Subaru Forester problems
The Subaru Forester (Japanese: スバル・フォレスター, Hepburn: Subaru Foresutā) is a compact crossover SUV that has been manufactured by Subaru since 1997. The first generation was built on the platform of the Impreza in the style of a taller station wagon, a style that continued to the second generation, while the third-generation model onwards moved towards a crossover SUV design. A performance model was available for the second-generation Forester in Japan as the Forester STi.
First generation (SF; 1997)
The Forester was introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show in November 1995 as the Streega concept, and available for sale in February 1997 in Japan, and to the US market in 1997 for MY1998. The Forester was one of the first crossover SUVs; the idea was inspired by Volkswagen (VW). It was built in the style of a station wagon, but had a taller stance, higher h-point seating, and an all-wheel drive drivetrain. Subaru advertising employed the slogan "SUV tough, Car Easy". It used the Impreza platform but with the larger 2.5-liter DOHC EJ25D four-cylinder boxer engine from the Subaru Outback, making 123 kW (165 hp; 167 PS) at 5,600 rpm and 220 N⋅m (162 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Japan
In its domestic market, the Forester replaced the Impreza Gravel Express, known in the US as the Subaru Outback Sport. However, the Outback Sport remained in production for the U.S. market. The Forester appeared after the introduction of the Nissan Rasheen in Japan with a similar appearance, and the Forester's Japanese competitors include the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi RVR, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. Because of the Forester's low center of gravity, it meets the United States federal safety standards for passenger vehicles and does not require a "risk of rollover" warning label on the driver's visor. Size- and price-wise, it fits between the shared Impreza platform and the larger Legacy.
The automatic transmissions used on AWD-equipped vehicles will normally send 60% of the engine's torque to the front wheels and 40% to the rear wheels, using a computer-controlled, continuously variable, multi-plate transfer clutch. When the transmission detects a speed difference between the front and rear axle sets, the transmission progressively sends power to the rear wheels. Under slip conditions, it can achieve an equal split in front and rear axle speeds.
When accelerating or driving uphill, the vehicle's weight shifts rearward, reducing front-wheel traction, causing the transmission to automatically send torque to the rear wheels to compensate. When braking or driving downhill, the vehicle's weight shifts towards the front, reducing rear-wheel traction. The transmission again compensates by sending torque to the front wheels for better steering control and braking performance. If the automatic is placed in reverse or first gear, the transmission divides the torque 50/50 to both front and rear wheels. The manual transmission cars are set up with a near 50/50 torque split as a base setting, and it varies from there. Essentially, manual cars are set up with more bias towards the rear than automatic cars.
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Subaru Forester model years
Common Subaru Forester problems
The Subaru Forester is a popular compact crossover SUV known for its smooth ride, standard all-wheel drive, and comfortable cabin. However, like any vehicle, it is not completely free from issues. Here are some of the most common problems reported by real owners:
- Recall of front O2 sensor: The front oxygen sensor, which measures the air-to-fuel ratio, can develop a crack, resulting in an illuminated check engine light. Subaru issued a recall for some models (1998, 2000-2007, and 2009-2014) to fix this issue.
- Failed catalytic converter: This problem also produces an illuminated check engine light and might cause the vehicle to fail a smog test. If the vehicle is still under warranty, Subaru will likely cover the cost of the repairs or replacement of the catalytic converter.
- Head gasket failure due to cooling system issues: Subaru extended the head gasket warranty coverage to eight years or 100,000 miles for some vehicles due to the frequency of this problem.
- Engine issues: Forester engine issues include the Check Engine light being illuminated due to a crack in the oxygen sensor or issues in catalytic converter efficiency. These problems can cause the vehicle to fail a smog test. The knock sensor can also fail, causing intermittent issues.
- Transmission problems: Subaru Forester transmission problems typically occur in two ways – shuddering or jerking. These issues are often not resolved by updating the car’s software.
- Oil consumption: Many drivers have reported that they need to get their oil changed more frequently than they have had to in other cars. This is likely due to oil cracks or leaks in the camshaft and crankshaft seals as well as the oil pump seal.
- Electrical issues: These issues span from not being able to open the tailgate to issues with the car’s GPS system. While these issues may cause an inconvenience, they do not render the car inoperable.
