Page 3 of 9 · complaints 101–150 of 403

2014 Subaru Forester complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2014 record →

Electrical System
Filed Nov 16, 202025,000 milesNY

MY BACKUP CAMERA ONLY WORKS PERIODICALLY. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE DASHBOARD SCREEN SOMETIMES JUST SHOWS A BLACK SCREEN WITH THE DISTANCE LINES DISPLAYED. OTHER TIMES IT WORKS FINE. DOESNT SEEM TO BE A PATTERN. MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN POSTED MESSAGE BOARDS AND IT SEEMS LIKE CERTAIN OTHER SUBARUS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 15, 202058,000 milesNY

WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. SUBARU SERVICE DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE IN A COLLISION DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAD MECHANISM. .SUBARU SERVICE SAID THE THE SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACEMENT. NO RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT PREVIOUS SUBARU FORESTER MODELS FROM 2010 TO 2013 HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND A RECALL WAS MADE FOR THEM.

Unknown or OtherCrash
Filed Nov 11, 202061,000 milesAZ

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT AN INCIDENT OF SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION MALFUNCTION. DRIVING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR, I TURNED LEFT FROM THE STREET INTO A SLIGHTLY UPHILL DRIVEWAY ABOUT 16 FEET LONG. THE SUBARU SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY SELF ACCELERATED OVER THE ENTRY WAY TO THE GARAGE AND RUN INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. WHEN THE CAR STARTED SELF-ACCELERATING I SWITCHED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN I SHIFTED GEARS, WHICH EVENTUALLY MADE THE CAR STOP. BUT THE GARAGE DOOR WAS SMASHED, THE CAR PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE WAS HIT AND IN TURN HIT THE WASHING MACHINE BEHIND IT, WHICH AND ENDED UP SMASHED AND LODGED HALFWAY INTO THE BACK WALL OF THE GARAGE. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE. I HAVE ALSO PROVIDED MY INSURANCE COMPANY WITH INFORMATION WIDELY AVAILABLE ABOUT RECENT CLASS LAWSUITS FOR SIMILAR ISSUES IN NEW JERSEY (WESTON, ET AL., V. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC., ET AL.) AND CALIFORNIA (BARE ET AL. V. SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.), BUT IT SEEMS THAT THIS ISSUE WITH THIS BRAND AND MODEL HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE MANY TIMES, STARTING MORE THAN TEN YEARS AGO (HTTPS://WWW.SAFETYRESEARCH.NET/BLOG/ARTICLES/AUTOMAKERS-BLAME-DRIVERS-SETTLE-UNINTENDED-ACCELERATION-CASES). FROM THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE ONLINE, SUBARU REPEATEDLY BLAMES THIS ON THE DRIVERS, BUT THE ISSUE SEEMS TO ORIGINATE FROM A FAILURE OF A CAR'S ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, ALLOWING THE THROTTLE TO EXPAND WIDE OPEN TO AN APPARENT SOFTWARE DEFECT PLAGUING THE CONTROLLER AREA NE

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 3, 2020AZ

THE HORN HAS STOPPED WORKING

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 28, 202042,000 milesCO

MY FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A SPONTANEOUS CRACK. IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE AND THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IN THE EVENING, I NOTICED A HORIZONTAL CRACK ABOUT 24" LONG, NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEFROSTER WAS NOT ON. THIS IS MY SECOND FORESTER AND BOTH WINDSHIELDS HAVE DEVELOPED THE SAME SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN THE SAME PLACE.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 27, 202075,000 milesCA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 16, 2020NY

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 4, 2020135,000 milesAZ

MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER HAS RECENTLY STARTED HAVING WARNINGS ABOUT SRS. PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR OCCASIONALLY DOES NOT RECOGNIZE A PASSENGER IS SEATED AND THEREFORE THE AIRBAG IS 'OFF' EVEN IF SEAT IS OCCUPIED. BOTH FRONT SEATS ARE HEATED AND IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT LEAD TO A RECALL FOR 2015 SUBARU FORESTERS. PLEASE EXTEND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE 2014 MODELS. VERY UNSAFE AND COSTLY ($900-$1,200 ACCORDING TO OTHER COMPLAINTS) TO REPAIR THIS SENSOR IN ORDER TO HAVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OPERATIONAL. PASSENGER SEATBELT WARNING ALSO OCCASIONALLY COMES ON EVEN IF THERE IS NO ONE SITTING IN SEAT.

