general problems of the 2014 Subaru Forester - part 1

Unintended acceleration while parking /braking in front of a verizon store leading to crash into store.

I was on the freeway when the check engine light came on with an alert I couldn't read in time before it disappeared. Then the gas pedal stopped working. I got to a safe place and shut off the car. My brother-in-law then drove the car the 5 miles back home on local roads - he videod the throttle ramping up when he was either braking or the foot wasn't on the gas pedal, which happened 4-5 times. Subaru service pulled fault code p2138.

The vehicle had 2 dangerous incidents on the interstate, once in 2021 and 2024. After longer 3+ hours of driving, and low on gas, the vehicle lost power, forcing me to coast to the shoulder. Once shut off and restarted, it was perfectly fine. The first time it was on cruise control, driving from illinois to texas. The most recent time it was not on cruise control, driving from houston to dallas and back. The dealer service center has not found the issue, and I recently traded it in for a newer 2024 model.

The key gets stuck when trying to remove it from the ignition while the car is in park. It can not be fully rotated to the off position and removed, which prevents the driver from leaving the car. The key only comes out after repeated starting of the car and moving it back and forth. The issue is intermittent and unpredictable. Subaru has issued a bulletin report #: 16-112-18r.

I had 2 accidents with this car. The first was on October 10, 2023. I pulled into a parking space and braked. I move forward a little more and braked again. The car suddenly accelerated and hit 2 vehicles parking across from me. My car was damaged, and one of the cars I hit was badly damaged, and the other had less damage. My 93 year old father was not injured. I had an injury on my hand, where the skin split between my right hand and forefinger. Fortunately there was no one in either of the other cars. I do not know if the vehicle was inspected by anyone. There was no warning light. It all happened in seconds. I had no idea what happened, so I thought my foot must have slipped and hit the gas pedal. I had my car repaired at the apple Subaru's body shop in york, PA. It was in the shop for about a month. I drove it aroung for a few weeks then started noticing some lurching forward after braking. I still assumed my foot my foot must be slipping. On December 1, 1923, I decided to go to our local farmer's market for apples. The car lurched a few times causing me to run a stop sign. I decided it was unfit to go on to the market and decided to take it to my service station. The service station is located on a ridge. There office and some of the garage bays are on the upper level on the ridge. The property goes downhill around that. There is an entry next to the office that is marked as a handicapped space. I was not thinking clearly when I decided to park there. I pulled partway into the space, braked, and then moved forward a bit. When I braked the car took off at a high speed, through a railing, over the edge, and landed sideways on the ground below. I was trapped in the car and had to be removed by firefighters. When they pulled me out I was taken to the er. My car was totalled. My son did some research and sent me some links. I am now sure that the cause was the sudden acceleration problem with Subaru. I have reported this to Subaru.

Once the car is turned off, the key cannot be removed from the ignition. From my internet search, this appears to be a common problem with 2014-2018 Subaru vehicles. Can a recall be initiated? thank you.

Several warning messages appeared on the dash at the same time: check engine, check emissions control system, hill start assist system needs to be checked. In addition, the pictures of a car climbing a hill and a car with swerving skid marks behind it lit up. (I don't know the official names of these icons. ) the engine then either lost power and would not accelerate when I pressed the gas pedal or would rev and accelerate on its own, even when I had the brake depressed. I have taken my car into the dealership 4 times over the past two years for this same issue. I do not have the exact dates of the first two instances, but the last two were on July 7, 2021, and September 17, 2021. Each time the dealer has been able to verify the warning lights and unintended acceleration. They say the problem is with the brake pedal assembly and have replaced it with a new assembly 3 times. They're working on the 4th one right now.

I reached inside the back lift gate of the car when it dropped on my head. I went to the er where they did a CT and mri of my head and spine to rule out a fracture or head bleed. There was no warning message on the dash or problem noted from the dealership. I have owned the car since April 2021 and had no problem with it before that day. The car dealership has replaced the hydraulic lift struts on the back lift door. So I don't know if they still have the defective parts. I have contacted my insurance company but no representative came out to see it. A video of what the door did was sent to the car dealership and the insurance company.

