Subaru Reliability - The Most Reliable And Least Reliable Years And Models

Interested in Subaru

2012 Subaru Forester three different engines all consumed more than two quarts every thousand miles. Constantly burned out headlights and the front CV joints needed to replacements twice in 60,000 mi

We drive an Outback!
We have now had three Subaru's, two Forester's, and the last one a 2015 Outback. We do like our “Subby's” We also like Jeeps and have had many different models over the years.
Our 2015 Outback has only 51K and is just like new yet. I bought a replacement Jeep, a 2012 Liberty (98K) as a second car.
We were really surprised, our Liberty's CABIN is much quieter than than our Outback! Lot less wind noise in our Jeep? Our Subaru was recalled for wind noise a few years back but I could hear no difference after the dealer made changes?
But we still like our Subaru's!! Noisy or not.
Just trivia information.

Is year 2010 Subaru Forester engine is reliable ?

The numbers regarding the reliability and number of miles until any major repair or maintenance are way exagerated. Any Subaru will require gasket replacement after 100 K miles. Mine, a Forester 2004 bought new from dealership has now less than 100k and dry soon vI will need a new belt,water pump and pulleys and a little later major transmission repair, bearings and almost certain anew gasket as lately it hardly catch its breath . The car has been well Maintained . It has an accident involving body repairs but nothing at the engine and transmission. It was staying in storage for six years because of lack of funds. I bought it exactly because of these lies about the reliability and durability but turned out that all was just a "legal lie" as they calling advertising. Noted that I've never forced the engine and I was quite carefully with it. Big disappointment.

The EJ20 and EJ22 were honestly the best engines never had gasket issues or oil burning...still used a timing belt but hey it was non+interference design so they easily chugged past 200,000kms..

My 2001 Impreza 2.5RS has the EJ2.5 and once the upgraded head bolts were done it has been bulletproof despite the hard life it lives on mid grade gas and cheap oil changes.

I have a Forester 2011 and has 144K mileage and goes low in oil every 3-4 thousand miles way earlier than the 7500 service schedule. I first observed it around 120K. The Subaru mechanic also identified a head gasket issue mixing oil and water at 143K and cost $5K and of course I didn't repair it. I hardly imagine I can drive it to 200K. Its horizontal cylinders make it harder to fix head gasket issues on the side of the engine. It is a well known issue since many years ago, I complained to Subaru but they told me Powertrain warranty expired many years ago and didn't stand behind their car. The car cabin is noisy and get worse with higher mileage. When I bought Forester they also told me similar stories about high mileage 250K and so on, please don't believe it. Recent models haven't been on road enough, so cannot claim issues fixed.

I am the owner of a Subaru Forester 2.5l, automatic, 2008.
I have had great pleasure driving my car until she started giving problems.
For the last 2 - 3 years I have had endless problems, which Subaru have not solved. I was told that my car is 11 years old and that it was wear and tear. I have been struggling to try and have my car fixed. I have been for periods without a car for weeks and depended on favours.
For the last week and next week it is at a gearbox and electrical centre.
I am a working pensioner and do not have finances for another car. I would appreciate if something can be done and I have my own dependable transport again.

Thank you.

200,000 miles expected? Really? Then perhaps that’s what the warranty should say. If that’s Subaru statement then stand behind it. That’s what Hyundai and KIA do.

Our 2014 Forester burns oil like crazy. Just put in a quart only 3,000 mile after oil change. On a trip the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. $1,400 transmission job. Subaru replaced rear springs and found right front end needed replaced.
Hate this car

Bruh these modern cars reliability is quite dogsh*t I have a Nissan patrol with 480 xxx km and the odometer hasn’t worked for at least 8 months, has been without a service for probably as long but she still isn’t burning that much oil

2013 Legacy 2.5i bought new. Around 20,000 to 35,000 it needed a quart of oil to make it to its 6,000 oil changes. Then it just stopped and never burned oil again. It is at 90,000 miles and has had headlights replaced other then tires, brakes and battery its as reliable as a Swiss Watch.

When you see Subaru on the road this means it was or it is going to a service dealership. If you see Subaru passing by auto service without stopping this means its breaks failed.

2011 Subaru Leggy 2.5i. Bought at 54k with no issues, drove fine until about 75k when a gastly over large Yukon lost control next to me on the freeway and overcorrected right into the passenger side of it. Drove it like that until about 150k, fixed the door, then drove it until 189k, sold it to the guy that helped me move.

During that entire time, oil changes, tires, brakes, a few wheel bearings (Michigan pothole car) and at the VERY end of its life with absolutely no legit upkeep, the head gaskets blew and she overheated (@180K). Drove 9k more miles with a "pour in" solution and she never over heated again. The guy that bought it for a couple hundred said he worked on subaru's.

Moral of the story. All cares are just hunks of metal and rubber designed to get you from A-B. Drive them, change the oil (Often), do your regular maintenance (tires, alignments, brakes) and IF you've the resources or money, obey the recommended maintenance schedule and your Subu will meet the 190K+ club.

Foresters beyond 2015 still burn through excessive amounts of oil.