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.
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION BUSHING COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 55,000 MILES. DRIVER SIDE BUSHING STILL INTACT BUT SHOWING SIGNIFICANT SIGNS OF WEAR. THE MISSING BUSHING IS CAUSING SEVER VIBRATIONS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
AT 106,000 MILES THE CHECK OIL LEVEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 3/22/2017. AT THAT TIME AFTER CHECKING I ADDED 1 AT OF OIL. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER AFTER READING ONLINE THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF MY VEHICLE MODEL HAVING OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS. AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PERFORMED WHICH WAS NEGATIVE. IT WAS SUGGESTED TO ME BY THE DEALER THAT I COULD CONTACT SUBARU DIRECTLY IF I STILL HAD CONCERNS WHICH I DID. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL FOR CARS TO USE EXTRA OIL AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. SINCE THEN THE CHECK OIL LIGHT HAS REGULARLY ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO MY NEXT OIL CHANGE AND HAS REQUIRED THE ADDITION OF 1 QT OF OIL AT DECREASING MILEAGE INTERVALS. I AM NOW DOWN TO SEEING THE CHECK OIL ILLUMINATE AND ADDING OIL AT 3000 MILES. I HAVE FOLLOWED THE SUBARU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SERVICE. I HAVE OWNED CARS MADE BY TOYOTA, NISSAN, HONDA, FORD, JEEP, CHEVROLET, VOLKSWAGON, MAZDA AND SUBARU OVER THE LAST 45 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR REQUIRE OIL ADDITIONS. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER THAT WAS TOLD AT HER LAST SERVICE THAT THERE WAS NO OIL REGISTERING ON THE DIPSTICK. THAT YEAR MODEL HAS NO CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT WHEN 1 QT DOWN. FOR MY YEAR MODEL THE VEHICLE WAS REDESIGNED AND A CHECK OIL LIGHT WAS ADDED WHICH MAY SUGGEST THERE WAS A PROBLEM DEVELOPING.
WHEN PARKED FOR A TWO WEEK PERIOD, THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. HAS LEFT US STRANDED AT A PARKING GARAGE AT THE AIRPORT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. SUBARU SERVICE CLAIMS THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR A CAR BATTERY TO GO DEAD WHEN IT HASN'T BEEN RUN FOR TWO WEEKS.
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 BACK IN 2017 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. 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!
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE COMING TO A STOP IN A PARKING SPACE. THE FORCE OF THE ACCELERATION THREW THE CAR OVER A CURB AND SEVERAL FEET INTO A HEAVY DUTY IRON FENCE, WHICH SNAPPED. THE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP.
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND RESTARTED IT - IT WORKED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN, TWO DAYS LATER UNDER THE EXACT SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. IT HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE, ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS AT ABOUT 25 MPH, AND THE "ERROR CODE" SAID THAT THE ACCELERATOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
MY CAR HAD AN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHEN APPLIED THE BREAK TO PARK ON THE PARKING LOT. AS A RESULT VEHICLE WENT AND COLLIDED INTO A RESTAURANT, DAMAGING THE RESTAURANT GLASS WALL AND FRONT BUMPER, PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL/TIRE OF THE VEHICLE.
POWER STEERING FAILED ON WARM START. CAR WAS DRIVE-ABLE BUT STEERING TOOK CONSIDERABLE EFFORT AND MAY HAVE NOT BEEN POSSIBLE FOR PERSON WITHOUT SUFFICIENT STRENGTH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY FAILED TO OPERATE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO PARTS TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,183.
WHEN EVER ANY BLUE TOOTH DEVICE OR BATTERY POWERED DEVICE IS HELD BY THE PASSENGER,THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE AIRBAG CAN NOT BE TURNED ON UTIL AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND ON > 5 TIMES.
MY VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I WAS FIRST ALERTED BY MY CARS WARNING SYSTEM, WHICH STATES 'SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED' AND GIVES ME A RED WARNING SYMBOL OF THE AIRBAG BEING INFLATED. SECONDLY IT SHOWS MY PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS WARNING DID NOT COME ON DUE TO A COLLISION AS MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OTHERWISE. IT SIMPLY APPEARED SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES TO DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS TO ASK WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I WAS FIRST TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM THAT PERHAPS IT WAS JUST A MALFUNCTION IN THE SENSOR. THEN THE OTHER DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR, BUT THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF THIS IS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO BE TURNED OFF. THEY SAID I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT THEY WERE UNSURE IF THIS WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MACHANIC AND THEY ALSO WERE UNABLE TO VERIFY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AND REFERRED ME BACK TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA ABOUT THE ISSUE AND I NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION FROM THEM, ALTHOUGH THEY PROMISED TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT THE ISSUE. I JUST KNOW THERE IS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO MAKE THIS PROBLEM APPEAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE, JUST BASED ON THE FACT THAT SUBARU COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR IT'S CAUSE. SO FAR I JUST HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS SOMEHOW DEFECTIVE AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY.
DURING AN OIL CHANGE THIS WEEK. I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS DOWN 1.5 QUARTS. I CALLED THE DEALER AND REQUESTED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THEY DENIED MY APPOINTMENT AND TOLD ME THAT THIS"WAS THE NEW NORMAL". I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT MY 2014 SUBARU SHOULD BE USING THIS MUCH OIL. I CHECKED THE CLASS ACTION SUBARU OIL CONSUMPTION LAWSUIT, BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ACTION. I BELIEVE THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM AND THIS NEEDS TO BE FURTHER ADDRESSED.
CRACKED WINDSHIELD. ON DECEMBER 14, 2016, A 6 DEGREE DAY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ACROSS HEATER STRIP, SIDE TO SIDE, WHILE PARKED. NO EVIDENCE OF, OR PRIOR DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD. ONLINE REPORTS STATE THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH NEWER SUBARU MODELS, BECAUSE OR WEIGHT REDUCTION IN THINNER WINDSHIELDS. WINDSHIELD MANUFACTUER: AGC AUTOMOTIVE, LAMISAFE.
I WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND DIDN'T START MY CAR FEW ABOUT TEN DAYS. WHEN I COME BACK THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAD IT JUMP STARTED. AS I WAS LEAVING THE LOT AND GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE THE CAR STALLED WHILE IN DRIVE - THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. I COULD NOT MOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO PARK WITH A DEAD BATTERY. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED WITH ANOTHER JUMP. IN THE MEANTIME THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS UNTIL I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.. SO THERE WERE TWO ISSUES, YOU CANT MOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO PARK IF THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND THE CAR ROLLS BACKWARD IN DRIVE (WHICH I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON OTHER OCCASIONS). *TR
LIFT GATE: THE LIFT GATE BUTTON ON THE DASH WHEN DEPRESSED DOES NOT ALWAYS OPEN THE LIFT GATE. SEVERAL PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER, AND IT STILL FAILS OCCASIONALLY. USING THE KEY FOB OPENS THE THE LIFT GATE 100% OF THE TIME, BUT NOT USING THE BUTTON ON THE DASH.
MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER BURNS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. FOR A NEW ENGINE, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CHECKING THE OIL EVERY FEW DAYS TO MAKE SURE IT ISN'T A 1/2 QUART OR MORE LOW. I'M EXTREMELY WORRIED THAT THE OIL IS GOING TO GET TOO LOW BETWEEN CHECKS, AND THE ENGINE WILL SEIZE ON LAKE TAHOE'S ICY WINTER MOUNTAIN ROADS JUST AT THE WRONG TIME.
WE HAVE HAD TWO ONGOING ISSUES WITH OUR 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WE PURCHASED OUR CAR WHEN IT WAS TWO YEARS OLD HAVE HAD OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES AND A HARD TIME GETTING OUR KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER DRIVING. ON OUR LAST TRIP TO FLORIDA FROM NY AND BACK WE HAD TO PURCHASE AND USE TWO QUARTS OF OIL. WE HAD A OIL CHANGE JUST BEFORE WE LEFT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. IN 2019 I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER TO CHECK AND ADD OIL TO A CAR. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE CAR. WE HAD AT LEAST THREE CONSUMPTION TESTS DONE AND THEY CAME BACK NEGATIVE. I'M CURRENTLY AFRAID TO TAKE MY CAR ANYWHERE SINCE THE KEY AND IGNITION ARE UNPREDICTABLE. I NEVER KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH OUR SUBARU. IT IS OUR SECOND SUBARU. WE HAD NO ISSUES WITH OUR LAST CAR.
2014 SUBARU FORESTER. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION COLLISION. *SMD AS THE CONSUMER APPROACHED A HANDICAP SPACE, HE SLOWED DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MPH AND WHEN HE REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND STRUCK TWO PARKED VEHICLES AND THEN CAME TO A STOP, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB
LOW BEAM HEADLAMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 12 MONTHS. THERE HAVE BEEN WARRANTY EXTENSIONS ON OLDER SUBARU'S FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED FOR NEWER MODELS
I WAS ON AN ON RAMP ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE COMPUTER IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH STARTED ALERTING THAT SEVERAL SYSTEMS NEEDED CHECK. ALL THE DASHBOARD INDICATORS WENT OFF AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER EVEN WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN IT WAS IDLING HARD AND IT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON. THE CAR WAS TOWED UNDER WARRANTY TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. UPON INVESTIGATION THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A BAD COIL. AFTER REPLACING THE COIL THE VEHICLE STILL DIDN'T WORK. NOW THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS A BAD FUEL INJECTOR. AFTER REPLACING THAT THE CAR CONTINUED NOT TO WORK. THE PROBLEM THEY KEPT SEEING WAS A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 4. THEY CHANGED O-RINGS, THEY CLEANED THE ENGINE, THEY EVEN ORDERED A NEW ENGINE AND REPLACED THE ENGINE AND IT STILL SUFFERS FROM THE MISFIRE. THE CAR HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 34 DAYS AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG OR HOW TO FIX IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (AL SERRA AUTO PLAZA IN GRAND BLANC, MICHIGAN) AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT 50,557 MILES. THE DEALER HAD THE CONTACT RETURN AT 52,062 MILES TO CHECK THE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT BURNING ENOUGH OIL FOR IT TO BE A FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE PASSED THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS BELOW .2 QUARTS OF OIL AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,557...UPDATED 08/23/17 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DUAL CAMERA SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED OVER TIME. THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS AFFECTED BY THE FOG BUILD UP ON THE DUAL CAMERA SYSTEM FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TWO FRONT CAMERAS ATTACHED TO THE HEADLINER OF THE VEHICLE WERE THE AFFECTED. RANDY MARION SUBARU OF MOORESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROCEDURE OR TSB AVAILABLE TO ASSIST IN CLEANING THE CAMERAS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000. UPDATED 09/19/17*LJ *CN
ON JUNE 22, 2016, MY HUSBAND PARKED THE CAR ON OUR DRIVEWAY, LOCATED AT 1264 HANCOCK PLACE IN POCATELLO, IDAHO. I GOT OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND STEPPED TO THE SIDE AND CLOSED THE DOOR WITH MY LEFT HAND. I WAS NOT FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM DOOR AND THE CORNER CAUGHT MY LEG AND THE CUT REQUIRED 11 STITCHES. THE CORNER HAS NO RUBBER PROTECTION ON IT, I FEEL IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE CONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND HAD THE DOOR INSPECTED. THE INSPECTOR SUGGESTED HAVING THE DOOR FILLED/CUT OFF. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. UPDATED 08/23/2017 *JS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TEMPERATURES AROUND 85-90 (OR GREATER) DEGREES VEHICLE WILL NOT ALLOW ACCELERATION. VEHICLE STUMBLES, DETONATES AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO APPLY POWER WITHOUT HESITATION AND ENGINE STUMBLES. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE RECREATED AT WILL AND YET THE VEHICLE WILL NOT THROW A CEL UNLESS A LARGER FAILURE HAPPENS, WHICH TYPICALLY IS THE #3 CYLINDER BURNS OFF THE SPARK PLUG ELECTRODE AND DAMAGES THE ENGINE. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT CONSIDERS THIS CONDITION NORMAL. THE VEHICLE IS NOT APPROPRIATELY MAPPED FOR THE SUBARU SUGGESTED FUEL OCTANE LEVEL, HAS TURBO BOOST PIPING LEAKS ACCORDING TO NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS.
HORN CEASED TO WORK . STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR REPLACED.
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2014 FORESTER IN 2013. IT NOW HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I NEED TO ADD A QUART TO A QUART AND A HALF ABOUT EVERY MONTH. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT IS 'NORMAL' FOR THE CAR TO USE A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1200 MILES. SUBARU RECOMMENDS CHANGING THE OIL EVERY 7500 MILES. THAT MEANS THAT I AM ADDING OVER 6 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN EVERY RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. THE OIL IS SYNTHETIC AND VERY EXPENSIVE. AFTER HAVING THE LOW OIL LIGHT COME ON SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I WAS ALONE AT NIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE, NOW I CARRY SEVERAL QUARTS OF OIL WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT SUBARU KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IS A PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF SUBARU MODELS OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS. HOPEFULLY NHTSA OR EPA (WHOM I ALSO NOTIFIED) WILL HELP PERSUADE SUBARU TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND RECALL THEIR DEFECTIVE CARS AND FIX THEM.
VEHICLE HESITATES FOR 3+ SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM "CANNOT BE DUPLICATED." DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO GET UP TO SPEED WHETHER IT'S ENTERING A LOCAL ROADWAY OR A HIGHWAY.
WHEN SWITCHING FROM THE BRAKE TO THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP AND WHEN SWITCHING FROM BRAKING TO ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS IN CITY TRAFFIC. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY. DRIVER HAS BEEN VERY AWARE OF THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR AND SURGING CAN OCCUR WITH VERY LITTLE PRESSURE. BECAUSE THIS OCCURS WHEN MOVING FORWARD AT INTERSECTIONS, MOVING FORWARD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND WHILE PARKING OR LEAVING A PARKING SLOT, THE CHANCE OF A COLLISION IS GREAT. THE MOST DANGEROUS IS TO SURGE SUDDENLY INTO AN INTERSECTION WHEN MOVING FORWARD TO SEE AROUND OBSTACLES BLOCKING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT STAY UP/CLOSED WHEN USING AUTO UP SWITCH. MUST CLOSE WINDOW USING MULTIPLE START STOP ENGAGEMENTS OF WINDOW CONTROL. DEALER TRIED MULTIPLE TO REPAIR MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN UNDER WARRANTY. NOW, NOT UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER BLAMED DIRT OR TEMPERATURE BUT NEVER CONVINCED OF EXACT CAUSE AND NEVER OFFERED TO REPLACE SWITCH.
DISCOVERED AT ROUTINE SERVICING AT JUST OVER 34K. THE FRONT AXEL SEAL IS LEAKING. THE REAR SHOCKS ARE FAILING AND NEED REPLACING. NO OFF ROAD OR OVER BUMPY STREETS DRIVING. THIS MUCH TOO EARLY FOR BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS TO OCCUR WITHOUT HEAVY DRIVING OR ON UNEVEN SURFACES.
SAFETY PROBLEMS FROM SUMMER 2014. THE CAR ABRUPTLY LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN OVERTAKING LOG TRUCKS AND OTHER SLOW TRAFFIC ON STEEP TWO-LANE HIGHWAYS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIPS SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR AND EXCEPT FOR UPDATING THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT FIRMWARE; THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ISOLATE THE CAUSE. IN FEBRUARY 2016, SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) MAILED US RECALL WQW-58R. THE DEALER DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR RECALL APPOINTMENT REQUESTS. WE ASKED FOR SOA ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS HOSTILE, YET CLAIMED TO PERFORM THE RECALL. LATER, A DEALER EMPLOYEE INFORMED US THAT SOME EMPLOYEES SABOTAGED THE VEHICLE WITH THE INTENT OF HAVING THE ENGINE EXPLODE. ANOTHER SHOP CONFIRMED FACTS AND CORRECTED SOME DAMAGE. CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CASE (SA2016005132) CITED THE DEALERSHIP . THE SUDDEN POWER LOSS REMAINS AND IT IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. IT HAS FAILED TO START ON OCCASION. WE ARE AFRAID THAT THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM OR OTHER ACTS BY THE DEALERSHIP MAY CAUSE US OR TO BE INJURED OR KILLED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WHEN POWER FAILS. IT MAY STRAND US IN AN ISOLATED AREA DURING A SNOWSTORM OR IN SOME DANGEROUS LOCATION. WE HAVE REQUESTED THAT SOA ACCEPT THE CAR BACK AS A LEMON. THEY HAVE REFUSED. THE INSTRUCTIONS TOSERVICE DEPARTMENTS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: 'REMINDER: ENGINE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT WILL ONLY BE REQUIRED IN A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF CASES.' [SOA INSTRUCTIONS TO DEALERS INCLUDES THE WORDS 'REMINDER' AND 'VERY LIMITED' IN BOLD TYPE] IN OUR OPINION, THE 'REMINDER' TO DEALERS WAS INTENDED TO SUPPRESS CORRECTIVE ACTION AND REDUCE COSTS TO SUBARU OF AMERICA. THE SUBARU OF AMERICA WQW-58R RECALL DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE LIST OF SAFETY RECALLS. FROM OUR EXPERIENCE, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE TO OPERATE, AND WE REQUEST THAT THE NHTSA INCLUDE THIS RECALL AS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL.
