Model year guide

2014 Subaru Forester

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2014 Subaru Forester is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 240 on record.

2014 Subaru Forester — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2014 Subaru Forester at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints403
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined25 mpg
Typical price$20,639

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2014 Subaru Forester recalls 2

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #19V149000 · 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 transm…

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #13V159000 · 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.

Fix: 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 Ju…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2014 Subaru Forester common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 403 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2014 Subaru Forester safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2014 Subaru Forester SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2014 Subaru Forester MPG & running costs

Combined25 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,633

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2014 Subaru Forester worth?

Low
$13,000
Typical price
$20,639
High
$26,800

From 237 comparable 2014 Subaru Forester listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2014 Subaru Forester costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,165
Depreciation (5 yrs)$11,700
Total$24,865
Per mile$0.33

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($20,639) with the same model 5 model-years older ($8,936), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2014 Subaru Forester trims & engines on record

Trims
2.5i Premium PZEV · 2.5i PZEV · 2.0XT Touring · 2.5i Limited PZEV · 2.5i Touring PZEV · Premium+AWP+M/R · Base · Premium+M/R · Touring+NAVI+H/K+M/R · Limited+M/R
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl

2014 Subaru Forester vehicles on record

Other Subaru Forester model years

2014 Subaru Forester — frequently asked questions

Does the 2014 Subaru Forester have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2014 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Subaru Forester?

Based on 403 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine, air bags.

What is the 2014 Subaru Forester safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2014 Subaru Forester an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2014 Subaru Forester get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2014 Subaru Forester at about 25 mpg combined (23 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 2014 Subaru Forester worth?

Comparable 2014 Subaru Forester listings run roughly $13,000–$26,800, typically around $20,639 (from 237 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.