2014 Subaru Forester Lights Problems
8 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Lights Recalls (1)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Owner Complaints (8)
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
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BYERS SUBARU ALEXANDRIA (2301, 7416 RICHMOND HWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22306, (703) 768-5800) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V149000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
MY HIGH BEAM/DAYTIME RUNNING BULB BLEW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN REPLACING THE BULB I FOUND IT HAD ACTUALLY MELTED, AND HAD A LARGE BUBBLE IN THE GLASS. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR PREVIOUS THE DRIVERS SIDE BULB HAD BLOWN AND I HAD FOUND THE SAME BUBBLE, BUT DIDN'T REPORT IT AT THAT TIME, ASSUMING IT WAS JUST SOMETHING WEIRD THAT HAPPENED ONCE. NOW THAT IT'S HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE ON EACH SIDE, I'M MORE CONCERNED THERE'S A LARGER ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR THE BLURB TO GET SO HOT THAT IT ACTUALLY MELTED THE GLASS.
LOW BEAM HEADLAMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 12 MONTHS. THERE HAVE BEEN WARRANTY EXTENSIONS ON OLDER SUBARU'S FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED FOR NEWER MODELS
THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ARE VERY POOR, THEY ONLY PROJECT 100 FT . BECAUSE OF THIS WE HIT A DEER WHICH CAUSED $4000 DAMAGE. PLASE TELL ME YOU ARE LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WOULD NOT ACTIVATE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED ISSUES STARTING DUE TO THE BRAKE SWITCH ACTIVATION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWITCH THAT ACTIVATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V366000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.