Recall 13V159 affects 10,137 2014 Subaru Forester vehicles because floor mats can curl and interfere with pedals. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 10,137 2014 Forester vehicles because the carpeted floor mats can curl after heat exposure. A curled driver-side mat can distract the driver or interfere with the clutch, brake, or accelerator pedals, causing very high vehicle speeds and making the vehicle hard to stop; the Subaru dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The carpeted floor mat in the 2014 Subaru Forester is equipment, not a mechanical engine part. Its job is simple: it lies flat on the floor and gives the driver a stable surface around the footwell while protecting the carpet underneath.
In the recalled Foresters, the backing on the carpeted floor mat was not made to Subaru's specification. When the mat is exposed to heat, that backing does not hold the mat flat as designed. The edge or surface can curl, so the mat no longer sits in its intended shape or position.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is the mat's condition after heat exposure, so an owner is most likely to notice it by seeing the carpeted mat curl or lift instead of lying flat.
Who's affected?
| 2014 Subaru Forester | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 10,137 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A curled driver side floor mat can distract the driver or interfere with the clutch, brake, or accelerator pedals. Pedal interference can cause very high vehicle speed and make the Forester hard to stop, which raises crash risk. Check that the mat is secure, drive cautiously, and schedule the recall repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014 Subaru Forester is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free carpeted floor-mat replacement that fixes the heat-curling mat backing.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V159 and Subaru recall WQH-44 when you call.
- Keep the driver floor mat flat and clear of the clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician replaces all 4 carpeted floor mats with new mats that meet Subaru's specification. Subaru's remedy notice says the repair was available after owner letters were mailed on June 5, 2013, and the service is free of charge. The technician removes the old mats, checks that the replacement mats sit flat, and confirms the heat-related curling issue is addressed.
Timeline
| April 24, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 5, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V159?
Recall 13V159 covers 10,137 2014 Subaru Forester vehicles with carpeted floor mats whose backing was not made to specification. Heat can make the mats curl. Subaru dealers replace all 4 carpeted floor mats with new ones for free.
What should I do if my 2014 Subaru Forester is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Forester is included in recall 13V159. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer and ask for the WQH-44 floor mat replacement. The dealer replaces the affected mats for free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to complete the recall repair at no cost, and Subaru's remedy says dealers replace each of the vehicle's 4 carpeted floor mats free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The driver side floor mat can curl and interfere with the clutch, brake, or accelerator pedals. Pedal interference can cause very high vehicle speeds and make the vehicle difficult to stop, increasing crash risk. The free repair replaces the floor mats.
What if I bought my 2014 Subaru Forester used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Forester is included, then reference recall 13V159 or Subaru campaign WQH-44 when you call a franchised Subaru dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V159000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V159 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V159000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →