Subaru Forester 2014–2018
4th generation (SJ)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20263,556 complaints, 2,105 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 2,105
- Median of reported failures
- 34,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Airbag system (17.1%)
- Recalls
- 6
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 14,000 and 59,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Subaru Forester 2014–2018 · 2,105 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 243 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (0.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 3,370
- 25%
- 14,000
- Median
- 34,500
- 75%
- 59,000
- 90%
- 87,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 243 | 11.5% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 152 | 7.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 145 | 6.9% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 139 | 6.6% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 143 | 6.8% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 107 | 5.1% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 124 | 5.9% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 113 | 5.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 157 | 7.5% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 89 | 4.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 95 | 4.5% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 78 | 3.7% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 75 | 3.6% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 51 | 2.4% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 62 | 2.9% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 54 | 2.6% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 43 | 2.0% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 37 | 1.8% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 35 | 1.7% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 20 | 1.0% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 24 | 1.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 23 | 1.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 13 | 0.6% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 10 | 0.5% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 13 | 0.6% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 13 | 0.6% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 9 | 0.4% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 6 | 0.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 0.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 3,556 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014–2018 Subaru Forester, and 2,105 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 14,000 and 59,000 miles. The median is 34,500 miles.
The most-reported areas are the airbag system (17.1% of complaints, typically around 36,000 miles), the electrical system (11.0% of complaints, typically around 39,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (10.2% of complaints, typically around 30,000 miles).
6 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2014–2018 Subaru Forester last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2014–2018 Subaru Forester were filed by 34,000 miles and 90% by 87,000 miles — figures drawn from 2,105 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
2 reports (0.1%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Forester reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2014–2018 Forester: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,105 mileage-tagged complaints, 6 recall campaigns, 5 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine (fb25 oil consumption) on 2014–2015 (settlement window); complaints continue 2016–2018 cars. Continued excessive oil consumption from FB25 piston ring design; covered by the same class action settlement population and Subaru extended coverage to 8 years / 100,000 miles for affected vehicles.
- Check transmission (lineartronic CVT) on 2014–2018 cars. CVT chain, valve body and torque converter complaints - shudder, hesitation and in some cases loss of drive. Subaru extended CVT warranty coverage to 10 years / 100,000 miles on affected CVT-equipped vehicles of this…
- Check glass on 2015–2018 cars. Windshield cracking from minor or no apparent impact, the subject of owner litigation across several Subaru models of this era.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 14,000 and 59,000 miles, with a median of 34,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 36,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Subaru Forester 2014–2018
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Throttle and speed control213 reports24,00010,000–46,000Throttle and speed control: 213 reports, median 24,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 46,000 miles.
- Visibility/wiper290 reports25,00012,000–40,000Visibility/wiper: 290 reports, median 25,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 40,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise364 reports30,00011,000–50,000Problems owners could not categorise: 364 reports, median 30,000 miles, middle half 11,000 to 50,000 miles.
- Airbag system607 reports36,00015,000–63,000Airbag system: 607 reports, median 36,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 63,000 miles.
- Engine337 reports38,00016,000–68,000Engine: 337 reports, median 38,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 68,000 miles.
- Electrical system392 reports39,00016,000–55,000Electrical system: 392 reports, median 39,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 55,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline252 reports43,00011,000–73,000Transmission and driveline: 252 reports, median 43,000 miles, middle half 11,000 to 73,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 607 | 17.1% | 36,000 | 15,000–63,000 |
| Electrical system | 392 | 11.0% | 39,000 | 16,000–55,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 364 | 10.2% | 30,000 | 11,000–50,000 |
| Engine | 337 | 9.5% | 38,000 | 16,000–68,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 290 | 8.2% | 25,000 | 12,000–40,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 252 | 7.1% | 43,000 | 11,000–73,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 213 | 6.0% | 24,000 | 10,000–46,000 |
| Suspension | 200 | 5.6% | 53,000 | 39,000–67,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 124 | 3.5% | 38,000 | 14,000–61,000 |
| Brakes | 119 | 3.3% | 34,000 | 18,000–51,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Subaru Forester 2014–2018 · 2,105 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 100%: the remaining 0.1% of reports (2) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
75% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Electrical system — median 39,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 30,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 25,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 24,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Airbag system — middle half 15,000–63,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 16,000–68,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 11,000–73,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
91% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Airbag system — median 36,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 39,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 30,000 mi
- Engine — median 38,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 25,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 43,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 24,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
97% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Airbag system — median 36,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 39,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 30,000 mi
- Engine — median 38,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 25,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 43,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 24,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 34,500 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 17.1% of complaints (607 reports, 285 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 36,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 63,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 11.0% of complaints (392 reports, 186 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 39,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 55,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 10.2% of complaints (364 reports, 194 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 30,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,000 and 50,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 9.5% of complaints (337 reports, 223 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 38,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 68,000 miles.
