Best and worst Subaru Forester years — which to avoid

If you are in the market to buy a used Subaru Forester, the worst thing that could happen is if you pick the wrong model year. We say it like that since although it’s a reliable SUV in general, certain mode years were plagued by common issues that even include engine problems.

Don’t worry, though – our team will help you navigate through the best years to buy and worst Subaru Forester years to avoid to help you with buying advice based on first-hand ownership experience. We’ve examined all the reliability reports made by fellow Forester owners through NHTSA and other platforms, while also keeping in mind the ratings we obtained from trustworthy automotive sites for particular Forester years, so let’s get into it:

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Subaru Forester years

Evaluating the best and worst Subaru Forester years wasn’t easy since our team wanted to give you detailed and proven facts about the vehicle’s reliability. So, we ventured through the NHTSA submissions and driver complaints provided for particular model years of the popular crossover SUV.

We also took into consideration all the ratings and reviews compiled by other drivers so we could explain what it’s like to own one of these reliability-wise. Finally, our team also explored Subaru Forester forums in pursuit of common problem reports and potential fixes as recommended by communities like Reddit and Subaru Forester forum, and this is what it looks like considering specific model years:

Most common Subaru Forester problems

When looking to buy a used Subaru Forester, the key thing to watch out for is engine reliability. While this SUV has some of the best boxer engines under the hood as top-level options, some of them showcased vulnerabilities like excessive oil consumption and stalling, so let’s see about that:

1. Sensor failures

Two particular sensors are notorious for failing in the Forester – the oxygen sensor and the knock sensor. Foresters made between 1999 and 2014 commonly have an issue with their oxygen sensors which causes a crack to develop, triggering the check engine light.

Knock sensors, however, seem more severe as they can affect the vehicle’s performance and engine when bad. They are designed to monitor the engine’s combustion process, send the right signals to control it, and also give off a ‘check engine’ light when faulty.

You can fix the faulty knock sensors by replacing them, but any issue with the oxygen sensor should be treated by a Subaru dealer as soon as possible.

2. Faulty air conditioning

Foresters are not the only SUVs to experience faulty air conditioning, but they are well-known for it. It is common to feel the AC on your Forester giving out hot air. There are also other common A/C problems including faulty compressors and air supply being completely cut off from the cabin.

Most times, recharging the system solved the problem. Drivers who do not address the problem on time only need to replace their condenser to resolve the problem.

3. Defective airbags

The airbags on the 2010 to 2013 models had a severe case of defective airbags followed by the SRS light. When aware of the issue, Subaru recalled all Foresters suffering from it for free replacements at their dealerships.

4. Excessive oil consumption

The 2014 Forester model, in particular, had drivers complaining about the rate of its oil consumption. They reported that the vehicle uses about one-third to one-half of a quart of oil for every 1200 miles, which is quite odd. When the company checked, the reports they gleaned did not reflect the complaint.

Therefore, drivers had to take the issue into their own hands by carrying extra quarts of oil in their vehicles, getting a new short block, or replacing the engine altogether, depending on the strength of their pocket. All these measures worked well.

5. Leaking brake fluid

Foresters manufactured between 2009 and 2013 were notorious for leaking brake fluids. The reason for the leak is the gap the fuel tank protector seems to have, which ultimately makes the brake lines corrode and cause the leakage. Some of the symptoms of a low brake fluid include a spongy pedal and lower braking power.

To prevent the problem, some drivers reinforced the entire area to prevent the corrosion process from happening. However, when the damage is done, the best option is to replace the brake line.

6. Transmission issues

The Forester utilizes the lightweight but powerful CVT transmission, which promotes fuel economy. However, there are numerous CVT transmission problems that Subaru Forester drivers have complained about.

For instance, the 2017 Forester model has a defect that prevents the transmission from getting enough fluid. As a result, the vehicle would jerk, shudder and shake whenever a driver tried to change gears. Subaru had to extend its warranty on the car and ensure the defect was fixed.

Additionally, some Foresters have a problem with engaging the transmission parking rod, which always results in the vehicle moving when it should not. The issue is a serious safety issue to which Subaru responded swiftly, recalling all affected vehicles to replace the entire transmission parking rod assembly.

Worst Subaru Forester years to avoid

Subaru is well known for its quality at affordable prices, and although the same can be said for the Forester model, there have been some pretty bad model years. So, are you still wondering what are the worst Subaru Forester years?

