2014 Subaru Forester: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2014 Subaru Forester: 2 recalls, 403 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #13V159000 · 2013 · 10,137 vehicles
What's wrong: The backing for the carpeted floor mats was not manufactured to specification. As a result, the floor mats May curl when exposed to heat.
Why it matters: 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…
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…
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #19V149000 · 2019 · 1,303,530 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 28 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (94): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (24), noise or vibration (12).
- Engine (69): the most common themes are excess oil use (23), warning light on (21), stalls / loses power (15).
- Airbags (57): the most common themes are warning light on (18), fails to deploy (13).
- Other / unknown (44): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (8).
The 2014 Subaru Forester has 403 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 29 Forester model years for complaints (1.8× the average Forester year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (110 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 53,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2013 (77 complaints, 12 recalls), 2015 (615 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 27 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 | 27 | 25 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2014 Subaru Forester.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2014 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2014 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2014 Subaru Forester problems?
Owners have filed 403 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (94), engine (69), airbags (57).
What gas mileage does the 2014 Subaru Forester get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2014 Subaru Forester repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.