This 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 orignal bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Subaru Forester powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Subaru Forester have filed 37 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 68,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Forester | 7 |
| 2011 Forester | 7 |
| 2012 Forester | 5 |
| 2013 Forester | 6 |
| 2014 Forester (this page) | 37 |
| 2015 Forester | 90 |
| 2016 Forester | 43 |
| 2017 Forester | 42 |
| 2018 Forester | 18 |
6crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 37 powertrain complaints filed for the 2014 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 37 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This 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 an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Forester CVT is a known problem. Owners report sudden loss of propulsion on highways—transmission goes "out of gear" with engine RPM spiking to 5,000 while the vehicle coasts to a stop. Other owners experience complete transmission failure at 56k to 150k miles, with dealer estimates for replacement ranging $7,500 to $11,784. Uncommanded acceleration is equally serious: vehicles lurch forward violently in parking lots and car washes despite brake pressure, resulting in crashes, injuries, and total losses. Subaru issued an extended CVT warranty in 2018 covering 100k miles / 10 years, but denies claims filed even one day or 12,000 miles past expiration—some owners pay $1,900 to $2,000 out-of-pocket for repairs. Intermittent power loss under load affects many examples, making passing dangerous; dealers cannot replicate or fix it. Early 2014 models also consumed oil excessively (1.5 quarts per 5,000 miles), leading to a class action settlement and one engine replacement at 7,600 miles. Hill Assist, brake light switches, crankshaft sensors, and parking sensors have also failed, though less frequently. Subaru recalled only 2018+ Ascent models for CVT defects, leaving 2014 Foresters unprotected despite identical failures.
Same Subaru Forester powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Failure — Loss of Drive or Complete Shutdown
CVT completely fails to engage, goes out of gear while driving, or enters limp mode. Vehicle may lose all propulsion despite engine running, shift into neutral unexpectedly, or require restart to regain function. Owners report sudden loss of power on highways and surface streets, sometimes requiring roadside restart procedures.
When: 70k–150k miles; intermittent onset but escalates with mileage. One case at 56,860 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly loses propulsion or "out of gear" sensation; Engine revs spike (to 5000+ RPM) with no wheel movement; Transmission fails to engage when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse; Vehicle stalls and will not restart immediately; requires waiting or reset procedure; Limp mode engagement; Transmission grinding noise preceding failure
Codes mentioned: P0700 (Transmission Control Module), P2764 (Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Control Circuit Low)
Repairs/costs cited: CVT valve body replacement $2,200. Full CVT transmission replacement $7,500–$11,784. Fluid change alone does not resolve. One owner had transmission replaced twice but failed a third time at 58k miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru issued extended CVT warranty to 100,000 miles / 10 years (2018 settlement) covering specific components. Recall issued only for 2018+ Ascent models, not 2014 Forester. Service Bulletin 16-107-17R (dated 06/21/17, revised 11/09/17) noted for 2014 Forester CVT issues.
Uncommanded Acceleration or Lurching Forward
Vehicle accelerates suddenly and violently without driver input, despite brake pedal depressed or foot off accelerator. Occurs during low-speed maneuvers (parking, car washes, reversing) and at highway speeds. Owners report difficulty or resistance shifting gears, then violent forward surge.
When: Occurs across all mileage ranges; early as 2013 model year introduction and recurring throughout ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt acceleration while braking or stationary; Vehicle lurches forward after shifting into drive or reverse; Resistance in shift lever before violent engagement; Loss of brake effectiveness during acceleration event; Vehicle tears through barriers or crashes into obstacles; Rear-end collision risk (tailgater involvement noted)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have been unable to isolate root cause. One carwash incident resulted in total loss. Another incident caused compression fracture to occupant. Costco parking lot incident caused rear-end damage to vehicle and injury to driver.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall WQW-58R (Feb 2016) for abrupt power loss / loss of acceleration; dealer alleged sabotage; California Bureau of Automotive Repair cited dealership (Case SA2016005132). No manufacturer-issued fix documented in complaints.
Intermittent Loss of Power / Engine Stalling Under Load
Engine stalls or loses power temporarily during acceleration or highway cruise, then recovers. Vehicle may hesitate, surge, or sputter. Occurs repeatedly over months or years, making vehicle unsafe for passing or highway merging. Differs from complete CVT failure—engine runs but does not deliver power to wheels.
When: Onset 20k–30k miles; continues through 90k+ miles. Intermittent, sometimes months apart, sometimes mile after mile.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power while accelerating or at highway speed; Engine stutters or sputters under load; Vehicle hesitates for several seconds before responding to throttle; Flat or slow acceleration despite heavy throttle input; Multiple gear shifts with varying RPM; Backfiring under acceleration; Chugging or jerking at low speeds (20–40 mph)
Codes mentioned: Check Engine, AT Temp, Vehicle Dynamics Control
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleaning of throttle body and upper engine service attempted; unable to replicate or resolve. One owner paid $2,000 out-of-pocket for transmission repair after extended warranty denied due to mileage overage (100,001 miles vs. 100k limit). Owner paid $1,931 for CVT failure repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty covers CVT to 100k miles / 10 years (2018). Owners report Subaru denies coverage if failure occurs even 1 day or 12k miles after warranty expiration. No service bulletin addressing intermittent power loss located in complaints.