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Sep 28, 2020122,000 milesVA

MY STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED AS I WAS SLOWLY DRIVING IN THE LOT OF A SHEETZ GAS STATION AFTER JUST GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE (ESTIMATE MY SPEED AT 5 MPH IN THE GAS STATION LOT) THERE WAS NO INCITING INCIDENT. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT SO ONLY INJURY WAS A BURN AND BRUISE TO MY LEFT HAND. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON AND OTHERWISE FUNCTIONAL.

Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2020107,000 milesCA

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.

Power Train
Filed Sep 23, 2020112,000 milesCT

A FEW WEEKS AGO THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE DIFFICULTIES SHIFTING/ACCELERATING FROM A STOP IT WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING AND NOT RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR . IT HAS BEEN EVALUATED AS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT A COST OF $10,000. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WOULD COVER THE POWER TRAIN UP TO 100,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AND ALL OF IT AT THE SAME DEALER SERVICE CENTER WITH DOCUMENTATION. THIS INCLUDES A 90,000 MILE SERVICE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS INCLUDED IN THE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE CHECK AND INDICATED AS NO ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN USED FOR NORMAL DRIVING. NO HAULING OR TOWING AND NO HEAVY CARGO. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL ONLY 12,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED AND HAVING BEEN SERVICED APPROPRIATELY AND INSPECTED WITHIN 20,000 OF THE CURRENT ISSUE. SUBARU OF AMERICA IS NOT COVERING THE REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT REQUIRED THEM TO EXTEND THIS SAME 100,000 WARRANTY COVERAGE TO ALL VEHICLES FROM THIS MODEL YEAR UNDER WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT. THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND SLIPPING IN THE SHIFTING WHEN POWERING AWAY FROM A STOP IS DANGEROUS IF THE VEHICLE STALLS OR SUDDENLY SLOWS DUE TO LOSS OF POWER AND THIS IS DUE TO A KNOWN CVT ISSUE. SUBARU SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THE VEHICLES THEY PRODUCED WITH THIS DEFECT AND NOT BE ABLE TO HIDE BEHIND A A LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT THA

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Sep 21, 202034,069 milesCA

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.

Suspension
Filed Sep 15, 202057,000 milesMN

REAR COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. LEFT REAR OF CAR SAGGING. UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 14, 202090,000 milesID

THE HORN STOPPED WORKING.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 8, 2020AK

HORN DOESN'T WORK. ONLY WORKS WHEN I LOCK THE CAR.

Wheels
Filed Sep 3, 202088,271 milesMD

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, I HEARD AN UNUSUAL SOUND AND FELT VIBRATION UNDER THE REAR PORTION OF THE DRIVERS FLOOR MAT. THIS WAS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS 40 AND ABOVE, ON BOTH HIGHWAY AND SIDE ROADS. IT OCCURRED BOTH WHEN ACCELERATING AND WHEN COASTING. DIAGNOSIS BY MECHANIC RESULTED IN LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS/HUBS BEING REPLACE 9/27/19. THIS WAS REPORTED ON COMPLAINT #11320955. THEN ON 6/18/20, THE SAME THING OCCURRED, WITH SOUND AND VIBRATION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS/HUB WAS REPLACED. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT I DID NOT MISS OR IGNORE THIS SOUND AND HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FRONT WHEELS AT THIS TIME, AS IT SEEMS IT MAY HAPPEN WITH THEM ALSO.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Aug 30, 202063,000 milesNV

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID HOSE THAT RUNS BETWEEN THE WIPER RESERVOIR AND THE SPRAYERS HAS SOME CHEAP WHITE PLASTIC THAT CRACKED AND BROKE, RENDERING THE WIPERS PRACTICALLY INOPERABLE. THIS IS SOME LOUSY PRODUCT USAGE THAT SHOULDN'T BE BREAKING ON A 6 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THE RESERVOIR LOW FLUID LIGHT KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF TOO SO THE SENSOR IS PROBABLY BAD, DESPITE BEING FULL.

