Is the 2014 Subaru Forester a bad year?
403 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Forester years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2014 Subaru Forester are in line with other Forester years. Suspension and air bags stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 Forester owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 56,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 94 (23%) | 43k–72k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 57 (14%) | 44k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 72 (18%) | 10k–79k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 42 (10%) | 18k–100k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 41 (10%) | 11k–82k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 31 (8%) | 23k–72k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 27 (7%) | 8k–62k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 21 (5%) | 14k–76k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 16 (4%) | 24k–73k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Wheels | 11 (3%) | 37k–73k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 42 (10%) | 8k–45k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 12 (3%) | 12k–39k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 56,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 403 complaints: 48 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 18 report an injury · 25 say the car was towed.
5 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Excessive oil consumption. I bought this 2014 Subaru Forester sometime in august 2013. This was the very first vehicle I ever bought, not knowing any facts about lemon laws.
Driving 65 MPH on highway. Car suddenly no longer responsive to accelerator and speed drops. Recovered in a few seconds.
While driving our 2014 Forester xt 2.0 uphill on the highway at about 50 MPH, the CEL, hill-assist, eyesight-disabled and another warning light all came on.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 56,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 Subaru Forester: 2
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. 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 backing for the carpeted floor mats was not manufactured to specification. As a result, the floor mats may curl when exposed to heat. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Subaru: 305
Repair instructions Subaru sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 Subaru Forester. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles
Diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines
Diagnostic flow along with an IMPORTANT caution to follow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs as listed
Design changes to the engine oil and CVT fluid drain plugs
Neighbouring years
2013 Forester: 78 complaints, keep it · 2015 Forester: 617 complaints, keep it.
Every Subaru Forester year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Forester years side by side
Other Subaru models: Subaru Ascent · Subaru Crosstrek · Subaru Impreza · Subaru Legacy · Subaru Outback · Subaru WRX · Subaru XV Crosstrek. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2014 Subaru Forester a bad year?
403 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Forester years. At 56,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Subaru Forester?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (94), air bags (57), engine (72), electrical system (42), transmission and drivetrain (41).
How many recalls does the 2014 Subaru Forester have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 19V-149), Equipment (NHTSA 13V-159). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.