Transmission Shift Lever Resistance or Inability to Shift from Drive to Park
Transmission shift lever sticks or exhibits abnormal resistance when moving between gears. In one case with dead battery, lever could not be moved from Drive to Park, preventing parking. Reverse shifts require multiple attempts and unusual force.
When: 2013–2014 model introduction through higher mileage; one occurrence at low battery voltage.
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever requires excessive force or exhibits resistance; Unable to move lever from Drive to Park with dead battery; Multiple attempts required to shift into reverse; Difficulty moving from neutral to drive (post-carwash); Vehicle rolls backward in Drive (noted on multiple occasions)
Repairs/costs cited: One incident resolved after vehicle sat 1 hour. No repair noted. Shift lever resistance persists; owners report workarounds but no dealer fix.
RPM Elevation and Transmission Whining on Cold Start or Heater Activation
Engine RPM increases 300–600 RPM above idle when heater is turned on in cold weather or at stops. CVT transmission whines loudly and shifts into lower gear. Condition persists 15–20 minutes then subsides. Potentially unsafe on slippery roads due to elevated engine load.
When: Cold weather operation; occurs after engine warmup.
Symptoms owners cite: RPM rises 300–400 when heater is turned on; RPM rises additional 500–600 at traffic lights or stop signs; CVT transmission whines loudly; Transmission downshifts and operates in lower range; Elevated RPM (1000+ above normal) for 15–20 minutes; RPM normalizes when heater is shut off
Excessive Oil Consumption
Engine consumes oil at abnormally high rate. Oil warning light illuminates before first scheduled oil change (at 3,000 miles). Owners make frequent service visits (every 6 weeks or more). One case resulted in short-block engine replacement at 7,600 miles.
When: Onset within first 3,000 miles; escalates through ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil warning light illuminates prematurely; Low oil level between service intervals; Consumption rate approximately 1.5 quarts per 5,000 miles; Frequent 'topping off' required by service technicians
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle received short-block engine replacement at 7,600 miles (less than 1 year, factory lease). Post-repair vibration and rough idle reported. Part of class action settlement for oil consumption defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action settlement issued; settlement notice mailed (District Court of New Jersey). Oil consumption settlement class noted at oilconsumption.settlementclass.com. No dealer-performed fix mentioned; settlement notification suggests owner reimbursement claim process.
Hill Assist or Brake Hold System Malfunction
Hill Assist (brake hold on incline) or related brake-hold system fails or activates unexpectedly. Dashboard warning lights indicate malfunction. One case reports vehicle applying brakes without driver input while driving.
When: Varies; one case with 58k+ miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Hill Assist warning or malfunction light illuminates; Vehicle may unexpectedly apply brakes while driving; Brake hold system may fail when needed (reversing on hill)
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru sells a kit with replacement parts and fluid for this repair; independent shop performed repair (TSB for Hill Assist noted). Cost not detailed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repair addressed by kit provided by Subaru; independent shop noted 'known problem' with 4 repairs performed at that location. Service Bulletin or TSB referenced.
Crankshaft Sensor Failure Leading to Engine Stall
Crankshaft sensor malfunction causes engine to die while driving. Vehicle stalls in middle of road on highway, unable to restart immediately. Check Engine light illuminates before stall.
When: Mileage not specified; well-maintained vehicle with regular dealer service.
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light illuminates; Engine dies while driving at highway speed; Vehicle stalls in traffic lane; unable to restart immediately
Codes mentioned: Crankshaft sensor fault (diagnosed by dealer)
Brake Light Switch Defect Causing Limp Mode
Defective brake light switch (installed as part of recall 6 months prior) triggers transmission limp mode. Vehicle becomes unresponsive to accelerator at highway speed, then recovers.
When: Installed as recall repair; defect manifested approximately 6 months later at 65 mph highway speed.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle unresponsive to accelerator at highway speed; Speed drops suddenly; Transmission enters limp mode; Recovery in a few seconds
Repairs/costs cited: Brake light switch defect resolved without replacement per dealer claim.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB noted; defect diagnosed as related to prior brake light switch recall.
Parking Sensor Failure
Parking sensor malfunction. Multiple complaints and forum reports. Technical Service Bulletin issued.
When: Mileage not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Parking sensor inoperative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 16-112-18R issued; numerous complaints on forums and websites.
Synthesized from 37 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Failure of the continuous variable transmission (CVT) is a known and dangerous defect for certain models of subarus. Subaru of america issued an extended warranty in 2018 which partially addressed CVT problems, but fell short of a recall, which is what customers deserve and are owed. Additionally, this extended warranty only recognized problems with specific CVT components, but omitted other CVT…
On Friday, 12-3-21 I was in an accident in my local Costco parking lot while backing out of my spot. While backing out of the spot slowly with the wheel turned, my 2014 Subaru Forester had a sudden and extreme acceleration in reverse doing a reverse u-turn into a parked car causing considerable damage to the rear end of both cars. I am certain that I did not to press the gas pedal as this is a…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2014 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 37 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 16,320 and 86,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,320; a quarter make it past 86,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.