31 of the
576 complaints about the 2014 Subaru Forester are about the
braking system — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
41,870 miles.
I was driving my 2014 Subaru Forester (about 148,000 miles) behind a minivan at a safe distance and speed. Without warning, my vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Despite applying the brakes, shifting into low gear, and using the emergency brake, I was unable to slow it down. After impact, the car then hit a telephone pole, spun me around and rolled the car over. There is major damage to the car and we looked at it at the tow yard but the salvage adjuster is moving it shortly.
NHTSA complaint #11700275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pulteney, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake line junction, just in front of rear passenger wheel, rusted and failed catastrophically losing all braking while driving. This is similar to the previous recall in 2014 when "more than 600,000 vehicles in the United States due to a potential issue with brake line corrosion" for many Subaru vehicles. "The recall affected vehicles built between 2005 and 2014 that were registered in states that use road salt in cold weather." SOA claims that the 2014 Forrester is not included in the recall and refuse all responsibility for repairs.
NHTSA complaint #11594939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes completely failed on the car when driving. Had it towed to the Subaru dealer, which reports that it’s the SAME issue as the recall on the 2008-13 Foresters: rear brake lines rusted completely through. Subaru claims it’s unrelated.
NHTSA complaint #11581971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
York, PACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I had 2 accidents with this car. The first was on October 10, 2023. I pulled into a parking space and braked. I move forward a little more and braked again. The car suddenly accelerated and hit 2 vehicles parking across from me. My car was damaged, and one of the cars I hit was badly damaged, and the other had less damage. My 93 year old father was not injured. I had an injury on my hand, where the skin split between my right hand and forefinger. Fortunately there was no one in either of the other cars. I do not know if the vehicle was inspected by anyone. There was no warning light. It all happened in seconds. I had no idea what happened, so I thought my foot must have slipped and hit the gas pedal. I had my car repaired at the Apple Subaru's body shop in York, PA. It was in the shop for about a month. I drove it aroung for a few weeks then started noticing some lurching forward after braking. I still assumed my foot my foot must be slipping. On December 1, 1923, I decided to go to our local farmer's market for apples. The car lurched a few times causing me to run a stop sign. I decided it was unfit to go on to the market and decided to take it to my service station. The service station is located on a ridge. There office and some of the garage bays are on the upper level on the ridge. The property goes downhill around that. There is an entry next to the office that is marked as a handicapped space. I was not thinking clearly when I decided to park there. I pulled partway into the space, braked, and then moved forward a bit. When I braked the car took off at a high speed, through a railing, over the edge, and landed sideways on the ground below. I was trapped in the car and had to be removed by firefighters. When they pulled me out I was taken to the ER. My car was totalled. My son did some research and sent me some links. I am now sure that the cause was the sudden acceleration problem with Subaru. I have reported this to Subaru.
NHTSA complaint #11561752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Annapolis, MD
SERVICE BRAKES
While driving our 2014 Subaru Forester Inclined Assist, ABS, and maintenance lights and worded warnings came on. I scheduled a repair for asap which was completed on 10/13/2022. The independent shop told me the repair was a known problem and this shop has done 4 of these repairs. Subaru actually sells a kit with the parts and fluid (?) for the repair. My understanding is inclined assist (when car is on a certain slope0 can apply the breaks to prevent roll back. I do not know how common this failure is, but failure could cause an accident. One report I read on line claimed while driving the car started applying the brakes without the driver doing anything. Is this possible, I do not know.
NHTSA complaint #11489206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Island, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
As I was going into a right turn, the brake line failed and leaked a significant amount of brake fluid making continued driving dangerous. Just before the failure, the light for low break fluid came on but there was very little warning before braking was a problem due to a significant leak. The part is no longer available as it has been repaired. I was advised by the non-dealer repair shop that it rusted out where the line comes out from under the floor.
NHTSA complaint #11476564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,765 milesMeridian, IDCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while she had the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated unintendedly. The vehicle crashed into the garage in front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact had not received any injuries. There was damage to the garage, itself. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic or dealer as of yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,765.
NHTSA complaint #11476299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, ORCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
September 6,2018 the vehicle suddenly unintentionally accelerated. Came off the highway.Pulled in to a parking lot to turn around. Reaching for the shifter with my foot on the brake. The vehicle went 42mph in less than four feet, a woman was directly in the front center of vehicle when a loud roar happened. The woman jumped out of the way. As the 2014 Subaru Forester shot forward hitting a suburban and then bounced off a fence to stop in the road next to us. Had to fight to get towed to Gresham Subaru. Pulled dtcs and box information.Subaru denies SUA, has a recall on BLS. No airbag deployed, brakes did not work. Skid marks and chunks of tires.
