My GarageIs the Subaru Forester a good used car?
Verdict rates it 4.1/5 overall, with reliability at 4.0/5 and running costs at 4.1/5. Shop 2019+ (5th gen SK) first and treat 2011–2013 (early FB25) as a records-only purchase.
Buyer's Guide · Subaru Forester · Compact crossover
Used Subaru Forester Buyer's Guide
3 min read
Also worth reading: Subaru Reliability Guide, Best Used Subaru Models and Subaru Outback Buying Guide.
The Forester is the definitive all-weather compact crossover. The 2019+ 5th-gen (SK) is a substantial improvement over the FB25 era.
The Forester also appears in our guide to the best used cars under $20,000.
Want more space than the Forester? Read the used Subaru Outback buyer's guide.
Quick Verdict
- Overall verdict
- 4.1/5 · Very good
- Reliability
- 4.0/5 · Very good
- Best years
- 2019+ (5th gen SK), 2016–2018 (late 4th gen)
- Years to research
- 2014–2015 (FB25 transition years)
- Maintenance cost
- 3.9/5 · Good
- Parts availability
- 4.3/5 · Very good
- Ownership cost
- 4.1/5 · Very good
Bottom line: Yes — and the answer is year-specific. Buy a 2019+ 5th-gen Forester if the budget allows: the revised FB25D engine, refined chassis, and class-leading visibility make it the most reliable used Forester you can buy.
Shopping a specific Forester?
Don't stop at researching the model — get a verdict on the exact car you're looking at.
Quick Answer
The best years for a used Subaru Forester are 2019 and newer (5th generation) — the revised FB25D engine, refined chassis, and excellent visibility make them the most reliable Foresters built. For value shoppers, 2016–2018 (late 4th generation) is the sweet spot once the early FB25 oil-consumption issues were addressed.
- Best overall:2019+ (5th gen SK) — updated engine, mature CVT, refined ride.
- Best value:2016–2018 (late 4th gen) — most of the reliability gains at lower prices.
- Years to avoid:2011–2013 — early FB25 engines with documented excessive oil consumption.
Whichever year you target, CVT fluid service history and matched tires on the AWD system matter more than the badge on the trunk. See the Best Years section below for the year-by-year breakdown.
Overall · All generations
★★★★★4.1/5
The 2019+ Forester is the safest used pick — updated FB25D engine, refined chassis, class-leading visibility. Older 2011–2014 examples need oil-consumption verification.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★4.0/5
Maintenance
★★★★★3.9/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.3/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.1/5
Top Picks
Best Years to Buy
Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.
2019+ (5th gen SK)
The safest used Forester pick. The revised FB25D direct-injection engine resolved the oil-consumption story, the chassis is noticeably more refined, and visibility is best-in-class. Still check: CVT fluid service history and matched tires on the AWD system.
2016–2018 (late 4th gen)
The sweet spot for value. By 2016 Subaru had updated the FB25 and the worst of the oil-consumption years were behind it. Still check: oil level between changes and documented CVT fluid service.
Skip these
Years to Avoid
Specific years, conditions, or builds that are not worth the risk.
2011–2013 (early FB25)
The 2.5L FB25 in these years is tied to documented excessive oil consumption from worn piston rings, which led to a class-action settlement. Some cars received short-block replacements; others simply burn oil. Unless the seller can document the settlement work or a clean oil-consumption test, these are the Forester years to avoid.
Side by side
Subaru Forester ratings at a glance
| Category | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.1/5 | Very good |
| Reliability | 4.0/5 | Very good |
| Maintenance | 3.9/5 | Good |
| Parts availability | 4.3/5 | Very good |
| Ownership cost | 4.1/5 | Very good |
Do your homework
Years to Research Carefully
Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.
2014–2015 (FB25 transition years)
Oil-consumption complaints taper off after 2013 but haven't disappeared. Verify oil-consumption behavior and settlement participation before buying.
