2014 Subaru Forester Body & structure Problems

Liftgate arm (or support) broke while the liftgate was in the raised position, and the liftgate came crashing down to the closed position, while my sister-in-law was very close by. I believe a serious injury could have resulted if someone had been under the liftgate at the time. We also own a 2016 Forester, and I now expect to replace the liftgate supports as a matter of safety and peace of mind. From what I see, checking the liftgate supports is not on the maintenance schedule. I assume other SUVs are also subject to this issue.

NHTSA ID

11689673

Incident

Sep 19, 2025

While I was driving to work, with Cruise control set at 65, I hit a deer head on. All airbags deployed and engine ceased and I was able to brake car to a stop on the shoulder of the road. Within minutes, the engine erupted in fire and thankfully I wasn't trapped inside and was able to get out, because by the time I got 4-500 feet from the car, it had been totally engulfed in flames. From the time I hit the deer to the fire starting was less than 10 minutes. Fire truck wasn't even on scene yet and I was still speaking with highway patrol on the phone. If I had been trapped or the vehicle had rolled i wouldn't be here today. It was that quick.

NHTSA ID

11651125

Incident

Mar 20, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed up an incline, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to TSB: 12-204-16R. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 54,600.

NHTSA ID

11547414

Incident

Sep 20, 2023

Mileage

54,600 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while parked in the driveway, the contact noticed that rain had leaked through the hatchback which caused mold to form on the rear passenger’s side roof. The interior lights became inoperable. After the vehicle was started, the contact became aware of smoke coming out of the driver’s side mirror. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11547403

Incident

Aug 20, 2023

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle’s hood had suddenly opened impairing the contact’s vision. The contact ended up swerving the vehicle and crashing into a nearby tree. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle had not been towed. There were no injuries and no medical attention needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle had been taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle’s hood latch and the hood strap had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired for the failure. The vehicle’s shift release lever had failed causing the shifting of gears failing and the contact was unable to remove the key. The contact took the vehicle back to the certified mechanic who repaired the vehicle however the failure persisted. The lever within the transmission stick had detached. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.

NHTSA ID

11484832

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

18,000 mi

Tailgate problem - car was in stopped position. I was unloading groceries so opened the tailgate. The tailgate opened and paused in it's highest position for a second and then slammed abruptly with intense speed. The speed of the closure is enough to injure someone or cause death. This is a very serious issue. Others seem to have have reported this for 2014/2015 Forester as well https://www.carproblemzoo.com/subaru/forester/2014/tailgate-problems.php

NHTSA ID

11430029

Incident

Aug 21, 2021

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. While attempting to open the liftgate, the contact stated that the left strut on the liftgate fractured which caused the liftgate to independently close. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that strut bolt was corroded which led to the liftgate failure. The contact notified the local dealer of the failure and the contact was instructed to take the vehicle into the dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,500.

NHTSA ID

11427126

Incident

Jul 30, 2021

Mileage

88,500 mi

My drivers side door seal has repeatedly come loose from the door. This usually happens in very hot or cold conditions. I struggle with it on an irregular basis. Recently my passenger's side door is doing the same thing and is more resistant to being put back into place.

NHTSA ID

11419080

Incident

May 5, 2021

OIL IS CONSTANTLY HAVING TO BE CHECKED BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE GOES THROUGH LOTS OF OIL. I'VE PUT A NEWER ENGINE IN THE CAR DUE TO THE FIRST ONE DOING THIS. ALSO THE FRONT RIGHT CV JOINT IS ABOUT TO NEED REPLACEMENT AND IS LOUD. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES HAVE HAPPENED AS SOON AS I BOUGHT THE CAR APRIL 2020.ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WORKS ON AND OFF LITERALLY BACK WINDOWS WON'T COME DOWN, HORN WON'T HONK AND BLUETOOTH IS HORRIBLE.

NHTSA ID

11366615

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11360320

Incident

Feb 4, 2017

Mileage

34,069 mi

THE TOP NUT OF THE REAR LEFT LIFT GATE PISTON BALL SNAPPED/RUSTED OFF CAUSING THE BACK HATCH TO DROP VIOLENTLY AS WE WERE UNLOADING THE CAR. HITTING MY DAUGHTER ON THE BACK AND MY HUSBAND ON THE HEAD KNOCKING THEM TO THE GROUND. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY ON A FLAT SURFACE. I TOOK IT TO RUGES SUBARU IN RHINEBECK NY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WAS CHARGED FOR IT AND GOT HOME TO FIND OUT THEY NEVER FIXED IT, STATING I DECLINED REPLACEMENT, WHICH I DID NOT, BUT WAS STILL CHARGED FOR IT.

