2014 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 10%of 403 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,611miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2014 Subaru Forester, 10% of the 403 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,611 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Stopped for red light, when I tried to acceleration heard a loud thump and the car would not move. Abs, transmission light came on. I thought I lost my transmission. Had to be pushed off busy highway and then called triple a to have car towed. Was on route 113. After researching internet found that Subaru extended warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11324789, filed 2020-05, 68,413 miles“Transmission/computer malfunction. Initially driving through mountains, using sport # mode in low speed curves on old road. Had one 'surprise' episode where in a straight section of highway, transmission dowshifted suddenly, with rpms racing up to nearly 5000rpm, although I didn't touch the paddles, and didn't even have my hands on them. …”
NHTSA complaint #11119692, filed 2018-08, 71,000 miles“While travelling at 50 miles per hour in heavy traffic, my car just stopped on the highway. It was during rush hour and it wouldn't move as I pressed the gas pedal. After about one minute the car started to move. Today, the 21st, my wife experienced the same issue while being on a highway. The car won't roll, it just stops dead. You don't have to start again, it will start itself.”
NHTSA complaint #10553267, filed 2013-11, 2,230 miles“The transmission failed completely in july, 2018. I contacted a Subaru dealer on july 30 for service, but the first appointment available was on august 1st. I found out that Subaru had been having some of these problems and extended their warranties. Because my actual service was on august 1st, Subaru said I missed the extended warranty by one day! Corporate Subaru offered to pay half of the $7,500 cost for a new transmission, but I was left to pay the rest. They said if I had been a more loyal customer they would have paid more than half. …”
NHTSA complaint #11181703, filed 2019-02, 110,000 miles“Cvt transmission failure of my 2014 Subaru Forester touring 2.0 turbo model. When I put the car into park and turned off the car after driving, it did not turn off the dashboard lights, the belts were still spinning and I had to remove the battery to shut it off. 1 week later the battery was dead. I jump started and the engine light and other alerts were all lit. When I brought the car to my mechanic, he ran diagnostics and said the transmission will need to be replaced. The car is only 5 years old. Top of the line Subaru and I only have 56,860 miles on the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11241456, filed 2019-08, 56,861 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036810Aug 20, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised…
- 11034242Jun 2, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the…
- 11033063May 13, 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11024861Nov 4, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which enhancement was implemented to prevent abnormal operations. The updated valve body incorporates…
- 11023523Sep 30, 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 15 | 7% |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% |
| 2019 | 38 | 5% |
| 2018 | 23 | 5% |
| 2017 | 46 | 8% |
| 2016 | 51 | 12% |
| 2015 | 95 | 15% |
| 2014 | 41 | 10% |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 15% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% |
| 2000 | 21 | 28% |
| 1999 | 32 | 24% |
| 1998 | 23 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2014 Subaru Forester
94 complaintsEngine
69 complaintsAir bags
57 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
42 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 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