Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Subaru Forester submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 72 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 72, in the owner's own words
On 5/15/2024 and 5/21/2024 I had sudden uninteded acceleration. I had a auto shop try to solve the problem by replacing the air fuel ratio sensor and the mass air flow sensor. This seem to fix the issue until 11/27/2025 & 12/7/2025 when the sudden uninteded acceleration returned.
I have a 2014 Subaru Forester that I purchase in 2023 from a dealership in Yonkers N.Y. I been noticing oil consumption at 1qt. a week at 300 miles. I investigated it on the internet and found out that there was a recalled for oil consumption to replace the short block on it. I emailed Subaru on this matter and they told me that they stopped repairing three years ago. When I purchase this back in 2023 the dealership did not tell me any open recalls on this vehicle. I was told by D.M.V. in New York that the dealer has to tell the buyer for any open recalls. I feel now that I was sold a Lemon. Is there any thing that could been done by repair by Subaru or the dealer. Thanks...
I just found out that there was a problem with oil consumption in a 2014 subaru forester.I purchase it two years ago.Is there anything they can do to fix it.
After running 86,000 miles (Plus or minus), we had to bring the car to Livermore Subaru because of the noise o the middle section of the car WITH OUT any warning lights. In turns out, after extensive diagnostics testing, “the noise is coming from the inside of the CVT transmission assembly” with the estimate of $11,784.38 for a new transmission. We requested to extend the transmission warranty as NOTED Service Bulletin Number 16-107-17R dated 06/21/17 and revised on 11/09/17 for our Subaru Forester 2014. Our records show recurring CVT transmission issues, which we have consistently reported: - March 3, 2020: At 58,543 miles, Diablo Subaru noted issues with high RPM and improper shifting. Diagnostic tech notes indicated transmission problems. - November 20, 2020: At 61,023 miles, Diablo Subaru addressed a transmission valve body replacement and identified a fault in the pressure control circuit. - October 5, 2022: At 72,593 miles, Diablo Subaru found transmission fluid seepage . The oil leaks from front timing cover , leading to repairs and reseal costing $2,468.51. - August 22, 2024: At approximately 84,000 miles, Livermore Subaru confirmed the need for a CVT transmission replacement. Given our history of reported issues and diligent maintenance, The initial CVT transmission problems noted on March 3, 2020, should have been addressed under the warranty and extended warranty provisions. We have always adhered to recommended maintenance schedules and promptly addressed any issues. Unfortunately Subaru of America, insisted that because of the age will not extend the warranty for the transmission.
Basically, as I was driving on the freeway with my son and his brother, I got 5 lights flashing on dashboard. Abs at temp check engine cruise control hill assist vss etc.. the code were for cut but before I could check them everything shut down. Car went dark, no brakes and burning smell as well as burns oil. Front end damage on car with passenger side damage. Car started back up next day called Subaru and because it’s 2014 forester, may not qualify but it only has 126k on the dash. Well maintained and had no issues besides the oil consumption.
Car was well maintained and serviced by dealer at regular interval. It suddenly had “check engine” light on, within a few minutes the car died while driving and stopped in the middle of road. Then unable to restart. Fortunately I was just off highway with less traffic, otherwise could have been crashed and killed by other vehicles. Dealer confirmed malfunction of crankshaft sensor.
I purchased my 2014 Subaru Forester Limited in May of 2022, already having a high mileage of about 149,800 miles, I was leaning on its reliability and pushing it beyond 200,000 miles. I have encountered frequent oil consumption and assumed that if commuting up and down from the foothills to the valley, it would be natural that it would consume oil. I had to top off a quart of oil every 2000-3000 miles, and once I moved down to flatter land, I noticed the Subaru consumed less oil. Toward the end of December 2023, the Check Engine Light as well as other lights lit up and by then, I had about 170000 miles. I went through every measure to do my own repairs and still couldn't get the check engine light removed and had done a leak-down test on the third cylinder, which doing an engine rebuild has been recommended. I'm currently just over 176200 miles and this is my daily commuter. I still owe money on the Subaru and would love to keep this longer, but the engine problem hasn't been reassuring.
I've been having issues over the past 4 years with my vehicle overconsuming oil. I took it into the dealer 2 years ago and they performed a consumption test. They said everything fell within the normal range Subaru has established. I have to have an extra thing of oil in my vehicle at all times in case it gets low. Yesterday, my vehicle gave me all sorts of warning lights. I took it in today and am having to replace the CVT Valve Body. It appears this is an issue with Subaru's from 2014. I've spent a lot of money over the past few years trying to figure out why my vehicle is acting up. I only have 67,000 miles on it after owning it for 11 years.
My 2014 Subaru Forester constantly burning oil. I have taken my car to Tyson’s Subaru multiple times when within warranty, they conducted multiple consumption test, admitted it burns oil but not enough to fix under warranty. I have my car in and out of the shop since 70-80k and now burning more oil at 140k. I sent this complaint to Subaru of America: MY 2014 HAS BEEN BURNING OIL SINCE 70,000/80,000. I HAVE HAD TWO PCV VALVES REPLACED AND NUMEROUS OIL CHANGES AT STOHLMAN SUBARU OF TYSONS, VIRGINIA. I NOW HAVE 106K AND THE FORESTER IS STILL BURNING OIL. I CAN’T GO PASS 3K MILES WITHOUT THE OIL BEING LOW. AM I STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE? WHY DIDN’T STOHLMAN FIXED THE ISSUE WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY FOUND AT 70 OR 80K? THEY SAID IT WAS THE PCV VALVE TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR AND I PAID TO REPLACE THE PCV VALVE TWICE. NOW MY CAR IS STILL BURNING OIL AND NOT FIXED AND I AM INN THE SHOP AGAIN! What can I do other than complaining! Have others complained about the same thing?
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming a quart of engine oil every 1,000 miles. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to TSB Number: 02-157-14R (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
This is one of the emails I sent to Subaru. I had just paid 425 to replace a tail light when the seal failed, the same time the wiper motor went bad 600+ to fix that. This car was in such bad shape they did not even recommend repairing. I had to buy a used car which was a financial hardship. I believe Subaru should reimburse me the cost of the transmission and tail light assembly Gentlemen, I'm writing to you to express my EXTREME regret in buying a Subaru. If I went into all the repair details, it would take forever. My new case number is 2303131700678. I m requesting that this repair be covered and paid for completely by Subaru, as well as the money I paid towards the new transmission be refunded to me. Once you review all the repair records, you will understand my frustration. This whole car is an example of poor engineering and quality control. I held up my end of the deal, I paid off the loan, I maintained the car thru scheduled maintenance at the dealership. Subaru has failed me. Have your team pull all my repair records and read them thoroughly. Note the bad bushings, note the failed back up camera, note how the entire under the hood has failed at only at 120,000 miles. Where is my 200,000 miles that you claim the car should last? Subaru sold a defective car, Subaru knows darn well that this model has transmission and oil issues. I don't care that my systems failed after the 100,000 extended warranty. If you did your job right, you would not have to have extended it. I look forward to my transmission reimbursement and the complete repairs the car requires AT NO COST TO ME. It is your turn to uphold your part of the bargain.
Check engine light came on at 92,355 odometer miles. Dealer diagnosis was code P0171, airflow sensor intermittent failure causing rich fuel and affecting mileage. Failure of the air fuel sensor was due to oil leakage from the camshaft carrier covers located above the exhaust manifold where the A/F sensor is located. This could have resulted in a fire. The repair necessitated engine removal to access the camshaft carrier covers and resealing the area along with replacing the A/F sensor. The cost was nearly $4k which was not covered under warranty due to the Forester is 9 years old.
The engine stalled/locked and clipped an 18 wheeler trying to get to the shoulder of I-294. I have been taking the 2014 Subaru to Countryside Subaru since April 14, 2021 with issues of lights coming on on the dashboard. It caused a serious accident. The car was totaled by the insurance company. Subaru had me call Subaru Advocacy who had just agreed to pay $3,500 towards a new engine, with me paying $1,500 because it was out of warranty, even though the issue started when the car was under warranty over a year ago. Lights were constantly coming on every 4 to 6 weeks. A service advisor, told us the car was safe to drive. It wasn't. The same day service advisor ordered the parts (June 6, 2022) is the same day the accident happen. I thank God my daughter is still among the living. This should not have happen. LIVES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle went into limp mode and failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was being depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,574.
VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED UPON STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT.
I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AFTER STOPPING ALSO I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING A QUART OF OIL IN WHEN THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING
MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER'S ENGINE AT TIMES ACTS AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. IT ACTS AS THOUGH IT IS GETTING NO FUEL. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL FILTER/FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND IT SEEMED TO RUN OK FOR A SHORT TIME. THE STALLING ACTION DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. SOMETIMES IT RUNS SMOOTHLY. THEN IT STARTS THE SPUTTERING/STALL ACTION AGAIN.THE MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THEM IN AN EFFORT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IS NOT ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT ELSE COULD BE CAUSING IT. MY VEHICLE GETS 93 OCTANE GAS AND ONLY HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT. PLEASE HELP.
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.
WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED IN JULY. IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER I ADDED NEARLY 1 QUART OF OIL. THE OIL LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN OCTOBER 15TH AND ASSUMING IT IS LOW ON OIL AGAIN. AFTER EXTENSIVE ON-LINE RESEARCH, IT SEEMS AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROGRAM IS AN ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING OUT VEHICLE AMONG COUNTLESS OTHER MODEL YEARS AND OTHER MANFACTURER'S AS WELL. IT DID NOT MATTER IF THE VEHICLES WAS TURNING, IN MOTION, IDLE OR DRIVING LOCATION, THE LOW OIL LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATOR HAS BEEN COMING ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER THE MIDDLE OF JULY ONCE THIS HAPPENED. SINCE THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME, THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT. SINCE THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS APPEARS AND THEN DISAPPEARS, IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO GET TO THE DEALER AND TIME WHEN THE INDICATOR LIGHT DECIDES TO RE-APPEAR. THE INDICATOR LIGHT RE-APPEARED AND WE SCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT TO GET FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DIAGNOSTIC CONFIRMED THERE IS A BAD SWITCH UNDER THE SEAT. WE WERE ASKED IF WE HAVE AN I-PHONE AND CHARGE THE PHONE WHILE IT IS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. YES, THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED. WE WERE TOLD THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH AN ANDROID PHONE. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE THIS ITEM BUT RESULTED IN AN APPROX. $1,000.00 BILL. THEY MENTIONED THEY WOULD PAY APPROX. 90% OF THE COST. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE CAR IS ON, TURING, IN MOTION CITY OR HIGHWAY DRIVING.
I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY ENGINE TURNED OFF. LATER IN THE DAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING UPHILL, MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD AS I WAS DRIVING. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I STARTED MY CAR, ALL MY WARNING SENSOR LIGHTS WENT ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY TRANSMISSION THAT PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED. SUBARU EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FROM 60,000 MILES TO 100,000 KNOWING THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY, MY CAR IS AT 107,000 MILES AND SUBARU WON'T COVER IT. INSTEAD OF EXTENDING THE WARRANTY, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH NOT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, BUT OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT NOT HAVE THE SAME LUCK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND HAVE SUBARU RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS. THANK YOU.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL WITH THE CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HAD TWO O-RINGS AND CRANK SEAL REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. DESPITE THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE CHECK OIL LIGHT WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE AFTER EVERY 1,500 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CENTER SUBARU (45 WINSTED RD, TORRINGTON, CT 06790) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE EXCESSIVE OIL FAILURE DUE TO THE VEHICLE NO LONGER BEING UNDER WARRANTY AND NO OTHER RECALLS BEING PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED AND GAVE HER THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,286.
STARTED CAR ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING OIL, AND,AWD, EMISSION CONTROL NEED TO BE CHECKED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR STAYS ON. HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A HOT DAY STOPPED TO GET GAS WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ALL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME I CHECKED GAS CAP IT WAS TIGHT, I STARTED DRIVING AND ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING
AIR CONDITIONING WORKS ONCE TURN ON CAR THEN AFTER DRIVING FOR 1ST FIVE TO TEN MINUTES, AIR CONDITIONING STOP WORKING, THIS ISSUE STARTED HAPPENING IN 2018. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY UNDER EXCELLENT CONDITIONS, THE ENGINE 'REVVED' AND THEN STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER AND PUT THE CAR IN "PARK" AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. BEFORE I DID SO, THE INSRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS WERE (ALMOST?) ALL LIT. I TRIED TO RESTART = UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER WAITING ABOUT 5 MINUTES, I TRIED AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO PROCEED NORMALLY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURED; PREVIOUS EPISODE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO (UNREPORTED) UNDER SIMILAR CONDITIONS. THE ONLY "COMMON" ELEMENT I CAN SURMISE IS THAT THE GAS LEVEL WAS < 1/4 TANK IN BOTH INSTANCES. I WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE GAS AS THE GAUGE AND "MILES TO EMPTY" WERE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TO GET ME HOME. I DID REFUEL WITHIN TEN MILES OF THE TEMPORARY BREAKDOWN AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.
I HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS RUN ON THIS CAR AND THEY CLAIM THAT IT PASSES, (EVEN THOUGH I CAN BARELY MAKE IT 4K WITHOUT HAVING TO ADD MORE OIL TO THE CAR) TODAY THE CAR IS BACK AT SERVICE TO FIX THE FRONT ENGINE COVER SEAL. ONE HAS TO WONDER IF THIS WAS THE OIL ISSUE ALL ALONG, HOWEVER IT WILL COST ME ALMOST A GRAND JUST TO GET THIS REPAIR DONE.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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