These problems do not affect most Forester models, but they are the most frequently cited by owners. It is essential to pay close attention to the engine and transmission before purchasing a Subaru Forester, especially if considering an older used model.
Does the Subaru Forester have any problems?
When it comes to Subaru Forester common problems, one of the most commonly reported is related to the car's oil consumption. Many drivers have reported that they need to get their oil changed more frequently than they have had to in other cars.
What are the downsides of a Subaru Forester?
Common Subaru Forester Problems
- Transmission issues: Many Subaru Forester models with CVT transmissions reportedly had numerous issues. ...
- Excessive oil consumption: Various Subaru models, including the Forester, had oil consumption issues. ...
- Check engine light: An illuminated check engine light points to a dozen issues.
Are Subaru Foresters long lasting cars?
The Subaru Forester has achieved as one of the longest lasting cars through its years of requiring minimal maintenance.
What is common problem with Subaru?
Here are some of the most common Subaru problems to look out for: Damaged bumper. Fast battery drain. Dings and dents.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Subaru Forester years
We have researched Subaru problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Subaru Forester cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Subaru Forester model years:
- Subaru Forester 2019
- Subaru Forester 2015
- Subaru Forester 2020
- Subaru Forester 2017
- Subaru Forester 2018
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Subaru Forester model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Subaru Forester years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Subaru Forester car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Subaru Forester , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Visibility/wiper problems
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Subaru Forester vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Forester model years
A total of 501 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Forester model years
There were a total of 88 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Forester model years
There were a total of 271 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Forester model years
There were a total of 8 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 5929 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Subaru Forester . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Subaru Forester vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Subaru Forester 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-11-18
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JF2SKAJC4PH
- Components: LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: I was driving on a two lane highway in the mountains and came around a small right-veering turn in the road. I straightened out the wheel to resume traveling straight, and my car’s auto-steer kicked in and pulled left into the center divider, and then right across two lanes and crashed into the side of the mountain. The auto-steer has pulled me out of lanes prior to this incident as well.
Subaru Forester 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-23
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-25
- VIN: JF2SJAJC3JH
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: After starting the car for the first time of the day, letting it warm for a minute or two, I started driving and when I went to stop at a stop sign about three blocks from my starting point I pressed the brake. The engine started to rev immediately so I had to stomp the brake to the floor and push the gear selector to the neutral position to avoid hitting a pedestrian and the dog she was walking. She was within 10 feet of the front of my car when I finally stopped. I have not taken it to a dealer yet since I am sure they will not be able to replicate the intermittent problem. There were no warnings of any kind that this was about to happen. I did note though, that the cold engine temperature indicator light on the dashboard was still illuminated.
Subaru Forester 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-25
- VIN: JF2SJARC3GH
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: The windshield cracked without incident while parked. The is the exact same issue for which there is a class action lawsuit against Subaru for year models 2017-2020. The crack has spread to the drivers side and is obstructing the view. The dealer has reviewed the issue and provided a price quote but will not cover under the extended covered ordered as result of the class action lawsuit. There was no warning of this issue prior to noticing the cracking.
Subaru Forester 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-23
- VIN: JF2SKAGC5KH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: As I was driving, every warning light came on, my car emitted a high pitched alarm and the car stopped working. This happened twice. I had to put my car in park. Turn off the car and turn it back on to make it driveable. I took it to the dealer and was informed that the battery and starter required replacement. The battery was covered by an extended warranty (I paid $100 or 20% of the cost), but the starter was not covered by any warranty since my car has 41K miles and is 5 yrs old. I contacted Subaru and they agreed to pay $800 towards the $1209.13 repair. My Subaru Case # 241016-1801159. I believe my starter failed because of the automatic start/stop engine feature. I asked the dealer if the starter failure could have been detected during a regular maintenance and they said no.
