Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Subaru Forester - All Generations

Greg -Your Car Angel - talks about problems to look out for when buying a Subaru Forester. From the dreaded blown head gasket problems to the clogged Banjo bolt, steering rack, ring failure and spark plug tubes. All generations of the Forester are presented and comparisons with the Toyota Rav4, Honda CRV and the Toyota Highlander. Also talked about is the CVT transmission that came on newer Foresters and how that compared with the older 4EAT transmissions. Also symmetrical all wheel drive (AWD) and manual 5 and 6 speed transmissions.

Other Videos in this Series:

Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Toyota RAV 4

Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Toyota Prius

Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Toyota Highlander

Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Honda CRV

Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Used Honda Civic

10 Problems to Look Out for When Buying a Car from a Private Party

[fredjones]

Solved the gasket problem by installing Turbo gasket, 3 x's thicker. Zero problem, 220, 000 going strong

[MrWilliam.Stewart]

Someone here called it, best explanation of lifetime transmission fluid ever.
"Technically I could hold my breath for the rest of my lifetime"

[juanseaforth]

As a Subaru owner this is by far the best explanation on the forester. Well done Sir.

[merrynightwanderer]

As someone who is Not a Car Person, I can't tell you how insanely useful this channel is. Have referred this to many friends. Thank you!

[fredflintstone]

THIS was the video I’ve been looking for as a potential buyer.

[josegs]

I have a 2015 Forester, at 76k I had to change the engine block under warranty because the previous owner did the oil changes every 10k or 15k miles, after they changed the block I do the oil changes every 4K miles and the CVT fluid and differential fluid every 30k miles, currently has 93k miles with no problems and now is a tank, and gone to the shop for maintenance

[nonamepaper]

I drive a 2005 forester, replaced the engine when I bought it because the previous owners didn’t take care of it. Had it for around 5000 miles(we’re about to hit 200, 000) love it

[VKSgtSLaughter]

8:40 OIL CATCH CAN... I installed, greatly reduced oil consumption in my SH Forster.
I also run 5W-30 full synthetic oil in the warm weather, as it's listed as an option in the Subaru owner's manual.
I change the oil every 4, 000 mi, or sooner if it looks really dirty and smells burnt.
Great video 👍

[forcedcobra]

I have a 2011 that had most of the engine replaced at 75K miles. At 119K it was found to have a blown head gasket, which was replaced at the 75K mark. Somewhere north off $4K to replace a head gasket through Subaru. Subaru of America offered me a $500 voucher for the work to be done. It's a great little car in the snow, especially when we lived in Colorado, but after this and other QC issues we've had I'd take a hard look at the RAV4 or the CRV.

[PatrickRes]

Please never stop making these. Your videos have been massively helpful, and it's knowledge I can't really seem to get elsewhere. Thank you!

[elizabethoconnor]

DAMN what a comprehensive video. I've spent hours today trying to compare Forester styles and years, and this was my golden ticket. Thank you Mike!

[awiegwa]

Still driving my 1998 Forester...she's rock solid steady and I love her!

[Mike_]

I currently own a first gen ‘01 Forester which I do every single repair on myself, including overhauling its engine with MLS head gaskets. After doing so, the car has been a tank! I love this car! ❤️

[ericripley]

Owned both 2011 and 2014 Foresters. Both used oil but I checked it regularly and added as needed. Found it to be no big deal. Had a transmission valve body failure in the 2014 at around 190, 000 km. The Canadian service schedule calls for transmission fluid change every 100, 000 km . Never had any head gasket issues. Have a 2017 Outback with 122, 000 km . No problems so far.

[feliperosito]

I bought a Forester 2011 two years ago and the engine simply broke (some people said to me that was caused by lack of lubrification) causing a very dissapointment. And a big financial broke to me, especially in Brazil where the replacement parts costs almost a half of the car price, that was my case. I had to sell the car with the engine not running, it was a huge mass. If i knew your tips before, for sure that it would never could happen. By the way, i´ve never heard so good information about Subaru than yours. It´s a really masterpiece for whose are looking for an used model. Congrats for your excellent work! Keep going!

[jgg]

it's shameful that subaru owners will give this company a pass for having head gasket issues for almost an entire decade. i owned a forester and outback, the forester consumed oil like a drunken sailor and subaru claimed 1 qt consumption every 1, 000 miles is "normal" for a modern vehicle LOL.... and the outback was recalled numerous times and started falling apart before i even had 3, 000 miles. i decided enough is enough and decided to buy a used toyota rav4 and it's been problem free ever since

[althunder]

Blown head gaskets are rare after 2008. The oil burning is not an issue after 2014. Subaru CVTs are not made by Jatco the CVT is Subaru's own design and are generally reliable (for a CVT).

[jrawlins]

'09 (3rd Gen) owner here - 2.5 X Limited. This is my commuter whip. For my purpose, the vehicle has absolutely met my expectations!

[MrWilliam.Stewart]

This man is a shining light of genuine in a sea of fake.

Another insightful and thoroughly well researched video thanks Greg. It must be hard to distill all the information down in to such a short video, yet you do it exceedingly well.
A fan from Straya. (The land down under)

[vteckicksinyo]

you saved me from buying a 2014 mode. thank you so much car angel!