Subaru Forester SH
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The SH (2009-2013) is the more mature, more civilised version: more space, better chassis, quieter, and above all the previous generation's biggest inherited flaw is defused here. Anyone after a low-key AWD wagon for daily duty, trailers and snow is in the right place. The SH is the Forester where the least goes wrong — provided you check the few known points. Fuel use is still no economy miracle, but the refinement and longevity make it a sensible commuter and family car for rough weather.
Engines: the EJ253 (2.5, 172 hp) is far more relaxed here than in the SG — the head-gasket saga is largely history thanks to a revised gasket, and a well-kept one runs past 250,000 km without drama. From 2011 came the more modern FB25 (2.5, chain instead of belt, no more timing-belt interval) — the more future-proof choice, though it tends toward mild oil consumption that is still harmless here. The turbo EJ255 (XT, 230/263 hp) is the fun one, durable with good servicing. Late XT models partly came with a CVT — inspect that gearbox and its fluid-change history closely, a neglected CVT gets expensive.
Test-drive red flags: THE main issue is brake-line corrosion (recall WQK-47, 2009-2013) — the lines rust through and lose fluid, lengthening the stopping distance. For roughly half the cars this was already the second recall for the same fault, so check it was done and that the lines are dry today and free of surface rust. Also: A/C condenser (no longer cools properly in summer, ~300-500 EUR), worn anti-roll-bar links (clattering over expansion joints, a sub-100 EUR part), wheel bearings droning, and on the FB25 keep an eye on the oil level between changes. Test-drive with the A/C cold and warm, and brake on both dry and wet surfaces.
Market price 2026 (Germany): plain EJ253 from 4,000-6,000 EUR, well-kept FB25 and tidy examples 6,500-9,500 EUR, a documented XT also 10,000-12,000 EUR. Insider pick: an FB25 from 2012 with full service history and a verifiably completed brake-line recall — the chain-driven version skips the timing-belt interval and is regarded as robust. If you want to clock up miles, take a cared-for one with 180,000 km and full history over a neglected one with 100,000 and no records — on a Subaru, upkeep counts more than the odometer.
230 PS
Forester XT · Benzin
Forester XT SH — softer, more comfortable, last with character?
Fun to Drive!147–150 PS
2.0L Boxer Diesel Diesel
8 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The Subaru Forester SH is available with 5 engine variants — from 147 to 230 hp.
The 2.0-litre boxer diesel was the first mass-production diesel boxer at all — technically fascinating, but in practice burdened with a string of serious weaknesses. The most severe problem of the early Euro 4 generation is crankshaft failure: the aluminium block has steel inserts in the bearing bridges that tend to crack under stress — total failures sometimes occur between 80,000 and 130,000 km. Later Euro 6 versions are far less affected here. Add the typical modern diesel issues that short trips worsen: a clogged particulate filter, oil dilution from regeneration, a coked EGR cooler with limp mode and a sooted turbo. The timing chain can rattle on cold start. Buyers should prefer a Euro 6 model with long motorway trips in its history and insist on a full service record.
- !! Crankshaft Failure on Early Models (2008-2011) from 100,000 km
Cracks at the rear main bearing journal from insufficient material strength and incorrect factory torque specs. Failure typically between 50-80k miles, often without warning. Subaru corrected both causes (sealant + torque) after 2011.
Symptoms: Sudden knocking from engine, oil pressure loss, engine seizure - !! DPF Clogs on Short Trips from 80,000 km
Diesel particulate filter clogs with predominantly short-trip driving — regeneration doesn't initiate. Check engine light, power loss, forced dealer regeneration.
Symptoms: Check engine light, power loss, increased consumption, DPF warning light - !! Oil Dilution from DPF Regeneration from 60,000 km
Frequent DPF regeneration injects diesel into the oil — oil level rises, viscosity drops. Accelerated wear if not changed in time.
Symptoms: Oil level above max, diesel smell on dipstick, thin oil
+ 5 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The robust 2.5-litre NA boxer with a SOHC head and i-AVLS valve control is long-lived — with one central condition: the head gasket. The factory composite gasket degrades through heat cycling and oil standing on the sealing face, typically starting to leak externally between 130,000 and 210,000 km, usually driver-side at cylinder 4. Ignored, it escalates to coolant loss, warped heads and overheating. At the due replacement a multi-layer steel gasket is essential; then the repair lasts. The NA engines only got these from the factory in 2011/2012. The second maintenance truth is the timing belt: an interference engine, interval around 170,000 km, bent valves if it snaps — always replace belt, tensioner, idlers, water pump and seals together. As the oil light only monitors pressure and gives no level warning before model year 2014, regular oil-level checks are a must, especially once the engine uses a little oil with age.
- !! Head gasket — external oil and coolant leak from 150,000 km
The factory composite head gasket degrades through heat cycling and oil standing on the sealing face. It typically starts leaking externally between 130,000 and 210,000 km, usually driver-side at cylinder 4. Left unchecked it leads to coolant loss, overheating and a warped head.
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible puddle, oily film down the side of the block, heater occasionally blowing cold, sweet coolant smell when warm, overheating in late stages. - !! Timing belt snap — interference engine from 170,000 km
The EJ253 is an interference engine. 105,000 mile interval. Replace water pump, tensioner, idlers, crank and cam seals in the same job. Always confirm last belt service date/mileage on a used buy.
Symptoms: Engine dies suddenly, then refuses to crank, sometimes metallic clacking from bent valves. - !! Excessive oil consumption — stuck oil control rings from 110,000 km
Late-build EJ253s (MY2010+) show the same pattern as successor FB engines: carbon-seized oil control rings cause consumption of ~1 quart per 1000 miles or worse. Long drain intervals, clogged PCV and short-trip use accelerate it.
Symptoms: Dipstick drops noticeably between changes, blue smoke under load, oil-fouled spark plugs, occasional CEL from catalyst contamination.
+ 6 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 2.5-litre turbo boxer trades revs for displacement: strong torque from low down, plus the typical boxer rumble at idle created by unequal-length headers. Intake-side AVCS smooths the response while the character stays gruff and muscular. Its Achilles heel is the fourth cylinder: the stock intake manifold feeds it worse, it sits furthest from the water pump, runs leaner and hotter — and is the first to crack a ringland under detonation. High-octane fuel and a clean tune are therefore non-negotiable. The rod bearings are sensitive to cold-start full throttle and stretched oil intervals; affected model years got a warranty extension for it. The brazed oil pickup can crack, and the turbo and AVCS banjo screens clog with sludge, causing turbo or cam-timing trouble. With short oil intervals, good fuel, careful warm-ups and clear oil passages it is a long-lived engine.
- !! Ringland Failure — Piston Breakage from 100,000 km
Cast iron pistons with thin ringlands crack under detonation (knock). Causes: poor fuel quality, bad tuning, high exhaust gas temperatures. The EJ cliché alongside the head gasket.
Symptoms: Misfires at idle after high-load driving, increasing oil consumption, blue smoke - !! Rod Bearing Failure from 120,000 km
Class action for 2012-2017 WRX/STI: extended warranty to 8 years/100k miles. Oil starvation from boxer sloshing or neglected oil level as primary cause.
Symptoms: Knocking noise, oil pressure warning, metal particles in oil - !! Oil Pickup Tube Crack from 130,000 km
Identical problem to EJ205: brazed joint cracks from vibration. No recall despite known issue since 1996.
Symptoms: Sudden oil pressure drop, engine noise, oil pressure warning light
+ 7 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| CVT Judder (First-Gen Lineartronic) First-generation Lineartronic CVT in the Forester SH: valve body wear and insufficient fluid changes cause judder and shift problems. Subaru warranty extension available. Symptoms: Juddering under acceleration, engine revving without corresponding speed increase, transmission warning light from 90,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
Audi Q3 8U
Compact SUV (2011–2018)
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque L538
Compact SUV (2011–2018)
VW Tiguan I-FL
Compact SUV (2011–2016)
Dacia Duster I
Compact SUV (2010–2017)
Kia Sportage SL
Compact SUV (2010–2015)
Mitsubishi ASX GA
Compact SUV (2010–2023)
Explore more
Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 33 weaknesses have been documented for the Subaru Forester SH (2009–2013) — 27 engine-related and 6 vehicle-related. One problem engine: EE20 (2.0L Boxer Diesel). Typical issues affect Gearbox, Brakes, HVAC, Suspension.
Forester (EE20, 2008–2013) — Stay Away!: Crankshaft Failure on Early Models (2008-2011), DPF Clogs on Short Trips, Oil Dilution from DPF Regeneration. Power: 150 PS.
Forester (EE20, 2008–2013) — Stay Away!: Crankshaft Failure on Early Models (2008-2011), DPF Clogs on Short Trips, Oil Dilution from DPF Regeneration. Power: 147 PS.
Forester (EJ253, 2009–2013) — Be Careful: Head gasket — external oil and coolant leak, Timing belt snap — interference engine, Excessive oil consumption — stuck oil control rings. Power: 171 PS.
Forester (EJ255, 2009–2013) — Be Careful: Ringland Failure — Piston Breakage, Rod Bearing Failure, Oil Pickup Tube Crack. Power: 230 PS.
What to watch out for with the Subaru Forester? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Subaru Forester SH have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Subaru Forester SH? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Subaru Forester SH engine is the most fun? +
Is the Subaru Forester SH worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Subaru Forester SH? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee