Subaru Forester Buying Guide
6 Known Issues to Check
We track 6 known issues for the Subaru Forester in the Australian market. 4 of these are high severity and could result in significant repair costs. Check the details below before buying.
Known Issues
Head gasket external coolant leak (EJ25 engines)
HIGH"Has the head gasket ever been replaced? Any coolant loss or overheating history?"
Higher-than-normal oil consumption on early FB engines
MEDIUM"Does the car consume oil between services? Any top-ups required? Has the issue been diagnosed or repaired?"
Timing cover and cam carrier oil leaks
MEDIUM"Any oil seepage around the front of the engine? Oil smell after driving?"
DPF blockage on short-trip driving
HIGH"Has the car done mainly short trips? Any DPF warning lights or forced regenerations at a dealer?"
Injector wear and oil dilution on diesel models
HIGH"Have injectors been tested or replaced? Any rough idle or diesel knock? Oil level rising between services?"
CVT shudder or valve body issues (Lineartronic CVT)
HIGH"Any shudder or hesitation when accelerating from low speed? Has the CVT fluid ever been serviced?"
Transmission Notes
The Subaru Forester uses different automatic transmission types depending on the model year:
Questions to Ask the Seller
Use these questions when inspecting a Subaru Forester:
- 1 Has the head gasket ever been replaced? Any coolant loss or overheating history?
- 2 Does the car consume oil between services? Any top-ups required? Has the issue been diagnosed or repaired?
- 3 Any oil seepage around the front of the engine? Oil smell after driving?
- 4 Has the car done mainly short trips? Any DPF warning lights or forced regenerations at a dealer?
- 5 Have injectors been tested or replaced? Any rough idle or diesel knock? Oil level rising between services?
- 6 Any shudder or hesitation when accelerating from low speed? Has the CVT fluid ever been serviced?
Is the Subaru Forester a Good Used Car in Australia?
The used Forester in Australia is a versatile SUV, ideal for our harsh climate and long drives. Its all-wheel drive excels off-road, but be cautious of known issues like head gasket leaks and CVT problems. While many enjoy Forester reliability, potential buyers should thoroughly inspect for oil consumption and DPF blockages, especially if buying a Forester for short trips.
What to Check When Buying a Used Subaru Forester
- Inspect for head gasket leaks on EJ25 engines, which can cost $2,000–$4,000 to repair.
- Check for higher-than-normal oil consumption on early FB engines, potentially costing $1,000–$3,000.
- Look for timing cover and cam carrier oil leaks, which may require $800–$2,000 to fix.
- Evaluate the CVT for shuddering or valve body issues, with repairs ranging from $2,000–$6,000.
Used Subaru Forester — Frequently Asked Questions
How many kilometres is too many for a used Forester in Australia?
For a used Forester, aim for under 150,000 km. Subaru engines are durable, but higher mileage can indicate potential issues, especially with the CVT.
Which Forester years should I avoid?
Avoid 2011-2013 models due to head gasket issues and 2014-2015 for CVT problems. These years have documented reliability concerns.
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