2014 Subaru Forester recalls & problems

2 recalls 403 complaints

2recalls
403owner complaints
48crashes reported
3fires reported
50 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2014 Subaru Forester and 403 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is suspension (95 reports), followed by engine (69). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2014 Subaru Forester recalls

Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 19V149000 · Feb 28, 2019

Problem: 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…

Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

1,303,530 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Equipment · NHTSA 13V159000 · Apr 24, 2013

Problem: 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.

Risk: Curling of the driver side floor mat could distract the driver and/or interfere with proper operation of one or a combination of, the vehicle's clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals. Brake or accelerator pedal interference may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace each of the vehicle's four (4) carpeted floor mats with new ones. These services will be performed free of charge. Subaru issued an interim notification during April 2013. Notification that the remedy is now available was mailed to owners on June…

10,137 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2014 Subaru Forester problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension 95
100
Engine 69
421
Air Bags 68
916
Unknown or Other 44
512
Vehicle Speed Control 42
25013
Electrical System 42
411
Power Train 41
703
Service Brakes 31
1109
Structure 30
1018
Steering 16
100
Fuel/Propulsion System 15
307
Seats 14
000
Wheels 11
100
Exterior Lighting 10
100
Seat Belts 9
100
Visibility/Wiper 9
000
Fuel System, Gasoline 6
100
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 5
000
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling 3
000
Visibility 3
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2
000
Tires 2
000
Back Over Prevention 2
000
Lane Departure 1
000
Equipment 1
000
Traction Control System 1
000
Child Seat 1
000

Latest owner complaints

Steering · Jun 12, 2026 · 119,000 miles · OR

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 contacted and notified of the failure, and the failure was diagnosed with rack and pinion and electrical power steering…

Electrical System · Mar 23, 2026 · 166,000 miles · NY

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, the mileage was 77,000. At the time of the registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 166,000.

Unknown or Other · Mar 22, 2026 · GA · crash

Unintended acceleration while parking /braking in front of a Verizon store leading to crash into store

Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 7, 2025 · GA

On 5/15/2024 and 5/21/2024 I had sudden uninteded acceleration. I had a auto shop try to solve the problem by replacing the air fuel ratio sensor and the mass air flow sensor. This seem to fix the issue until 11/27/2025 & 12/7/2025 when the sudden uninteded acceleration returned.

Engine · Dec 7, 2025 · GA

On 5/15/2024 and 5/21/2024 I had sudden uninteded acceleration. I had a auto shop try to solve the problem by replacing the air fuel ratio sensor and the mass air flow sensor. This seem to fix the issue until 11/27/2025 & 12/7/2025 when the sudden uninteded acceleration returned.

Electrical System · Dec 7, 2025 · GA

On 5/15/2024 and 5/21/2024 I had sudden uninteded acceleration. I had a auto shop try to solve the problem by replacing the air fuel ratio sensor and the mass air flow sensor. This seem to fix the issue until 11/27/2025 & 12/7/2025 when the sudden uninteded acceleration returned.

Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 19, 2025 · MA · crash · 5 injured

I was driving my 2014 Subaru Forester (about 148,000 miles) behind a minivan at a safe distance and speed. Without warning, my vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Despite applying the brakes, shifting into low gear, and using the emergency brake, I was unable to slow it down. After impact, the car then hit a telephone pole, spun me around and rolled the car over. There is…

Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 19, 2025 · MA · crash · 5 injured

I was driving my 2014 Subaru Forester (about 148,000 miles) behind a minivan at a safe distance and speed. Without warning, my vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Despite applying the brakes, shifting into low gear, and using the emergency brake, I was unable to slow it down. After impact, the car then hit a telephone pole, spun me around and rolled the car over. There is…

Service Brakes · Nov 19, 2025 · MA · crash · 5 injured

I was driving my 2014 Subaru Forester (about 148,000 miles) behind a minivan at a safe distance and speed. Without warning, my vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Despite applying the brakes, shifting into low gear, and using the emergency brake, I was unable to slow it down. After impact, the car then hit a telephone pole, spun me around and rolled the car over. There is…

Suspension · Nov 1, 2025 · WA

Low contrl arm bushings distroyed,loud noise and vibration under the car.

Structure · Sep 25, 2025 · NY

Liftgate arm (or support) broke while the liftgate was in the raised position, and the liftgate came crashing down to the closed position, while my sister-in-law was very close by. I believe a serious injury could have resulted if someone had been under the liftgate at the time. We also own a 2016 Forester, and I now expect to replace the liftgate supports as a matter of…

Unknown or Other · Jul 29, 2025 · CA

I was on the freeway when the check engine light came on with an alert I couldn't read in time before it disappeared. Then the gas pedal stopped working. I got to a safe place and shut off the car. My brother-in-law then drove the car the 5 miles back home on local roads - he videod the throttle ramping up when he was either braking or the foot wasn't on the gas pedal, which…

Other Subaru Forester years

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2014 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 2014 Subaru Forester, the most recent one (19V149000) for exterior lighting. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Subaru Forester?

Based on 403 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are suspension (95), engine (69), air bags (68).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2014 Subaru Forester?

Owners reported 48 crashes, 3 fires, 50 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.