2014 Subaru Forester: engine stalls while driving

Filed Mar 13, 2025 · Transmission · CA

When cruising about 25mph the car gave a jolt, stalled, and then would speed back up again. All lights then flashed on. I brought it to the dealer and they did a diagnostic check coming back for CVT transmission. They also confirmed it is a known problem and had extended the warranty to when 100,000 miles or 10 years which is around or prior to when most people confirm the issue. There was no warning signs I was aware of leading up to the failure of the transmission.

Filed Jun 14, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · PA

Car was well maintained and serviced by dealer at regular interval. It suddenly had “check engine” light on, within a few minutes the car died while driving and stopped in the middle of road. Then unable to restart. Fortunately I was just off highway with less traffic, otherwise could have been crashed and killed by other vehicles. Dealer confirmed malfunction of crankshaft sensor.

Filed Feb 6, 2023 · Transmission · IL

2014 Forester @ 150k miles, CVT Failure. Check Engine Lights, AT Oil Temp Warning, Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0700 (Transmission Control Module) & P2764 - (Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Control Circuit Low) Sect 11-16 of Owners Manual states: "It is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level." But Subaru Warranty & Maintenance guide recommends inspection of CVT fluid @ 30/60/90/120k miles. Mine was never low or bad. There is no owner serviceable parts to the CVT. No dipstick to check fluid level. Page 37 of Warr & Maint guide Notes 4 & 9 state: "4. When the vehicle is frequently operated under severe driving conditions**...CVT fluid replacement should be performed every 24,855 miles." and "9. The ATF filter is a maintenance free part." Under "Examples of severe driving conditions" only item "g. Repeated trailer towing." applies to Note #4. I do not even have a trailer hitch, therefore, no extreme driving conditions. I noticed hesitation, slipping, lull in forward movement, shaking at idle, lurching. Because of this, I requested CVT fluid change at 138k miles even though service technician had previously said fluid was ok. No noticeable improvement after this fluid service. At 150k miles, dashboard warning lights came on for Check Engine, AT Oil Temp, Traction Control Light, Hill Assist, Cruise Control, AntiLock Brake System. Took vehicle to Subaru dealership service immediately. First they recommended CVT fluid change, which I agreed to. Upon completion, all warning lights came back on. They now recommend replacing CVT valve body unit for $2200. SoA has issued a recall (Dec 2019) only on Subaru Ascent vehicles for faulty CVT transmissions, but not for other vehicles with the same problems. CVT failure can lead to safety issues such as vehicle stalling, lurching forward, going in reverse, and shifting unexpectedly while driving. Subaru of America should issue a recall for all vehicles with faulty CVT transmissions.

Filed Jun 20, 2022 · Engine · IL · crash

The engine stalled/locked and clipped an 18 wheeler trying to get to the shoulder of I-294. I have been taking the 2014 Subaru to Countryside Subaru since April 14, 2021 with issues of lights coming on on the dashboard. It caused a serious accident. The car was totaled by the insurance company. Subaru had me call Subaru Advocacy who had just agreed to pay $3,500 towards a new engine, with me paying $1,500 because it was out of warranty, even though the issue started when the car was under warranty over a year ago. Lights were constantly coming on every 4 to 6 weeks. A service advisor, told us the car was safe to drive. It wasn't. The same day service advisor ordered the parts (June 6, 2022) is the same day the accident happen. I thank God my daughter is still among the living. This should not have happen. LIVES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY.

Filed Dec 1, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 32,000 miles · WV

My 2014 subaru forester's engine at times acts as if it is going to stall. It acts as though it is getting no fuel. I have had the fuel filter/fuel pump assembly replaced and it seemed to run ok for a short time. The stalling action does not always happen. Sometimes it runs smoothly. Then it starts the sputtering/stall action again.the mechanic who replaced them in an effort to correct the problem is not able to tell me what else could be causing it. My vehicle gets 93 octane gas and only has 32,000 miles on it. Please help.

