Subaru Forester Common Problems

The Subaru Forester is an all-wheel-drive mid-size SUV and one of the most common used SUVs here. Buyers mostly meet the SH (2008 to 2012), the SJ (2012 to 2018) and the SK (2018 to 2025); the new SL arrived in 2025. The SH used the 2.5-litre EJ253, an EJ25 turbo in the XT, a 2.0-litre EE20 diesel and, from 2011, the FB25. The SJ had FB20 and FB25 petrols, a 2.0 turbo XT and the EE20 diesel. The SK is a 2.5-litre FB25 with a Lineartronic CVT, plus the 2.0-litre e-Boxer hybrid from 2020. Foresters have a good name for durability, but oil use, CVT behaviour and electrical niggles come up often.

High oil consumption (FB20 and FB25 petrol, about 2011 to 2015)

Early versions of the FB engines, in late SH and early SJ Foresters, can burn oil between services. Subaru in the United States issued bulletins that blamed worn oil control rings and, in later versions, called for a new short block (the bare engine). Some Australian owners have reported heavy oil use in dealer tests and expensive short block quotes once the car is out of warranty. Low oil can damage the engine, so ask the seller how often they top up, look for blue smoke on start-up and check the dipstick. Reports are fewer for later FB engines.

CVT shudder and slow engagement (Lineartronic CVT, mainly SJ, 2013 to 2018)

Some owners report shudder or bumps when pulling away, a jolt at idle in Drive and a wait of three to four seconds before Drive or Reverse engages, where Subaru says 1.5 seconds or less is normal. Dealers have tried software updates and fresh CVT fluid, which help for a while on some cars. Subaru in the United States extended the CVT warranty on early SJ-generation Foresters because of shudder and hesitation complaints; Australian cars did not get that extension. Turbo XTs with the heavier-duty CVT have a bulletin for fluid seeping from the oil pump chain cover. Complaints appear to centre on cars built before 2018. A fluid change is roughly a few hundred dollars; a replacement CVT can cost many thousands of dollars.

Flat batteries and battery drain (SK, 2018 to 2025)

A number of SK owners report flat batteries, sometimes more than once within weeks, and cars that will not start after sitting for a few days. Some batteries have been replaced under warranty; other owners say the problem came back. Short trips, and electronics that stay awake after the car is locked, are thought to make it worse. A new battery costs roughly $200 to $400. If a seller has replaced the battery more than once, ask whether a dealer found a cause.

Coolant valve and thermostat faults (SK 2.5, 2019 to 2025)

Several SK owners report a warning light and driver aids switching off, traced to a failed coolant control valve or thermostat assembly. Owner-reported repair bills run from about $1,600 to $2,800, depending on kilometres and whether the warranty helped. Look for coolant leaks, a low coolant level and a temperature gauge that moves around, and ask for any cooling system work in the service history.

EyeSight and stop-start complaints (SK, 2018 to 2025)

EyeSight, the camera-based driver aid system, gets mixed reviews. Some owners report unwanted braking on bends or near cyclists, adaptive cruise switching off in heavy rain, and frequent lane warnings. Others report the engine stop-start system shuddering on restart or being slow to restart at lights. These are usually software or calibration issues rather than broken parts, but the cameras need recalibrating after any windscreen replacement, which adds to the bill. A test drive should include some time with adaptive cruise on.

DPF clogging and injector wear (2.0 EE20 diesel, SH and SJ, 2009 to 2018)

The boxer diesel suits highway driving. Cars used mostly for short trips can clog the diesel particulate filter, which then needs a forced clean or, in bad cases, replacement, both expensive. Injectors can wear and get noisy at higher kilometres. Diesels were manual only until the SJ added a CVT in 2015. Check for warning lights, smoke and a rough idle, and ask how the car was driven.

Recalls and safety

SH Foresters were recalled for Takata front passenger airbags, and some cars then needed a second airbag swap because the first replacements were also Takata units. Other recalls include a six-speed manual built without a lubrication passage on some 2010 cars, replacement ignition switches whose key could slip to ACC while driving, valve springs on some early SJ 2.0i petrols, a stop lamp switch on 2013 to 2015 cars, a turbo oil pipe on 2018 diesels, a PCV valve on 2019 SKs, rear stabiliser bracket bolts on SKs, and front driveshafts on 2023 SKs. Have a Subaru dealer check the VIN for open recalls, and see our recalls page.

Buying a used Subaru Forester? What to check

• Oil level and top-ups: Check the dipstick and ask how much oil the car uses between services. On a 2011 to 2015 petrol, a low level or blue smoke is a red flag.
• CVT engagement: From cold, shift into Drive and Reverse and count. More than about two seconds, shudder on take-off or a jolt at idle all need checking.
• CVT service history: Ask whether the CVT fluid has been changed and when. Fresh fluid will not fix a worn gearbox, but a record of it is a good sign.
• Battery health: On an SK, ask how old the battery is and whether the car has gone flat. A slow crank after sitting is a warning sign.
• Cooling system: Look for coolant leaks and a low level, and watch the temperature gauge on a longer drive.
• EyeSight and cruise: Use adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive. Ask whether the windscreen has been replaced and the cameras recalibrated.
• Diesel use: On a diesel, ask how the car was driven and look for a DPF warning light or rough running.
• Recall work: On an SH, ask for proof that the airbag recall and any second airbag swap were done.

Before you buy, run a PPSR check for finance owing and write-off history, then use our Subaru Forester buying checklist.

The verdict

The SK Forester from 2019 on is the safest used buy: the 2.5i has a cleaner record, and battery or coolant issues are cheaper than engine or gearbox work. If you buy an SJ, prefer a later car with full service history and check oil use carefully on 2013 to 2015 petrols. Be wary of high-kilometre SJ CVTs that hesitate or shudder, and of diesels that have only done short trips. An older SH with the EJ253 can still be a good, cheap buy if its airbag recall is done and the service record is complete.