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

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2014 Subaru Forester Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #65

Jun 212024

Forester

  • miles

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

Basically, as I was driving on the freeway with my son and his brother, I got 5 lights flashing on dashboard. Abs at temp check engine cruise control hill assist vss etc.. the code were for cut but before I could check them everything shut down. Car went dark, no brakes and burning smell as well as burns oil. Front end damage on car with passenger side damage. Car started back up next day called Subaru and because it-??s 2014 forester, may not qualify but it only has 126k on the dash. Well maintained and had no issues besides the oil consumption.

- Benicia, CA, USA

problem #64

Jun 072024

Forester

  • miles
Car was well maintained and serviced by dealer at regular interval. It suddenly had -??check engine-?? light on, within a few minutes the car died while driving and stopped in the middle of road. Then unable to restart. Fortunately I was just off highway with less traffic, otherwise could have been crashed and killed by other vehicles. Dealer confirmed malfunction of crankshaft sensor.

- Devon, PA, USA

problem #63

Dec 312023

Forester

  • miles
I purchased my 2014 Subaru Forester Limited in May of 2022, already having a high mileage of about 149,800 miles, I was leaning on its reliability and pushing it beyond 200,000 miles. I have encountered frequent oil consumption and assumed that if commuting up and down from the foothills to the valley, it would be natural that it would consume oil. I had to top off a quart of oil every 2000-3000 miles, and once I moved down to flatter land, I noticed the Subaru consumed less oil. Toward the end of December 2023, the Check Engine Light as well as other lights lit up and by then, I had about 170000 miles. I went through every measure to do my own repairs and still couldn't get the check engine light removed and had done a leak-down test on the third cylinder, which doing an engine rebuild has been recommended. I'm currently just over 176200 miles and this is my daily commuter. I still owe money on the Subaru and would love to keep this longer, but the engine problem hasn't been reassuring.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #62

Apr 292024

Forester

  • miles

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

I've been having issues over the past 4 years with my vehicle overconsuming oil. I took it into the dealer 2 years ago and they performed a consumption test. They said everything fell within the normal range Subaru has established. I have to have an extra thing of oil in my vehicle at all times in case it gets low. Yesterday, my vehicle gave me all sorts of warning lights. I took it in today and am having to replace the CVT Valve Body. It appears this is an issue with Subaru's from 2014. I've spent a lot of money over the past few years trying to figure out why my vehicle is acting up. I only have 67,000 miles on it after owning it for 11 years.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #61

Mar 022020

Forester

  • miles
My 2014 Subaru Forester constantly burning oil. I have taken my car to Tyson-??s Subaru multiple times when within warranty, they conducted multiple consumption test, admitted it burns oil but not enough to fix under warranty. I have my car in and out of the shop since 70-80k and now burning more oil at 140k. I sent this complaint to Subaru of America: MY 2014 HAS BEEN BURNING OIL SINCE 70,000/80,000. I HAVE HAD TWO PCV VALVES REPLACED AND NUMEROUS OIL CHANGES AT STOHLMAN SUBARU OF TYSONS, VIRGINIA. I NOW HAVE 106K AND THE FORESTER IS STILL BURNING OIL. I CAN-??T GO PASS 3K MILES WITHOUT THE OIL BEING LOW. AM I STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE" WHY DIDN-??T STOHLMAN FIXED THE ISSUE WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY FOUND AT 70 OR 80K? THEY SAID IT WAS THE PCV VALVE TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR AND I PAID TO REPLACE THE PCV VALVE TWICE. NOW MY CAR IS STILL BURNING OIL AND NOT FIXED AND I AM INN THE SHOP AGAIN! What can I do other than complaining! Have others complained about the same thing"

- Annandale, VA, USA

problem #60

Jan 012018

Forester

  • miles
This is one of the emails I sent to Subaru. I had just paid 425 to replace a tail light when the seal failed, the same time the wiper motor went bad 600+ to fix that. This car was in such bad shape they did not even recommend repairing. I had to buy a used car which was a financial hardship. I believe Subaru should reimburse me the cost of the transmission and tail light assembly Gentlemen, I'm writing to you to express my EXTREME regret in buying a Subaru. If I went into all the repair details, it would take forever. My new case number is 2303131700678. I m requesting that this repair be covered and paid for completely by Subaru, as well as the money I paid towards the new transmission be refunded to me. Once you review all the repair records, you will understand my frustration. This whole car is an example of poor engineering and quality control. I held up my end of the deal, I paid off the loan, I maintained the car thru scheduled maintenance at the dealership. Subaru has failed me. Have your team pull all my repair records and read them thoroughly. Note the bad bushings, note the failed back up camera, note how the entire under the hood has failed at only at 120,000 miles. Where is my 200,000 miles that you claim the car should last? Subaru sold a defective car, Subaru knows darn well that this model has transmission and oil issues. I don't care that my systems failed after the 100,000 extended warranty. If you did your job right, you would not have to have extended it. I look forward to my transmission reimbursement and the complete repairs the car requires AT NO COST TO ME. It is your turn to uphold your part of the bargain.

- Swedesboro, NJ, USA

problem #59

Sep 012022

Forester

  • miles

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

Check engine light came on at 92,355 odometer miles. Dealer diagnosis was code P0171, airflow sensor intermittent failure causing rich fuel and affecting mileage. Failure of the air fuel sensor was due to oil leakage from the camshaft carrier covers located above the exhaust manifold where the A/F sensor is located. This could have resulted in a fire. The repair necessitated engine removal to access the camshaft carrier covers and resealing the area along with replacing the A/F sensor. The cost was nearly $4k which was not covered under warranty due to the Forester is 9 years old.

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #58

Jun 062022

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles
The engine stalled/locked and clipped an 18 wheeler trying to get to the shoulder of I-294. I have been taking the 2014 Subaru to Countryside Subaru since April 14, 2021 with issues of lights coming on on the dashboard. It caused a serious accident. The car was totaled by the insurance company. Subaru had me call Subaru Advocacy who had just agreed to pay $3,500 towards a new engine, with me paying $1,500 because it was out of warranty, even though the issue started when the car was under warranty over a year ago. Lights were constantly coming on every 4 to 6 weeks. A service advisor, told us the car was safe to drive. It wasn't. The same day service advisor ordered the parts (June 6, 2022) is the same day the accident happen. I thank God my daughter is still among the living. This should not have happen. LIVES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #57

Jun 162021

Forester

  • 67,574 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle went into limp mode and failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,574.

- Crownsville, MD, USA

problem #56

Jan 152021

Forester

  • 25,000 miles
Vehicle unexpectedly accelerated upon stepping on the brake pedal after stopping for a red light.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #55

Dec 102020

Forester

  • 80,000 miles

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

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

- Prescott, AZ, USA

problem #54

Dec 012020

Forester

  • 32,000 miles
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. Sometimes it runs smoothly. Then it starts the sputtering/stall action again.the mechanic who replaced them in an effort to correct the problem is not able to tell me what else could be causing it. My vehicle gets 93 octane gas and only has 32,000 miles on it. Please help.

- Princeton, WV, USA

problem #53

Apr 012020

Forester

  • 75,000 miles
Oil is constantly having to be checked because this vehicle goes through lots of oil. I've put a newer engine in the car due to the first one doing this. Also the front right cv joint is about to need replacement and is loud. Both of these issues have happened as soon as I bought the car April 2020.also, cruise control works on and off literally back windows won't come down, horn won't honk and bluetooth is horrible.