2014 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE FRONT PASSENGER AIR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 15V323000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A VIN. HOWEVER, IT IS FOR A 2008 SUBARU FOREST. *JB
IF IT IS SNOWING AND THE TEMPERATURE IS FREEZING OR BELOW, THE WIPER BLADES ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO GET ICE BUILD-UP AND THE WINDSHIELD ALSO ACCUMULATES ICE. AFTER FURTHER STUDY, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THERE IS A PLASTIC TRIM, ALMOST LIKE A WATER TROUGH, IMMEDIATELY BELOW AND FORWARD OF THE WIPER BLADES. IT APPEARS THAT AS THE DEFROST MELTS THE SNOW, THE WATER IS CAUGHT IN THE TROUGH WITHOUT ADEQUATE DRAINAGE AND THE FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE CREATES A MIST THAT THEN BLOWS UP ONTO THE WIPER BLADES CAUSING THE ICE BUILD-UP AND ALSO CAN BLOW MIST ONTO THE WINDSHIELD FURTHER COMPLICATING THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. THE ONLY OPTION REALLY IS TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND STOP. LOOKING AT EARLIER MODELS, IT APPEARS THAT A REDESIGN MADE THE TRIM DEEPER, AND NARROWER, WHILE THE HOOD WAS LOWERED AND A RIDGE PUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD. THIS HAS APPARENTLY CHANGED THE AERODYNAMICS AND CAUSED THIS VERY BAD PROBLEM.
SUBARU AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION--- WHEN BACKING UP ON A HILL AND SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT LOCK UP. THE CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL BACKWARD AND CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY USING THE BRAKES . IT ACTS LIKE A STANDARD SHIFT TRANSMISSION. THIS DOES NOT SEEM NORMAL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE GRINDING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPLACED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES LEFT BEFORE THE NEXT OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN HINE TEMECULA SUBARU (4050 DLR DR, TEMECULA, CA 92591, 951-553-2000) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER (DCH SUBARU OF RIVERSIDE, 8069 INDIANA AVE, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, 951-428-2314) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,412.
RIGHT REAR TIRE BLOWOUT ON INTERSTATE 40 WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. YOKAHAMA TIRE WAS SHREDDED BY TIME I PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. TIRES ONLY HAD 15,600 MILES ON THEM. IF NOT FOR ALL WHEEL DRIVE, I MIGHT NOT BE HERE TO WRITE THIS. AFTER LOOKING AT CONSUMER AFFAIRS SITE WITH MANY PICTURES SIMILAR TO MINE OF SHREDDED YOKAHAMA TIRES, I REPLACED ALL WITH MICHELIN. TIRE SIZE WAS 2256017 WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED BUT SHOULD BE. I HAVE PICTURES OF SHREDDED TIRE.
