Used Subaru Forester (4th-gen, SJ) review

Exterior:

The windscreen washer fluid level sensor is an integral part of the tank holding the water. Unfortunately, if this sensor malfunctions, the entire tank needs replacement.

Reports suggest that Forester windscreens are prone to cracking easily. Particularly noteworthy is that if the vehicle is equipped with the EyeSight safety feature, replacing the windscreen is recommended with a genuine Subaru one (generally more expensive than a third party windscreen). However, this replacement requires recalibration of the EyeSight systems, incurring an additional cost.

A few owners have encountered issues with wheel nuts freezing up, leading to the potential breakage of the stud. Although not a common problem, it’s advisable to exercise caution when changing wheels.

Regular use of silicon-based car washing products can disable the brake light switch, causing brake lights to malfunction. While this may not be deemed critical, it’s still a notable concern.

For the exterior, a thorough check underneath is essential to ensure no signs of abuse, especially if the vehicle has been treated roughly. Consult our ultimate used car buyer’s guide for crucial tips. 

Interior:

Some Forester models come equipped with standard infotainment systems that have received criticism. The “touch” screen can be more of a “punch” screen, causing frustration for some owners. 

Cleaning the seats requires care, as changes to the seat occupant sensing mechanism mean steam cleaning can damage electronics, resulting in a costly replacement.

Premature peeling of steering wheels has been reported, and there are occasional complaints about the air conditioning clutch failing to engage. However, the good news is that it’s often considered an easy fix, with plenty of repair videos available online.

While not a fault per se, numerous owners have expressed discontent with the excessive beeping and alerts from the safety systems, finding them intrusive. Plus, safety systems like EyeSight may not provide additional assistance during adverse weather conditions or when the windscreen is dirty, which is obviously when these safety features are most required.

Mechanically:

For the diesel models, these are mechanically a disappointment. Diesel particulate filter (DPF) issues are prevalent and sometimes misdiagnosed. Before opting for an expensive DPF replacement, it’s recommended to check intake and turbo pipes for splits and leaks, clean the MAP sensor, and reset the oil dilution tables.

The petrol naturally aspirated FB series is common in Foresters and has notable issues, including oil consumption and leaks. Once they start using oil, these engines often struggle to reach the 12.5km service interval without a top-up. Leaks typically occur from the timing cover, cam carrier, and head gaskets, resulting in burning onto the exhaust manifold.

The FA20 petrol turbo, yes, they have similar oil leaking issues as the non turbo but in stock unmodified form, they’re simply not unreliable. But modifications can lead to reliability issues. Subaru tuners may rightly tell you that good horsepower is available out of these but reliable horsepower is not cheap. People often wind them up beyond their budgets and then complain when they blow up. Self-control is the problem more than the engine. 

The transmissions vary, with the 6-speed manual being relatively trouble-free. However, the CVT is statistically considered one of the most unreliable transmissions on the market, posing potential costly repairs for those out of warranty, often in excess of $5000.

Some owners have never and may never have an issue and some markets extended the warranty due to the common CVT issues, but these warranties are not perpetual, meaning any ongoing maintenance or repair costs fall to the owner, introducing a high risk factor to consider.

Recalls:

• July 2014 – 2,863 units of Subaru Forester (2013-2014) experienced turbo boost increasing faster than the enrichment of the air/fuel ratio, resulting in MIL illumination, rough idling, engine noise, engine mis-fire or engine damage, and in worst case scenario, partial loss of power.
• August 2015 – The wiring harness malfunction in Subaru Impreza/XV and Forester models (2011-2014) may potentially lead to a short circuit within the vehicle’s electrical systems, affecting 54,571 units and posing a hazard to the driver and other road users.
• March 2016 – 1,941 units of Subaru WRX STI and Forester manufactured between 2014 and 2016 are affected by a defect where the air intake ducts may develop cracks, leading to rough engine idle, lower engine power, and potentially engine stalling, posing a hazard to the driver and other road users.
• October 2016 – A potentially faulty secondary air pump relay may cause overheating and fire risk in 23,617 Subaru Liberty, Impreza, and Forester units.
• March 2019 – A fault in the Stop Light Switch of 121,754 SUBARU vehicles (IMPREZA, XV, FORESTER, WRX & WRX STI, 2008-2015) may cause electrical contact points to malfunction due to external contaminants.
• April 2018 – A wiring loom defect in Subaru Forester (2012-2014) may cause the engine to stall and not restart, affecting 1,876 units.