Subaru Forester 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-08
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-22
- VIN: JF2SJAHC5FH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Passenger airbag says to be checked. Was a recall previously fixed in 2020. Same issue is arising and dealership will not fix for free Passenger airbag is off even with person sitting in it with seatbelt buckled
Subaru Forester 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-11
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-21
- VIN: JF2SKAMC5RH
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: My backup camera would not operate after washing my car. When I was backing up, I got an alert that something was in my way. There was no picture, so I could not see what it was. I had to stop and get out to see. This could lead to serious problems, like getting hit by other vehicles while have to get out and look for obstacle. This could also be a risk to children crossing behind the car, because eventually the driver will tire of getting out and walking around the car. When I went to take the vehicle to the dealer the next day, the car had dried off, and the camera came back on. I looked at other Subaru forums and found many NHTSA recalls on cameras on different year Subaru's. The problem still seems to persist on my model, but no recall.
Subaru Forester 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-20
- VIN: JF2SKAJC2LH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Stopped in traffic near a red light. The Auto Stop/Start was enabled and activated when stopped at the light. When the light turned green, tried to go, but the AS/S system failed. A “No Eyesight” warning flashed and disappeared; various symbol lights blinked. Car would not start, hazards would not activate. After 20-30 seconds, I was able to put the car in park and restart the engine (would not start before then). No battery or check engine lights had been on previously, up to date on oil changes, 35k total miles, and I had a quarter tank of gas. This was scary as I was stuck in the middle of the road with my children while cars behind me tried to pass on either side. Many people have reported this issue in Subarus and I’d like for this dangerous problem to be formally addressed.
Subaru Forester 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-20
- VIN: JF2SKARC0LH
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The auto start stop feature has caused my car to shutdown with all lights lit on the dash in more than one scenario. In traffic on the freeway, I had my foot on the brake. It auto stopped. Then when the traffic was starting to move, I went to push the accelerator and the dashboard lights all lit up and the engine shut off completely. The car was still in drive but it was off. I had to shift the car into park and push the start button to start the engine back up. It has happened before at traffic lights with the same outcomes. I went to subaru dealer and they said some of the batteries were faulty and replaced it but that is not the issue since it is still happening. It is dangerous in traffic!
Subaru Forester 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-28
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-19
- VIN: JF2SJADC6GH
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: I called Subaru made an appointment for service. I was not aware of the recall, although the dealership said it was repaired. No water damage to the seat bottom, the airbag sensor in the bottom of my passenger side seat cushion was bad. It’s attached to the seat. They gave me a loaner for three months and then called to say the part is on back order until “sometime” in 2025. The part is not covered under the recall and it will be approximately $2000 to fix. This has been a complaint from many owners of the recalled airbag years. At this point it is being replaced so often the part is on back order with an undetermined in stock date.
Subaru Forester 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-17
- VIN: JF2SJAEC2EH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: airbag inspection light comes on. Dealer verified vehicle has defective passenger harness and or seat cushion. Replaced harness under passenger seat in July 24, now Oct 24 airbag inspection light is back on. The 2014 has the same WUM 98 harness kit and seat sensor, so why isn't the 2014 Subaru Forrester included in the WUM 98 recall?
Subaru Forester 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-16
- VIN: JF2SKAJC1MH
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: The front windshield is covered in chips all over it I've got a few bigger ones repaired. However the whole windshield needs to be replaced I don't even know where they've come from I mean the whole windshield is just covered and tiny little chips and when the sun shines on it while you're driving It makes visibility extremely hard. And from what I gather researching windshields on Subaru this is a flaw... I've had plenty of vehicles and never have seen such a bad windshield. I recently purchased this vehicle in August and it has $112,000 mi on it. I did not see the issue with the windshield until after purchasing it and driving in direct sunlight. I did notice a few big chips in The windshield and the dealership did repair those...
