continued driving and then stop. If I turn off the heater while driving the rpms revert to normal. If I again turn on the heater, the rpms again will go up 300 to 400 rpms and not go up the additional 500 to 600 rpms until I would stop again. The 1000 RPM plus condition appears to be dangerous on slippery roads.

- Fairlawn, OH, USA

problem #3

Dec 262013

Forester 4-cyl

  • 900 miles
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 later that night, I had the car out. Started up, put it in reverse, nothing happened. Car was on a slight incline, car then rolled forward and almost hit a car in front of us. Tried 3 times before the car would back up third time, which occured on December 31st, 2013. I was driving to work. Stopped at red light. Light turned, I stepped on the gas and the car didnt move, it then jumped into the intersection of a major highway! lucky I wasnt hit from behind or head on! I could not get the car to go. Called the dealership. After about 5 minutes I was able to get the car going. The car is at the dealership now and I have a loaner car. They called and said again that they could not find anything wrong!!! I could have been killed!!! I do not want this car back until it is fixed or I get a new one to replace it. I am not very happy with the new 2014 Forester!

- Middletown, NJ, USA

problem #2

Apr 222013

Forester 4-cyl

  • 25 miles
After I purchased my vehicle, I noticed a hesitation between 20 - 40 mph. This is the first year for the Forester's to have a cvt engine so I thought it needed broken in. I also went through 3 cycles of filling up my gas tank from 3 different gas stations and the hesitation continued. The first time I brought it in the technician said he overfilled the oil a slight bit, removed it, and I should notice a difference. No difference. I brought my vehicle back to the dealership addressing the same issue. They performed the tests Subaru of America (soa) suggested and nothing was found. The last time it happened, > month ago, I feared an accident because it hesitated through an intersection. I returned the vehicle wanting answers. Subaru sent out their own technician to gather information to send to fuji and what I was told was that their equipment did not find anything wrong and that it was normal for a cvt engine. I test drove several more Foresters and they all had varying degrees of hesitation and all had different mileage on them.

- Harrisbug, PA, USA

problem #1

Sep 192013

Forester

  • 47 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the warning lights illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer for inspection but had not been repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 47.

- Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA

Not what you are looking for?