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
While driving on a straight flat road, the two rear coil springs broke. The broken springs caused the vehicle to rapidly lose ride height and made it difficult to steer. Searching online for replacement parts showed that hundreds of other subaru forester owners model years 2014-2016 have had similar rear coil spring failures. The service writer at the dealership stated that they had seen enough similar failures that…
ODI 11230378
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru forester. While the contact's wife was driving 25-30 mph and making turns, the vehicle swayed and was difficult to keep straight. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to budd baer subaru ([redacted], washington, pa 15301, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the rear coil springs were fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
ODI 11246662
Suspension
I have kept up with my car and serviced it when suggested. I took my 2014 forrester in for a 67.5k mile check and was told that both rear spring coils broke off while on the lift. When shown the broken coil, the plastic was deteriorated and the coil rusted through. This is my 5th subaru, the 4 older models have had well over 150k miles - two are still on the road, and none have had this issue. I also find it strange…
ODI 11222780
Suspension
During a brake check, the mechanic discovered the right pass spring was broken on my 48k mile forester. He felt it was a safety issue as the part could have broken off completely and possible injured someone else or caused an accident. The parts on others cars of the same model all break at the same point, it seems, and the opinion is that the springs are rusting from the inside out (see attached image of broken…
ODI 11234928
Suspension
Left rear coil spring broke while car sat in driveway.
ODI 11218040
Suspension
Rear coil spring broke while car was parked in the garage. Prior to this event, the other rear coil spring had to be replaced due to rust damage.
ODI 11218182
Suspension
In late may 2019, i went outside to drive my forester to the store. Underneath the driver side rear bumper, i found part of a coil spring, roughly a 1/2 turn. I looked around a bit, and found that it had come from the driver side, rear coil spring, bottom. The spring at the break was very rusty - both the fragment and from the broken spring still in place. The vehicle was parked in my driveway for approximately 14…
ODI 11240641
Suspension
Passenger side rear coil spring broke. This didn't seem to happen while i was driving, at least not in a what that was noticeable. I walked out of work and noticed that the rear passenger side of the car was sitting a couple inches lower than it should. I took it to the shop and they found that one of the coils of the spring had snapped, causing the sagging.
ODI 11230554
Suspension
Drivers side rear damper spring broken approximately 1/2 coil from the bottom of the damper. This approximately 3 to 4 inch piece of spring was rusted in the area of the break, resting on the lower damper "hat". The break was complete. This sharp piece was easily lifted off the damper. The spring displayed peeled paint an rust on several locations. Found at around 46,000 miles only upon inspection while replacing…
ODI 11221426
Power Train · Steering · Suspension
The steering wheel "leather" coating has been disintegrating for over a year now. The subaru service said it is a common issue with 2014 subaru forest. & should be recalled. Eventually, the undercoat foam material will also disintegrate, he said. Also, both front lower control arms, bushings,band drive, (something like a drive shaft), strut & axel joint had to be replaced at only 69k miles. My car has never been in…
ODI 11208277
Suspension
Both coil springs on my 2014 forester failed local subaru dealer replaced both springs at a cost tome of $561.00 for parts and labor. In addition, i was charged 99.95 for a four wheel alignment mandated by the replacement of the springs. Vehicle had only 51,972 on the odometer. The vehicle was in motion on a smooth street when the springs snapped. The result of the broken springs was a sagging rear end of the…
ODI 11307320
Suspension
Garage kept automobile with less than 18,000 miles, never taken off road. The bottom of both rear strut springs unexpectedly broke causing vehicle to drop affecting steering and stability. Apparent cause: defective part failed due to premature rusting causing
ODI 11209124
Suspension
On may 13,2019 i pulled the car into my driveway and parked the car behind the house. As i was getting out of the car there was a bang on the right side (passenger side) of the car. Upon inspection on the ground were two pieces of the coil spring. There was a noticeable difference in the height of the car. The following day i took the car to my repair shop. They are replacing both rear coil springs.
