NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Subaru Forester. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, went over a cement post, onto a sidewalk pavement, and crashed into a condo building. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact did not recall whether the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was informed by the emergency units who examined her at the scene that she had sustained high blood pressure. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was towed to an autobody shop where it was repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where it was being diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the passenger’s seat air bag sensor failed to recognize a passenger seated in the passenger’s seat. The air bag off message remained off while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and offered assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
I have a 2014 Subaru Forester and I am having the exact same problem described in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000. The dealership wants to charge $1250 dollars to replace the seat bottom for a part that is recalled for all Subaru Foresters from 2015-2018. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) is causing the airbag sensor to remain in the OFF position even when there is a passenger in the car. This is unsafe! When I contacted corporate they were unwilling to pay for replacing the part. My only recourse is to hope that the recall is expanded to include the 2014 Subaru Foresters.
On Friday, 12-3-21 I was in an accident in my local Costco parking lot while backing out of my spot. While backing out of the spot slowly with the wheel turned, my 2014 Subaru Forester had a sudden and extreme acceleration in reverse doing a reverse u-turn into a parked car causing considerable damage to the rear end of both cars. I am certain that I did not to press the gas pedal as this is a busy parking lot and I always back out very slowly just covering the brake. There is some kind of mechanical issue with my car that caused this malfunction. I was evaluated by paramedics and taken to the local emergency room with a significant bump on the back right side of my head. My car is currently available for inspection. I am in the process of reporting this to Subaru of America to see if they can inspect/evaluate the car.
The passenger occupant detection system sensor mat was diagnosed as needing to be replaced in order for the SRS air bag system to work. The dealership charged me $89 to diagnose the problem. They then told me the repair will cost $900. I noticed several other 2014 Subaru Foresters have the same issue. There was a very similar recall for 2015 through 2018 models. I emailed Subaru of America to see if they can cover the cost of the repair today.
Two tires on our car developed the same problem two weeks apart: a large bulge in the sidewall near the rim. On 10/5/21 we noticed a bulge on the rear driver’s side tire which looked like a tennis ball was emerging. We took it to our mechanic here in Ohio. He said not to drive on it and replaced the tire. It had less than 13,000 miles on it and I thought it should be covered under warranty. We were told the bulge was due to “road hazard” and so wasn’t covered. They said a chuckhole could do this. We have no recollection of anything like that. And a chuckhole would usually affect the front tire, not the rear. Moreover, the mechanic looked at the rim and said it was not dented. So they suggested I contact Cooper Tire. I paid for the tire and called Cooper. They had me bring the tire to a different shop for evaluation, recommending a Conrad’s Tire nearby. I took it there and the mechanic called Cooper and told them he saw no evidence of road hazard. Cooper then asked me to send the tire to them. Two weeks later we were in Connecticut and heard a low sound from the tires. We took the car to a local shop 10/19/21 where the mechanic showed us a bulge in the sidewall of the front passenger's side tire near the rim that looked exactly the same as the prior defect albeit somewhat smaller, maybe golf ball size. He said it was dangerous to drive on it and he replaced it. I have a photograph of the second tire but unfortunately not the first. Except for the noise the second tire made, there was no noise or warning light or other symptom to alert us to either problem. I sent both tires to Cooper by UPS on their dime three weeks ago and have not heard back. Tire size: M&S 225/60R17 Both tires are DOT U941 1CW 4619 C07R Both were purchased 5/19/20 Thank you in advance for looking into this. I still have two tires on our car purchased at the same time as the two that failed. If there is truly a defect ,either could fail suddenly at any time. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while reversing, the Back Over Prevention screen failed to display an image. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The contact also stated that after starting the vehicle or while driving at various speeds, the front passenger’s side seat belt and air bag warning lights would illuminate without an occupant seated in the seat. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V701000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 72,500.v
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that he lowered the rear passenger’s seat to make some room in the vehicle to install the child safety seat. While attempting to raise the seatback up to lock it into place, the rear passenger seat would not latch in place securely. The seat had to remain in the lowered position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Went through automated car wash. Proceeded to lane for towel drying. Car suddenly unintentionally accelerated. Hit rear passenger side of parked car and also collided with the fence that ultimately stopped my forward motion. The car passed across two side walks and one side street during this event. No pedestrians or cross traffic was present or this would have been catastrophic. There were no previous warning signs of this event. My insurance company was notified and inspected the vehicle. A formal complaint was filed with Subaru of America and we are still waiting for them to inspect the vehicle. They have authorized repair of the vehicle prior to them seeing it.