Filed Sep 23, 2020 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · CT

A few weeks ago the vehicle began to have difficulties shifting/accelerating from a stop it would feel like it was slipping and not responding to the accelerator . It has been evaluated as a transmission failure at a cost of $10,000. I purchased the vehicle new and purchased an extended warranty that would cover the power train up to 100,000 miles. The vehicle has had all scheduled maintenance performed and all of it at the same dealer service center with documentation. This includes a 90,000 mile service where the transmission was included in the preventive maintenance check and indicated as no issues. The vehicle has only been used for normal driving. No hauling or towing and no heavy cargo. The transmission should not fail only 12,000 miles outside of the warranty that I purchased and having been serviced appropriately and inspected within 20,000 of the current issue. Subaru of america is not covering the replacement under warranty for what appears to be a known safety issue that required them to extend this same 100,000 warranty coverage to all vehicles from this model year under what I understand to be a class action lawsuit settlement. The loss of acceleration and slipping in the shifting when powering away from a stop is dangerous if the vehicle stalls or suddenly slows due to loss of power and this is due to a known CVT issue. Subaru should be held accountable for all the vehicles they produced with this defect and not be able to hide behind a a lawsuit settlement that allowed them to leave vehicles like mine on the road as ticking time bombs all because the symptoms of the issue didn't show up before 2018 or a only 12,000 miles outside of their own warranty that they sold.

Filed Feb 28, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

While driving on the freeway under excellent conditions, the engine 'revved' and then stalled. I was able to pull off onto the shoulder and put the car in "park" and turn off the engine. Before I did so, the insrument panel indicators were (almost?) all lit. I tried to restart = unsuccessful. After waiting about 5 minutes, I tried again and was able to proceed normally. This is the second time this has occured; previous episode about three months ago (unreported) under similar conditions. The only "common" element I can surmise is that the gas level was < 1/4 tank in both instances. I was not concerned about the gas as the gauge and "miles to empty" were more than sufficient to get me home. I did refuel within ten miles of the temporary breakdown and was able to drive without further incident.

Filed Jan 9, 2020 · Suspension · 72,600 miles · NY

Vehicle stalled while driving, both the springs around the back shock absorbers are broken. This vehicle we drive very lightly, mostly for 6 miles (to and fro) work and don't carry any luggage or more than allowed passengers. Very strange to see this happening. Will never buy or recommend subaru to anyone, I have owned toyota and never this type of serious failure occurred.

Filed Jul 27, 2019 · 3 miles · VA

Vehicle stall on a flat straight highway with speed around 40mph. The engine then shutdown after the stalling. Low fuel light is on even gas is more than half tank. Then the hill assist lights is on. I pulled over, restart the engine and drive home. Two days later, the same issue happen on highway, this time the travel speed is 55mph on a flat straight highway.

Filed Nov 29, 2018 · Fuel system · 17,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru forester. While driving 78 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The fuel indicator displayed that the fuel was low. The contact called the police and was escorted to get some fuel. The contact added fuel to the vehicle, restarted the engine, and drove 400 miles without further incident. The vehicle was taken to subaru of daytona (650 n nova rd, daytona beach, fl 32114, (386) 255-2252) where they diagnosed that the vehicle was overheating and replaced the fuel pump. The dealer informed the contact not to drive the vehicle with less than a third of a tank of fuel since that caused the fuel pump to overheat. The fuel reader later displayed unusual readings and started illuminating constantly. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the contact believed nothing was done during the week it was in their possession. The manufacturer was contacted and provided investigation number: 1-38017139050. The manufacturer stated that they would call the contact back, but had not in four weeks. The failure mileage was 17,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2018 · Engine · 33,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 subaru forester. While driving 70 MPH, the engine revved and stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (williams volkswagen inc., 2845 east saginaw st, lansing, mi 48912), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that they would look into the failure. The failure mileage was 33,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2017 · Engine · 75,000 miles · TX

My 2014 forester has stalled on me 5 times in the past 3 years while traveling between san antonio and el paso tx. While traveling at highway speeds (80mph on this part of I-10) with and without cruise control, the engine suddenly would make a hard downshift, then another, and allowed me about 10 seconds to pull over to right shoulder, then stalled. During the downshift no warning lights came on until I was completely stalled and then they all turned on. One time it gave me a warning light that my transmission oil was hot, after it stalled. I have traveled to other places in texas with same variables other than the inclines/ declines of that part of I-10. This vehicle cannot handle inclines at highway speeds after driving an hour or two. I have been lucky that the 5 times my forester stalled I was not surrounded by heavy traffic. This is a very bad situation and very dangerous!! A couple of years ago I notified my subaru dealer when they did an oil consumption test (because I have to add a quart between each oil change) and they did nothing. The manager speculated some work they could do at my cost but had no answers or suggestions. I have also had to replace the ball bearings in the rear right wheel. These things should not happen to a new car with high ratings. My 86 honda civic could go between el paso and san antonio with no problems.