2014 Subaru Forester Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2014 Subaru Forester. Part of Generation 4 — 2014–2018.

20132015
Complaints
575
Crashes
84
Fires
6
Injuries
50
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2014 Subaru Forester Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#193 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:56,181 mi
Crash-related:1
#269 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:45,832 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:2
#355 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:76,878 mi
Crash-related:9
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2014 Subaru Forester.

Suspension Failures
93
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
56,181
Engine Problems
69
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Avg Miles
45,832
Airbags
55
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,878
Transmission / Drivetrain
41
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
57,005
Unintended Acceleration
41
complaints
Crashes
24
Fires
Avg Miles
28,429
Electrical Faults
40
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
58,721
Brakes
31
complaints
Crashes
11
Fires
Avg Miles
43,895
Body Structure
19
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
1
Avg Miles
42,277
Fuel System
15
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
28,840
Steering Defects
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
49,619
Seat-Related Issues
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
75,000
Wheel Issues
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
53,830
Seat Belt Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
70,417
Wipers & Visibility
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
36,354
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
112,450
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
88,667
Gasoline Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
25,374
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
157,000
Electronic Stability Control
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,645
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
99,167
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Camera System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2014 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2014 Subaru Forester

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,313,667 vehicles.

19V149000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
~1,303,530 affected

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 shifted out of Park.

13V159000Other Equipment
~10,137 affected

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.

Other Subaru Forester Years

2014 Subaru Forester — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2014 Subaru Forester reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2014 Subaru Forester has 575 NHTSA complaints, 84 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension Failures with 93 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2014 Subaru Forester?
Top reported problems: Suspension Failures (93 complaints, avg 56,181 mi); Engine Problems (69 complaints, avg 45,832 mi); Airbags (55 complaints, avg 76,878 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2014 Subaru Forester?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 55,589 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2014 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA complaints for the 2014 Subaru Forester include 84 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 50 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2014 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,313,667 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2014 Subaru Forester?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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