2014 Subaru Forester
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 105 of 403 complaints (26%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (13) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 77 in 2013 to 403 in 2014.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | vs. 2014 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–3,700 | 2,700–3,700 | 2,300–3,100 | 2,300–3,100 | 2,300–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–23 | 21–23 | 24–27 | 25–27 | 25–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 23–27 | 19–21 / 23–27 | 22–24 / 27–31 | 22–24 / 27–31 | 22–24 / 27–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–423 | 386–428 | 332–368 | 332–364 | 332–364 | |
| Complaints filed | 105 | 77 | 403 | 613 | 411 | |
| Recalls issued | 15 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 15 | 13 | 48 | 53 | 39 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 11 | 28 | 34 | 16 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2014 Subaru Forester have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2014 Subaru Forester?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 105 of 403 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Subaru Forester get?
EPA rates it 24–27 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2014 Subaru Forester?
EPA estimates $2,300–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 | 368 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 24 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,300 (low) | 332 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 23 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | $3,100 (high) | 359 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 72 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 41 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 21 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Electrical | 42 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 34 | 11 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 105 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 60 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 45 | 25 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 42 | 10 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 48 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 19V149000 · Mar 1, 2019
Defect: 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 transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
EQUIPMENT · Campaign 13V159000 · Apr 24, 2013
Defect: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2014 Forester vehicles manufactured from January 2013 through March 2013. The backing for the carpeted floor mats was not manufactured to specification. As a result, the floor mats may curl when exposed to heat.
Consequence: 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 vehicle, which could cause a crash.
Remedy: 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 5, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQH-44.