Visibility/wiper accounts for 8.2% of complaints (290 reports, 213 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 25,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 40,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 7.1% of complaints (252 reports, 169 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 43,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,000 and 73,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2015 model year drew the most — 897 complaints — while 2014 drew the fewest at 576. The median year sits at 675.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around equipment (2), the fuel system (1), the airbag system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,556 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 369 (10.4%)
- Fires
- 26
- Injury reports
- 145
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine (fb25 Oil Consumption) 2014–2015 (settlement window); complaints continue 2016–2018
Continued excessive oil consumption from FB25 piston ring design; covered by the same class action settlement population and Subaru extended coverage to 8 years / 100,000 miles for affected vehicles.
Transmission (lineartronic Cvt) 2014–2018
CVT chain, valve body and torque converter complaints - shudder, hesitation and in some cases loss of drive. Subaru extended CVT warranty coverage to 10 years / 100,000 miles on affected CVT-equipped vehicles of this era.
Glass 2015–2018
Windshield cracking from minor or no apparent impact, the subject of owner litigation across several Subaru models of this era.
Airbags (takata Inflator) 2014–2018
Takata inflator recall population continues into this generation.
Transmission (generation Context) 2014–2018
The Lineartronic CVT became the dominant transmission for the first time in the US Forester with this generation, replacing the 4-speed automatic. CVT failure modes do not apply to 2013-and-earlier US Foresters.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 576 | 414 |
| 2015 | 897 | 604 |
| 2016 | 616 | 319 |
| 2017 | 792 | 441 |
| 2018 | 675 | 327 |
Recalls (6) — is your car included?
Sep 2021 · 2018 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
What can happen. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Feb 2020 · 2015–2018 · Air BagsIf the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
What can happen. If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
Apr 2019 · 2014–2016 · Exterior LightingBrake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The free 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.
Jul 2018 · 2018 · EquipmentInstalling incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
What can happen. Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected label, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTS-78.
Apr 2016 · 2015–2016 · Engine and Engine CoolingAn engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
What can happen. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
Jun 2013 · 2014 · EquipmentCurling of the driver side floor mat could distract the driver and/or interfere with proper operation of one…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. Curling of the driver side floor mat could distract the driver and/or interfere with proper operation of one or a combination of, the vehicle's clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals. Brake or accelerator pedal interference may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash.
The free 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 June 5, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQH-44.
What owners reported
When i purchased my new vehicle last july, i noticed driving it home there was a "clunk" sound coming from the front end when i went over railroad tracks or any bump. I took it back to Subaru and they found a bent and twisted part on the right front suspension. I now have 19k on my car a year later. I noticed my right…
2014 · 6 miles · Suspension
On summer 2015, i had a problem with my 2014 Subaru Forester xt. I'm a Subaru fan. My car is equipped with eyesight system, which will apply brakes for me in case i don't or will increase brake force to avoid a collision in case i didn't. This is one of the strongest selling points of the eyesight system: frontal…
2014 · 20 miles · Brakes
After i purchased my vehicle, i noticed a hesitation between 20 - 40 MPH. This is the first year for the Forester's to have a CVT engine so i thought it needed broken in. I also went through 3 cycles of filling up my gas tank from 3 different gas stations and the hesitation continued. The first time i brought it in…
2014 · 25 miles · Throttle and speed control
Within a few days of having the car, i noted that it did not move forward smoothly from a dead stop but surged ahead. I had not depressed the gas pedal very far. There after i am very careful to depress the gas pedal very carefully until the engine responds smoothly to a normal speed. I never had this happen in any…
2014 · 98 miles · Throttle and speed control
Built from 2,105 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page