What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 3,880+ owner reports, the 2020 Subaru Forester has 14 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure, EyeSight False / Phantom Automatic Emergency Braking, Starlink DCM Parasitic Battery Drain After 3G Network Shutdown. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Subaru Forester reliable?
The 2020 Subaru Forester has 14 known issues documented across 3,880+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure and EyeSight False / Phantom Automatic Emergency Braking and Starlink DCM Parasitic Battery Drain After 3G Network Shutdown and Denso Low-Pressure In-Tank Fuel Pump Failure Causing Sudden Stalling. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Forester problems?
Repair costs for known Subaru Forester issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure, typically costs $0-$8,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2014-2021 Subaru Forester CVT Transmission Shudder and Premature Failure?
The Lineartronic CVT (TR690) in 2014-2021 Foresters can develop shuddering, hesitation, and in severe cases, complete failure. Symptoms typically begin around 60,000-100,000 miles. The CVT chain can stretch, causing slippage and shudder during light acceleration. The torque conve… Repairs typically run $0-$8,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2019-2021 Subaru Forester EyeSight False / Phantom Automatic Emergency Braking?
Forester owners report the EyeSight pre-collision braking system applying hard braking with no obstacle present, including on open highways and curves, plus erratic lane-keep-assist interventions, all attributed to the windshield-mounted stereo-camera assembly. A class action ove… Severity: high.
What is the 2019-2020 Subaru Forester Starlink DCM Parasitic Battery Drain After 3G Network Shutdown?
The Data Communications Module (DCM) that powers Starlink keeps trying to reach the defunct cellular 3G network and fails to sleep, drawing excess current with the car off and killing the battery, causing repeated dead-battery no-starts even after a new battery is installed. A cl… Severity: high.
What is the 2017-2020 Subaru Forester Denso Low-Pressure In-Tank Fuel Pump Failure Causing Sudden Stalling?
Foresters equipped with a Denso low-pressure fuel pump (part-number prefix 42022-) built before mid-2019 use a low-density plastic impeller that absorbs fuel, swells and deforms inside the pump housing. The deformed impeller binds against the housing and abruptly cuts fuel delive… Repairs typically run $0-$1,300. Severity: high.
What is the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester Windshield Spontaneous Cracking Near EyeSight Camera?
5th generation Foresters (2019+) have widespread reports of windshield cracks initiating near the EyeSight camera housing area or from the edges with no impact. The windshield design incorporates an acoustic interlayer and EyeSight camera calibration zone that creates stress conc… Repairs typically run $500-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2014-2020 Subaru Forester A/C Compressor Failure and Clutch Noise?
Foresters with the 2.5L FB25 engine experience premature A/C compressor failures, often with a noisy clutch or complete seizure. The compressor clutch bearing fails first, creating a grinding or squealing noise when the A/C is engaged. If not addressed, the compressor can seize a… Repairs typically run $600-$2,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2014-2022 Subaru Forester Sunroof/Moonroof Water Leak From Clogged or Detached Drain Tubes?
Forester moonroofs drain rainwater through small tubes routed down the A/B pillars to discharge under the car. The corner drains clog with pollen, dirt and tree debris, or a tube pops off its nipple at the sunroof gutter. Water then backs up and overflows into the headliner and c… Repairs typically run $0-$350. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2021 Subaru Forester Catalytic Converter Efficiency Failure (P0420) — Often Triggered by Oil-Burning Contamination?
Foresters commonly throw a P0420 'Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)' code and an illuminated check-engine light. While the converter itself is the part that degrades, the underlying root cause on FB25 Foresters is frequently the well-documented excessive-oil-con… Repairs typically run $200-$2,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2019-2023 Subaru Forester Starlink Infotainment Screen Freezing, Rebooting and Black Screen?
The Harman-built Starlink head unit on 5th-gen Foresters freezes on startup, reboots in a loop every few seconds, or goes to a black/blank screen, often after a software update. Subaru issued TSB 15-228-18R covering 2019-2020 Forester (among other models) for display freeze-up or… Severity: medium.
What is the 2009-2022 Subaru Forester Ignition Coil Failure Causing Misfire and Hard Cold-Weather Starting?
Coil-on-plug ignition coils on the Forester are a common failure point. As the coil's internal epoxy/resin cracks with heat and age, the coil produces erratic or insufficient spark, causing single-cylinder misfires, rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, reduced fuel economy and… Repairs typically run $60-$350. Severity: medium.
What is the 2009-2021 Subaru Forester Premature Front Brake Rotor Warping / Brake Judder — Steering-Wheel Shudder When Braking?
Foresters are prone to early front brake rotor distortion (thickness variation) that produces a pronounced pulsation/judder felt through the steering wheel and brake pedal when braking, often appearing at relatively low mileage. Owners across multiple generations report warped/ju… Repairs typically run $300-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester FB25 Direct-Injection Intake Valve Carbon Buildup — Misfire and Rough Idle on the SK Forester?
For 2019 the SK Forester switched the FB25 from port injection to direct injection. With no fuel washing over the back of the intake valves, oil vapor from the PCV system bakes onto the valves and ports as hard carbon. Deposits restrict airflow and disturb valve sealing, and once… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2011-2024 Subaru Forester Valve Cover Gasket and Spark Plug Tube Seal Oil Leak Causing Misfires (FB25)?
The boxer engine's two valve covers face outward and sit low on each side, exposing the cork/rubber valve cover gaskets and the spark plug tube seals to heat cycling and the path of any leaking oil. As these seals harden and shrink, oil seeps out and visibly drips onto the exhaus… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2014-2022 Subaru Forester Premature Rear Tire Inner-Edge Wear From Excess Factory Rear Toe?
Foresters routinely wear the inner edges of the rear tires bald at low mileage (often 20,000-30,000 miles). The rear suspension allows toe adjustment but not camber, and the factory frequently leaves the rear toe set too aggressively, scrubbing the inner shoulders. Because owners… Repairs typically run $100-$250. Severity: low.