The worst Subaru Forester years are 2015 and 2019, but you can take a look at the list below for all of the negatively-rated years:

• 1999
• 2000
• 2002
• 2004
• 2010
• 2011
• 2014
• 2015
• 2017
• 2019
• 2020

Of course, we’ll try to give you a better perspective on why those model years are considered the worst for Subaru Forester and explain the main issues of each in more depth below.

First-generation Forester (1999-2000 model years)

Practically all the Foresters of the first generation are best left alone. They had the most gasket head problems, which implies that they had severe engine problems and, most times, just needed the entire engine to be replaced. The head gasket leaks because it is too weak, especially after the vehicle has done 50,000 miles.

Second-generation Forester (2002-2004 model year)

For the second generation of Foresters, Subaru tried to redeem itself. However, the one model year you should avoid in this generation is 2003.

Drivers had to replace the doors as the original door seals kept breaking, and the window seal let in wind noise often. Even the power window gets affected at some point and would not roll up. It also had problems with the airbags and seatbelts.

The more severe problems the 2003 model has been failing head gaskets, dying engines, sudden power loss during deceleration, and misfires during acceleration. All these issues became prominent mainly after 60,000 miles.

Third-generation Forester (2010-2011 model years)

Subaru received many complaints about engine failure on both the 2010 and 2011 models.

Individually, the 2010 Forester was more frustrating as it involved a lot of issues with its interior accessories. Its compass was non-functional, the critical lock-in was not working correctly, and the driver’s seat kept collapsing.

Adding its engine problems which usually stemmed from a blown turbo engine, blown head gasket, and cold starting, culminating in a complete engine failure, makes it quite undesirable. Drivers had to replace the collapsed seats with new ones and also replace the head gasket, which all cost a reasonable sum.

The 2011 model year was less problematic than the former but still had many engine problems, coupled with poor fuel efficiency and excessive oil use.

Fourth-generation Forester (2014, 2015 and 2017 model years)

Of these three model years with many issues, only 2017 did not have a severe transmission-related issue. Its problems were mostly based on its engine and electrical system.

The worst Forester model year of the fourth generation is that of 2014, with its multiple gearbox problems, suspension breakdowns, excessive oil consumption, and engine failure. Though the cost of fixing the issues the 2014 Forester brought with it with mileage is not as high as some other models, its constant want of attention made it a nuisance and a problem in itself.

The 2015 model most likely inherited its predecessor’s engine and transmission problems, stressing many drivers with its sudden transmission failures and delays. Its interior accessories brought their issues with malfunctioning speech recognition and spotty Bluetooth connectivity.

The 2017 Forester had fewer problems but was notorious for its weak battery, which sometimes died as early as 25,000 miles. Its radio and navigation system was of no use as they froze often.

What are the best Subaru Forester years to buy?

After the failure of the 2017 model, the Foresters began to show significant improvements in their design and performance in subsequent years. So, if you are inquiring on what are the best Subaru Forester years to buy, here’s a full list:

• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2007
• 2012
• 2013
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022

While the latest models have proved to be the most reliable, we’ll tell you exactly why these few model years are better rated than the others:

2000 Subaru Forester

The 2000 Subaru Forester is the best model out of the first few generations of this mid-size SUV. It earned its reputation through immaculate crash test results, better safety rating, and most importantly – lack of mechanical issues.

Truth be told, it still had a few reports of engine issues, but compared with all the other models of that time, these were far less reported. In fact, it earned 4.5 out of 5 stars as a total reliability rating and proper engine maintenance and timing belt replacements would also help avoid engine issues with this one.

2021 Subaru Forester

As the best new Forester model, the 2021 option was considered the best among the fourth-gen Subarus by industry experts. Not only did it have the best rating out of all the model years in this generation, but also the lowest amount of complaints and it didn’t have many recalls or engine issues either.

The only few problems that have occurred so far include some windshield problems and electrical issues, although they were reported in pretty slim numbers.

Is the Subaru Forester worth buying?

The Subaru Forester has great value and can last up to 250,000 miles with the proper maintenance and care. Due to its rugged nature, its resale value is relatively high, even in old age. You can find some selling for more than the original price when new. That shows how reliable and trusted Forester is on the market.

The Forester is entirely worth buying and will save you money when you buy the right one and also serve as an excellent investment for you, which will return significant profits whenever you decide to sell.

Ready to rev up your car search? Before you make your move, why not glance over our unique insights into Mazda CX-5 years to avoid, Honda CR-V years to avoid, and Toyota RAV4 years to avoid? Our mission? To link you with a ride that’s not just a mode of transport but a source of pride and joy. Dive into our guides for a smooth ride from start to finish, ensuring your next car is a standout on every trip.