Hello, my name is [xxx], I am disabled (ada) following brain surgery at mass general hospital (December, 2005, [xxx], MD). I have since walked with a cane, was required to retire approx 10 years ago, and have routine seizures. I apologize for this, but I feel the air conditioning should be covered, as in many situations (especially with global warming), the cooling is required for the elderly and for people with medical conditions. Please reconsider allowing the faulty air conditioning systems in 2014 Subaru Foresters to be covered under payment by Subaru. The car referenced belongs to my sister nancy english, who commonly drives me to places I need to go. The cost is not expected to be too overwhelming, but I feel the air conditioning is more important to (many) people, than was established some years ago. Thank you sincerely. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Right trunk tail gate broke at pivot point due to rust. I had lifted the rear trunk door up to remove packages when the trunk door suddenly came down on my head. Subaru had issued a warning about this but this should be a recall!! I was thankful a child was not standing next to me! the dealer replaced both gates when I complained.

Child locks on both rear doors are stuck. Based on the online forums, this is a common issue that Subaru is charging a $300 repair per door. It is a safety concern now that my children are old enough to not need safety locks.

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.

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. . Read more...

The horn has stopped working.

Warning lights keep going on while driving including the "abs warning light", "hill assist" and "vehicle dynamics control" . This always disengages the cruise control and often happens after driving for awhile. This didn't start happening until I had the dealer replace the clock spring due to non working horn and cruise control and trouble with steering roll connector. They also replaced rear coil springs and rear left wheel bearing and backing plate.

Horn doesn't work. Only works when I lock the car.

The horn stopped working.

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.

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!!.

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.

Tailgate lift support failures- on Nov 3, 2019, my 2014 Forester was parked in my driveway. I opened the tailgate and allowed my dog to jump into the back of the car. When I closed the tailgate there was a loud metal-on-metal crunching noise. I carefully opened the tailgate and then noticed that the driver's side tailgate lift support was hanging down because it had snapped off from where it connected to the tailgate. The crunching metal sound was caused by the tailgate being closed on top of the broken lift support. The tailgate door would not remain open on its own which made it nearly impossible to load or unload the rear of the vehicle without another person to assist. My husband was able to locate a new lift support online and he replaced the part himself. On Dec 28, 2019, my car was parked in a parking lot and we had just placed some packages in the rear of the car. When my husband closed the tailgate we heard the same awful noise. This time it was the passenger side lift support which had failed. But in this instance, as the tailgate closed on top of the broken lift support, it broke the taillight.

Broken right rear coil discovered during oil change, no known cause.

Vehicle was parked when the driver's side tailgate strut/support failed just as automated cargo door was closing as owner was removing an item from the cargo area. There was a loud bang as the cargo door that it was supporting suddenly fell down. User got a glancing blow on the top of the head. No medical intervention required, but could have been worse if person was more in the way of the falling cargo door. Passenger side srut support was still intact, but as driver's side broke door could not be fully supported. Tailgate strut swung out as it was still partially attached as bolts on one end did not become loose, but prevented door from closing all the way, as strut was hanging (stuck) out of cargo door on the driver's side. This also caused door open light and vehicle interior lights to stay on. Inspection of the failed showa brand strut number 13i062c revealed corrosion on the black tube as well as on the end of the strut that broke off on it's top end from the vehicle. Further inspection revealed corrosion on the passengers side strut that was still in place. Dealer said it was not safe to leave remaining strut on car, as it would likely fail as well. Ultimately dealer ordered the new parts and installed them. Subaru of America reimbursed owner for repairs and dealer had owner sign waiver releasing Subaru of America from any personal injury claims as a result of the strut failure. Vehicle is less than 5 years old and well-maintained.

Vehicle stall on a flat straight highway with speed around 40mph. The engine then shutdown after the stalling. Low fuel light is on even gas is more than half tank. Then the hill assist lights is on. I pulled over, restart the engine and drive home. Two days later, the same issue happen on highway, this time the travel speed is 55mph on a flat straight highway.

Key gets stuck in ignition, wont come out! the vehicle is stationary.

Both rear suspension coil springs broke and need to be replaced and so do the struts. Both broke while driving on a well paved rode going 35 mph. I did not hit or run over anything. They completely snapped apart. This is clearly due to defective part as there are 100's of complaints for this happening to 2014-2015 model Foresters and coming from a family of mechanics, this does not just happen. The car has 50k miles and is only driven on well paved roads. Springs broke while driving kids in back. Car very unstable and cannot stop as quickly. Really unsafe. These need to be recalled.