LETTER FROM CONGRESSWOMAN KATHLEEN M. RICE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE RECALL ON EYESIGHT DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEM ON A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE SYSTEM DETECTED A CAR SLOWING DOWN IN FRONT OF HIM TO GET ONTO AN EXIT RAMP, IT SLOWS DOWN HIS VEHICLE TO A DANGEROUSLY SLOW SPEED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER TO AVOID BEING REAR-ENDED. *JB
2014 SABARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SEAT HEAD REST, SEAT BELT AND REAR VIEW VISIBILITY ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS LIMITED REAR VIEW VISIBILITY WITH TWO LARGE BLIND SPOTS DUE TO A 64 SQUARE INCH HEAD REST. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT ANGLED FROM THE ROOF DIAGONALLY, THEREFORE LIMITING REAR VIEW VISION. THE CENTER HEAD REST WAS ONLY TWO INCHES HIGH, RATHER THAN THE LATERAL HEAD REST BEING EIGHT INCHES HIGH. *JB
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE DRIVING IT THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR (IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TINES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THEY WILL GO AWAY AND TEN REAPPEAR DAYS OR WEEKS LATER): VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED ABS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE IN JULY (BAY RIDGE SUBARU) THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, MESSAGES STARTED REAPPEARING. ISSUE WITH THESES MESSAGES IS CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR UPON STARTING UNLESS YOU PUMP BREAKS MULTIPLE TIMES.
DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND CAR STARTING VIBRATING VIOLENTLY FOR A FEW SECONDS. CONTINUED DRIVING AND 10 MINUTES LATER SAME THING FOR SAME LENGTH OF TIME HAPPENED AGAIN.
PRIOR SURGING OCCURRED WITH THIS VEHICLE. AUTO IS DUE FOR A NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND WE WERE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. WE TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT WITH WORKERS AT THE CORNER AND SLOWED DOWN. WE CONTINUED INTO THE PARKING LOT AND MADE A TIGHT LEFT HAND TURN INTO A SLOT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS WE EASED INTO THE SPOT. THE BRAKES WERE HIT PREVENTING FURTHER DAMAGE. THE TRUCK IN THE FRONT PARKING SPOT WAS HIT BUT NOT DAMAGED. OUR VEHICLE RECEIVED A DENT AND SCRAPINGS ON THE FRONT END. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE BIGGEST CONCERN WAS THE SURGING AND THE POSSIBILITY OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN. DATE OF INCIDENT: 8/7/2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 P.M.
SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD BEEN FLOORED. THIS OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE TO LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY WITHOUT MY THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T RESPOND TO BRAKING. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY TURN THE WHEEL TO AVOID GOING INTO THE CULVERT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM MY DRIVEWAY. THE ROAD THEN IS AN IMMEDIATE RIGHT-HAND TURN BUT THE CAR WAS ALREADY GOING TOO FAST FOR ME TO SUCCESSFULLY STAY ON THE ROAD. THE CAR WENT INTO THE CULVERT ACROSS THAT ROAD, DEPLOYING ALL THE AIRBAGS, AND ESSENTIALLY DEMOLISHING THE CAR (>$20K TO REPAIR). MY WIFE AND I WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE FOR VARIOUS TESTS AND CT SCANS; FORTUNATELY, NOT TOO MUCH DAMAGE BEYOND WHAT THE SEAT BELTS AND AIRBAGS DID TO US....UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF *CN
I HAD JUST GASSED UP AT BJ'S IN FARMINGDALE AND WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ADJACENT TO AND FACING THE PUMP AREA I HAD JUST LEFT. SEPARATING MY PARKING SPACE AND THE PUMP I JUST LEFT WAS A CURB AND A SHORT UPHILL EMBANKMENT OF ABOUT 45 DEGREES , AND 20 FEET TO THE ROADWAWAY IN FRONT OF THE PUMP I HAD JUST LEFT. AS I "STOPPED" THE CAR, IT INSTEAD LURCHED FORWARD , UP AND OVER THE EMBANKMENT, RIPPING OUT THE UNDERCARRIAGE PROTECTIVE SHIELD. THIS WAS ALL A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 30 FEET. WITH MY BRAKING IT, THE CAR STOPPED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A SAFE AREA AND INSPECT THE DAMAGE. THERE WAS NO LEAKAGE, BUT SCRAPING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRONT BUMPER, AND I THEN REALIZED THE PROTECTIVE PLASTIC SHROUD HAD REMAINED AT THE EMBANKMENT SCENE, SO I RETRIEVED IT. THE SPEED I NOTED IS A GUESS, BUT THE CAR HAD TO CLIMB A HEIGHT OF PERHAPS 8 FEET IN A 20 FOOT DISTANCE! VERY FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT, MY "LANDING SPOT" WAS 20 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR GASSING UP IN THE SPOT I HAD JUST LEFT, ADJACENT TO 6 DOUBLE ROWS OF GAS PUMPS! HAD I SELECTED 1 OR 2 PARKING SPOTS ADJACENT, MY CAR WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THEM ALL! I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO HICKSVILLE NY SUBURU THIS AM AND THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, OTHER THAN TO REATTACH THE SHROUD. I AND THEY HAVE NO EXPLANATION, OTHER THAN POSSIBLY THE DRIVER FLOOR MAT, WHICH HAD A RECALL BUT APPEARS TO BE IN ITS PROPER PLACE, AND I HAVE PICTURES OF SAME WHICH I TOOK UPON RETIRING HOME AFTER THE INCIDENT.