NHTSA complaint #11436859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellingham, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
Several warning messages appeared on the dash at the same time: Check engine, Check emissions control system, Hill start assist system needs to be checked. In addition, the pictures of a car climbing a hill and a car with swerving skid marks behind it lit up. (I don't know the official names of these icons.) The engine then either lost power and would not accelerate when I pressed the gas pedal or would rev and accelerate on its own, even when I had the brake depressed. I have taken my car into the dealership 4 times over the past two years for this same issue. I do not have the exact dates of the first two instances, but the last two were on July 7, 2021, and September 17, 2021. Each time the dealer has been able to verify the warning lights and unintended acceleration. They say the problem is with the brake pedal assembly and have replaced it with a new assembly 3 times. They're working on the 4th one right now.
NHTSA complaint #11435778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesPittsburgh, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR WHEEL BACKING PLATE DESIGN. NHTSA ID #10185064. OCCURRED ON MY 2014 FORESTER WITH 34,000 MILES (GARAGED). MADE A HOWLING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS. REPLACED BY DEALER $700 PARTS AND LABOR. NEVER HAD THIS ON ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. CLEARLY A DESIGN ISSUE. PLEASE SUPPORT A RECALL. NOT SAFE FOR CARS TO BE MAKING THAT KIND OF NOISE, EVEN THOUGH TECHNICALLY PASSED PA STATE INSPECTION. THANKS. .
NHTSA complaint #11406305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rocky River, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE MY BACK LIGHT ON BY ITSELF WITHOUT HIT BREAKS AND BACK DOOR POTON DOES NOT WORK AND I HAVE LIGHT ON MY BOARD ALWAYS LIGHT UP
NHTSA complaint #11394943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesUpton, MA
SERVICE BRAKES
WARNING LIGHTS KEEP GOING ON WHILE DRIVING INCLUDING THE "ABS WARNING LIGHT", "HILL ASSIST" AND "VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL" . THIS ALWAYS DISENGAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL AND OFTEN HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE. THIS DIDN'T START HAPPENING UNTIL I HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING DUE TO NON WORKING HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL AND TROUBLE WITH STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR. THEY ALSO REPLACED REAR COIL SPRINGS AND REAR LEFT WHEEL BEARING AND BACKING PLATE.
NHTSA complaint #11388599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesBloomfield, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES
VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED UPON STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #11388471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,069 milesRancho Cordova, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
MY CAR HAD AN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHEN APPLIED THE BREAK TO PARK ON THE PARKING LOT. AS A RESULT VEHICLE WENT AND COLLIDED INTO A RESTAURANT, DAMAGING THE RESTAURANT GLASS WALL AND FRONT BUMPER, PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL/TIRE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11360320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121,425 milesRichville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
STARTED CAR ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING OIL, AND,AWD, EMISSION CONTROL NEED TO BE CHECKED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR STAYS ON. HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A HOT DAY STOPPED TO GET GAS WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ALL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME I CHECKED GAS CAP IT WAS TIGHT, I STARTED DRIVING AND ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING
NHTSA complaint #11341975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesBrambleton, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING AND IT'S SPORADIC
NHTSA complaint #11324856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sumas, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
2014 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BATTERY BEING DRAINED ABS FAULT LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED MULTIPLE FAILURES BEGAN AFTER HAVING SAFETY RECALL WUE-90 PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY REPEATEDLY WOULD DRAIN DUE TO THE TAIL LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. THE HILL CONTROL WARNING LIGHT, ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND THE ANTI SKID WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #11244665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,032 milesTemple, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) REGARDING A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH REPLACEMENT. AFTER THE RECALL WAS SERVICED, WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE HILL ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY SLOWED DOWN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO SUBARU OF GEORGETOWN (7501 I-35 FRONTAGE RD, GEORGETOWN, TX 78626, 512 930-2111) WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TO THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY CLEO BAY SUBARU (2125 E STAN SCHLUETER LOOP, KILLEEN, TX 76542, (254) 634-3175). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INITIAL RECALL, BUT NOT OF THE DEFECTIVE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,032.
