2014 Subaru Forester: excessive oil consumption

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Engine · NY

I have a 2014 Subaru Forester that I purchase in 2023 from a dealership in Yonkers N.Y. I been noticing oil consumption at 1qt. a week at 300 miles. I investigated it on the internet and found out that there was a recalled for oil consumption to replace the short block on it. I emailed Subaru on this matter and they told me that they stopped repairing three years ago. When I purchase this back in 2023 the dealership did not tell me any open recalls on this vehicle. I was told by D.M.V. in New York that the dealer has to tell the buyer for any open recalls. I feel now that I was sold a Lemon. Is there any thing that could been done by repair by Subaru or the dealer. Thanks...

Filed Jul 2, 2025 · Engine · NY

I just found out that there was a problem with oil consumption in a 2014 subaru forester.I purchase it two years ago.Is there anything they can do to fix it.

Filed Jun 23, 2024 · Engine, Suspension · CA · crash

Basically, as I was driving on the freeway with my son and his brother, I got 5 lights flashing on dashboard. Abs at temp check engine cruise control hill assist vss etc.. the code were for cut but before I could check them everything shut down. Car went dark, no brakes and burning smell as well as burns oil. Front end damage on car with passenger side damage. Car started back up next day called Subaru and because it’s 2014 forester, may not qualify but it only has 126k on the dash. Well maintained and had no issues besides the oil consumption.

Filed May 7, 2024 · Engine · CA

I purchased my 2014 Subaru Forester Limited in May of 2022, already having a high mileage of about 149,800 miles, I was leaning on its reliability and pushing it beyond 200,000 miles. I have encountered frequent oil consumption and assumed that if commuting up and down from the foothills to the valley, it would be natural that it would consume oil. I had to top off a quart of oil every 2000-3000 miles, and once I moved down to flatter land, I noticed the Subaru consumed less oil. Toward the end of December 2023, the Check Engine Light as well as other lights lit up and by then, I had about 170000 miles. I went through every measure to do my own repairs and still couldn't get the check engine light removed and had done a leak-down test on the third cylinder, which doing an engine rebuild has been recommended. I'm currently just over 176200 miles and this is my daily commuter. I still owe money on the Subaru and would love to keep this longer, but the engine problem hasn't been reassuring.

Filed Apr 30, 2024 · Engine · IN

I've been having issues over the past 4 years with my vehicle overconsuming oil. I took it into the dealer 2 years ago and they performed a consumption test. They said everything fell within the normal range Subaru has established. I have to have an extra thing of oil in my vehicle at all times in case it gets low. Yesterday, my vehicle gave me all sorts of warning lights. I took it in today and am having to replace the CVT Valve Body. It appears this is an issue with Subaru's from 2014. I've spent a lot of money over the past few years trying to figure out why my vehicle is acting up. I only have 67,000 miles on it after owning it for 11 years.

Filed Jul 4, 2023 · Engine · VA

My 2014 Subaru Forester constantly burning oil. I have taken my car to Tyson’s Subaru multiple times when within warranty, they conducted multiple consumption test, admitted it burns oil but not enough to fix under warranty. I have my car in and out of the shop since 70-80k and now burning more oil at 140k. I sent this complaint to Subaru of America: MY 2014 HAS BEEN BURNING OIL SINCE 70,000/80,000. I HAVE HAD TWO PCV VALVES REPLACED AND NUMEROUS OIL CHANGES AT STOHLMAN SUBARU OF TYSONS, VIRGINIA. I NOW HAVE 106K AND THE FORESTER IS STILL BURNING OIL. I CAN’T GO PASS 3K MILES WITHOUT THE OIL BEING LOW. AM I STILL UNDER THE WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE? WHY DIDN’T STOHLMAN FIXED THE ISSUE WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY FOUND AT 70 OR 80K? THEY SAID IT WAS THE PCV VALVE TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR AND I PAID TO REPLACE THE PCV VALVE TWICE. NOW MY CAR IS STILL BURNING OIL AND NOT FIXED AND I AM INN THE SHOP AGAIN! What can I do other than complaining! Have others complained about the same thing?