Known issues
Common Problems
Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
- ✓Oil consumption on early FB25
- ✓CVT longevity without fluid service
- ✓Wheel bearings on high-mileage examples
- ✓Rear differential and CV joint wear
- ✓Windshield chips (uniquely large windshield)
Ownership
Maintenance Expectations
Same low-cost ownership as Outback; parts and support are strong.
CVT fluid and AWD tire matching are the two non-negotiables.
Before you buy
Inspection Checklist
What to verify on any candidate car.
Engine
FB25 oil consumption on 2011–2013 examples.
CVT
No shudder or slip; fluid history.
AWD
Tires matched; no driveline binding.
Suspension
Struts and bushings at 100k+.
Rust
Rear arches and subframe on Northeast cars.
Living with it
Ownership Experience
- • Practical, visible, and honest — one of the easiest cars to drive in the segment.
- • Real-world 26–29 mpg highway.
- • Excellent all-weather capability.
The Verdict
Should You Buy a Used Subaru Forester?
Yes — and the answer is year-specific. Buy a 2019+ 5th-gen Forester if the budget allows: the revised FB25D engine, refined chassis, and class-leading visibility make it the most reliable used Forester you can buy. On a tighter budget, a 2016–2018 4th-gen with documented CVT service and no oil-consumption issues is the best value. Skip 2011–2013 unless the seller documents the FB25 oil-consumption settlement work. Whichever you choose, prioritize service history and a pre-purchase inspection over model year alone.
People Also Ask
How many miles will a Forester last?
There is no fixed number — condition and paperwork decide it. On a Subaru Forester, judge the car by its engine, cvt and awd rather than by the odometer reading alone.
Is the Forester expensive to maintain?
Maintenance scores 3.9/5 and parts availability 4.3/5 in our ratings. Routine servicing is the predictable part; the cost risk sits in the model-specific repairs listed on this page.
What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?
Buyers most often run into oil consumption on early FB25, CVT longevity without fluid service and wheel bearings on high-mileage examples. All are checkable before purchase — bring the list to a pre-purchase inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best years for a used Subaru Forester?
2019 and newer (5th generation) are the best years for a used Subaru Forester — the revised FB25D engine resolved the oil-consumption concerns of earlier cars, and the chassis, visibility, and safety equipment are all meaningfully better. For buyers on a budget, 2016–2018 (late 4th generation) offers most of the same reliability at lower prices.
What is the most reliable Subaru Forester year?
The most reliable used Subaru Forester years are 2019 and newer, which use the revised FB25D direct-injection engine and the matured 5th-generation platform. Among older cars, 2016–2018 examples with verified oil-consumption behavior and documented CVT service are the next-safest picks.
What Subaru Forester years should you avoid?
Approach 2011–2013 Foresters with the most caution. The early FB25 2.5L engine in these years has documented excessive oil consumption from worn piston rings, which led to a class-action settlement. Some cars received short-block replacements — unless the seller can document that work or a clean oil-consumption test, these are the years to skip. The 2014–2015 transition years deserve a careful inspection rather than an outright avoid.
Is a used Subaru Forester reliable?
Yes, with a year-specific caveat. Foresters from 2016 onward — and especially 2019+ — have strong reliability records, inexpensive parts, and a deep independent-specialist network. The weak point is the 2011–2013 FB25 engine's oil consumption. Non-negotiables on any used Forester: CVT fluid service history, matched tires on the AWD system, and a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used Subaru Forester?
Focus on five things: oil-consumption behavior on 2011–2015 FB25 engines, CVT fluid service history (no shudder or slip on the test drive), matched tires on the AWD system, suspension wear (struts and bushings past 100k), and rust on the rear arches and subframe on Northeast cars.
You may also want to research
Found one for sale?
Don't stop at researching the model.
Analyze the actual car you're considering with Verdict.
Related Subaru Forester Guides
- Subaru Reliability Guide
How Subaru holds up long-term.
See the reliability verdict - Best Used Subaru Models
The Subaru models worth buying.
See the ranked models - Subaru Outback Buying Guide
Full wagon/crossover buying guide.
Read the buyer's guide - Subaru Crosstrek Buying Guide
Full subcompact crossover buying guide.
Read the buyer's guide