2014 Subaru Forester Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 2%of 403 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,016miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2014 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 403 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,016 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My high beam/daytime running bulb blew on the passenger side. When replacing the bulb I found it had actually melted, and had a large bubble in the glass. Approximately a year previous the drivers side bulb had blown and I had found the same bubble, but didn't report it at that time, assuming it was just something weird that happened once. Now that it's happened twice, once on each side, I'm more concerned there's a larger issue with the electrical components for the blurb to get so hot that it actually melted the glass.”
NHTSA complaint #11202596, filed 2019-04, 112,000 miles“The low beam head lights are very poor, they only project 100 ft . Because of this we hit a deer which caused $4000 damage. Plase tell me you are looking into this problem. The dealership refuses to correct this problem”
NHTSA complaint #10863120, filed 2016-05, 45,000 miles“Repeated issue with headlights failing after very shorty period of time from installation. Replaced headlights 3 times in the past 11 months (have replaced at least 1 additional time since may 2017). Bulbs installed correctly without making contact with any part of bulb except plastic end with bulb grease applied to rear connector.”
NHTSA complaint #11228853, filed 2019-07, 109,000 miles“The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. When the contact parked the vehicle and released the brake pedal, the rear brake lights remained illuminated. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11287842, filed 2019-12, 68,000 miles“The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. While depressing the brake pedal, it would not activate and caused the brake lights to fail. The contact also stated that the vehicle exhibited issues starting due to the brake switch activation failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the switch that activated the brake lights failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10809676, filed 2015-12, 35,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans…Covers: Subaru Forester 2014–2016, Impreza 2008–2016, WRX 2008–2014 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11012260Dec 13, 2024This bulletin is for information purposes only.The bulletin adresses design changes of the headlamps and rear combination lamps, where moisture and or condensation may develop on…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 8 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 | 4 | 5% |
| 2022 | 8 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 15 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2014 Subaru Forester
94 complaintsEngine
69 complaintsAir bags
57 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
42 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
41 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsFuel system
21 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsSeats
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2014 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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