Hello, neighbor! It’s great that you came to me with questions about the known problems with Subaru Forester engines. I have the time to tell you everything clearly, drawing from my rich experience as an auto mechanic.
While Subaru is known for its reliability, like other automotive giants, they constantly experiment, and sometimes their engines may not be as successful as desired. The Subaru Forester comes with an engine called the EJ25 (also known as BOXER). Based on my experience as an auto mechanic, I can mention issues with cylinder head gaskets and oil consumption (oil starvation).
Look, I’ve created a table for you where you can see the most common problems with the EJ25 engine based on the production year and Subaru Forester version.
| Model Subaru Forester | Production Years | EJ25 Engine Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Forester 2.5X | 2003 – 2010 | Cylinder head gasket issues |
| Forester 2.5XT | 2004 – 2010 | Oil starvation and oil consumption |
| Forester 2.5X Premium | 2009 – 2010 | Cylinder head gasket issues |
| Forester 2.5X Limited | 2003 – 2010 | Oil starvation and oil consumption |
| Forester 2.5X Touring | 2010 | Cylinder head gasket issues |
| Forester 2.5X Touring | 2010 | Oil starvation and oil consumption |
| Forester 2.5XT Touring | 2004 – 2010 | Cylinder head gasket issues |
| Forester 2.5XT Touring | 2004 – 2010 | Oil starvation and oil consumption |
By the way, dear neighbor, I’ve also seen this problematic engine in other Subaru models. Here’s how this engine performs in other models:
| Engine Model | Car Model | Production Year | Known Problems |
|---|---|---|---|
| EJ25 | Subaru Forester | 2003 – 2010 | Cylinder head gasket issues, oil starvation |
| EJ25 | Subaru Impreza | 1996 – 2005 | Head gasket leaks, high oil consumption |
| EJ25 | Subaru Legacy | 1996 – 2005 | Head gasket problems, high oil consumption |
| EJ25 | Subaru Outback | 1996 – 2005 | Head gasket leaks, high oil consumption |
| EJ25 | Subaru Baja | 2003 – 2006 | Head gasket issues, oil starvation |
So, without delving into technical details (which I don’t think are crucial for us right now), I’ve informed you about the most problematic engine in the Subaru Forester. When you have time, come over for a cup of tea, and we can talk about other interesting things!
Well, neighbor 👨 I’m glad when you come to me with a question. If you have more, ask them below in the comments ☕
Thanks for sharing this detailed breakdown of engine problems across different Subaru Forester models. I’ve got a 2010 Forester 2.5X Premium, and fortunately, I haven’t faced any cylinder head gasket issues so far. But I’ll definitely keep an eye out for any signs just in case
This information is invaluable for someone like me who is planning to purchase a Subaru Forester. The transparency about potential engine issues allows us to be prepared and make informed decisions. Thanks for shedding light on this, and I might take you up on that cup of tea offer soon!