Subaru · Forester · 2014
2014 Subaru Forester
2
Recalls
402
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2014 Subaru Forester has 2 recalls and 402 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: suspension (83 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2014 Subaru Forester page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is suspension with 83 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2014 Subaru Forester reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2014 Subaru Forester currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 402 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are suspension (83), air bags (37), engine (34).
- Vehicle
- 2014 Subaru Forester
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 402
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
16.9% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 19V149000February 28, 2019
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.
Remedy Status
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 ID: 13V159000April 24, 2013
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
402 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
CRASHMar 19, 2026
Unintended acceleration while parking /braking in front of a Verizon store leading to crash into store
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 6, 2026
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...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 27, 2025
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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CRASH5 injuriesNov 16, 2025
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. ...
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STRUCTURE
Sep 19, 2025
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....
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 20, 2025
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 vid...
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SUSPENSION
Jul 9, 2025
LOW CONTRL ARM BUSHINGS DISTROYED,LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATION UNDER THE CAR.
ENGINE
Jul 2, 2025
I just found out that there was a problem with oil consumption in a 2014 subaru forester.I purchase it two years ago.Is there anything they can do to fix it.
AIR BAGS
CRASH2 injuriesApr 22, 2025
The contact owned a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, a vehicle coming from oncoming traffic was attempting to make a left, causing the contact to crash into that oncoming vehicle. The contact mentioned that during the impact, the front passen...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
CRASHFIREMar 20, 2025
While I was driving to work, with Cruise control set at 65, I hit a deer head on. All airbags deployed and engine ceased and I was able to brake car to a stop on the shoulder of the road. Within minutes, the engine erupted in fire and thankfully I wasn't trapped inside and was ab...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 402 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2014 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Subaru Forester Years
2015 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2014 for complaint and recall shifts.3r606c2013 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2014 for complaint and recall shifts.12r77c2016 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2014 for complaint and recall shifts.3r401c2012 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2014 for complaint and recall shifts.15r105c2017 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2014 for complaint and recall shifts.1r567c2011 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2014 for complaint and recall shifts.16r147c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2014 Subaru Forester have?
The 2014 Subaru Forester has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2014 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has received 402 owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Subaru Forester.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2014 Subaru Forester?
The 2014 Subaru Forester received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Subaru Forester?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2014 Subaru Forester are suspension (83 reports), air bags (37 reports), engine (34 reports).
Does the 2014 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2014 Subaru Forester. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.