Tailgate problem - car was in stopped position. I was unloading groceries so opened the tailgate. The tailgate opened and paused in it's highest position for a second and then slammed abruptly with intense speed. The speed of the closure is enough to injure someone or cause death. This is a very serious issue. Others seem to have have reported this for 2014/2015 Forester as well https://www.carproblemzoo.com/subaru/forester/2014/tailgate-problems.php
The contact owns a Maxi Cosi Pria 85. The car seat was being utilized in a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21C003000 (Child Seat) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. While attempting to open the liftgate, the contact stated that the left strut on the liftgate fractured which caused the liftgate to independently close. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that strut bolt was corroded which led to the liftgate failure. The contact notified the local dealer of the failure and the contact was instructed to take the vehicle into the dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,500.
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).
Last week I had an issue when no one was in the passenger seat but the seatbelt chiming continued to go off. This happened even after turning off and restarting the car. The issue seemed to be resolved until I noticed the passenger airbag was off when I was driving my mom. Then a warning, "SRS airbag system needs to be checked", came on and has not turned off. I see a recall for 2015-2018 Foresters, but none with my VIN number. Of course, I've searched online and it seems to be a problem with others. I know moisture could be an issue, but I don't remember spilling anything recently. I wanted to report this in case another recall should be made.
I found that the horn did not work while I was driving. Later I found this to be an intermittent problem, which I looked up on line. Someone described turning the wheel to the extreme right or left made the horn work again. I tested this in my car; with the steering wheel straight the horn did not work, then when turned to the extreme in either direction, or using the panic button on the key fob the horn worked. Since I do not use the horn very often, I found out about this problem during a dangerous situation in which I both pressed on the brakes to avoid collision and used my horn to alert the other driver. I reproduced the problem myself, but it is possible that when I take it to the dealer it may not manifest because it is intermittent. The component has not been inspected by anyone, there were no warning lights or indicators of a potential malfunction. The problem first appeared last week. I will get the vehicle repaired and can make the component available for inspection upon request.
Car revved too much and was not moving. Was able to pull over on the shoulder from the fast lane due to the momentum of the car. Avoided a fatal injury for sure. Apart from this, 1. Car sometimes speeds up way more than it should. 2. Subaru changed the short block due to excessive oil consumption but intermittently it still is out of oil way too soon.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle went into limp mode and failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,574.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel moved back and forth while on cruise control with the tires wobbling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the front driver’s and passenger’s side tires were able to move 6-8 inches without effort. The steering gear and all four tires were replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, a small crack appeared on the front windshield without impact. While driving, the crack expanded from the passenger’s side of the windshield to the driver’s side. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Heard deep rumble while driving In May 2021 Thought it may be start of muffler or exhaust problem but Subaru service said it is rear hub bearings. Service says there may be danger of tire falling off while driving.
My drivers side door seal has repeatedly come loose from the door. This usually happens in very hot or cold conditions. I struggle with it on an irregular basis. Recently my passenger's side door is doing the same thing and is more resistant to being put back into place.
left rear suspension coil fractured when car put in reverse
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.
THE IGNITION CYCLINDER WILL NOT RELEASE VEHICLE KEY. UPON TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION THE KEY WILL NOT TURN PAST ON TO THE OFF POSITION. IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL TRIES OF CYCLING ON AND OFF BEFORE THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED. ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT, MOVING SHIFTER FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK EVENTUALLY ALLOWS KEY TO BE REMOVED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HOOD INADVERTENTLY UNLATCHED AND OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEW MOTORS SUBARU (8670 PEACH ST, ERIE, PA 16509) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC HAD NOT FOUND ANY PART THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND PROMISED TO PROVIDE A CALLBACK WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
THE 12-16 IMPREZA, 13-17 CROSSTREK, AND 14-18 FORESTER HAVE A KNOWN ISSUE OF THE ELECTRIC STEERING RACK BECOMING COMPROMISED, LEADING TO STEERING ISSUES. THE ISSUE IS DESCRIBED IN THE ISSUE BULLETIN AS JUST "UNEVEN STEERING EFFORT" AND THAT IT IS NOT UNSAFE AND SO IS NOT A RECALL ITEM, HOWEVER I CAME TO LEARN ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH MY CAR AFTER IT SUDDENLY STARTING THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING ME TO JERK WILDLY TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH ONLY THE SLIGHTEST LEFT TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH COULD HAVE VERY DEFINITELY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT (THIS ALL BEING IN FRONT OF A POLICE OFFICER, OF COURSE). I AM 8 MONTHS PREGNANT AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN HAVE A POSSIBLE DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH MY CAR BUT CANNOT AFFORD THE FIX IMMEDIATELY- I AM HOPING THIS CAN BECOME A RECALL ITEM IN ORDER TO FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR AGAIN.
