Subaru Forester SJ
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The SJ (2014-2018) is the Forester where Subaru went quieter, more modern and tamer — and at the same time picked up two stubborn problem areas. As a roomy, easy-to-see-out-of AWD SUV with benign handling it suits family, trailer and bad weather. But buy one knowing exactly what to check, or it gets expensive. The raw off-road competence of the old generations gave way to comfort here, but the full-time symmetrical AWD and generous ground clearance stayed.
Engines: the naturally aspirated FB25 (2.5, 171 hp) is THE issue here — on a portion of engines the piston rings don't seal cleanly, leading to high oil consumption (a US class action led to the warranty being extended to 8 years/160,000 km with 100 percent of repair costs covered). A litre every 2,000 km is still tolerable, anything below that is a warning sign. Worst case a short block or full engine — four figures and well past 5,000 EUR. The turbo FA20DIT (2.0, 241 hp, XT) is the keener-to-drive version but more complex and thirstier; keep direct-injection issues like valve coking in mind.
Test-drive red flags: pull the dipstick and check the service history for oil top-ups — an honest seller lays the records open. Watch the CVT (TR580) for jerking, shudder and whine under steady load — a poorly maintained CVT is costly, ask for fluid-change history. Inspect the windshield closely: SJ models tend to crack spontaneously (US class action, settlement with extended warranty and replacement, finalised by a US district court in 2025). Also: A/C compressor clutch (rattle when it engages), rear wheel bearings (droning), the Starlink DCM can drain the battery (parasitic discharge), and clear the Takata airbag recall by VIN.
Market price 2026 (Germany): tidy FB25 from 8,000-12,000 EUR, early examples from 6,500, a well-kept XT with FA20DIT 12,000-16,000 EUR. Insider pick: an FB25 from the 2016/2017 facelift with unbroken oil changes and documented, unremarkable oil consumption — ideally one where the CVT fluid has been changed. Steer clear of cars whose previous owner had to constantly top up the oil; an engine failure here eats up the entire used-car saving again.
Generations
Engine Overview
The Subaru Forester SJ is available with 2 engine variants — from 167 to 268 hp.
The 2.5-litre NA petrol boxer with a timing chain uses port or direct injection depending on the year. At 125–134 kW it gives enough torque for the mid-size models and is fundamentally solid. The early 2011–2014 builds are affected by the known oil-consumption issue (piston rings, settled by a US class action). Across the years a cam-carrier oil leak appears, whose repair needs the engine out and can run into four figures. The direct-injection units from 2019 tend to coke the valves and have a fragile electronic thermo-control valve whose cracking plastic housing can cause overheating — here too the maker extended the warranty significantly. Otherwise a reliable daily engine with no timing-belt service.
- !! Thermo Control Valve Failure (2019-2022) from 60,000 km
The direct-injection engines' electronic thermo-control valve (from 2019) has a plastic housing that cracks; coolant vapour destroys the internal electronics. Stuck closed, the engine overheats within minutes. Subaru extended the warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles (part 21319AA010 → 21319AA040).
Symptoms: Check-engine light with codes P0128/P0125/P26Ax, no or delayed heater warmth, fluctuating coolant temperature, in severe cases sudden overheating. - !! Oil Consumption — Piston Rings (2011-2014) from 40,000 km
Class action for 2011-2014 Forester, Legacy, Outback. Piston rings didn't seat due to variable bore roughness. Worst cases: 1 quart per 800 miles.
Symptoms: Extreme oil consumption, frequent top-ups needed, blue smoke possible - !! Cam Carrier Seal Leak from 100,000 km
Known FB engine problem: seal between cam carrier and cylinder head fails. Labor-intensive due to poor access. Service bulletins published.
Symptoms: Oil stain under engine, oil smell while driving, visible oil seepage at cylinder head
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 2.0-litre turbo boxer with pure direct injection was the first big step away from the EJ — more compact, more rev-happy and with much more mid-range torque, but without the predecessors' characteristic uneven exhaust beat. Mechanically solid, but with three traits every buyer should know: direct injection lets the intake valves coke up, so walnut blasting roughly every 50,000 km is mandatory. The oil dilutes with petrol on short trips, so shorter oil intervals make sense. And the hypereutectic pistons dislike knock — with good fuel, a clean tune and moderate power the block lasts, while sustained full load or poor maintenance risks ringland damage. Looked after and not overstretched, it is a strong, reliable turbo engine with plenty of tuning headroom.
- !! Oil Consumption Early Models (2015-2016) from 60,000 km
TSB 02-157: Subaru replaced piston rings under warranty. Up to 1 quart per 1,500 miles in severe cases. Particularly 2015-2016 models affected, improved later.
Symptoms: Oil level warnings between service intervals, slight blue smoke on cold start - !! Recall: Turbo Intake Duct Cracks
Recall WTA-62: intake duct made from wrong material cracks, engine stall possible. 18,200 affected US vehicles (2015-2016 WRX + Forester XT).
- !! Wastegate actuator play and boost swings from 90,000 km
The wastegate actuator rod end wears and develops play, the flap flutters and boost hunts or overshoots. Loose turbo clamps add to the rattle and cause leaks.
Symptoms: A rattling clatter at low load, fluctuating boost, hesitant or jerky acceleration, soot marks around the wastegate flap.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Control Arm Rust (Salt Belt) In regions with road salt, the lower control arm corrodes — replacement is not if, but when. Safety-relevant when advanced. Symptoms: Creaking over bumps, visible rust on control arm, play in suspension from 80,000 km | Medium | |
| Rear wheel bearing water ingress Design weakness on 2014-2016 rear hubs: seal lets water into bearing. TSB 05-70-19 addresses updated backing plates. Typically starts around 65-75k miles. Symptoms: Humming above 40 mph, louder when cornering, later at low speeds too. from 110,000 km | Medium |
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 20 weaknesses have been documented for the Subaru Forester SJ (2014–2018) — 10 engine-related and 10 vehicle-related. One problem engine: FB25 (2.5L NA). Typical issues affect Suspension, Gearbox, Body, HVAC.
Forester (FA20DIT, 2014–2018) — Be Careful: Oil Consumption Early Models (2015-2016), Recall: Turbo Intake Duct Cracks, Wastegate actuator play and boost swings. Power: 250 PS.
Forester (FB25, 2014–2018) — Stay Away!: Thermo Control Valve Failure (2019-2022), Oil Consumption — Piston Rings (2011-2014), Cam Carrier Seal Leak. Power: 171 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 SJ have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Subaru Forester SJ? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Subaru Forester SJ engine is the most fun? +
Is the Subaru Forester SJ worth buying used? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee