we have 3 of the top SUVs, 17 RDX, 17 4Runner and 17 Forester (base model), the RDX is my wife's and is the nicest, the 4Runner is my daily driver and what we take on long road trips because it had more room that the RDX. Use the Forester as a work commuter, it gets great gas mileage but is not as refined or nice as the other two.
Any known issues with newer gen (2018) Foresters?
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My 2017 XT is 18 months old now and I've been very happy with it. I did just had the AC condenser fail and get replaced under warranty but I hope that's the only glitch I'll experience for some years. There are a few minor things that I would have liked to be different but I won't even bother to mention them because 2 model years later, they probably have been changed.
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Hello,
I am new to the forums as well as Subarus. I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a 2018 (new) Forester Limited.
Today, I read elsewhere that people have had very expensive engine issues with 2010-2015 Foresters and Outbacks. One person said they needed two engine block replacements and Subaru would only warranty the first one. Things like that..
Is buying a new one of these a bad idea? I like them enough, but not if they are prone to catastrophic failure.
Thanks!
I am new to the forums as well as Subarus. I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a 2018 (new) Forester Limited.
Today, I read elsewhere that people have had very expensive engine issues with 2010-2015 Foresters and Outbacks. One person said they needed two engine block replacements and Subaru would only warranty the first one. Things like that..
Is buying a new one of these a bad idea? I like them enough, but not if they are prone to catastrophic failure.
Thanks!
None suffer catastrophic failure. A small percentage use oil.
Personally, I think the Subaru non-turbo are not very robust engines..That is going back 20 years. Starting with the EJ N/A and continuing through the FB engine. The EJ turbo and the FA (2.0) turbos are world class.
I think that the CVT contributes to oil use bc of running in a narrow rpm range. I made sure I used manual and ran it close to redline during break-in. No noticable oil use in 3600 miles.
Personally, I think the Subaru non-turbo are not very robust engines..That is going back 20 years. Starting with the EJ N/A and continuing through the FB engine. The EJ turbo and the FA (2.0) turbos are world class.
I think that the CVT contributes to oil use bc of running in a narrow rpm range. I made sure I used manual and ran it close to redline during break-in. No noticable oil use in 3600 miles.
The opposite seems to be the case with manuals more likely to burn oil.
Oil burning is becoming an issue for many brands ranging from GM to BMW and Porsche as manufactures lower oil ring tension and specify 'thinner' engine oils to increase mpg rates. In most cases lower fuel costs more than compensate for adding oil between services.
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I think the problems of the FB are over-blown.
But I have not heard of oil burning problems with the FA. To be fair there are far fewer of them. The FA (2.0) has been named as on of the 10 best engines sold in the U.S. three times since its introduction in 2012.
The FA uses 30wt oil and I am guessing the rings will have more tension and the end result...more likely not to use oil.
If the FA engine would not have been available I would have opted for a Chev Equinox with the 2.0 Turbo. Its a very good engine.
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So im completely torn about getting a Subaru now; I've always heard they were supposed to be good cars, but theres even threads on here with people talking about how much is going wrong with their basically new cars. Not just engine problems, but problems with the windows, seat belts, air conditioners, and trunk latches.
I really dont need a turbo. Is the FB the current Forester boxer motor? I really want the Forester 2.5, but people make it sound like it helped them decide to never buy subaru again.
You will find these sorts of complaints on every forum, Toyota, Honda, whatever. People speak out when they're unhappy, an the Internet is the platform of choice for most of them.
There is one source of actual statistical data for automobile reliability available to the public, and that is Consumer Reports, which elicits over 640,00 detailed surveys from its members every year, and has frequency-of-repair data on millions of individual cars. The Forester is a popular choice among those members, so their data on Gen4 Foresters (2014-2018) is based on the experiences of thousands of owners. Overall, these Forester has been average to much better than average, and in the critical areas of engine, transmission, cooling, fuel system, brakes, suspension -- what I think of as the "stranded by the side of the road" stuff -- they have earned top marks in reliability since 2014. Even the 2014, the first year of this version, is still above average in everything important.
It's easy to get scared off by anecdotal evidence, and to the people telling the anecdotes statistics don't mean much. My son has had nothing but trouble with two CR-Vs in a row, even though it's statistically a reliable car (which is why he bought the second one). Bad luck, or maybe his wife's driving?
I've been on this forum for four years, and haven't really had an occasion to start a thread titled "No Problems with My Forester." But I could have.
Those problems you list....are very rare. I personally think Subaru is all in all more reliable or just as reliable as other cars. You always see more "problems" on car forums. I have been on others. I see more problems on BMW boards than Subaru for sure.
All subaru engines are Boxer Engines. The great strength of the Boxer is what makes a Subaru a Subaru Symetrical and low profile drive train. No other cars are able to do it. The Boxer entine is an engineering triumph. It is more complicated bc it it has two sets of heads cams and a horizontally split block. As such it slioghtly more prone to failure. But remember you have 60K miles on the drive train.
Also in this day and age, considering the complexity of electronics, buying an extended warranty is a very prudent thing to do. You will likely use iot and that really briongs the cost of it down.
I agree with rdclark.
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Thanks for re-assuring that. Like I said, I've never bought a new car before and I am an extremely cautious person, so i've been doing my research like a madman the past couple of days since im getting closer to buying one.
I discovered this break in way over 10 years ago and with four new 2.5's (non turbo) I have had great results.
Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power
Stuff happens which is why new cars have warranties. Subaru seem to be one of the better companies to deal with when problems arise. Not all makers are, for example this.
My doctor buys a new Rolls Royce every 2 years (gotta love socialized medicine) and at nearly $2 million each you'd think they would be bullet proof, but they have the odd failures too. The Roller he bought about 7 years ago was the lemon of all lemons.
THATS INTERESTING. SO BREAK in the same for an xt turbo?
I would think it would only be more important with a turbo charged engine to insure proper ring seal ?
About to pick up my virgin 2018 xt haha. Now I don’t know what to do haha. Does it matter what mode it is in. I know Subaru told me not to have it in s#
I am sure it is to limit RPM's, I would want it in Sport mode just run it up then back off and repeat.
I turned it on s# first day just to learnt it easily hit 4k rpm.
I did try manual shifter to understand if it actually bold at that gear like manual.
I feel confident on its ability to handle obstacles at my travel. Cant wait to get my AT tires to get out.
I did try manual shifter to understand if it actually bold at that gear like manual.
I feel confident on its ability to handle obstacles at my travel. Cant wait to get my AT tires to get out.
This right here is the biggest problem with the internet. People are quick to post when they have an issue but you very rarely see any post that their vehicle got them from A to B with no issues.
I've always been a Ford guy but am impressed with the build quality and design of our Forester. The little things like ease of access to routine maintenance items impresses me. It's been a while since I had a Ford that I could change the oil filter without making a mess! :thumbsup:
IMO, Subaru builds a great car and their quality is up there with any of the other big manufacturers. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another and our FXT has made me consider a WRX/STi to replace my current summer car. Not quite sure I'll go that way since the Focus RS is a pretty sweet car but we will see.
Pick any car and do a search for problems...
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