Subaru Forester 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: JF2SJAJC9JH
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The initial incident happened when I was accelerating uphill. When I pressed the gas pedal to accelerate, the car began jerking and sputtering. I released the gas pedal and let the car coast, as I was heading toward a stop sign. After I stopped and then accelerated the second time, the engine seemed to smooth out. Nothing further happened until about 1 week later. The second incident, I was 35 minutes into an hour-long drive. I was going around 45-55mph when the same issue happened suddenly: I pressed the gas pedal and the car started shaking and sputtering. If I released the gas pedal, the car was fine. All check engine lights came on and were flashing. I lowered my speed into the 30s, and the issue continued to happen, regardless of what speed I was driving at. If I was accelerating, the car was shaking a lot. At stop signs, the lights would turn off, but pop on as soon as I began driving again. I was able to make it to my destination and when I parked the car, it was shaking a lot while idling. It felt like the engine was about to die or shut off. It was late so I turned the vehicle off and left it parked for the night. The next morning, when I started the car, it was continuing to shake/sputter during idle and I drove it briefly to see how it ran. It continued to shake when pressing the gas pedal, however, the check engine lights were not on. Since I had to drive back home, I decided to take it slow and began the two-hour drive back. The engine again seemed like it wanted to die as I let the car warm up, but it did not shut off. Initially when driving, the car continued to have the same problem - shaking whenever I pressed the gas pedal, no matter the speed. The check engine panel lights did not come on, however, and after driving for about 20 minutes, the issue cleared up. I've only driven it as needed since then and it is currently running ok, but, given the numerous fuel pump recalls I'm concerned there is a defect with this model.
Subaru Forester 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: JF2SJAGC7JH
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the air bag was not activated message was displayed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70, 000.
Subaru Forester 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-19
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: JF2SJADC0FG
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: My clutch fork was nearly broken in two.(pics available). I asked the mechanic to save the old parts. My 6MT was never modified; the vehicle was neither raced, taken off-road nor used for towing. A friend discovered the following article online: [XXX] Based on said article , I believe the part on my vehicle was defective. How may other manual transmission Subarus have been affected by this defect ? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Subaru Forester 2019
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: JF2SKAGC1KH
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis or repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
Latest 5 recalls Subaru Forester
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 110 recalls for different components of the Subaru Forester.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Subaru Forester 2022
- Report Received Date: 2023-11-09
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
- Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
- Model: Subaru Forester 2024
- Report Received Date: 2023-11-09
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
- Consequence: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
- Model: Subaru Forester 2023
- Report Received Date: 2023-11-09
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
- Consequence: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
- Model: Subaru Forester 2024
- Report Received Date: 2023-10-26
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.
- Consequence: Leaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Subarus independent distributor processing facilities will tighten the water pipe attachment bolts. The affected vehicles have not been delivered to dealers or sold to owners and therefore, no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRO-23.
- Model: Subaru Forester 2013
- Report Received Date: 2022-11-10
- Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
- Consequence: The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-22.
Latest negative Subaru Forester car reviews
Latest positive Subaru Forester car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2016
I love my Subaru Forester! Although it spends most of its time on well-maintained roads, I got it for its ability to handle dirt roads, so-so trails, and times I need decent ground clearance (like our annual trips to the snow). What really sold me on the Forester was its affordability, fuel efficiency, comfortable seating, and smooth handling on regular streets and highways. Plus, the outward visibility is excellent, so I can drive through traffic without having to lean from side to side to check my blind spots. On highway trips, I get around 34 mpg with a full load, and on my daily drive of 80% highway and 20% regular streets by myself, I get about 30 mpg. I used to have a 2009 Subaru Outback, but my then 11-year old daughter found the rear seat legroom insufficient. However, on our recent road trip, she and her now 10-year old sister had plenty of leg room in the Forester. Both are about 5'4
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Vehicle year: 2021
This is my second Forrester, following my original first Subaru which was an Outback and a 2017 Forrester. I absolutely love the Forrester’s windows’ visibility range, it's one of my favorite features. The way it handles corners and curves in the toughest weather is simply the best! I have owned Subarus for years and their mechanical reliability has been outstanding, as has their Service Dept. team. The safety features and interior comfort are also wonderful. I can confidently say that I love my Subarus!
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Vehicle year: 2007
Your 07 Forester sounds like an excellent choice for a small SUV! It runs on regular unleaded and gets just under 30 mpg on the highway, which is great. I'm glad to hear that you've had good experiences with your local dealer's service. The standard all wheel drive is also a great feature, especially in the rain. Overall, it seems like you got a lot of value for your money with your Subaru.
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Vehicle year: 2001
It's great to hear that you've had such a positive experience with your Forester! From buying it new from the dealer to consistently maintaining it with the same dealer, it's clear that you've taken great care of your car. Even with the original Geolander tires only lasting 26K, it's impressive that you were able to get about 65K out of the ContiPremierContac tires you put on after. It's also good to know that you've had no comfort issues during your 7-8 hour day trips, especially since the seat reclines. With only 96k miles on the car, it's understandable that you're debating whether to get a new one. It's clear that this car has served you well, especially during northern Ohio winters.