Structure › Body2 injured
Filed Aug 24, 2020125,500 milesNY

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 17, 2020121,286 milesCT

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.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 8, 202098,049 milesFL

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE ON LONG ROAD TRIP. THE LIGHT REMAINED ON FOR THE 5 HOURS REMAINING ON THE DRIVE. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PART, LABOR AND TAXES CAME TO A TOTAL OF $1007.22.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 4, 202091,000 milesFL

MY AIRBAG SRS POPPED UP WHEN ON A ROAD TRIP AND SAID THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF SO I FREAKED OUT AS MY BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING AND THEN DRIVING BACK IT JUST TURNED OFF AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT SAID IT WAS ON. VERY WEIRD CALLED MY SUBARU AND CHARGED ME FOR THEM TO GO ON AND LOOK AND SAID IT WOULD BE OVER $1000 TO FIX BUT THEY REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE ISSUE WAS COMING FROM AND I WOULD BE OUT OF A CAR FOR A WEEK.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 29, 2020121,425 milesNY

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

Suspension
Filed Jul 28, 202050,000 milesPA

FRONT WHEELS WOULD SHIMMY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS FAILING FRONT LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT.

Seats
Filed Jul 18, 202050,000 milesCA

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS LIT ON THE MAIN CLUSTER BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO ON THE CENTER DISPLAY. I BELIEVE THE SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND I'M SEEING AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. I'M WORRIED THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, I HAVE NEVER SPILLED FLUIDS ON THE SEATS WHICH SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PHRASE COMING FROM MECHANICS AT SUBARU SERVICE CENTERS. SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SAFETY SYSTEMS. THEY SHOULD DIAGNOSE AND FIX THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A PART THAT THAT EXPERIENCES WEAR AND TEAR LIKE BRAKE PADS. IF IT WAS, I'D HAPPILY PAY OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE. I DON'T WANT TO WAIT AND SEE IF AIRBAGS GO OFF IN AN ACCIDENT. SUBARU HAS ALREADY ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2015-2018 MODELS. THIS TELLS ME THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEMS AND NEGLECTED TO ADDRESS ISSUES ON 2014 MODELS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 9, 202084,000 milesPA

THE KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN I GO TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. OF COURSE THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN PARK. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 8, 2020CO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN DRIVING AT 90 MPH DURING WINDY WEATHER CONDITIONS, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE 'CHECK FUEL' LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MIKE SHAW SUBARU DEALER, LOCATED AT 1650 W 104TH AVE, DENVER, CO 80234 WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed May 20, 202035,000 milesMI

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

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 19, 202030,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO TWO POLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIGHTLY 'HOP'. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 18, 202044,700 milesCA

CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE TO PARK MY CAR IN A PRIVATE COMPANY'S PARKING LOT. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed May 17, 202087,000 milesVA

ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING AND IT'S SPORADIC

Power Train
Filed May 16, 202068,413 milesPA

STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT, WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATION HEARD A LOUD THUMP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. ABS, TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I THOUGHT I LOST MY TRANSMISSION. HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF BUSY HIGHWAY AND THEN CALLED TRIPLE A TO HAVE CAR TOWED. WAS ON ROUTE 113. AFTER RESEARCHING INTERNET FOUND THAT SUBARU EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

Steering
Filed May 8, 2020HI

14 SUBARU FORESTER AND IT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION GETTING STUCK. STARTED WITH MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN AND JIGGLING THE KEY TO NOW IT'S BECOME A HUGE ISSUE. GETS STUCK ALL THE TIME! TAKES UP TO 30 MINUTES TO REMOVE THE KEY! SUBARU NEEDS TO FIX THIS! IT'S BECOMING A COMMON FAULTY ISSUE!! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 22, 202060,000 milesNY