ON SUMMER 2015, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER XT. I'M A SUBARU FAN. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH EYESIGHT SYSTEM, WHICH WILL APPLY BRAKES FOR ME IN CASE I DON'T OR WILL INCREASE BRAKE FORCE TO AVOID A COLLISION IN CASE I DIDN'T. THIS IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST SELLING POINTS OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM: FRONTAL COLLISION AVOIDANCE. THAT DAY ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, DURING RUSH HOUR, I WAS NOTICING SOME SPONGE EFFECT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL SO I DECIDED TO INCREASE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. SUDDENLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED RESPONDING TO MY PROPORTIONALITY (CONTROLLED FORCE APPLIED) AND I END UP REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WORK TESTING LANDING GEARS FOR PLANES AND HELICOPTERS SO BRAKE FADE WAS NOT NEW TO ME. I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AND REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS REPRODUCED BY THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN AND THE CAR WAS INTERNED FOR FURTHER REVISIONS. 2 DAYS LATER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE LACK OF SERVICE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THE SERVICE WAS DONE IN ANOTHER DEALER ON TIME. THAT WAS THE LAST EXCUSE I HEARD FROM SUBARU. CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE ANY PART IN THE CAR IF A DEALER DOESN'T APPROVE IT, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE 20,000KM SERVICE WAS DONE, 1 HOUR AWAY FROM MY TOWN. BY THAT TIME, THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS LOWER FROM SUMMER 33C TO AUTUMN 17C. THE DEALER PUT MORE THAN 20KM ON THE CAR JUST TO TELL ME THAT HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE FAILURE SO THERE'S NO FAILURE AT ALL. I EXPLAIN TO HIM THAT THE FAILURE CANNOT BE REPRODUCED AT 17C TEMPERATURE. I EVEN SHOW HIM THAT THE BRAKE FORCE IS SO WEAK, IT NEVER ACTIVATES THE ABS SYSTEM, BUT ALSO IN VAIN. SUBARU CANT EXPLAIN WHY AN EYESIGHT EQUIPPED CAR ENDS UP REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT, IN BUSY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THEY SIMPLY DIDN'T ANSWER ME ANYMORE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WOULD NOT ACTIVATE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED ISSUES STARTING DUE TO THE BRAKE SWITCH ACTIVATION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWITCH THAT ACTIVATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V366000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
RECENTLY I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE MY CAR WAS HIT BY A VAN. MY CAR WAS NOT STATIONARY BUT WAS AT A LESSER SPEED THAN THE CAR WHICH HIT. I WAS TAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE VAN HIT. THE IMPACT WAS A LOT SUCH THAT THE OTHER CARS AIRBAGS GOT DEPLOYED. MORE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY CAR. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE CAR IS GONE. I WAS SURPRISED AS TO HOW UNSAFE MY CAR WAS AS THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GET DEPLOYED.
THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ARE VERY POOR, THEY ONLY PROJECT 100 FT . BECAUSE OF THIS WE HIT A DEER WHICH CAUSED $4000 DAMAGE. PLASE TELL ME YOU ARE LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL LOW WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL LEVEL IN THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED TO PERFORM AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,900.
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, (APPROXIMATE 65 MPH) I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE CONSOLE THAT INDICATED THAT SRS SYSTEM HAD SHUT DOWN AND THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON. I DROVE IT HOME AND THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED IT, THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT WENT AWAY. THE NEXT DAY WHILE I WAS RIDING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF AND A NOTE ON THE CONSOLE SAID THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SUBARU DEALER WHO COULD NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE AND TURNED THE CAR BACK TO US. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026