ODI 11207852
Suspension
The bottom coil of the rear spring broke. The metal snapped. The vehicle was driving on a driveway and we heard a pop. We stopped and found the broken coil on the ground.
ODI 11207378
Suspension
My 2014 subaru forester with 42,879 miles was sitting in the driveway. I noticed that the rear driver's side looked very low over the tire. When i looked under the car, there was a semi-circle piece of metal on the ground under the vehicle. The car had last been driven about two days before. I just had the forester in my local subaru dealership service department for a nys inspection and to remedy one recall…
ODI 11206603
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru forester. The contact stated while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for a routine oil change, the rear driver's side coil spring fractured as the vehicle was being hoisted on the lift. The vehicle was taken to mitchell subaru (71 albany turnpike, canton, ct 06019 [redacted]) where it was awaiting diagnosis and repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
ODI 11206825
Suspension
The right rear spring rusted out, broke and ultimately dropped down so it was hanging below the suspension mount. The vehicle was hanging low on the right rear quadrant. A body shop technician noticed this problem. I do not know exactly when the spring broke or dropped down. Once this was detected, i took it directly to my mechanic. I was told it was not safe to drive the vehicle. I had the repair done immediately…
ODI 11210369
Suspension
Both rear coil springs prematurely fail in the 2014 and 2015 models. The part has been redesigned and is now in a national shortage. This spring can fail at any time during operation of the vehicle and puncture a tire. My incident occurred while it was stationary without tire damage.
ODI 11206391
Suspension
Both rear coil springs are broken . The lowest coil has snapped off each spring and the left rear spring has fallen out of the lower pad so it is not functional at all one spring may have failed earlier, but the left failure made the problem apparent.
ODI 11205701
Suspension
Went in for state inspection and my 2014 subaru forester with 28000 miles was found to have a broken coil spring. Got it fixed, but i was very surprised. My car is garage kept and i only drive city streets. Goggled the topic and found that other subaru forester owners had similar issues and related early corrosion. Hoping you can look into the issue as this could happen on other wheels. Thanks.
ODI 11203522
Suspension
I was driving home from work on friday april 19, 2019 around 7:00pm. I made a left run and heard a pop. The car became squirrelly. I pulled over at napa and called our mechanic and described what was going on. He asked me if the car was leaning to one side or the other. I said yes. He said it was likely a bad spring or strut. When i got home, i jacked up the car and removed the tire. The right spring was broken and…
ODI 11202996
Suspension
I was driving home from work on april 19, 2019. I made a left turn and heard a pop. The car became squirrelly. I called our mechanic and he asked if the car leaned to one side or the other. I said yes. He said it was likely a bad spring or strut. When i got home i jacked up the car and the right rear spring was broken. I got 3 quotes from tom wood subaru. One for springs. One for struts and hardware. The last was…
ODI 11202773
Power Train · Suspension
1) cvt valve kit damaged (3 years old) 2) but main reason for this compliant is rear coils breaking, i do not know but they have been broken for some time causing rear bearings and rear shocks damage. Did some research and found everyone w/ 2014 thru 2015 foresters are having this problem at any mileage. Told dealer and they said subaru knows of this problem but has not issued a recall? The average person will not…
ODI 11196666
Suspension
I was driving at a low rate of speed in my paved apartment complex road when i heard a loud metallic ping. I thought i had just thrown a rock or something. But the next day my car was making squeaking noises when going over rough roads and over speed bumps and seemed more difficult to handle when driving. I took the car in to the dealer to find that the right rear spring had sheared and that both back spring were…
ODI 11202892
Suspension
My 2014 subaru forester was sitting in my garage. I heard this horrible, almost explosive noise and found that my left coil spring snapped! This car has 68k miles and has never carrier heavy loads or traveled rough roads. I drive all highway. Super shocking to have this happen while it is just sitting, but i cringe to think if this happened 1 day earlier driving 22 miles from work or with my family. The coil was…
ODI 11185643