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Vehicle year: 2018
I spent almost a year researching SUVs as I'm also the owner of a 2004 Tacoma TRD Off-Road. I was getting a little tired of the stiff ride and poor gas mileage, but I needed something that could handle off-road as well as poor driving conditions in the winter. I was thinking of trading my truck for either a new Tacoma or a 4Runner, but I didn't feel like I'd get anything very different, especially from an MPG standpoint. That's when I discovered the Forester. My biggest concern was the available 'get up and go' since I live at about 6100 ft in Colorado and frequently drive into the mountains where 10,000+ ft is common. The XT was an obvious consideration but the MPG of the Limited 2.5i was very enticing. After test driving the 2.5i up the local pass, I decided it would suffice. I've got 2000 miles on the car and many of them are mountain driving. No power issues whatsoever! I'll admit I'm not a racer, but I usually go about 5mph over the speed limit and have really had no problem with acceleration or keeping the speed up at all with the 2.5i. If I could have gotten blind spot and RCTA on the XT without going all the way to a Touring model, I'd have probably gone that route (although I much prefer regular gas to premium). Anyway, the Limited 2.5i has a very comfortable ride and I'm averaging about 28mpg in town and 35mpg on the interstate...again, at real altitude! Also, I got to keep my truck! I couldn't be happier with my decision. So, I've had the car for a little over a year now and thought I'd provide an update. Bottom line, I still love it! My gas mileage is not quite as good because I'm past the break-in period and drive it a little harder than when I first got it. I'm still getting about 26mpg in town and 33mpg or so on the interstate, which I consider to be excellent. My only complaint is the automatic rear hatch is slow, but that's a pretty minor thing that I can certainly live with.Overall, I'm still extremely pleased with this car. I've owned the Forester for three years now and couldn't be more pleased. Absolutely no mechanical issues at about 34k miles and the mpg is around 26/33 city to highway driving between 6100 and 9000 ft in elevation here in Colorado. The car has been through two winters and is rock solid in the snow. No rattles or other noises as this vehicle still drives like it was brand new. I'm regularly getting offers from the dealer to trade it in, but it's paid for and my guess is we'll put a lot more miles on it before changing it out. Great car!! It's now been about 5 1/2 years since we purchased the Forester and the car has about 60k miles. I'm going to sound like a broken record but this car has simply been great. Absolutely zero issues mechanically and continued great MPG's at about 26/33. We will probably trade it in a year or so from now as the resale seems excellent as well. Most likely, another Forester will be in our future. We'll see.
Are you having problems with your Subaru Forester?
Blaze Muller 2025-04-04
Vehicle year: 2002
I have driven mostly Toyota vehicles in the past, but this is my first Subaru. Despite keeping up with regular maintenance, I have experienced some disappointing quality issues. While still under warranty, I had to deal with water getting into the floorboard, which required the removal and drying of the carpet, as well as the disassembly of the transmission to replace bearings. Additionally, I had to pay out of pocket to replace two O2 sensors. The interior of the car feels cheap and the seats are uncomfortable. Furthermore, there is no LATCH system for car seats, which is a concern for families with young children. Finally, the wind noise on the highway is noticeable. Despite these issues, I remain confident in my ability to maintain and improve the performance of my Subaru.
Humberto Feest 2025-04-04
Vehicle year: 2015
I recently purchased a 2015 Forester 4-cylinder 6 speed after my 2007 Outback reached 182,000 miles. Although I had to wait three and a half months for it to arrive, I was excited to take delivery in January. However, at around 4000 miles, I started to notice excessive oil consumption. I contacted Subaru National and was given a case number. They instructed me to have the local dealer in Bedford, Ohio do an oil consumption test. Unfortunately, the service manager's response was not very friendly and he talked down to me. He said that one-third of a quart in 1200 miles is acceptable, which I found concerning. By the time of the first scheduled synthetic oil change, I had already blown through two quarts. This is not acceptable and quite frightening. I later found out that there are many negative comments online about excessive oil consumption with these engines. If I had known about this major Subaru engine problem, I would have bought something else. At 78,000 miles, the car is still using oil, but I have switched to 5W-30 which is slightly thicker oil than 0W-30. It helps a little with consumption, but the problem is still there. Other than that, the car is fine, but a bit under-powered with the base flat-four engine. At 90,000 miles (7/2018), the oil consumption is down but still there. No other problems with the car. As of 1/16/2020, the car has 130,000 miles and still runs and stops well. The only issue is that the fan belt needs replacing. At 144,000 miles, I replaced the spark plugs and at 148,000 miles, I had to replace the clutch as this is a 6-speed stick shift transmission. Despite the oil consumption issue, the car has been reliable and I have been able to put over 5000 miles on it since the onset of Covid19.Still getting between 25-27 miles per gallon in mixed driving.