REAR WHEEL BACKING PLATE DESIGN. NHTSA ID #10185064. OCCURRED ON MY 2014 FORESTER WITH 34,000 MILES (GARAGED). MADE A HOWLING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS. REPLACED BY DEALER $700 PARTS AND LABOR. NEVER HAD THIS ON ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. CLEARLY A DESIGN ISSUE. PLEASE SUPPORT A RECALL. NOT SAFE FOR CARS TO BE MAKING THAT KIND OF NOISE, EVEN THOUGH TECHNICALLY PASSED PA STATE INSPECTION. THANKS. .
OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) MALFUNCTIONING. PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON WHILE THERE IS NO ONE (AND NOTHING) ON THE SEAT, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME TO OCCUR UNTIL SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED. SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) LIGHT APPEARS ON DASHBOARD AND SHUTS DOWN AIRBAG SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING. THESE THINGS OCCUR SOMEWHAT RANDOMLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR, CONTINUE WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY, AND DON'T GO AWAY UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. SOMETIMES RESTARTING THE CAR WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT MY FORESTER TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY (1/26/2021) AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE SENSORS OF THE ODS SYSTEM WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACES. COST ESTIMATE IS ABOUT $1,100 AND I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE PART GETS SHIPPED IN. THEY SAID THE LIKELY CAUSE IS MOISTURE OR THE SEAT GOT WET. I LIVE IN A DRY CLIMATE AREA AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE SEATS WET AT ALL RECENTLY (AND BARELY EVER IN THE PAST). THROUGH RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN THE 2015-2018 MODELS AND THERE IS A RECALL (WUM-98) FOR THOSE YEARS. MY FORESTER IS A 2014 AND IS OF THE SAME GENERATION BUT ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR SOME REASON. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE 2014 MODEL SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IF THE SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING? APPRECIATE ANY HELP AND INSIGHT YOU CAN OFFER!
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.
VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED UPON STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT.
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE
WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR OR WHILE DRIVING, A NOTIFICATION APPEARS ON THE DISPLAY INDICATING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS OFF. ALSO A LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE DASH INDICATING THE SAME THING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4-5 TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THE NOTIFICATIONS/LIGHT USUALLY STAY ON FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP. IT HAPPENS BOTH WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WHEN THE SEAT IS EMPTY. THE DEALER FOUND A STORED ODS SENSOR CODE BUT SINCE THE LIGHT WASN'T ON THE DAY I BROUGHT IT IN THEY WOULDN'T GO FURTHER WITH CORRECTING THE ISSUE. 2015-2018 FORESTERS CURRENTLY HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE MY 2014 FORESTER TO BE AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE.
FAILURE OF THE CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT) IS A KNOWN AND DANGEROUS DEFECT FOR CERTAIN MODELS OF SUBARUS. SUBARU OF AMERICA ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN 2018 WHICH PARTIALLY ADDRESSED CVT PROBLEMS, BUT FELL SHORT OF A RECALL, WHICH IS WHAT CUSTOMERS DESERVE AND ARE OWED. ADDITIONALLY, THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY RECOGNIZED PROBLEMS WITH SPECIFIC CVT COMPONENTS, BUT OMITTED OTHER CVT COMPONENTS THAT ARE KNOWN TO FAIL. IN DECEMBER 2020, THE CVT ON MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER FAILED IN MOTION AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVABLE. THE DEALERSHIP (CASEY SUBARU OF NEWPORT NEWS VA) MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, WHICH SUBARU DEEMED NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, AT THE COST OF $1931.36. THE RECEIPT IS ATTACHED. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS DEMONSTRATED NEGLIGENCE ON THIS DEFECT, AND DISREGARD FOR ITS CUSTOMER'S SAFETY AND SATISFACTION. I AM ASKING NHTSA TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM ON BEHALF OF ALL AFFECTED SUBARU OWNERS BY ISSUING AN IMMEDIATE RECALL.
