2014 Subaru Forester · symptom sheet
Suspension noise, struts or alignment
- 90owner reports
- 56,000median miles
- $780median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Nov 1, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
90 of the 364 complaints on this car describe suspension, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2014 Forester.
Tick what matches of 90 reports
Suspension on other Forester years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Suspension complaints are mostly about noise and handling: a clunk over bumps, a car that pulls to one side, a ride that bounces or leans more than it used to. The more serious reports describe a part breaking or coming loose, and that's where the recalls in this group are concentrated.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the struts or shocks (22 reports), the control arm (6 reports) and the bushing (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the suspension system covers the 2014 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the suspension system on the Forester
Front suspension control arm failure. Closed sep 23, 2011, led to recall 11V-464.
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
What owners paid
12 of the 90 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $561 to $900.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 43,000 and 72,342 miles, from the 79 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Subaru Forester that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Due to incomplete repair instructions previously provided in the WQK-47 recall bulletin, the WQQ-52 recall will involve applying additional anti-corrosion material to the four-way (2-2 way) joint connector area of the brake line system on Forester, Impreza, ...
This Bulletin provides guidance for diagnosing a leaking front or rear suspension strut.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the forward bushing used in the front lower control arm to address customer concerns of a rattle-type sound and / or a possible vibration felt in the steering wheel.
This bulletin announces a design change to the front strut mounts intended to address customer concerns of a popping-type sound which may be heard when making low speed turns.
What owners wrote
“Car started to excessively shake at 60,000 miles. The control arm bushings wore out. After doing some research, there was a technical service bulletin issued by Subaru on this issue which changed the design of the bushings. However, they did not notify owners.”
Filed May 3, 2023 · 60,000 miles
“Took car for 60000 mile check up mechanic said it should not have worn bushings and control arms at 60000 miles.”
Filed Jan 10, 2023 · 60,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 90 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Airbag warning light or recall 56 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 27 reports