This page covers 3 recalls, 402 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Subaru Forester.
24–27 mpg combined
8.7–9.8 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Suspension and engine behavior dominate what 2014 Forester owners report. The suspension system draws the most complaints by a wide margin, with owners describing worn or failed lower control arm bushings, loud clunking or vibrating from underneath the vehicle, and general instability that worsens over time. Engine complaints center on sudden unintended acceleration, owners describe the vehicle surging forward without input, sometimes while braking or maneuvering at low speed, and in several cases the throttle appears unresponsive to counteraction. A smaller but notable cluster of airbag complaints rounds out the top three reported systems. The unintended acceleration pattern appears across multiple reports and involves a range of driving conditions, with some owners noting the behavior returned after attempted repairs targeting the air-fuel ratio sensor or mass airflow sensor.
402
Total Complaints
48
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
18
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 Subaru Forester has 3 recalls, the most serious involving driver-side floor mats that can curl upward in heat and catch on the clutch, brake, or accelerator pedals, potentially causing a crash.
Recalls 1 and 2 describe the same floor mat issue: the carpet backing was not made to specification, and the resulting curl can delay or block pedal input. There is also a brake light switch recall: the switch can fail to properly illuminate the brake lights when the driver slows or stops, leaving following drivers without warning that the vehicle is decelerating.
At a glance
What can fail
Contaminants can damage the brake light switch, stopping brake lights from working and preventing some vehicles from starting or shifting out of Park.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake light switch at no cost.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The backing material of the carpeted floor mats was not made to specification. When exposed to heat, the floor mats may curl.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all four carpeted floor mats with new ones at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Floor mats can curl when exposed to heat, potentially interfering with pedal operation and delaying brake application.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all four carpeted floor mats in your vehicle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
