2014 Subaru Forester Suspension Problems
- 70
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- coil spring · 33 records
- rear coil · 29 records
- coil springs · 18 records
- spring broke · 14 records
- both rear · 13 records
- rear spring · 11 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 35 |
| 60–100k mi | 16 |
| 1–30k mi | 12 |
| 100–150k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Suspension
When getting rear wheel bearing replaced mechanic advised that both rear coil springs were broken. No known cause.
ODI 11308828
Suspension
I found half of the coil in my garage. This was to the driver side rear shock. I am not sure about the condition of the other 3 shocks. Looks like the coil just rusted out.
ODI 11302358
Suspension
My 2014 subaru forester seemed low in the rear. I took it to my mechanic and the spring on the rear strut is broken. I looked up subaru issues with struts and there are hundreds of complaints. Also research and found that its not safe to drive like this as it takes longer to brake. Why hasnt nhtsa been a consumer advocate for this? This letter serves as notification that i have informed nhtsa of this dangerous part…
ODI 11299654
Suspension
As i was turning right, to pull into my driveway, i heard a loud noice like heavy clanging sound and felt my car drop. I stopped and when i got out of the car, i found a circular shaped piece of metal in my driveway. When i looked at the car, the driver's rear side of the vehicle looked like it was nearly touching the tire on that side. I picked up the metal and took photos. The part was rusted on the inside. The…
ODI 11292587
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru forester. While driving into the garage, the contact noticed metal on the ground. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the rear passenger side spring fractured. The contact called capitaland motors ([redacted], schenectady, ny 12302, [redacted]) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not…
ODI 11290071
Suspension
Driving down the highway at approximately 70 mph and the drivers side rear coil spring collapsed. We heard a loud metal bang and when we got home i noticed the coil spring was broken.
ODI 11289526
Suspension
Rear springs broke. Car never overloaded or driven off road
ODI 11279364
Suspension
At 56,000 miles hit a moderate size pot hole resulting in broken rear passenger side coil spring requiring new spring, shock and alignment. At 67,000 miles heard loud bang coming from car while parked. Found what appears to be piece of broken coil spring under car. Required new rear drivers side coil spring and strut. Appears large number of similar vintage foresters have experienced broken coil springs with springs…
ODI 11278029
Suspension
At approximately 57,000 miles, on my 2014 subaru forester, i have experienced my second rear coil spring failure. The first, on the right rear, occurred as i put the car into reverse to back out of my driveway. I have a piece of this coil spring in my possession and clearly shows metal fatigue/stress failure. The second, on the left rear, i believe occurred while driving. As i notice the car tilting again as i went…
ODI 11270128
Suspension
Both rear springs broken. Went to mechanic to fix both rear bearings , mechanic discovered both rear springs were cracked.
ODI 11268676
Suspension
While vehicle was parked in garage discovered a piece of metal on garage floor which looked like a piece of a coil spring. Later found vehicle to handle poorly. Felt unstable and slammed hard over small bumps. Later figured out what happened - rear passenger side spring failed. That corner now sits 2+ inches lower than opposite side. Now sitting on strut bump stops with no suspension. Vehicle feels unsafe to drive.…
ODI 11256837
Suspension
Vehicle was stationary. While parked in my driveway, the left rear coil spring broke leaving several pieces lying under the car and leaving the left rear end sagging so that the wheel well barely clears the tire. There was some very mild surface rust only. Appears to be poor quality metal that simply fatigued and broke. Vehicle has never towed a trailer, carried heavy loads, driven over rough terrain, etc. Has only…
ODI 11252558
Suspension
Broken rear strut spring with only 51k miles on car. Unknown exactly when it happened but was discovered on 8/8. Vehicle is not driven off road or rough road areas.
