Subaru Forester Used: Common Problems & What to Check

If you're researching a used Subaru Forester, here's the honest picture: it's a practical, sure-footed compact SUV with standard all-wheel drive and a loyal following — but Subaru's boxer engines and CVT carry a few well-known caveats, so the year you buy matters. This is the model-specific stuff worth knowing before you go look at one.

Quick verdict

The Forester is roomy, great in bad weather, and easy to love — but its used reliability isn't uniform across the years. The headline caveats: older boxer engines tied to head-gasket failures, the FB25 oil-consumption issue on roughly 2011-2015 cars, and CVT complaints on the 2014-2018 run. The 2019-and-up cars (and the late-fourth-gen 2016-2018) are meaningfully better sorted. Pick the right year and the Forester is a dependable, practical buy; land on a weak one and you could be facing real engine or transmission bills.

Who it's a fit for: someone who wants AWD capability and practicality, especially in snow or rural areas, and will shop by year. The newest Foresters are the low-stress choice.

Generations and how to tell them apart

• 3rd gen (2009–2013) — older boxer engines; pre-2011 cars carry the classic head-gasket reputation.
• 4th gen (2014–2018) — introduced the FB25 engine and the Lineartronic CVT; this is where oil consumption (esp. 2014-2015) and CVT complaints concentrate. Late cars (2016-2018) are better sorted.
• 5th gen (2019–2024) — the global-platform redesign with a refined FB25; the strongest used Foresters, with top reliability scores.

Known weak points and common problems

FB25 oil consumption — the headline (2011-2015). The 2.5L boxer of this era can burn oil (linked to low-tension piston rings), enough that it drew a class action and an extended warranty on affected cars; some owners reported adding a quart every 1,000-2,500 miles. Left unchecked, low oil risks engine damage. Frequent oil top-offs between changes are the warning sign on these years.

Lineartronic CVT (2014-2018). Some CVTs of this run developed shuddering, jerking, or hesitation, occasionally ending in failure; Subaru extended the CVT warranty, and replacement is expensive. A shudder or hesitation on the test drive is worth taking seriously.

Head gaskets (older boxer engines). The pre-2011 EJ25 engines are known for head-gasket failures (coolant and oil leaks, overheating). Subaru largely engineered this out from 2011, but it's the classic Subaru caveat on older cars.

Common wear items. Across the years, Foresters report wheel bearings (a frequent one), suspension components, and A/C compressor wear — normal aging, but worth knowing.

That's the Forester in general. Want to know which of these actually apply to THE specific car you're going to see — its year, engine and history? Generate your free report on LemonProof and walk in with your homework done.

Engines and transmissions: which to look for and which to be careful with

• 2019+ FB25 (5th gen) — the most trouble-free, with the oil-burning issue largely engineered out and a more mature CVT.
• 2016-2018 FB25 — a fourth-gen sweet spot once the early issues were addressed.
• FB25 (2011-2015) — verify oil consumption carefully before buying.
• Older EJ25 (pre-2011) — only with head-gasket history documented.
• CVT — verify no shudder and check warranty status on 2014-2018; the turbocharged XT engines add their own considerations.

What to actually check on this car

Everything above is the Forester in general. Which of these issues actually matter for the exact car you're looking at — and the paperwork worth pulling, like the vehicle history report, title status, and an open-recall check — depends on its year, engine, mileage, and how it was driven. Rather than a one-size-fits-all checklist, LemonProof turns all of that into a tailored inspection list for your specific Forester: what to look at, what to ask the seller, and what to negotiate.

Is it a good used buy?

The Forester holds value well, especially newer AWD examples in snow regions. A fair price depends on generation, engine, trim, mileage, condition and region, so don't treat an exact figure as fact: a clean 2020 and a 2014 with an unverified oil-consumption question are very different buys at similar mileage.

The smart move is to walk in knowing the realistic range for that specific car and what to knock off for pending items — that's what the LemonProof report refines against its asking price. Check whether the asking price is fair →

FAQ

Is a used Subaru Forester reliable? It's practical and capable with standard AWD, but reliability varies by year: older head-gasket issues, FB25 oil consumption (2011-2015), and 2014-2018 CVT complaints. The 2019+ cars (and late 2016-2018) are the strongest used picks.

Does the Subaru Forester burn oil? The FB25 engine in roughly 2011-2015 Foresters can burn oil (linked to low-tension piston rings), enough to prompt a class action and an extended warranty on affected cars. Check the dipstick and ask about oil top-offs before buying one of these years.

Do Subaru Foresters have CVT problems? Some 2014-2018 cars developed CVT shuddering, jerking, or hesitation, occasionally ending in failure; Subaru extended the CVT warranty on affected vehicles. Feel for shudder or hesitation on the test drive and ask for fluid history.

Which Subaru Forester years are best to buy used? The 2019-and-up cars are the most refined and trouble-free, and 2016-2018 is a late-fourth-gen sweet spot. Approach 2014-2015 (oil consumption, CVT) and pre-2011 (head gasket) with a careful inspection unless priced accordingly.

Related models: Subaru Outback used · Toyota RAV4 used · Honda CR-V used.