2014 Subaru Forester Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 403 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the seats of the 2014 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 403 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles.
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 vehicle has a problem with the airbag system. I was first alerted by my cars warning system, which states 'srs airbag system needs to be checked' and gives me a red warning symbol of the airbag being inflated. Secondly it shows my passenger airbag is off even when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. This warning did not come on due to a collision as my vehicle has never been in a collision or involved in an accident otherwise. It simply appeared seemingly out of nowhere for no reason at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #11151811, filed 2018-11, 110,000 miles“Airbag warning light is lit on the main cluster behind the steering wheel and also on the center display. I believe the system is faulty and I'm seeing an overwhelming number of similar complaints online. I'm worried the airbags will not deploy in an accident. My car has never been in an accident, I have never spilled fluids on the seats which seems to be a common phrase coming from mechanics at Subaru service centers. Subaru should be responsible for their safety systems. They should diagnose and fix this safety problem. This is not a part that that experiences wear and tear like brake pads. …”
NHTSA complaint #11340120, filed 2020-07, 50,000 miles“I was driving my 6 month old 2014 Subaru Forester at about 50 MPH at night and my driver's seat began reclining. I almost lost control of the car and had an accident because the mechanism to stop it was not working. It happened three more times after that occurrence. Also, the power lift gate was inoperable. I had to crawl into the back cargo area to try to open the rear lift gate. It would not open, even from the inside. It was reinitialized several times by kingery rye Subaru in rye, ny and they failed to correct the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10586411, filed 2014-05, 7,000 miles“When I bought the car in 2016 the drivers seat cover had cracks in the bottom left seat cushion cover. The left bottom seat cover was replaced. Now 4 years later the same area on the replacement seat cover is cracking. In addition the passenger side seat cover is cracking on the right side seat cushion cover.”
NHTSA complaint #11318991, filed 2020-03, 110,000 miles“Passenger occupancy sensor faulty. With an adult passenger present in the seat, the passenger airbag system will frequently turn off while the vehicle is in motion. This can sometimes be resolved by pulling over and restarting the vehicle. Restarting the vehicle does nor reliably resolve the error.”
NHTSA complaint #11258844, filed 2019-09, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10252544Mar 28, 2024Due to limited part supply, the availability of the passenger front seat cushion may not satisfy demand. To reduce extended downtime for the customer, this bulletin announces the…
- 10213197May 23, 2022This bulletin announces a design change made to the Slide Rail components of the left and right front power seat frame / track assembliesd.
- 10201027Aug 4, 2021This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10186399Jan 26, 2021This bulletin announces a design change made to the front seat hinge bolts.
- 10186363Jan 12, 2021This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10185082Dec 15, 2020This bulletin provides a procedure to address customer concerns of a squeaking sound originating from where the front seat belt buckle assembly attaches to the seat frame.
- 10175977May 5, 2020This bulletin announces a design change made to the Slide Rail components of the left and right front power seat frame / track assemblies used on the models listed.
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 0% |
| 2018 | 30 | 6% |
| 2017 | 34 | 6% |
| 2016 | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 | 22 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 76 | 29% |
| 2009 | 16 | 9% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
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 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 29, 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