Filed Jul 11, 2021 · Acceleration, Transmission · NH

Car revved too much and was not moving. Was able to pull over on the shoulder from the fast lane due to the momentum of the car. Avoided a fatal injury for sure. Apart from this, 1. Car sometimes speeds up way more than it should. 2. Subaru changed the short block due to excessive oil consumption but intermittently it still is out of oil way too soon.

Filed Oct 16, 2020 · Airbags, Engine · NY

We had the oil changed in july. In the middle of september I added nearly 1 quart of oil. The oil light came back on again october 15th and assuming it is low on oil again. After extensive on-line research, it seems an oil consumption program is an issue that is affecting out vehicle among countless other model years and other manfacturer's as well. It did not matter if the vehicles was turning, in motion, idle or driving location, the low oil light would remain on. The air bag light indicator has been coming on and off for the last 3 months. We brought the vehicle into the dealer the middle of july once this happened. Since the light was not on at the time, the dealer could not diagnose it. Since the indicator light is appears and then disappears, it has been difficult to get to the dealer and time when the indicator light decides to re-appear. The indicator light re-appeared and we scheduled the appointment to get for a diagnosis. The diagnostic confirmed there is a bad switch under the seat. We were asked if we have an I-phone and charge the phone while it is on the passenger seat. Yes, that may or may not have happened. We were told this is not an issue with an android phone. The dealer offered to replace this item but resulted in an approx. $1,000.00 bill. They mentioned they would pay approx. 90% of the cost. It does not matter if the car is on, turing, in motion city or highway driving.

Filed Aug 17, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 121,286 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru forester. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed excessive amounts of oil with the check oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel while traveling at various speeds. The contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic where she purchased the vehicle and had two o-rings and crank seal replaced under warranty. Despite the repairs, the failure persisted and the check oil light would continue to illuminate after every 1,500 miles. The contact took the vehicle to center subaru (45 winsted rd, torrington, ct 06790) to have the vehicle serviced under the federal safety agency recall number: 19v149000 (exterior lighting). The contact was informed that the dealer could not assist with the excessive oil failure due to the vehicle no longer being under warranty and no other recalls being placed on the vehicle. The manufacturer had been notified and gave her the same information as the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 121,286.

Filed Feb 4, 2020 · Engine · 89,751 miles · PA

I have had ongoing issues with the oil consumption on this vehicle. I have had a couple of oil consumption tests run on this car and they claim that it passes, (even though I can barely make it 4k without having to add more oil to the car) today the car is back at service to fix the front engine cover seal. One has to wonder if this was the oil issue all along, however it will cost me almost a grand just to get this repair done.

Filed Aug 27, 2019 · 40,000 miles · NY

We have had two ongoing issues with our 2014 subaru forester. We purchased our car when it was two years old have had oil consumption issues and a hard time getting our key out of the ignition after driving. On our last trip to florida from ny and back we had to purchase and use two quarts of oil. We had a oil change just before we left. This has been going on since we purchased the car. In 2019 I never thought I would have to pull over to check and add oil to a car. The dealer says this is normal for the car. We had at least three consumption tests done and they came back negative. I'm currently afraid to take my car anywhere since the key and ignition are unpredictable. I never know if I will be able to get the key out. Very disappointed with our subaru. It is our second subaru. We had no issues with our last car.

Filed May 17, 2019 · Engine · 103,000 miles · TX

Subaru engines are using excessive amounts of oil even when new, up to 1 quart per 1500 miles. A 2014 lawsuit required them to fix this problem, which they are only barely doing. Hundreds of others with this problem are being required to simply add more oil at $9 - $12/quart 3-4 times each oil change. As the car ages, the consumption causes the car engine to seize when at highway speeds, creating the potential of serious accidents. Again, subaru has officially acted to not address this issue in their tsb 02-157-14r, titled surface treatment change to oil control piston rings. Prior to this, dealerships were instructed to change out the piston rings. This tsb states: "concerns related to a possible oil consumption condition are generally initiated when the customer believes the engine oil level on the dipstick has dropped since the last time it was checked or when the low oil lamp illuminates. These types of complaints by themselves do not directly indicate a concern with the vehicle exists."