NHTSA complaint #11242114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,870 milesEverett, WACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT ON AUGUST 19, 2018 -COMPLAINT NUMBER 1120961. I HAD SUV TOWED THE FOLLOWING DAY TO DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT BRAND-NEW. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT IS TRYING TO TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SUV, BUT THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE. THE DEALER HAS ARRANGED FOR SUBARU OF AMERICA FROM NJ TO CONTACT ME, BUT I NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THIS RESOLVED. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE IT. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY WHEN I PLACED IT IN REVERSE AND IT ACCLERATED AT SUCH A HIGH RATE IN REVERSE WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED AND I COULD NOT STOP IT WHEN MY FOOT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, I HAD MY ACCIDENT RUNNING INTO THE BACK OF MY DAUGHTER'S SUV IN WHICH WAS PARKED IN HER DRIVEWAY - CAUSING OVER $2,000 DAMAGE TO HER SUV - MY SUV WAS DAMAGED IN THE REAR BUMPER BUT DEALER HAS NOT TOLD ME THE ESTIMATE OF DAMAGE. SUBARU IS HAVING ACCIDENT REP CONTACT ME WITHIN NEXT 48 HOURS. THIS SUV IS SO DANGEROUS THAT I COULD BE KILLED AND SO COULD OTHERS IN MY CAR OR OTHER VEHICLE PASSENGERS. PLEASE PLEASE TAKE THIS COMPLAINT SERIOUSLY BECAUSE IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE REFER TO MY INITIAL COMPLAINT.. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11123382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,870 milesEverett, WACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
JULY 6, 2018 DRIVING ON CITY STREET WHEN MY FOOT HAD THE BRAKE DEPRESSED AND THE AUTO SUDDENLY ACCELERATED SO MUCH THAT I HAD TO TURN INTO A CURB TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE - I HIT A CURB WITH ONE TIRE TO AVOID ACCIDENT AND HAD TO GET FOUR NEW TIRES BECAUSE IT IS AWD. TODAY MY BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND IT ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS IN REVERSE THEN ATTEMPTING TO GET SUV INTO DRIVE - DRIVING DOWN MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY TODAY, IT ACCELERATED SO RAPIDLY UNINTENDED THAT PRESSING THE BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE - ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT STILL DID NOT STOP IT - PLACED IT INTO PARK AND PRESSING BRAKE CONTINUOUSLY AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR AT ROADSIDE AFTER TURNING OFF IGNITION - VERY HAZARDOUS SAFETY ISSUE - LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT OR KILLED - THIS SUV IS A DANGEROUS VEHICLE - HAVING IT TOWED BY AAA TOMORROW MORNING TO DEALER. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? IT HAS ONLY 41,870 MILES ON IT - BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER IN MAY 2014 AND I AM ONLY DRIVER. HELP!
NHTSA complaint #11120961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesSAN Mateo, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH FAILED WHICH RENDERED THE CAR INOPERABLE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE FROM PARK. THE STABILITY, HILL DECENT AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #11073548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesWilmington, DECrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REVERSED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED VERY QUICKLY. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V159000 (EQUIPMENT). NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA complaint #11062180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesMoneta, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE EXITING THE CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER REIMBURSED THE COST OF THE RENTAL VEHICLE. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLOOR MATS COULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. *JS UPDATED 9/13/18
NHTSA complaint #11052164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,435 milesLong Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER 2.0XT TOURING WITH PUSH START AND EYESIGHT. MY CAR WOULDN'T START WITH THE PUSH START BUTTON AND THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. I COULDN'T PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN. WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED MONTHS AGO, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY AND THAT WAS REPLACED IN NOVEMBER OF 2016. AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AND I HAD THE RADIO ON FOR 30 MINUTES WHILE SITTING IN THE CAR. I COULDN'T START THE CAR AFTERWARDS AND THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED UP AT THE TIME AS WELL. I COULD NOT PRESS THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN. THE SECOND TIME IT WOULD START WAS LAST SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017 IN THE MORNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND I HAD TROUBLE STARTING IT IN THE MORNING. AND THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH NO GUARANTEES THIS WILL FIX THE PUSH START ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11039341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20 milesSpringfield, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
ON SUMMER 2015, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER XT. I'M A SUBARU FAN. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH EYESIGHT SYSTEM, WHICH WILL APPLY BRAKES FOR ME IN CASE I DON'T OR WILL INCREASE BRAKE FORCE TO AVOID A COLLISION IN CASE I DIDN'T. THIS IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST SELLING POINTS OF THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM: FRONTAL COLLISION AVOIDANCE. THAT DAY ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, DURING RUSH HOUR, I WAS NOTICING SOME SPONGE EFFECT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL SO I DECIDED TO INCREASE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. SUDDENLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPPED RESPONDING TO MY PROPORTIONALITY (CONTROLLED FORCE APPLIED) AND I END UP REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WORK TESTING LANDING GEARS FOR PLANES AND HELICOPTERS SO BRAKE FADE WAS NOT NEW TO ME. I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AND REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS REPRODUCED BY THE DEALER'S TECHNICIAN AND THE CAR WAS INTERNED FOR FURTHER REVISIONS. 