I HAVE 2014 SUBARU FORESTER XT AND PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS THE KEY HAS BEEN GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE TO PLAY AROUND TURNING THE CAR BACK ON, PUTTING IT IN DRIVE AND THEN BACK TO PARK, SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO MOVE THE CAR IN REVERSE OR DRIVE FORWARD A FEW INCHES AND QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK AND IT RELEASES THE KEY. IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE KEY TO COME OUT AFTER TRYING DIFFERENT THINGS AND/OR ALL OF THEM.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 14, 2020130,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLOW SUBARU (485 SILAS CREEK PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127), FOR AN INOPERABLE AIR CONDITION SYSTEM. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COMPRESSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Wheels
Filed Apr 13, 202079,364 milesMD

SEPTEMBER, 2019 - I DETECTED A NEW AND DISTINCT SOUND, ALONG WITH AN ODD VIBRATION FEELING IN MY VEHICLE. IT WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE, WITH THE VIBRATION SEEMING TO COME FROM THE AREA UNDER MY FEET AS I DRIVE. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 30- 40 MPH AND DID NOT SUBSIDE, EVEN WHEN I WAS NOT ACCELERATING, OR IF I USED THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN SOME. BOTH THE SOUND AND VIBRATION MAINTAINED WHILE I WAS CRUISING AT THAT SPEED OR HIGHER. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HUB WAS BAD. I HAD IT REPLACE IMMEDIATELY. MY VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND THE MILEAGE WAS 79364. ADDITIONAL ON THIS VEHICLE, I JUST RECEIVED SUBARU SERVICE PROGRAM WUT-05, A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR COIL SPRINGS, WHICH I ALSO EXPERIENCED IN MAY, 2019. THIS VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING AT THIS AGE/MILEAGE. THESES ARE SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY SUBARU.

Steering
Filed Apr 7, 2020CO

STEERING DOESN'T RETURN TO A NEUTRAL STATE WHEN TURNING AT SPEED.

Seats
Filed Mar 22, 2020110,000 milesCA

WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2016 THE DRIVERS SEAT COVER HAD CRACKS IN THE BOTTOM LEFT SEAT CUSHION COVER. THE LEFT BOTTOM SEAT COVER WAS REPLACED. NOW 4 YEARS LATER THE SAME AREA ON THE REPLACEMENT SEAT COVER IS CRACKING. IN ADDITION THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT COVER IS CRACKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE SEAT CUSHION COVER.

Suspension
Filed Mar 10, 202033,000 milesCA

I STARTED GETTING SEVERE VIBRATION AND WOBBLING OF FRONT SUSPENSION ON SWEEPING CURVES ON FREEWAY AT SPEEDS OVER 65 MPH AT ABOUT 33,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. I REPLACED THE TIRES, YET IT CONTINUED. NOW THE MECHANICS SAY BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEED TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN USED OFF ROAD OR EVEN IN SNOW. SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. IT IS LIKE A NEW CAR.

Suspension
Filed Mar 7, 2020OH

WHILE REPLACING MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE SUSPENSION STRUT WAS CRACKED AND BROKEN. I'VE HAD MORE ISSUES WITH MY 2014 IN FIVE YEARS THAN I DID MY 2002 IN THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR (12 YEARS).

Air Bags
Filed Mar 6, 2020118,000 milesTX

***SRS AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED*** THIS WARNING HAS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 5-6X'S NOW IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. EVERY OCCURRENCE THERE HAS BEEN A PASSENGER SEATED AND OCCURS IMMEDIATELY AS I GO FROM PARK TO DRIVE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR 2015-2018 FORESTERS EQUIPPED WITH HEATED SEATS DUE TO AN AIRBAG SENSOR DEFECT. DETAILS OF THE RECALL ARE IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEMS ON MY 2014 FORESTER. IT'S THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAVING ISSUES AND MY PASSENGER SEAT IS HEATED. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND OFTEN TRANSPORT MY MOTHER TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. WHEN THE WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND $1200 TO FIX A SAFETY ISSUE ON A VEHICLE 5-6YEARS OLD IS ABSURD. THE INVESTIGATION WHICH WAS DONE FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR RECALL WUM-98 NEEDS TO BE REVISITED AND I GUARANTEE IT WILL FIND THE NUMBER OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL GROW.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 4, 2020129,700 milesCA

THE IGNITION CYCLINDER WILL NOT RELEASE VEHICLE KEY. UPON TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION THE KEY WILL NOT TURN PAST ON TO THE OFF POSITION. IT CAN TAKE UP TO 30 TRIES OF CYCLING KEY TO REMOVE KEY. MOVING THE SHIFTER AND STARTING THE CAR SEEM TO HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THIS ISSUE.

