Are there open safety recalls?
2 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2014 Subaru Forester has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 403 owner complaints, and gets about 27 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2014 Subaru Forester
- Engine 4-cyl 2.5L
- Drive All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Should you worry?
Be careful
Serious flags in the public record. Read below, and verify recall work was done.
What do owners report?
28 injuries reported
28 of 403 reports (~7%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2014.
- 201215recalls
- 201312recalls
- 2014 · this car2recalls
- 20153recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2014 Subaru Forester SUV AWD
Open safety recalls
2 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Exterior Lighting
28/02/2019
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.
How they fix it: 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
24/04/2013
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2014.
- 2012105reports
- 201377reports
- 2014 · this car403reports
- 2015613reports
403 owner reports on file
48 crash mentions 3 fire mentions 28 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 403 total reports.
- SUSPENSION 91 of 403
LOW CONTRL ARM BUSHINGS DISTROYED,LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATION UNDER THE CAR.
- AIR BAGS 53 of 403
Airbag warning light came on 1/25, took to Subaru dealership for diagnostic service. Was told the Passenger Front Seat Occupant Detection Sensor Assembly needs to be replaced, airbag system is not functional. Item has been on backorder, u
- ENGINE 38 of 403
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 consumpti
- POWER TRAIN 37 of 403
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently accelerate without warning. Due to the failure, the contact stated that they had hit a building while attempti
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 35 of 403
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Subaru Forester on March 5, 2026. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 32 of 403
Unintended acceleration while parking /braking in front of a Verizon store leading to crash into store
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2014.
- 201223mpg
- 201323mpg
- 2014 · this car27mpg
- 201525mpg
$2,300
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 24 mpg
Highway driving 31 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 27 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $500 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2.5L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.5L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.5 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the suspension
Owners report problems with the suspension more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2014 Subaru Forester listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2014 Subaru Forester? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2014 Subaru Forester, including the exterior lighting. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Subaru Forester get? +
The EPA rates the 2014 Subaru Forester at 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway), about $2,300 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2014 Subaru Forester? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2014 Subaru Forester 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2014 Subaru Forester? +
Owners have filed 403 complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Subaru Forester, including 48 involving a crash. The most-reported area is suspension.
MORE SUBARU RESEARCH
FREE IN THE APP
Comparing a few cars? Save the 2014 Subaru Forester and line it up against the others in the app.
No account. Saving and comparing cars is free.
FREE ON iOS
Shopping for a 2014 Subaru Forester?
Scan any VIN with your camera, save cars you’re comparing, and browse listings near you. All free. Same NHTSA and EPA data you see here, plus a camera-first VIN scanner.