NHTSA ID

11351030

Incident

Aug 8, 2020

Mileage

125,500 mi

I WALKED BEHIND THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED ON SIDE OF THE STREET, AND PRESSED THE BUTTON THAT ACTIVATES THE POWERED TAILGATE AND CAUSES IT TO OPEN. AS THE TAILGATE WAS OPENING, THE LEFT TAILGATE GAS LIFT SUPPORT BROKE OFF FROM THE TAILGATE. WHEN THE TAILGATE REACHED ITS MAXIMUM HEIGHT, IT SLAMMED DOWN IN AN UNRESTRAINED MANNER. NOW WHENEVER I TRY TO USE THE AUTOMATIC TAILGATE, IT OPENS TO THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT, THEN ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SLAMS DOWN WITH GREAT FORCE, WITH A POTENTIAL TO INJURE SOMEONE.*DT CONSUMER STATED PUSHED BUTTON TO RAISE LIFTGATE; APPEARED THAT WHEN LIFTGATE REACHED MAXIMUM HEIGHT, IT CAME CRASHING DOWN. COMPLAINANT WAS STANDING BACK WAITING FOR THE LIFTGATE TO OPEN WHEN INCIDENT HAPPENED. TRIED TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE USING BUTTON AGAIN A COUPLE MORE TIMES; LIFTGATE WOULD OPEN, BUT WOULD COME CRASHING DOWN AGAIN WHEN IT REACHED MAXIMUM HEIGHT. LOOKED TO SEE WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM AND SAW ON DRIVER'S SIDE THAT THE STRUT WAS BROKEN AT THE SIDE WHERE THE BALL JOINT CONNECTS TO THE VEHICLE. SAW RUST ALL AROUND THE BALL AND THE TOP PART OF THE BALL HAD SHEARED OFF. UNSCREWED THE REMAINDER OF THE STRUT TO REMOVE. USED THE PROGRAM ON THE VEHICLE TO ADJUST THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF THE LIFTGATE SO THAT IT DIDN'T OPEN AS MUCH (APPROXIMATELY 3-5' LOWER) AND THEN IT WOULD OPEN WITHOUT CRASHING DOWN. ORDERED A LIFTGATE REPLACEMENT PART ONLINE AND REPAIRED HIMSELF. NO PROBLEMS SINCE. DID NOT REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT. CONSUMER WILL SEND PHOTOS OF NEW DRIVER'S SIDE AND ORIGINAL PASSENGER SIDE REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS AT CONNECTOR POINTS. *JB *DT *TR

NHTSA ID

11233700

Incident

Jul 21, 2019

Mileage

109,000 mi

MY 2014 SUBARU ACCELERATED AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT HITTING A TREE. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN THIS HAPPENED.MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY .

NHTSA ID

11232537

Incident

Jul 16, 2019

MY 2014 SUBARU FORRESTER ACCELERATED AND HIT A TREE AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE. IT TBONED THE FRONT END AND AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY..I WAS GOING INTO THE SPACE VERY SLOWLY AND IT WAS WHEN IT ACCELERATED.

NHTSA ID

11232511

Incident

Jul 16, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER XT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER FRIEND WHO WAS DRIVING, PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY ROLLING OVER THE DRIVER'S FOOT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND DAMAGED THE HATCHBACK. UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DRIVER REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR THEIR INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAKE FOREST SUBARU (23663 ROCKFIELD BLVD, LAKE FOREST, CA 92630 (949) 837-3500) WHERE IT REMAINED THERE FOR 6 WEEKS AND THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A SPECIALIST AND WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DETECT THE FAILURE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ID

11209346

Incident

May 23, 2017

Mileage

41,000 mi

I OPENED THE TRUNK OF MY SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED EDITION WITH THE REMOTE. WHILE I WAS REMOVING THE LUGGAGE FROM THE TRUNK, I HEARD A NOISE AS THE LIFTGATE WAS CLOSING. BEFORE I TURNED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING, THE LIFTGATE LANDED ON MY LOWER BACK. I REALIZED THAT THE RIGHT SUPPORT OF THE LIFTGATE WAS BROKEN.

