Is the 2014 Subaru Forester a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
A great choice for those needing AWD and space, but watch for transmission woes.
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Pros
- Excellent all-wheel drive system
- Spacious interior and cargo space
- Good crash test scores
Cons
- CVT transmission reliability
- Average fuel economy
- Basic interior materials in base trim
Ownership at a glance
Common problems to watch for
- CVT transmission problems
- Oil consumption issues
- Air conditioning compressor failure
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (2)
The 2014 Subaru Forester has 2 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Equipment (campaign 13V159000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch — Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to c…
- Equipment — Subaru is recalling certain model year 2014 Forester vehicles manufactured from January 2013 through March 2013. The backing for the carpeted floor mats was not manufactured to specification. As a result, the floor mats…
Real owner data from the CarsJudge fleet
3 2014 Subaru Forester owners track this exact car in CarsJudge. Their real maintenance spend over the last 12 months averaged $0/year — logged from actual service records, not estimates.
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
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This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.