The Subaru Forester delivers comfort, reliability, longevity, and light off-road fun.

Since its launch in 1997, the Subaru Forester has been one of the most popular compact crossover SUVs. The Forester multipurpose SUV is more than just a commuting vehicle during the week; it can also be used for weekend fun. With its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, the Forester can go anywhere, making it ideal for off-road adventures.

The Subaru Forester is known for being spacious, standard with all-wheel drive, and having a high resale value. In addition to its high safety ratings, it's hard to argue that the Subaru Forester is an excellent choice in its segment. The same goes for buying a used car if you are in the market. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when purchasing a used Subaru Forester.

2014, 2015, And 2017 Are Among The Most Problematic Model Years Of The Subaru Forester

According to the actual owner complaints registered with the Car Complaints Website, the 2014 and 2015 Subaru Forester models are among the top three most problematic years. Overall, the Subaru Forester has had the most problems in the engine department. The most common engine problems cost about $3,800 to get rid of and occur at about 59,000 miles.

Although the 2015 Subaru Forester has received the most complaints overall, the 2014 model year is ranked just as worse by the Car Complaints website due to higher repair costs and more problems at lower mileage. The most-reported problem with the 2014 model has been high oil consumption.

“I kept wondering why I was having to drive around with quarts of oil in my car, so I stopped and asked one day. I found out there was a recall. The dealership had to replace the motor.” Quoted one owner, expressing their frustration with the 2014 Subaru Forester. Besides burning a quart of oil every 1,000 miles, which Subaru has declared to be within "normal specifications," there have also been reports of the engine stalling while driving the 2014 model.

Over 170 owners have reported problems with the 2015 Subaru Forester’s engine. Issues such as excessive oil consumption, unintended acceleration, engine stalling or dying while driving, and the check engine light constantly flashing stand out, amongst others.

Another reported issue with the 2015 Subaru Forester has been in the interior accessories department; problems such as Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition not working. Some owners have also said that the car's system reports that the memory is full while it isn't.

Many problems also plagued the 2017 Subaru Forester, such as transmission, engine, AC / heater, and electrical issues. There have been reports of shuddering, jerking, and hesitating at multiple speeds. The car has also been known to stall when accelerating and yet again have high oil consumption.