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Here Are The 5 Subaru Forester Years to Avoid

Are you considering purchasing a Subaru Forester? While it's a popular and practical SUV, there are certain years you should avoid due to potential issues with the suspension, engine, air bags, and more. In this post, we'll take a closer look at the Subaru Forester years to avoid and what you need to know before making a purchase.

Worst Years of Subaru Forester by Complaints, Severity of Issues Reported, and Recalls

2015 297 2010 228 2014 227 2004 207 2003 178

What are the Biggest Problems with Subaru Forester?

2014 Subaru Forester

2014-subaru-forester

SUSPENSION 64 ENGINE 45 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 31 AIR BAGS 22 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22

The Subaru Forester has been a popular choice for those who want a reliable and practical SUV. However, there have been some reported issues with the suspension, engine, vehicle speed control, air bags, and electrical system. These problems have been reported by real owners and backed up by official recalls statistics. The suspension has been known to fail prematurely, while the engine may experience excessive oil consumption. The vehicle speed control may suddenly accelerate, and the air bags may not deploy in a crash. The electrical system has also been known to have issues, including a faulty windshield wiper motor. Overall, while the Subaru Forester is a great car, it's important to be aware of these potential problems and take appropriate action if necessary.

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2013 Subaru Forester

2013-subaru-forester

ENGINE 16 AIR BAGS 10 SERVICE BRAKES 7 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4

As someone who has been around cars for a while, it's no surprise to me that the 2013 Subaru Forester has had its fair share of issues. The engine has been known to have problems, which can be a real headache for anyone who owns one. The airbags have also been a cause for concern, as they may not deploy properly in the event of an accident. And let's not forget about the service brakes, which have been known to fail unexpectedly. There's also an unknown or other issue that seems to be plaguing this vehicle, which is cause for further investigation. And last but not least, the vehicle speed control has been known to malfunction, which can be a major safety hazard. All in all, it's clear that the 2013 Subaru Forester has some serious issues that need to be addressed.

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2012 Subaru Forester

2012-subaru-forester

AIR BAGS 18 ENGINE 16 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 16 SERVICE BRAKES 9 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8

What do we have here? A 2012 Subaru Forester with some serious issues. Let me tell you, folks, when it comes to air bags, engine trouble, vehicle speed control, service brakes, and electrical system malfunctions, you do not want to mess around. These are all critical components that can seriously affect the safety and performance of your ride. So, if you're experiencing any of these problems, I highly recommend you get them checked out by a professional ASAP. Trust me, it's better to be safe than sorry.

2011 Subaru Forester

2011-subaru-forester

ENGINE 44 AIR BAGS 25 SERVICE BRAKES 15 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9

Well, this Subaru Forester from 2011 is a lovely little car, but it does have a few weak spots. The engine can be a bit finicky at times, and the air bags have been known to cause some trouble. Additionally, the service brakes and electrical system can be prone to problems. However, it's still a solid choice with great handling and all-wheel drive capabilities.

2015 Subaru Forester

2015-subaru-forester

ENGINE 74 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 43 POWER TRAIN 42 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 42 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 41

This 2015 Subaru Forester is a solid compact SUV with plenty of space and a reliable all-wheel drive system. However, it has been plagued with issues related to the engine, powertrain, vehicle speed control, and electrical system. These problems have caused frustration for many owners and should be taken into consideration before purchasing.

subaru-boxer-engine-isnt-the-most-reliable-model

Common Issues with Subaru Forester

AIR BAGS 352 ENGINE 346 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 304 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 217 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 184 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 182 VISIBILITY/WIPER 175 SUSPENSION 173 POWER TRAIN 165 SERVICE BRAKES 138
Source

Conclusion

The Subaru Forester has had a range of problems over multiple years, affecting various components. Common issues include suspension problems in 2014, engine and airbag problems in 2013 and 2011, and electrical system issues in 2014 and 2011. The 2015 model year had problems with the engine, powertrain, and electrical system. These issues have been reported by real owners and backed up by official recall statistics.

Nick Marchenko, PhD

Nick Marchenko, PhD

Industrial Engineer & Automotive Content Specialist

Nick writes in-depth guides on car clubs, engine specs, vehicle ownership, and modifications, combining engineering knowledge with automotive passion.

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