I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AFTER STOPPING ALSO I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING A QUART OF OIL IN WHEN THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING
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.
I HAVE MY BACK LIGHT ON BY ITSELF WITHOUT HIT BREAKS AND BACK DOOR POTON DOES NOT WORK AND I HAVE LIGHT ON MY BOARD ALWAYS LIGHT UP
THE HORN WOULD INTERMITTENTLY WORK THEN CEASED TO WORK AT ALL. IF YOU TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL THE HORN WOULD WORK BUT NOT WORK IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STATIONARY. THIS SYMPTOM MEANT IT WAS A HIGH PROBABILITY THE CLOCK SPRING/ ROLL CONNECTOR WAS BAD.
WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. SUBARU SERVICE DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE IN A COLLISION DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAD MECHANISM. .SUBARU SERVICE SAID THE THE SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACEMENT. NO RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT PREVIOUS SUBARU FORESTER MODELS FROM 2010 TO 2013 HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND A RECALL WAS MADE FOR THEM.
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)
THE HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING
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.
WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED IN JULY. IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER I ADDED NEARLY 1 QUART OF OIL. THE OIL LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN OCTOBER 15TH AND ASSUMING IT IS LOW ON OIL AGAIN. AFTER EXTENSIVE ON-LINE RESEARCH, IT SEEMS AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROGRAM IS AN ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING OUT VEHICLE AMONG COUNTLESS OTHER MODEL YEARS AND OTHER MANFACTURER'S AS WELL. IT DID NOT MATTER IF THE VEHICLES WAS TURNING, IN MOTION, IDLE OR DRIVING LOCATION, THE LOW OIL LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATOR HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER THE MIDDLE OF JULY ONCE THIS HAPPENED. SINCE THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME, THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT. SINCE THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS APPEARS AND THEN DISAPPEARS, IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO GET TO THE DEALER AND TIME WHEN THE INDICATOR LIGHT DECIDES TO RE-APPEAR. THE INDICATOR LIGHT RE-APPEARED AND WE SCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT TO GET FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DIAGNOSTIC CONFIRMED THERE IS A BAD SWITCH UNDER THE SEAT. WE WERE ASKED IF WE HAVE AN I-PHONE AND CHARGE THE PHONE WHILE IT IS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. YES, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED. WE WERE TOLD THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH AN ANDROID PHONE. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE THIS ITEM BUT RESULTED IN AN APPROX. $1,000.00 BILL. THEY MENTIONED THEY WOULD PAY APPROX. 90% OF THE COST. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE CAR IS ON, TURING, IN MOTION CITY OR HIGHWAY DRIVING.
MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER HAS RECENTLY STARTED HAVING WARNINGS ABOUT SRS. PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR OCCASIONALLY DOES NOT RECOGNIZE A PASSENGER IS SEATED AND THEREFORE THE AIRBAG IS 'OFF' EVEN IF SEAT IS OCCUPIED. BOTH FRONT SEATS ARE HEATED AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT LEAD TO A RECALL FOR 2015 SUBARU FORESTERS. PLEASE EXTEND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE 2014 MODELS. VERY UNSAFE AND COSTLY ($900-$1,200 ACCORDING TO OTHER COMPLAINTS) TO REPAIR THIS SENSOR IN ORDER TO HAVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OPERATIONAL. PASSENGER SEATBELT WARNING ALSO OCCASIONALLY COMES ON EVEN IF THERE IS NO ONE SITTING IN SEAT.
MY STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED AS I WAS SLOWLY DRIVING IN THE LOT OF A SHEETZ GAS STATION AFTER JUST GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE (ESTIMATE MY SPEED AT 5 MPH IN THE GAS STATION LOT) THERE WAS NO INCITING INCIDENT. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT SO ONLY INJURY WAS A BURN AND BRUISE TO MY LEFT HAND. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON AND OTHERWISE FUNCTIONAL.
REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. LEFT REAR OF CAR SAGGING. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
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.
HORN DOESN'T WORK. ONLY WORKS WHEN I LOCK THE CAR.
THE HORN STOPPED WORKING.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026