Subaru Forester Engine Problems
Image by Djordje Nikolic from Pixabay
Since 1997, Subaru has manufactured its top-of-the-line compact crossover SUV, the Forester. This is an incredibly versatile vehicle touted for its capabilities in traversing all kinds of terrain and weather conditions.
Recent generations also include cutting-edge technology that mitigate distractions and assist the driver’s sight. With that being said, it’s imperative that your Subaru Forester doesn’t suffer from some of the pressing problems that have plagued certain models.
The Most Common Problems with Subaru Forester & Costs to Fix
These are the most common problems reported by owners on platforms such as carproblems.com, carcomplaints.com, and Car Talk Community.
- Excessive oil consumption. Cost to fix: $2,000 ($80-5,000 depending on problem)
- Shuddering and jerking. Cost to fix: N/A
- Broken coil springs. Cost to fix: $1,060
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Subaru Forester: Excessive Oil Consumption
Cost to fix: $2,000
The Subaru Forester’s most prominent issue by far is excessive oil consumption. It’s important to keep your vehicle supplied with fresh oil so that the engine’s components are lubricated and running smoothly. When a vehicle consumes oil at a higher rate than necessary, it might be experiencing a variety of other troublesome problems.
The most common defects here relate to wear and tear on certain parts, most notably the piston rings and gaskets. If either of these are damaged, oil can seep out of them and cause your car to consume oil at a much higher rate. Oil pressure is also a likely candidate, because at a certain point high oil pressure can cause similar leakages.
The quality and amount of oil you put in your car is crucial as well, since using poor-quality oil will have the engine consuming more in order to be lubricated properly. Too much, and it will leak out and be wasted.
A good rule of thumb for the quality of oil is that if your oil is dark brown or black, it’s likely damaging your car and should be replaced as soon as possible. Another reason your engine could be consuming too much oil is that it might simply be an old engine that needs replacement.
Due to the wide range of possible causes for excessive oil consumption, the solutions are also vast depending on what the exact problem is. If you just need to use higher-quality oil (such as synthetic oil), this might run you around $80-100.
However, if you wind up having to replace the whole engine, it could cost you up to $5,000. Thankfully, this is highly unlikely, but it’s still worth noting. Either way, if you notice your Forester is consuming too much oil, the best course of action is to take it to a mechanic and have them give their professional advice.
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Problem Two: Shuddering and Jerking
Cost to fix: N/A
Unfortunately, Subaru Foresters have had many complaints of shuddering, jerking, and lurching forward while driving. Shifting gears at all consistently causes a surge forward for many drivers and the transmission tends to jerk in general.
The 2017 year model is the worst about this, so be especially careful when eyeing this one. Although this is a defect with the transmission, it seems that the individual symptom of shuddering while driving is the main concern here, and in many cases the only one.
If your Forester has a harsh jerking problem, it can cause you to spill items in the car, come up out of your seat, or even get into an accident if it’s bad enough.
First and foremost, the best way to handle this problem would be to take your SUV to a mechanic and have them look at it. Subaru is aware of this malfunction and has released a transmission software update that would certainly be worth having installed at a dealership.
For some drivers, this fixed the problem outright, but for others it only improved it. There is no particular cost attached to fix this issue because if your Forester has it, a reliable fix hasn’t been found.
Most Subaru Foresters shouldn’t suffer from shuddering and jerking (apart from the 2017), but other than hoping that the software update solves it, it may not go away. For that reason, it’s important that you test drive a used Forester before buying and inspect the transmission carefully, noting how it feels when you shift gears at any point.
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Another Common Problem with Subaru Forester: Broken Coil Springs
Cost to fix: $1,060
Coil springs are essential to keeping your car steady and your wheels turning evenly, so broken ones are bad news. Symptoms of a broken coil spring include a loud, clunky noise while driving; a rough feeling in the ride; and your vehicle driving at a slant due to uneven tires.
The most dangerous occurrence that may happen is you losing control of your Forester completely, so if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms, take your SUV into the shop right away. It will likely cost around $1,060 for repairs, but it will be more than worth it to ensure your safety.
How to Avoid Buying an Unreliable Used Subaru Forester
To make sure your used Subaru Forester suits your needs and doesn’t suffer from excessive oil consumption, shuddering, or broken coil springs, it’s best to keep an eye on potential symptoms while test driving. You’ll mostly want to look at how the gear shifts and the feel of the ride as you drive.
If you notice shuddering or lurching when you shift the transmission, or just a generally rough ride with clunky noises, you might want to avoid buying that Forester. As always, you should have a local mechanic inspect your prospective purchase for issues before you buy and get a pre-purchase inspection.
The Easiest Way to Find Reliable Subaru Foresters in Your Area
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