3 of the Worst Subaru Forester Years to Avoid
Subaru is synonymous with reliability, and the automaker has a long-standing reputation for building incredible vehicles that stand the test of time. The Subaru Forester is no exception. However, not every model year is equal. See the Subaru Forester years to avoid.
What are the Subaru Forester years to avoid?
Some Subaru Forester years to avoid are surprisingly recent with maintenance issues. So, what are some of the absolute worst-used Forester models?
Car Complaints show these three model years were certainly not the Forester’s best:
- 2014 Subaru Forester
- 2015 Subaru Forester
- 2016 Subaru Forester
1. The 2014 Forester has engine and oil issues
You’ll usually not have to worry about reliability with even the older Subaru Forester models. However, the 2014 model year proved to be chock-full of engine and oil issues. With over 50 vehicle owner complaints regarding engine-related concerns, it might be worth staying away from altogether.
In terms of oil complaints, 2014 Forester owners claim to top off their oil reservoirs upwards of four times for every 5,000 miles. Despite seeming excessive, Subaru’s response was that those needs for oil were well within “normal specifications.”
These excessive oil consumption complaints also prove to be costly, especially if engine replacement is necessary, costing $2,000 on average. It’s also important to note these issues arose early in ownership, around 31,550 miles.
Owners also cite these oil-related issues, while others experienced different engine concerns. These include engine dying, rough idling, and sudden engine surges.
2. The 2015 Forester might be the worst Subaru
Of all the used Subaru Forester models with complaints against them, the 2015 model year may be the worst of all. With over 1,000 documented owner complaints, it’s been a nightmare for some owners.
The previous model year’s oil consumption problem tops the complaint list for 2015, too. But that’s not all.
Forester owners also cite interior feature malfunctions, including reports of the vehicle’s Bluetooth connectivity not working, which costs roughly $150 to fix.
Others shared issues with voice recognition failures, the Eyesight Driver Assist not engaging properly, and a bizarre dash vibration.
Still, for other owners, cruise control shut off randomly, and fuel/speed displays would disappear from view. And these various concerns seem to present early, around 35,000 miles.
3. The 2016 Subaru Forester has electrical, engine, and transmission concerns
An engine acceleration problem occurring around 35,000 miles is plaguing owners of 2016 Subaru Forester models. Other acceleration complaints for this year include acceleration “dead spots” and jerking when applying gas.
There are electrical problems to note, too. Repairs range from $50 to 150, depending on the actionable solution taken.
Other Forester years to avoid
The 2014, 2015, and 2016 model years weren’t the greatest for Subaru Forester SUVs. But the three sequential years that followed weren’t especially reliable either.
Based on actual reports from vehicle owners, 2017, 2018, and 2019 were also problematic for many. Owners of 2017 Forester models had complaints of transmission troubles. Plus, 2018 Forester owners cited issues with their windows, windshields, and interior accessories.
Even the relatively newer 2019 models have concerns with electrical components, interior accessories, and windows. Also, many of these documented problems were presented before these Forester models hit 40,000 miles.