Emil Hackett 2025-04-02
Vehicle year: 2011
Our 2011 Forester developed a ticking sound in the engine during a long drive in 2014. Despite following the break-in procedures and adhering to the oil service schedule, the dealer found that it was very low on oil and had to replace the filter and top it off. However, the ticking sound returned during another long drive and I had to add three quarts of oil. Since then, I have had to check the oil every 1,500 to 2,000 miles and add a quart. Although we smell burning oil in the garage, there is no oil on the ground or engine. Despite these issues, I am confident in the quality of our Forester and believe that with proper maintenance, it will continue to serve us well.
Mallory McClure 2025-04-01
Vehicle year: 1998
Although the major systems were above average in quality and reliability, I did encounter some issues with the electrical system. The door-open lights wouldn't turn off until the car was started and the remote locking malfunctioned. Additionally, after several years, a lot of items stopped working such as the radio, lighter, cassette, clock, and rear window defroster. I checked the fuses and the mechanic said it was too expensive to trace the problem. The average city/hwy. combined gas mileage (after a full tune-up) was only about 20-21 mpg. Lastly, the trunk latch started to fail, which was also a problem we had with our '92 Legacy wagon.
Ahmad Kuhlman 2025-03-29
Vehicle year: 2020
I wanted to share my experience of purchasing a 2020 Forester on October 29, 2020. I bought it online through a local dealership and was able to get a nice discount off the MSRP by pitting four dealerships against each other. As for the MPG, I drive about 400 miles per week, with 300 miles of that being highway driving. I keep the speed on the highway at 65-70 mph and consistently get 27-29 mpg. Just a fair warning, the logarithm that computes your mpg on the infotainment screen is consistently 1-2 mpg higher than my own calculations. I trust my computations more. When it comes to the engine, Consumer Reports say the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder 182 hp engine is a bit on the sluggish side compared to its competitors in the segment. However, I disagree. It has plenty of giddy-up when needed to pass a tractor-trailer or whatever you want to leave in the dust. It does express a rather loud thrum when you press on the accelerator but quiets down when you go back to cruising. Moving on to the interior, it is well padded and looks stylish. The seats are very comfortable, as everyone who has ridden in it has said as much. Sight lines are excellent for the segment and the controls are easily accessible and practical. There are a couple of hiccups, such as the storage bin in the console between the two front seats being on the small side, but overall it's a great car. Finally, the user manual is about an inch and a half thick because this car has a myriad of safety features. One such feature saved me from an unavoidable rear-end collision. The car stopped before I could get to the brakes myself. That alone was worth every penny I paid for this very fine vehicle. As an update, it's now been 3 1/2 years since I purchased it and it's still going strong.I hope this message finds you well! I wanted to share my experience with my 2020 Subaru Forester, which I purchased in October 2019. I have put 61K miles on it and it is still running great, with an impressive MPG range of 27-29 in Highway 75% - Town 25% driving. I am very happy with my purchase and have not experienced any major issues with the car so far. However, I did encounter some minor problems with the interior fit and finish. For instance, the driver's side sun visor stopped working at around 65K miles and the driver's and passenger's side power windows have a tendency to refuse to close. Despite these issues, I still think the car is an excellent ride. I had a '95 Ford Escort wagon for 11 years and an '05 Toyota Camry for 15 years, and neither of them ever had these problems. I would definitely recommend the Subaru Forester to anyone looking for a reliable car with great gas mileage. Thank you for taking the time to read my message!