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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,250 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2014 Subaru Forester Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #41

May 182024

Forester

  • miles

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

The vehicle had 2 dangerous incidents on the interstate, once in 2021 and 2024. After longer 3+ hours of driving, and low on gas, the vehicle lost power, forcing me to coast to the shoulder. Once shut off and restarted, it was perfectly fine. The first time it was on cruise control, driving from Illinois to Texas. The most recent time it was not on cruise control, driving from Houston to Dallas and back. The dealer service center has not found the issue, and I recently traded it in for a newer 2024 model.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #40

Oct 102023

Forester

  • miles
I had 2 accidents with this car. The first was on October 10, 2023. I pulled into a parking space and braked. I move forward a little more and braked again. The car suddenly accelerated and hit 2 vehicles parking across from me. My car was damaged, and one of the cars I hit was badly damaged, and the other had less damage. My 93 year old father was not injured. I had an injury on my hand, where the skin split between my right hand and forefinger. Fortunately there was no one in either of the other cars. I do not know if the vehicle was inspected by anyone. There was no warning light. It all happened in seconds. I had no idea what happened, so I thought my foot must have slipped and hit the gas pedal. I had my car repaired at the Apple Subaru's body shop in York, PA. It was in the shop for about a month. I drove it aroung for a few weeks then started noticing some lurching forward after braking. I still assumed my foot my foot must be slipping. On December 1, 1923, I decided to go to our local farmer's market for apples. The car lurched a few times causing me to run a stop sign. I decided it was unfit to go on to the market and decided to take it to my service station. The service station is located on a ridge. There office and some of the garage bays are on the upper level on the ridge. The property goes downhill around that. There is an entry next to the office that is marked as a handicapped space. I was not thinking clearly when I decided to park there. I pulled partway into the space, braked, and then moved forward a bit. When I braked the car took off at a high speed, through a railing, over the edge, and landed sideways on the ground below. I was trapped in the car and had to be removed by firefighters. When they pulled me out I was taken to the ER. My car was totalled. My son did some research and sent me some links. I am now sure that the cause was the sudden acceleration problem with Subaru. I have reported this to Subaru.

- York, PA, USA

problem #39

Jan 122023

Forester

  • miles
Once the car is turned off, the key cannot be removed from the ignition. From my internet search, this appears to be a common problem with 2014-2018 Subaru vehicles. Can a recall be initiated? Thank you.

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #38

Jan 252021

Forester

  • miles

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

Child locks on both rear doors are stuck. Based on the online forums, this is a common issue that Subaru is charging a $300 repair per door. It is a safety concern now that my children are old enough to not need safety locks.

- Hudson, WI, USA

problem #37

Apr 302021

Forester

  • miles
Right trunk tail gate broke at pivot point due to rust. I had lifted the rear trunk door up to remove packages when the trunk door suddenly came down on my head. Subaru had issued a warning about this but this should be a recall!! I was thankful a child was not standing next to me! The dealer replaced both gates when I complained.

- Greenwood Lake, NY, USA

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problem #36

Sep 122021

Forester

  • miles
I reached inside the back lift gate of the car when it dropped on my head. I went to the ER where they did a CT and MRI of my head and spine to rule out a fracture or head bleed.There was no warning message on the dash or problem noted from the dealership. I have owned the car since April 2021 and had no problem with it before that day. The car dealership has replaced the hydraulic lift struts on the back lift door. So I don't know if they still have the defective parts. I have contacted my insurance company but no representative came out to see it. A video of what the door did was sent to the car dealership and the insurance company.