Car showed ignition on when the car was turned off. Same day while driving on highway car engine revved for no reason. Also when someone got out of parked car it said no key detected but car was still turned on and key was right beside me.

I cannot get the vehicle in gear I. E. From park to reverse or drive.

Repeated thumping noise when turning left at speed approx. 25 mph. Noticed 2 or 3 months ago. Odometer at about 79000 miles. Dealer diagnosed bad wheel bearings and repaired them for $700+. No change noticed. Dealer diagnosed and replaced defective auto transmission at no expense to me. (amazing!) I still hear the noise when I turn left. I am concerned that this might indicate a safety issue. Web search "subaruforester. Org" shows several similar complaints but no resolution.

July 6, 2018 driving on city street when my foot had the brake depressed and the auto suddenly accelerated so much that I had to turn into a curb to avoid a collision with another vehicle - I hit a curb with one tire to avoid accident and had to get four new tires because it is awd. Today my brake was depressed and it accelerated when I was in reverse then attempting to get SUV into drive - driving down my daughter's driveway today, it accelerated so rapidly unintended that pressing the brake would not stop vehicle - engaged emergency brake and it still did not stop it - placed it into park and pressing brake continuously and emergency brake engaged, finally stopped the car at roadside after turning off ignition - very hazardous safety issue - lucky no one was hurt or killed - this SUV is a dangerous vehicle - having it towed by aaa tomorrow morning to dealer. What can I do about this? it has only 41,870 miles on it - bought it brand new from the dealer in may 2014 and I am only driver. Help!.

Excessive oil consumption. I bought this 2014 Subaru Forester sometime in August 2013. This was the very first vehicle I ever bought, not knowing any facts about lemon laws. I was driving back from south dakota sometime in July 2014 on a Sunday night when the low oil lamp turned on. I was on the freeway in the middle of nowhere, so I had to drive maybe 3-4 hrs more to find an open mechanic. Mechanic came back to me and said that when he dipped the stick, the oil barely registered. I had about 8,000 miles at this point. I should've filed a lemon law complaint at this point. But I was too young and naive. I went to the dealership and we did an oil consumption test, maybe 3-5 more times. Sometimes the lamp wouldn't light up, sometimes it lights up at around 1500 miles or past it. Around Dec 2015, Subaru finally decided to change my short block. I never had a chance to fully drive my vehicle as I got stationed overseas in March 2016. I came back from overseas in April 2017. Issue persisted again in March 2018. Did about 2-3 oil consumption test until the new Subaru dealership I went to got an approval to change the short block for the second time. Now, a month later after short block overhaul #2, the low oil lamp turned on again. I've pretty much gotten to know the service reps at my local Subaru shops. Subaru has no response to this issue. Except to top my oil off. Waste my time everytime I go past 1000+ miles and give me anxiety. I've emailed Subaru of America about the issue as well. All I have is a complaint ticket from them with no real solution.

While driving on the highway, my passenger seatbelt light was going off & dinging-did not have a passenger-turns out it was my airbag in my passenger seat. -faulty switch. While driving on city streets my abs, hill start assist & vehicle dynamics lights all came on-faulty switch again. While driving and parked my blue tooth disconnects & still says it is connected, drops calls, not able to place calls, not able to listen to anything through my phone that is supposed to be connected to my blue tooth. It is illegal to have a handheld phone and use it while driving-this is not safe-Subaru of America continues to say there is nothing wrong with my stereo or car that its my phone well I upgraded my phone to a samsung s9 & I continue to have this problem on a daily basis!.

Ac compressor went after 3 years (went at the end of summer last year 2017) and I live in the north east where we only use ac less than half of the year. Also rear suspension spring went this year. Both of these issues are extremely premature on a 2014 model year vehicle. There are no good after market options for either of these parts so had to use oem (Subaru) parts. The springs have been re-enforced with a white coating that is not on the original and they were on back order for 3 weeks (that's after calling about the delay and getting them expedited) showing there is an issue with this part. The springs broke while driving making a very loud bang then feeling very unsafe to drive.

While parking this vehicle on the street, in front of our apt. , smoke came from under the hood, once parked and hood opened, engine caught on fire, fire dept. Was called. The car is totaled. (I do not want to upload pictures, due to identifiable info. In the pictures. ).

Once and a while I can,t remove the key from the ignition . The car is off ,I just cant remove the key. After about 1/2 hour I can remove the key.