2014 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Subaru Forester has a Complaint Index of 70 and ranks 7th worst of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine complaints (110, 27% of total) and suspension issues (105, 26%) dominate, with two recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 Forester years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 403
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 48
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 28
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 23 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 28 / 0
Top 2014 Subaru Forester problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine110 (27%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires105 (26%)
- Airbags57 (14%)
- Electrical System50 (12%)
- Other49 (12%)
- Structure & Body42 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain41 (10%)
- Brakes34 (8%)
- Fuel System21 (5%)
- Steering16 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, causing the vehicle to lurch forward into walls, trees, or racks.
- Several reports describe the car surging forward right after shifting from reverse to drive, before the accelerator was pressed.
- Some incidents describe the vehicle striking objects at very low mileage, including one at 2,500 miles and another at 3,500 miles.
- One airbag complaint describes a head-on collision where the front airbags failed to deploy and the seat belt did not lock.
- One complaint describes a deer-strike crash where the airbags deployed and the engine caught fire within minutes.
2014 Subaru Forester recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Electrical System1,303,530 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 13V159000Apr 24, 2013Other10,137 vehicles
Equipment
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 vehicle, which could cause a crash.
Remedy: 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 5, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQH-44.
2014 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Subaru Forester reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2014 Forester a Complaint Index of 70, ranking it 7th worst among 21 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other Forester years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Subaru Forester?
- Engine complaints lead at 110 reports (27% of the total), followed by suspension, wheels and tires at 105 reports (26%), and airbag complaints at 57 reports (14%).
- Does the 2014 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2014 Forester: one for a brake light switch electrical issue and one for out-of-specification carpeted floor mats.
- At what mileage do 2014 Forester engine problems occur?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 35,000 for engine-related complaints on the 2014 Forester.
- How does the 2014 Forester compare to other years?
- The 2014 model's Complaint Index of 70 is lower than 2015 (90), 2017 (85), 2018 (75), 2019 (100), and 2020 (95), all rated Avoid, but higher than earlier years like 2008-2013.