2014 Subaru Forester: hesitation when accelerating

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 Sep 15, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 25,000 miles · AZ

While driving vehicle on highway speeds in temperatures around 85-90 (or greater) degrees vehicle will not allow acceleration. Vehicle stumbles, detonates and will not allow the driver to apply power without hesitation and engine stumbles. This problem can be recreated at will and yet the vehicle will not throw a cel unless a larger failure happens, which typically is the #3 cylinder burns off the spark plug electrode and damages the engine. Subaru is aware of the issue but considers this condition normal. The vehicle is not appropriately mapped for the subaru suggested fuel octane level, has turbo boost piping leaks according to numerous individuals.

Filed Sep 8, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

Vehicle is unstable due to stalling and lurching forward under all throttle ranges. Vehicle may "chug" at variable driving speeds. The failure is intermittent and varies from subtle to heavy effects. Severe effects causes vehicle to shudder and/or stall then abruptly accelerate. Issue does not appear to be related to "turbo lag" as it occurs under low boost conditions. Transmission also produces "clicking" sound when engaging from neutral or under changes in speed. Condition occurs throughout all driving modes (I, s, s#). Condition occurs mostly under acceleration from dead stop, but may also occur under "pick up" acceleration, ie off throttle to decelerate (55mph-45mph) then light throttle to resume driving speed. Vehicle may also backfire under acceleration. Vehicle may hesitate for several seconds before acceleration from stop or at highway speed than upon resuming acceleration vehicle may have a flat/slow acceleration in spite of heavy throttle. Factory authorized repairs attempted to remedy condition by cleaning throttle body and "upper engine" cleanse and states unable to replicate failure. Condition has been on-going from purchase with approximately 30k mile to current with 74k miles.

Filed Apr 25, 2016 · Acceleration · 64,000 miles · NJ

Vehicle hesitates for 3+ seconds when trying to accelerate. Brought in to the dealer on four separate occasions and the problem "cannot be duplicated." dangerous when trying to get up to speed whether it's entering a local roadway or a highway.

Filed Mar 6, 2016 · Acceleration · DE

While changing from reverse to drive (foot on brake) the vehicle hesitates very badly especially on a hill- pressing on the gas pedal when in drive does not move it forward until the hesitation is over - very scary. Dealer was informed of this shortly after purchase in dec 2013 - he said subaru was aware of the problem and were working on a fix - is this true?

Filed Jun 3, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 200 miles · FL

Vehicle hesitates upon acceleration from a stop with slight shuttering. Car now has 6,600 mile and still has the problem. Dealer acknowledges the problem but claims this is the way the car was designed.

Filed Jun 7, 2014 · Body, Transmission · 2,500 miles · CT · crash

I slowly pulled into a parking space at walmart and the vehicle suddenly accelerated violently and jumped the median. The car crashed into metal racks with plants on them. The car was suspended on the median. Witnesses saw that the car surged forward while my brakes lights were on as I slowed to enter the parking space. Earlier on the day of the accident and the day before I noticed that the car hesitated (chugging while I was driving about 20 MPH), but that stopped when I entered the highway. I now think this is somehow related to the acceleration surge.

Filed Sep 20, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 25 miles · PA

After I purchased my vehicle, I noticed a hesitation between 20 - 40 MPH. This is the first year for the forester's to have a CVT engine so I thought it needed broken in. I also went through 3 cycles of filling up my gas tank from 3 different gas stations and the hesitation continued. The first time I brought it in the technician said he overfilled the oil a slight bit, removed it, and I should notice a difference. No difference. I brought my vehicle back to the dealership addressing the same issue. They performed the tests subaru of america (soa) suggested and nothing was found. The last time it happened, > month ago, I feared an accident because it hesitated through an intersection. I returned the vehicle wanting answers. Subaru sent out their own technician to gather information to send to fuji and what I was told was that their equipment did not find anything wrong and that it was normal for a CVT engine. I test drove several more foresters and they all had varying degrees of hesitation and all had different mileage on them.