2 DAYS LATER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE LACK OF SERVICE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THE SERVICE WAS DONE IN ANOTHER DEALER ON TIME. THAT WAS THE LAST EXCUSE I HEARD FROM SUBARU. CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE ANY PART IN THE CAR IF A DEALER DOESN'T APPROVE IT, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE 20,000KM SERVICE WAS DONE, 1 HOUR AWAY FROM MY TOWN. BY THAT TIME, THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS LOWER FROM SUMMER 33C TO AUTUMN 17C. THE DEALER PUT MORE THAN 20KM ON THE CAR JUST TO TELL ME THAT HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE FAILURE SO THERE'S NO FAILURE AT ALL. I EXPLAIN TO HIM THAT THE FAILURE CANNOT BE REPRODUCED AT 17C TEMPERATURE. I EVEN SHOW HIM THAT THE BRAKE FORCE IS SO WEAK, IT NEVER ACTIVATES THE ABS SYSTEM, BUT ALSO IN VAIN. SUBARU CANT EXPLAIN WHY AN EYESIGHT EQUIPPED CAR ENDS UP REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT, IN BUSY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THEY SIMPLY DIDN'T ANSWER ME ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #11024079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesVancouver, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
AT VEHICLE START, OR WHILE DRIVING, THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR ON THE VEHICLE INFORMATION PANEL: 1) VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED; 2) ABS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED; AND 3) HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED. THESE WARNINGS APPEAR, GO AWAY, AND THEN REAPPEAR RANDOMLY. WHEN THESE WARNINGS APPEAR AT VEHICLE START, I AM UNABLE TO PUT IN GEAR WITHOUT PUMPING BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN THESE WARNINGS APPEAR WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, I AM UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, WARNINGS WERE NOT BEING DISPLAYED AT THE TIME, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, I WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE SOON AND WILL ADDRESS THESE ISSUES AT THAT TIME.
NHTSA complaint #11005317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE OR WHILE DRIVING IT THE FOLLOWING WARNING MESSAGES APPEAR (IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TINES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THEY WILL GO AWAY AND TEN REAPPEAR DAYS OR WEEKS LATER): VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED ABS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR NORMAL MAINTENANCE IN JULY (BAY RIDGE SUBARU) THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, MESSAGES STARTED REAPPEARING. ISSUE WITH THESES MESSAGES IS CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR UPON STARTING UNLESS YOU PUMP BREAKS MULTIPLE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10766301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesPanama City Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
THE EYESIGHT, ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL AND PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEMS DO NOT RECOGNIZE STOPPED VEHICLES - HARD BRAKING IS REQUIRED TO STOP VEHICLE IN TIME. WHEN SYSTEMS DO FUNCTION THEY DO NOT GRADUALLY SLOW VEHICLE AND COME TO A STOP, BUT DO SO SUDDENLY AND DANGEROUSLY, CAUSING ME TO BRAKE HARD TO COME TO A STOP AT A SAFE DISTANCE BEHIND STOPPED VEHICLE. SAME SYSTEMS ARE ALSO DANGEROUSLY AFFECTED BY BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AND FAIL TO FUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER SAID THEY CHECKED SYSTEMS OUT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. GAVE ME PRINT-OUT FROM OPERATING MANUAL STATING IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DRIVER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE SAFELY AT ALL TIMES AND THAT THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM IS NEVER A SUBSTITUTE FOR ACTIVE DRIVER INVOLVEMENT AND MAY NOT OPERATE OPTIMALLY UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS!!!!!!! SUBARU CORPORATE CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE SAID THERE WAS NO SOFTWARE UPGRADE/FIX AVAILABLE FOR THE FORESTER MODEL. CERTAIN SUBARU 2015 MODELS ARE ADVERTISED TO HAVE AN UPGRADED EYESIGHT SYSTEM THAT RECOGNIZES LIGHTED TAILLIGHTS, AMONG OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. I WAS TOLD THE 2015 SYSTEM WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE 2014 FORESTER. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. A RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10659181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300 milesMerrick, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN SOMEONE DEPARTS ROAD ON AN EXIT AND THEY ARE DECELERATING EVEN IF THEY ARE CLEAR AND OUT OF THE LANE THE CAR WILL PRACTICALLY STOP ON THE HIGHWAY, SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES HARD. EVEN UNDER NORMAL USE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM DOES NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES SLOWLY IN A PROGRESSIVE PATTERN IT HITS THEM ABRUPTLY. I AM IN A CONGESTED AREA AND HAVE OFTEN HAD TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM BY HITTING THE BRAKES MANUALLY TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM OR FLOOR THE GAS TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM REAR ENDING ME ON THE HIGHWAY. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION THEY SAY IT IS OPERATING AS IT SHOULD AND HAVE BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE ATTENTION ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS ASKING FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE. I BELIEVE THE SYSTEM IS GOOD BUT NEEDS REFINEMENT OF ITS SOFTWARE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10633778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesSouth Riding, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND THAT HIS STATE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10618266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.