- Waterloo, IA, USA

problem #35

Sep 172021

Forester

  • miles

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

Several warning messages appeared on the dash at the same time: Check engine, Check emissions control system, Hill start assist system needs to be checked. In addition, the pictures of a car climbing a hill and a car with swerving skid marks behind it lit up. (I don't know the official names of these icons.) The engine then either lost power and would not accelerate when I pressed the gas pedal or would rev and accelerate on its own, even when I had the brake depressed. I have taken my car into the dealership 4 times over the past two years for this same issue. I do not have the exact dates of the first two instances, but the last two were on July 7, 2021, and September 17, 2021. Each time the dealer has been able to verify the warning lights and unintended acceleration. They say the problem is with the brake pedal assembly and have replaced it with a new assembly 3 times. They're working on the 4th one right now.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

problem #34

Jul 172021

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles
Hello, my name is [XXX], I am disabled (ADA) following brain surgery at Mass General Hospital (December, 2005, [XXX], MD). I have since walked with a cane, was required to retire approx 10 years ago, and have routine seizures. I apologize for this, but I feel the air conditioning should be covered, as in many situations (especially with global warming), the cooling is required for the elderly and for people with medical conditions. Please reconsider allowing the faulty air conditioning systems in 2014 Subaru Foresters to be covered under payment by Subaru. The car referenced belongs to my sister Nancy English, who commonly drives me to places I need to go. The cost is not expected to be too overwhelming, but I feel the Air Conditioning is more important to (many) people, than was established some years ago. Thank you sincerely.[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Arlington, MA, USA

problem #33

Sep 112020

Forester

  • 80,000 miles
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 dealer replace the clock spring due to non working horn and cruise control and trouble with steering roll connector. They also replaced rear coil springs and rear left wheel bearing and backing plate.

- Upton, MA, USA

problem #32

Jan 012021

Forester

  • 64,000 miles
Windshield has cracked twice

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #31

Dec 012020

Forester

  • 32,000 miles

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

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 #30

Feb 012020

Forester

  • 25,000 miles
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 problem in posted message boards and it seems like certain other Subaru were recalled for this issue.

- Astoria, NY, USA

problem #29

Nov 102020

Forester

  • 61,000 miles
I would like to report an incident of sudden unexpected acceleration malfunction. Driving at a speed of about 10 miles per hour, I turned left from the street into a slightly uphill driveway about 16 feet long. The Subaru suddenly and unexpectedly self accelerated over the entry way to the garage and run into the garage door. When the car started self-accelerating I switched my foot from the accelerator and stepped on the brake pedal and then I shifted gears, which eventually made the car stop. But the garage door was smashed, the car parked inside the garage was hit and in turn hit the washing machine behind it, which and ended up smashed and lodged halfway into the back wall of the garage. I have filed a claim with my insurance. I have also provided my insurance company with information widely available about recent class lawsuits for similar issues in New Jersey (weston, et al., V. Subaru of America, Inc., et al.) and California (bare et al. V. Subaru of America, Inc.), but it seems that this issue with this brand and model has been reported before many times, starting more than ten years ago (https://www.safetyresearch.net/blog/articles/automakers-blame-drivers-settle-unintended-acceleration-cases). from the information available online, Subaru repeatedly blames this on the drivers, but the issue seems to originate from a failure of a car's electronic throttle control, allowing the throttle to expand wide open to an apparent software defect plaguing the controller area network and a flaw hampering the brake override system found in affected vehicles (https://www.classaction.org/news/Subaru-faces-another-class-action-alleging-defects-to-blame-for-sudden-unintended-acceleration-problems)

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #28

Oct 282020

Forester

  • miles
The horn has stopped working

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #27

Oct 272020

Forester

  • 42,000 miles
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 is my second Forester and both windshields have developed the same spontaneous crack in the same place.

- Erie, CO, USA

problem #26

Sep 032020

Forester

  • 90,000 miles
The horn stopped working.

- Deary, ID, USA

problem #25

Sep 042020

Forester

  • 0 miles
Horn doesn't work. Only works when I lock the car.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #24

Jun 092020

Forester 4-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
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.

- Mount Wolf, PA, USA

problem #23

May 082020

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles
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!!

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #22

Apr 012016

Forester

  • 11,000 miles
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 dirt or temperature but never convinced of exact cause and never offered to replace switch.

- Hanover, PA, USA

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