Is the Subaru Forester reliable?
50% of the 46 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 56/100 — it scores noticeably below average.
46
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections56/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10050%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 46 used Subaru Foresters we inspected, this model scores noticeably below average — average condition 56/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
72%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
46%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
28%
Signs of recent repair · Engine
26%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
22%
Share of inspected Subaru Foresters where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 17%
Good 33%
Mediocre 24%
Poor 26%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
70%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 74%
2%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
37%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
How long does a Forester stay good?
Good cars by mileage
Share of Subaru Foresters in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; a band under 20 cars follows the nearby bands, so a run above the all-cars line stays above it, and a band of 20 or more uses the rate we measured; where a band has too few cars, the line follows the trend between the bands on either side; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
More on Subaru
Other Subaru models we've inspected — or see the full Subaru profile.
Straight from recent Subaru Forester reports
2017 Subaru Forester · 143k mi — flagged: abnormal noise, oil leaks, oil sludge. Inspected Oct 9.
2024 Subaru Forester · 66k mi — flagged: oil leaks, anti-lock braking system. Inspected Oct 2.
The bottom line
Treat a tidy Forester as an engine gamble until proven otherwise. Oil leaks hit 72% of these cars, and coolant trouble, recent engine work, and fuel trims out of range stack on the same system, so look there first and walk if the story is fuzzy. Codes were cleared on 37% of them, so a blank scan may mean someone wiped the evidence — ask what was erased. Next, check suspension bushings and price in torn ones. Structural repairs are uncommon, so crash damage is not the usual trap. Pay only for a dry engine, stable trims, and solid bushings.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Subaru Forester?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (72%), cracked or torn suspension bushings (46%), low coolant / cooling system issues (28%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 37% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Subaru Forester? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 46 inspections · updated Oct 21, 2026