NHTSA ID

11184740

Incident

Feb 9, 2019

WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE SUNROOF, NORMALLY THE ROOF WINDOW WOULD SLIDE BACK AND A SET OF PIN WILL PUSH THE REAR SIDE OF THE WINDOW UP TO SEAL THE GAP BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND ROOFTOP. HOWEVER THE DEVICE IS DEFECTIVE AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO BACK TO ITS SUPPOSED LOCATION. WATER MAY LEAK IN TO WIRING AND CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID

11182899

Incident

Feb 25, 2019

Mileage

66,000 mi

I WAS USING MY KEY TO OPEN THE BACK TRUNK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SLAM DOWN QUICKLY ON MY ARM AS I WENT TO PLACE AN ARTICLE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. I CALLED THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AUGUST 8TH 2018

NHTSA ID

11115726

Incident

Aug 4, 2018

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

NHTSA ID

10906132

Incident

Jun 22, 2016

Mileage

6,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10805816

Incident

Oct 1, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID

10743947

Incident

Jul 25, 2015

Mileage

11,335 mi

JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT, FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR SURGED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10626370

Incident

Aug 17, 2014

Mileage

7,000 mi

IN PARKING SPOT, FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR SUDDENLY SURGED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10626365

Incident

May 18, 2014

Mileage

6,091 mi

I WAS TURNING LEFT ON AN ARROW AND A CAR RAN THE RED LIGHT RESULTING IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ME, I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 3MPH AND HE WAS DRIVING 45MPH. HIS CAR WAS TOTALLED, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND ON FIRE. I HAD FRONT END DAMAGE AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK UP. AS A RESULT I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY KNEE AND MY ANKLE GOT LACERATED AND BLUNT TRAUMA FROM THE BRAKE/ACCELARTATION PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10607764

Incident

Jun 19, 2014

Mileage

14,000 mi

I PURCHASED MY 2014 FORESTER IN JULY 2013. I LOVE THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE DESIGN OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL DIALS WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO ASCERTAIN AT A GLANCE WHAT THE CURRENT SETTING IS FOR EACH FUNCTION (HEAT/AC TEMP, FAN SPEED, FAN DIRECTION.) STARING AT THE DIAL(S) OR REPEATED GLANCES TAKES THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION OFF THE ROAD FOR TOO LONG, AND THEREFORE IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY ISSUE: EACH ROUND DIAL HAS A RUBBER GRIP SURFACE THAT THE USER CONTACTS. ON THE FRONT FACE OF THE DIAL IS A SHINY CHROME BEZEL RING. THIS RING IS QUITE NARROW AND HAS 7 SMALL, EQUIDISTANT INDENTATIONS AROUND THE RADIUS. ONE OF THE INDENTATIONS IS YELLOW PLASTIC, WHICH INDICATES THE SETTING. AT A GLANCE, THE SMALL YELLOW PLASTIC INDICATOR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AMONG THE OTHER SIX INDENTATIONS. WHAT THE PURPOSE IS OF THE INDENTATIONS IS A MYSTERY (SOME MARKETER WANTED SPARKLE?) AND WHY SUBARU CHOSE PALE YELLOW AGAINST SHINY CHROME MAKES NO SENSE. I HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ALTERED MY DIALS BY PUTTING A TINY DROP OF WHITE FINGERNAIL POLISH ON THE BLACK RUBBER GRIP DIRECTLY ABOVE EACH YELLOW PLASTIC INDICATOR. NOW, AT A QUICK GLANCE, I CAN EASILY SEE AT WHAT POSITION EACH FUNCTION DIAL IS SET. IT'S GREAT. I FEEL MUCH SAFER. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SMALL, UNIMPORTANT PROBLEM, BUT IT WAS A HUGE CONCERN TO ME. I HOPE NO FORESTER OWNER IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH BECAUSE HE/SHE TOOK HIS/HER EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR TOO LONG TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ONE OR MORE OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL SETTINGS. THE FORESTER MIGHT BE A "TOP SAFETY PICK" BUT NOT ON THIS. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10607504

Incident

Jul 1, 2014