Looking for a "new" vehicle for my daughter. Although we own a 2016 Honda Odyssey, I am not too familiar with many of the imports. Looking at a 2015 Subaru Forester with 93k miles. How are these vehicles for reliability and longevity? Any known issues to be aware of? Please advise.
2015 Subaru Forester reliablilty
- Thread starter otis24
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Early CVT issues. Has 10year warranty which is probably up now.
FB25 of that year can have oil burning .. usually more an annoyance than a major issue.
Starting in 2014 they had a low oil level light so people didn't run them low/out of oil like the 2011-2013 foresters.
I'd pass unless its a creampuff for a good price.
I owned 2011,2015,2022 foresters,
2013 outback I worked on.
all with the fb25.. so I am pretty familiar with the platform.
FB25 of that year can have oil burning .. usually more an annoyance than a major issue.
Starting in 2014 they had a low oil level light so people didn't run them low/out of oil like the 2011-2013 foresters.
I'd pass unless its a creampuff for a good price.
I owned 2011,2015,2022 foresters,
2013 outback I worked on.
all with the fb25.. so I am pretty familiar with the platform.
The Forester has a nice big sunroof 
It does have some suspension problems. The control arm bushings go bad on them, so plan on replacing the control arms if it wobbles above 40 mph.
To change the CVT fluid, you need a flat surface and a scan tool that reads transmission temperature (not all scanners have that feature)
And the low oil light sometimes goes on when the oil isn't low
It does have some suspension problems. The control arm bushings go bad on them, so plan on replacing the control arms if it wobbles above 40 mph.
To change the CVT fluid, you need a flat surface and a scan tool that reads transmission temperature (not all scanners have that feature)
And the low oil light sometimes goes on when the oil isn't low
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A Solid car good outward visibility reliability, fuel mileage and also sports a very good steering feel for a mac strut platform. Very capacious for the footprint. Along with what @Rand mentioned, the car may have a CV joint or two on the way out at that mileage and the subaru OE half shafts are not cheap for the part. Easy to notice on a test drive - just reverse in a tight circle both CCW and CW and listen for clicking or clacking. Rear dampers may be worn also - you can tell the back half will be bouncy over highway pavement ripples.
A really good $4500 - 5500 car
A really good $4500 - 5500 car
Also, the timing belt and its rollers, if so equipped, are due or very near.
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Like the EJ engine better than FB with a stick shift. T belts are better too.
No more stick foresters or Impreza only BRZ and Wrx, Subaru have been Toyota-ized to a fault
Used to like to shift those backwards-engined Japanese wasserboxer that out VW'd VW in pure essence
No more stick foresters or Impreza only BRZ and Wrx, Subaru have been Toyota-ized to a fault
Used to like to shift those backwards-engined Japanese wasserboxer that out VW'd VW in pure essence
Has that been resolved with the new models?
I haven't had a leak on any model and owned them since the early 90's. Think we have owned nine so far. I have not heard of leaks on the FB engines since 2011.
But Wife usually sells them a bit after the end of the engine warranty at 60-90k miles and gets a new one. Good resale at that time and no need to buy and extended service contract for 1500 bucks. Her plan for a working professional with a long commute.
In any event, if you have an old EJ253 the two VC gaskets and four spark plug tube seals are easy to R&R.
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No, I think its time that is the enemy for oil leaks in general. Subaru engines need a little extra care due to the leak opportunities (ie. pull the engine)
Not sure how close it is but one of the writers on the Autopian just got rid of his as it had constant problem. Maybe it was a lemon who knows.
Not at all. Cam carriers and upper oil pans still leak very badly after 100k. CVT valve bodies and sometimes torque converters are still problematic.
CVT failures and oil leaks very common on this engine.
We had a '19 Outback with the same engine. Had to be completely removed and resealed in the 60K mile range. Soon as I got it back from that operation the CVT was acting up. Both front struts were leaking, and needed replaced. Also the DCM was bad, but the part was on indefinite backorder. Never did get the part. All less than 65K miles on the vehicle. It's someone else's problem now.
If you can find something else with AWD, that's what I would do.
We had a '19 Outback with the same engine. Had to be completely removed and resealed in the 60K mile range. Soon as I got it back from that operation the CVT was acting up. Both front struts were leaking, and needed replaced. Also the DCM was bad, but the part was on indefinite backorder. Never did get the part. All less than 65K miles on the vehicle. It's someone else's problem now.
If you can find something else with AWD, that's what I would do.
My '14 Outback leaks no oil from anywhere and the CVT is still on factory fill. In fact, other than "normal" oil consumption, I've had no mechanical or suspension issues with it. Switching to the 0w-40 drastically reduced the consumption issues and has virtually eliminated the "normal" valve train cold start clatter.
And I drive in a spirited fashion. 108k on the clock and still climbing...
Sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you get a bad one. Mine was the latter. It even had a decent dealer record, so it wasn't neglected.
Mr Subaru would disagree and says (paraphrasing) the cam carrier leaks replace the head gasket problems of the EJs
My personal take on it is that anything produced from 2019 - 2022ish is of dubious quality standards due to all the COVID and political issues happening. Too much **** going on all at once and peoples minds were dealing with a lot of things, their employers work quality and profits were not one of them.
Wife said don't purchase SIA American-made (Camry/Subaru plant) Subarus. That means base mid trim Imprezas and Outbacks
We dumped a new '22 Outback after a year due to major manufacturing issues. Too bad - we got it super cheap new during the pandemic 26k before trade.
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