2014–2018 SJ (4th generation)
2014–2018 Subaru Forester Common Problems and Years to Avoid
6 documented problems with the 2014–2018 Subaru Forester, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 3 of them are serious. 4 carry a recall or TSB number.
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2014–2018 Subaru Forester recalls and service bulletins
| Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA 19V701000 (Subaru campaign WUM-98) | Front passenger airbag occupant-detection sensor recall | major |
| TSB 16-95-15; Subaru CVT customer support program (10-yr/100k extension) | CVT chain slip, shudder, or failure | major |
| Yaegar v. Subaru of America, Inc., No. 1:14-cv-04490 (D.N.J.) | FB25 oil consumption (2014 model year, class action) | minor |
| Khona, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc. | Spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement) | moderate |
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.
Turbo oil starvation from a restricted oil-feed banjo bolt (2.0XT)
majorThe FA20DIT's turbocharger oil-feed line uses a banjo bolt with a fine mesh filter screen that can become clogged with sludge or debris, restricting oil flow to the turbo bearings. Left unaddressed, this leads to premature turbo bearing wear or outright turbo failure. It's a widely documented issue in the Forester XT/WRX community; some owners proactively remove the mesh screen or clean it at every oil change.
Front passenger airbag occupant-detection sensor recall
majorAn electrical connection under the front passenger seat cushion, part of the Occupant Detection System (ODS) that decides whether to deploy the passenger airbag, can loosen. If it loosens the passenger airbag may be deactivated even with an adult occupant, or an intermittent airbag warning light appears. Subaru recalled roughly 350,000 affected Foresters; dealers repair the wiring connection free of charge.
CVT chain slip, shudder, or failure
majorOwners report intermittent shudder, hesitation, RPM flare without a matching speed increase, or outright CVT failure on 2.5i models, most often traced to chain slip (Subaru TSB 16-95-15). Subaru's CVT customer-support program extended coverage to 10 years/100,000 miles on many affected VINs. Check eligibility with Subaru before paying for a CVT repair out of pocket.
FB25 oil consumption (2014 model year, class action)
minorThe Yaegar v. Subaru of America oil-consumption settlement's coverage window (2011–2014 FB-engine vehicles) extends into the first model year of this generation. 2014 Foresters with the FB25 that burn oil faster than Subaru's acceptable threshold qualify for the same extended 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on oil-consumption repairs described in the SH generation's entry.
Spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement)
moderateOwners of 2017–2018 Forester (and Outback) vehicles reported windshields cracking, chipping, or shattering with no impact, often near the edge of the glass. A class action (Khona, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc.) settled with an extended warranty covering qualifying windshield claims and reimbursement for prior repairs/replacements.
Starlink infotainment freezes and reboots
minorThe touchscreen freezes, reboots, loses Bluetooth pairing, or shows a delayed backup camera image. Software updates fix most cases; persistent freezing can require a head-unit reflash or replacement at the dealer.
Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2014–2018 Subaru Forester. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.
Which Subaru Forester model years does this cover?
These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Subaru Forester built from 2014 through 2018 — the SJ (4th generation), compact crossover suv. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.
What changed during the 2014–2018 Subaru Forester
- 2014Full redesign: all-new SGP-adjacent platform, FA20DIT turbo replaces the EJ25 turbo and moves to the CVT, first EyeSight availability on Forester
- 2015Standard rearview camera added across all trims; 18-in wheels become available on the 2.5i
- 2016New touchscreen-based infotainment interface across the lineup, with a standard 6.2-in touchscreen on the base 2.5i trim
- 2017Facelift: revised front/rear styling, updated infotainment, LED headlight option on Touring
- 2018Final year of this generation
2014–2018 Subaru Forester problems and recalls: common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014–2018 Subaru Forester?
- The recurring ones are: turbo oil starvation from a restricted oil-feed banjo bolt (2.0xt); front passenger airbag occupant-detection sensor recall; cvt chain slip, shudder, or failure; fb25 oil consumption (2014 model year, class action); spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.
Which 2014–2018 Subaru Forester years should you avoid?
- The years to be most careful with are those affected by turbo oil starvation from a restricted oil-feed banjo bolt (2.0xt) (2014–2018 (2.0XT only)) and front passenger airbag occupant-detection sensor recall (2015–2018) and cvt chain slip, shudder, or failure (2014–2018). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely.
Are there recalls on the 2014–2018 Subaru Forester?
- 4 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: NHTSA 19V701000 (Subaru campaign WUM-98) (front passenger airbag occupant-detection sensor recall), TSB 16-95-15; Subaru CVT customer support program (10-yr/100k extension) (cvt chain slip, shudder, or failure), Yaegar v. Subaru of America, Inc., No. 1:14-cv-04490 (D.N.J.) (fb25 oil consumption (2014 model year, class action)), Khona, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc. (spontaneous windshield cracking (class action settlement)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.
How much do 2014–2018 Subaru Forester repairs typically cost?
- Typical figures for the issues above: turbo oil starvation from a restricted oil-feed banjo bolt (2.0xt), $50 (inspect/clean) to $2,500–$4,000 for a turbo replacement if failure occurs; front passenger airbag occupant-detection sensor recall, Free under recall; cvt chain slip, shudder, or failure, Free if within the 10-yr/100k CVT warranty extension; $3,500–$5,500 for a CVT replacement otherwise; fb25 oil consumption (2014 model year, class action), Covered under the settlement's extended warranty if still within 8 yr/100k mi.
Sources
- Wikipedia, Subaru Forester generations (SJ)
- subaruforester.org, 2017 Forester engine oil capacity thread (5.1 qt, FB25)
- AMSOIL lookup, 2016 Forester 2.0L FA20F Turbo oil spec/capacity
- MotorWeek, 2014 Subaru Forester review (2.0XT: 250 hp / 258 lb-ft, ~23/28 mpg)
- subaruforester.org, 2014 Forester 2.0XT HP and torque discussion
- turbochargersdirect.com, Subaru banjo bolt oil feed line/cylinder head connection explainer
- NHTSA, Recall 19V701000 product campaign bulletin (WUM-98, passenger ODS sensor)
- Consumer Reports, Subaru Forester SUVs recalled for airbag deactivation risk
- classaction.org, Subaru windshield settlement given preliminary approval
- tirecalculatorhub.com, Subaru Forester OEM tire size guide by year
- wiperhaus.com, Subaru Forester wiper blade size guide