2014 Subaru Forester Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 10%of 403 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,222miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the electrical system of the 2014 Subaru Forester, 10% of the 403 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,222 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11374869, filed 2020-11, 25,000 miles“I noticed that (while in cruise control mode) the system does not account or compensate for downhill travel at all. While set to ~60mph, the vehicle accelerated in a moderate downhill incline to reach 70mph. As I began to notice and correct this technical error, I was stopped by a police officer and written a ticket for speeding 70mph in a 55mph zone.”
NHTSA complaint #11122687, filed 2018-08, 1 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11321944, filed 2020-04, 60,000 miles“Fuel gauge registers 3/4 full even when filled to capacity. I drove 50 miles on may 8, 2017 and it still registered the same when I returned. I tried adding additional gas but the gas pump shut off as it will do automatically when the tank is full.”
NHTSA complaint #10984934, filed 2017-05, 44,742 miles“Takata recall: the ignition switch will not release the key when I turn off the motor and push it in to release the key. This happens when I park the car, have turned off the motor and prepare to exit the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11244417, filed 2019-08, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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- 11036807Aug 20, 2026This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11036794Aug 5, 2026Techtips newsletter locator index.
- 11036789Aug 1, 2026This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the…
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- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11030560Mar 26, 2026This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 25% |
| 2025 | 9 | 9% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 34 | 16% |
| 2020 | 103 | 17% |
| 2019 | 134 | 16% |
| 2018 | 71 | 14% |
| 2017 | 106 | 18% |
| 2016 | 93 | 22% |
| 2015 | 82 | 13% |
| 2014 | 42 | 10% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 10 | 9% |
| 2011 | 11 | 7% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 22 | 12% |
| 2008 | 5 | 10% |
| 2007 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 7 | 8% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2014 Subaru Forester
94 complaintsEngine
69 complaintsAir bags
57 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsVehicle speed control
42 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
41 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsSeats
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2014 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology