The Subaru Forester shares engines and platforms with the Outback, so it inherits most of the same issues: EJ25 head gasket failures on older models, FB25 oil consumption (class action) on 2014-2016, and CVT concerns. The 2019+ redesign improved many of these issues.
The 2014-2016 Forester with FB25 had a class-action oil consumption issue. Earlier EJ25 models have head gasket risk. The 2019+ redesign is much improved.
Piston ring design caused excessive oil consumption. Subaru extended powertrain warranty to 8 years/100,000 miles for affected vehicles. If consumption is bad, the fix is a piston/ring replacement.
Run free diagnosis →External coolant leak from head gasket on the older EJ25 boxer. Common past 100,000 miles. Always check for coolant seepage at the head.
View P0128 Diagnosis →Lineartronic CVT can fail without fluid maintenance. Subaru extended warranty to 100K on many. Service the fluid every 30-40K miles.
View P0700 Diagnosis →Linked to oil consumption issues, the cat converter fails prematurely on FB25 Foresters. P0420 is one of the most common Forester codes.
View P0420 Diagnosis →A common quality complaint - not a mechanical problem but a feature of the platform.
Run free diagnosis →DRL modules fail and trigger warning lights. Replacing the affected unit (often headlight assembly) is required.
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2014-2016 (FB25 oil consumption class action), 2009-2012 (EJ25 head gasket issues)
2019+ redesigned Forester with refined FB25 (oil consumption fixed) and improved CVT calibration. The 2020+ is the most reliable to date.
$650-1,000/year routine. Lifetime non-routine: $5,000-10,000 unless avoiding the problem years. 2019+ tracks better.
If your Forester is throwing a check engine light, these are the codes most often associated with the problems above. Click any code for full diagnosis steps and typical repair costs.
Yes, but research carefully. Avoid 2014-2016 unless the oil consumption fix has been applied. Avoid 2009-2012 unless head gaskets have been replaced. The 2019+ Forester is a much safer buy.
The 2019+ Forester (5th-gen, SK platform). Refined FB25, better CVT calibration, and improved interior quality.
The 2014-2016 FB25 engine had piston rings that did not seat properly, allowing oil to bypass into the combustion chamber. Subaru extended warranties and provides ring replacements as needed.
A maintained Forester (especially post-2019) can reach 200,000-250,000 miles. Pre-2019 models depend heavily on whether oil consumption and CVT issues have been addressed.
The Forester's symmetrical AWD is very capable, but it is not a rock crawler. The CVT and oil consumption issues can be amplified by hard duty cycles. Maintain religiously if you use it off-road.