Without knowing the entire service history of the vehicle we can only guess.

 

Same generation as our 2012. Burned oil from the start. Slow oil loss and there were notices put out for those years to check the oil yourself each fill up and not rely on regular service visits to keep the oil level up.

Also was a magnet for rocks. Three windshield repairs in 2 years.

Traded in for a Crosstrek which we have now had for ten years. Never check the oil. We should but all our other Subarus over the years held their oil.

 

Hi GrizzlyDad - welcome to the forum....

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Next up - I'm probably uniquely qualified to answer your question - as a few months ago, I acquired a 2013 Forester 2.5X (the base model) for my 80-something year old mom to replace her dying 2002 PT Cruiser... 2013 ws the last year for the SH generation, 2014 brought the SJ generation.

The 2013 Forester we got was from a local dealer, had 106k miles on the clock and shows a super clean history - purchased sort of locally (a dealer about 2 hours away) and serviced by the local dealer (about 20 minutes away). All the history is there in their system, showing all the work - from warranty and other repairs to general maintenance.

And that's really the biggest part - that service history, that maintenance - just like @bman400 references.

Yes, if the Forester has been maintained and "loved", it can easily lead to 200,000 miles or more, as long as you continue that love.

There are a couple of recalls of record - based upon VIN and production date - most shown are related to airbags and are probably because of Takata and the other large airbag recall recently (in the past few months for another supplier).

The head gasket issues were usually held to the previous motor (EJ25) and not to the "new" for 2011 FB25 motor (still used today). This is for the 2.5i models and NOT the XT. The XT still used the EJ25 (the EJ255). The transmission is the solid 4EAT automatic that many on here have called "bullet proof" and swear it is the best auto transmission available.

The oil consumption issue has been around and is a bit of an issue and a bit of a non-issue. The reason it can be a non-issue is partly due to design - a horizontally opposed motor tends to consume more oil than a conventional inline or V-shaped motor. Some of the issue is related to design and engineering; the rings and pistons and internals were designed for less friction which can lead to more consumption. As with any older car, you're bound to find some oil consumption as internals wear and can cause more oil (or other fluids) to be consumed.

There are some common parts that can cause issues, but not every owner will encounter them. For example, the cam carrier seals can seep over time as the seal is not much more than hand-applied RTV sealant from the factory and can - based on use and such - dry out and cause some seepage. I've had that issue on my 2014 Forester Limited, but don't see it as a repair done on the 2013. Others have had the issue and many others have not

But also - as @bman400 references - none of us can tell you that the particular beast you're looking at is a great deal and can make that lofty mileage goal. BTW, another Subaru I had in my past was a 1987 DL Wagon (what later was called the Loyale, known as the Leone in other parts of the world). That little beast hit 320,000 miles before the head gaskets went "pop".

Finally - as with any used vehicle - there are all sorts of caveats and potential problems you might have or may never have to worry about. Don't rely solely on a Carfax report as it's only as good as the data put into their system. Some repair facilities have stellar records of inputting the repair history and others ... well, not so much. Carfax histories can be updated by owners, as well, so some could be outright falsehoods. Some records never make it into Carfax - including possibly some fairly big repairs.

If the seller has the physical records of the service history (the work orders) and will let you review them, you're probably better off than most...

 

FWIW, here's the reliability data from Consumer Reports for the 2013 (shaded) and other Forester years. The scoring shows whether the model had more or fewer problems overall than the average model of that year. Click on the thumbnail below:

 

I have a 2013/14 UK spec, 2.0 diesel turbo 140hp, just over 90k miles, 3 previous owners, never had a reliability issue, burns zero oil, still 50+mpg(uk mpg)

Had it 6 years and replaced 2 wheel bearings and bushes on the front arms, level of care - washed it 4 times.

 

You have a completely different engine from OP. Your diesel was never sold in Canada/US market.

 

Hi, these are my 2 cents:
On Oct 2012 I bought my 2013 Premium X Forester, last year of this 3rd Gen. It was my first Subaru, I was looking to buy a Subaru for a long long time. However I was willing to get the Manual Trans, all my cars have been manual until this one, and On middle of sept 2012 the Dealership didnt have any in stock and I had to order one, so I thrown a ridiculous offer to the last one Automatic they had in stock. On Sep 30 they called me to tell me they accepted my offer, I supposed they were desperate to get a goal for the Sept Forecast sales, and because the price was really good I ended up buying this Automatic Forester, with some reluctance.
I am telling this story because now I am really happy of this choice.
My Forester is 140k miles. I have been performing all the regular maintenance some of them by my self. Last year I bought the 2013 Crosstrek for my wife, and a couple of months ago I needed to decide either keep the Forester, and start to invest money on it, replace tires, fluids, Battery, Struts, Ball joints, spark plugs etc or trade it for another brand new Forester. But I decided to keep it. This Forester havent give me any problem since the warranty ends. Many of my relatives asked me how come I havent had issues with sensors, AC, or the automatic trans, for a 140k miles car, but certainly, all I had to do is just regular maintenance.

However, while it was under warranty, I did experience some issues. The oil consumption is was a very know issue on this kind of F series engine. The first 4 Oil Changes were included by the dealership, so I couldnt notice the oil consumption during the first year, but when I started to do it by my self I noticed that liter and half oil was missing, I went to the dealership several times to tell them that it was not right, but they were saying that Subaru stated it was normal. At the dealership stated that oil change can be done evert 7k miles with Synthetic oil! Which I considered crazy statement. So I decided to perform the oil change every 4k miles and have been doing that until today. By the middle of the third year I received the letter of the Settlement of the class action lawsuit that was files for the oil consumption, my car was on the list of the vin # affected, so I took my car to the dealership, and they replaced the engine, at 55k miles. It took like two months because the engine came directly from Japan, and the first month I was called to pick up my car, but When I was there they told me that an Engineer did the inspection and didnt like it the something about the engine and they decided to order a second one. It didnt bother to me the wait since I was borrowed a vehicle and I was willing to have a good engine well done work after all, so I appreciated the fact that there was a quality control over this job. However, I was concerned that this was a design problem and even with a new engine it will eventually have the same issue, excessive oil consumption, but a tech from Subaru told me that the problem was a poor quality on the ring pistons, and this new engine will have that corrected. I have been measuring the oil since then and there is no oil consumption anymore, so he was right.

Another 2 issues I noticed while It was under warranty, the light of the oil was intermittently going on/off, for a long time the techs weren't able to identify what was happening, until they found that a harness (that goes by the base of the engine?) was defective, so they replaced. I have seen other blogs with the same issue unfortunately for them when the warranty expired, and many people have replaced this harness as well with no oem brand, that was way cheaper, fixing this issue.

The other one was that every 5k miles the engine light turn on, the computer pointed out to a defective gas cap. So the dealership replaced the cap like 5 times. Before the warranty ends I talked to the service manager and contacted Subaru, telling that I want this problem fix. So they finally replaced a valve located in the gas tank, that was just before it reached the 60k miles, and never had that issue again.

There was also the Tanaka airbag settlement, the airbag was replaced.

So basically, if you can verify if the one you are planning to buy had the engine replaced or doesn't have the excessive oil consumption, there is a list of the Vin numbers affected that was listed on the settlement, so you can check.

Now, the good stuff. I love my 2013 Forester. It is longer, wider, taller, very roomy on the inside, very comfortable, and the cargo area big. It has exceptional handling characteristics, extremely stable while driving and taking curves and the VDC, (subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control ) is amazingly effective, it has saved me from very dangerous situation while raining or snowing. It has great visibility with virtually no blind spots. The first years I used my car for work, really heavy work. I loaded with all kind of appliances, Washer, Dryers, even refrigerator, and drove a lot in very hard roads. The car proved million times to be reliable. It is not a car with a fast start or for race, but definitely for hard work and long trips reliable and efficient. It is still giving me 25 miles per gallon, and I loved the way it looks, for me the design is still better than the new models. It has Timing Chain, and great AC, really cool.
I am 100% agree to the other comment about the 4AT, it is bullet proof, it is still strong and no slipping gears. If I will choose a manual, most likely by this time I would be needing to replace the Clutch, with all the hard work I have put in this car.

So, now that I have decided to keep it I am doing some upgrades, Tow hitch, new sound system, and while I was doing this, I had a pleasant discovery, after 11 years. Mine didnt come with the rear backup camera. So I was checking for one that was offered with the radio I buying. but while I was doing the research, I found a pic from someone that was selling the original OEM Clarion radio, that I have, a touring model, with the capability for rear camera. So went to check the camera location, and there it was, the green 7 holes connector for the OEM camera. So I bought the camera, installed, and now I have this functionality with the original radio. It seems that, like Toyota, Subaru have the harnessing run inside the car for these upgrades. Now I will have to figure out how to use the same camera and connector for my new Pioneer radio, which I don't think it will be an issue.

To recap, I am very happy with my Forester, low cost maintenance, great driving characteristics and performance.

 

I am considering the purchase of a 2013 Forester with 136,000 miles. In general, is this car considered reliable? What are the typical mechanical issues that should be expected with this car? I believe the head gasket issue that plagued the earlier years was fixed by 2013, but I think the car might still be known to burn oil with higher mileage?

I have a 2011 Forester with about the same number of miles. I am the only mechanic to have touched my car except for the Takata passenger side airbag recall. I have done all the maintenance required and then some.

Most aggravating issue is a small oil leak that I have had for years. It drips onto the exhaust manifold and sprays the underside of the engine but not a drop on the ground (only leaks under pressure). Trying to stop it with oil additives with some success. Does not burn oil. Only full synthetic 0W20 for me.

No timing belt, no injector issues, no head gasket issues, no driver assist, no Eyesight. Installed dash cam with backup camera.

I have installed skidplates and a lift kit. Fought the P0171 "fuel/air mixture too lean" a couple of times which taught me to replace the PCV and riser and clean the EGR. Routine cleaning of throttle body and mass air sensor recommended (by me).

This is, without doubt, the most reliable car I have ever owned. I have owned a Miata, three Ford Taurus, Mazda MPV, VW bug, Olds Cutlasses, and a Ford F250, the second most reliable vehicle. Over twenty vehicles. I will not buy another modern ICE vehicle -- either electric or pre-1975 classic American.

 

@GrizzlyDad
I've got a MY12, same FB25 engine and basically the same car.
I had the oil burn issue using the "recommended" 0-20 and could have had a free short block replacement if I wanted one, as I could easily make the car fail with the scenario that caused consumption:
High speed/high power demand/ extended drive time, like all day long on the interstate.
While around town, oil use was minimal, but in the noted scenario, the car would drink 0-20 like a fish.

Instead, of the short block, when switched to a heavier weight oil (10-30 in summer), I no longer needed to add oil between 3K OCIs.
Other than that resolved issue, and some very minor nits, it has been a trouble free car.

As others noted, with any car, and a Subaru especially, how the car was cared for makes a big difference.
Look at the service record and also get any car you are considering checked out.
With a Subaru, get a Subaru specialist rather than just a mechanic to evaluate the car before you buy it.

 

I just bought a 2011 with 112k this last September. So far I really love it. Yes it uses some oil but not so much as to be super annoying or anything. Mine has the 4EAT and as far as automatic transmissions go its one of the best I have driven. I know some people are probably fans of the CVT, and while yes it gets better gas mileage, I would rather have a conventional automatic (or manual is even better in my opinion).