ODI 11242945
Suspension
Vehicle was in for front and rear pads and rotor replacement (at 30k miles!) mechanic informed me that i had a broken rear coil spring and sent me a picture of the broken piece. It was half of a coil that had completely rusted through and snapped off the bottom of the spring. Car now sits unevenly and has compromised suspension and possible safety issues. Further research finds many complains of exactly the same…
ODI 11242773
Suspension
Both rear coil springs failed at approximately 6" along the bottom of the coil. Both failed at exactly the same time. The vehicle was up on jacks and as i was removing the brake rotors to replace the rotors and pads i heard a loud crack followed by the metal parts landing on the garage floor. There is evidence of corrosion at the break points (see photos). There are approximately 45,000 miles on the car.
ODI 11242624
Suspension
Backing up in drive way heard a clunck noise so brought it to the dealership and they said both coil springs on my car were broke the both broke in about the same spot about3/4 of a coil from the bottom of the coil they both look rusted were they were broke under the rubber sleave at the bottom and gave me the 2 prices of coil spring
ODI 11245526
Suspension
At 67000 miles rear drivers side coil spring is broke. This is a gently used vehicle that is garaged always, do not believe corrosion was the issue. Having to replace with subaru parts that have been modified to be more robust, meaning subaru recognizes an issue with potentially safety related part.
ODI 11265389
Suspension
I had my 2014 subaru forester at the local dealership for the recall repair for the brake lamp switch replacement. They notified me of a broken left rear coil springs and stated that the "vehicle is unsafe to drive". They recommended replacing both. It has about 31,000 miles on it.
ODI 11240979
Suspension
My car has 43k miles on it and during a brakes service at the subaru dealership they called to tell me they found the left rear coil spring severely cracked and about to break. They recommended that i have both coil springs replaced immediately, that the cracked one could break at any time causing the car to sink and potentially puncture the tire. They recommended that i not drive the car home while awaiting this…
ODI 11241078
Suspension
2014 subaru forester was parked when the left rear coil spring shattered. Made a large noise and upon investigation discovered car at an angle in wheel bed. Car undriveable. On vacation at the time and had to drive 5 hours (roundtrip) to buy two new rear coil springs on advise of mechanic who towed car to his garage. He stated that the right coil spring was very rusted and showing signs of disintegration as well.…
ODI 11240457
Suspension
Rear driver's side coil spring broke while vehicle was stationary. It broke in the same spot as so many others have reported recently, having completely rusted from the inside out in a small spot on the bottom. Unacceptable to happen with a 5 year old vehicle and very, very dangerous as this could have happened while driving causing a loss of control over the vehicle and/or a tire blowout from the spring breaking.…
ODI 11231844
Suspension
My 2014 subaru forrester was parked in my driveway when a very loud sound occurred. The rear, driver coil spring broke and three pieces of metal were on the floor. The car body dropped and the tire was almost hitting the wheel well. I took it to my local mechanic who was very surprised that on a relatively new car the coil spring broke. I did an internet search and discovered that this was a very common complaint…
ODI 11233733
Suspension
R rear coil spring broke while turning on a smooth road at low speed. Subaru dealership admitted that several other foresters were awaiting repair for the same problem. They also said that there was a nationwide shortage of that part and i ended up waiting for several weeks before it could be fixed. Subaru did end up paying for half the cost upon request.
ODI 11240620
Suspension
Rear passenger side spring coil was broken i don't know when. My mechanic saw it when she was replacing my breaks. Every person i spoke to about this said it had never happened to them, even with cars they basically ran into the ground, let alone a 5 year old car. Most of the complaints about 2014 foresters on nhtsa seemed to be about this same issue. I brought it to the dealer, since most garages didn't have the…
ODI 11232261
Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Both rear suspension coil springs broke and need to be replaced and so do the struts. Both broke while driving on a well paved rode going 35 mph. I did not hit or run over anything. They completely snapped apart. This is clearly due to defective part as there are 100's of complaints for this happening to 2014-2015 model foresters and coming from a family of mechanics, this does not just happen. The car has 50k miles…
ODI 11230368