Engine
Filed Feb 28, 2020TX

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.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 27, 2020160,000 milesWA

WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING NORMALLY WITH A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT 2 DAYS AGO, THE RED AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND PASSENGER AIRBAG SIGN WENT TO "OFF". I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER IN OLYMPIA, WA AND THEY CLAIMED THIS WAS CAUSED BY WATER DAMAGE (WE HAD NEVER SPILLED WATER IN THAT SEAT) AND THEY WANTED $2100 TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT ASSEMBLY. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE IT FIXED ELSEWHERE, BUT THEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY, THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE RIGHT PASSENGER AIRBAG STARTED WORKING AGAIN. RIGHT NOW IT IS WORKING AGAIN. WHILE IT WAS NOT WORKING, IT DIDN'T MATTER WHETHER THE CAR WAS IN MOTION OR STOPPED. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION IF A PASSENGER IS RIDING IN THE FRONT SEAT. WE CAN'T DEPEND ON THE AIRBAG BEING THERE IF NEEDED IN AN ACCIDENT.

Suspension
Filed Feb 12, 2020CT

WHEN GETTING REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED MECHANIC ADVISED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. NO KNOWN CAUSE.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Feb 9, 202077,000 milesWA

GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THERE WAS JUST ONE VERY LOUD NOISE AND THE GLASS FRAGMENTS STAYED IN PLACE, WITH ONLY A FEW PIECES FALLING INTO THE CAR. NOTHING SUGGESTED THAT THE WINDOW WAS STRUCK BY ANYTHING.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 6, 202061,800 milesAR

PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF WITH PASSENGER ON SEAT. IT CORRECTED ITSELF FOR A WHILE AND NOW IS OFF WHETHER THERE IS OR ISN'T A PASSENGER ABOARD.

Suspension
Filed Feb 5, 202051,950 milesIL

BOTH COIL SPRINGS ON MY 2014 FORESTER FAILED LOCAL SUBARU DEALER REPLACED BOTH SPRINGS AT A COST TOME OF $561.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. IN ADDITION, I WAS CHARGED 99.95 FOR A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT MANDATED BY THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRINGS. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 51,972 ON THE ODOMETER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A SMOOTH STREET WHEN THE SPRINGS SNAPPED. THE RESULT OF THE BROKEN SPRINGS WAS A SAGGING REAR END OF THE VEHICLE MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A SAFETY FAILURE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED WITHOUT CHARGE TO ME. I CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION...HOWEVER, THERE SEEM TO BE VERY MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED ON SUBARU OWNER WEBSITES.

Engine
Filed Feb 4, 202089,751 milesPA

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.

Suspension
Filed Jan 30, 202056,000 milesNY

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE CAR TO SAG. I NOTICED THE SAGGING WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED, I AM NOT SURE WHEN THE SPRING ACTUALLY BROKE. THE SPRING WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING BROKE WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN IN TRAFFIC. THIS SPRING WAS ALSO REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WAS MAKING A RATTLING AND BANGING NOISE. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST A HEAT SHIELD. THE NOISE GOT INCREASINGLY LOUDER AND THE RIDE DEGRADED AND BECAME VERY BOUNCY. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND DISCOVERED THE STRUT WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT WAS UNRELATED TO THE BROKE SPRING. I ALSO HAD THE REAR STRUT REPLACED AT A THIRD VISIT.

Suspension
Filed Jan 27, 2020PA

I FOUND HALF OF THE COIL IN MY GARAGE. THIS WAS TO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SHOCK. I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE OTHER 3 SHOCKS. LOOKS LIKE THE COIL JUST RUSTED OUT.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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