2014 Subaru Forester: Flat spot, bogging, bucking, lurching and stuttering
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2014 Forester report: flat spot, bogging, bucking, lurching and stuttering. CarComplaints.com lists 5 owner complaints, average mileage 51,400 miles.
NHTSA has 41 owner complaints for the 2014 Forester in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11673628 (filed 07/15/2025): “The contact owns a 2014 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently accelerate without warning. due to the failure, the contact stated that they had hit a building while attempting to park in a park…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11648162 (filed 03/13/2025): “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 h…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace cvt valve body (1 reports) replace transmission (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $910 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Flat spot, bogging, bucking, lurching and stuttering (2014 Forester)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2014 Forester
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