- Sonoma, CA, USA

problem #52

Oct 152020

Forester

  • miles
We had the oil changed in July. In the middle of September I added nearly 1 quart of oil. The oil light came back on again October 15th and assuming it is low on oil again. After extensive on-line research, it seems an oil consumption program is an issue that is affecting out vehicle among countless other model years and other manfacturer's as well. It did not matter if the vehicles was turning, in motion, idle or driving location, the low oil light would remain on. The air bag light indicator has been coming on and off for the last 3 months. We brought the vehicle into the dealer the middle of July once this happened. Since the light was not on at the time, the dealer could not diagnose it. Since the indicator light is appears and then disappears, it has been difficult to get to the dealer and time when the indicator light decides to re-appear. The indicator light re-appeared and we scheduled the appointment to get for a diagnosis. The diagnostic confirmed there is a bad switch under the seat. We were asked if we have an I-phone and charge the phone while it is on the passenger seat. Yes, that may or may not have happened. We were told this is not an issue with an android phone. The dealer offered to replace this item but resulted in an approx. $1,000 bill. They mentioned they would pay approx. 90% of the cost. It does not matter if the car is on, turing, in motion city or highway driving.

- Ballston Spa, NY, USA

problem #51

Jul 042020

Forester

  • 107,000 miles
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 and they said I need a new transmission. After doing some research, it seems that this is a common issue with my transmission that people have experienced. Subaru extended the warranty from 60,000 miles to 100,000 knowing that this is a common issue. Unfortunately, my car is at 107,000 miles and Subaru won't cover it. Instead of extending the warranty, there should have been a recall on this transmission because the transmission issue is a safety hazard. I was fortunate enough not to get into an accident, but other people might not have the same luck. Please look into this issue and have Subaru recall these transmissions. Thank you.

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

problem #50

Jun 012019

Forester

  • 121,286 miles
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 independent mechanic where she purchased the vehicle and had two O-rings and crank seal replaced under warranty. Despite the repairs, the failure persisted and the check oil light would continue to illuminate after every 1,500 miles. The contact took the vehicle to center Subaru (45 winsted rd, torrington, ct 06790) to have the vehicle serviced under NHTSA recall number: 19V149000 (exterior lighting). The contact was informed that the dealer could not assist with the excessive oil failure due to the vehicle no longer being under warranty and no other recalls being placed on the vehicle. The manufacturer had been notified and gave her the same information as the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 121,286.

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #49

Jul 262020

Forester

  • 121,425 miles
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 engine light came I checked gas cap it was tight, I started driving and all the lights started flashing

- Richville, NY, USA

problem #48

Feb 222020

Forester

  • miles
While driving on the freeway under excellent conditions, the engine 'revved' and then stalled. I was able to pull off onto the shoulder and put the car in "park" and turn off the engine. Before I did so, the insrument panel indicators were (almost?) all lit. I tried to restart = unsuccessful. After waiting about 5 minutes, I tried again and was able to proceed normally. This is the second time this has occured; previous episode about three months ago (unreported) under similar conditions. The only "common" element I can surmise is that the gas level was < 1/4 tank in both instances. I was not concerned about the gas as the gauge and "miles to empty" were more than sufficient to get me home. I did refuel within ten miles of the temporary breakdown and was able to drive without further incident.

- Clute, TX, USA

problem #47

Feb 032020

Forester

  • 89,751 miles
I have had ongoing issues with the oil consumption on this vehicle. I have had a couple of oil consumption tests run on this car and they claim that it passes, (even though I can barely make it 4K without having to add more oil to the car) today the car is back at service to fix the front engine cover seal. One has to wonder if this was the oil issue all along, however it will cost me almost a grand just to get this repair done.

- Mcmurray, PA, USA

problem #46

Oct 282019

Forester

  • 85,000 miles
2014 Subaru Forester stopped running while driving down the freeway at 70 miles an hour. Engine just quite running. Lost power. Had to pull over in median. Very scary. This is second time this has happened. Did not throw a code message. Dealership can not detect problem. First time was 4 years ago when driving at 35 mph on city street coming into town. Did not throw error message at that time was told to drive it until it did it again.

- Dallas, OR, USA

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