REDLINE ALLEYSubaru Forester SJ buying guide
2013 to 2018. An SJ suits a buyer who wants a practical AWD wagon and checks the oil use and CVT behaviour.
Big jobs
- 2.5 oil consumption. Excessive oil use on the 2.5 is reported, put down to mis manufactured engine parts on early cars, with factory revisions from about 2015. Subaru says 1 litre per 2,000 km is normal.
- CVT reverse delay and shudder. Slow engagement of reverse (owners report 4 seconds or more against the normal 1 to 2), hesitation, whine and shudder under load are reported. Subaru fixed it with fresh fluid and a control module reset, but it can come back.
Workshop jobs
- 2.0 turbo direct injection carbon. Carbon builds up on the valves of the direct injected 2.0 turbo XT as it ages, and regular fuel hurts performance.
- Driveline, steering and suspension noises. Clunks or pops when steering slowly or over bumps, droning or humming, and worn struts and bushes are reported.
- Exhaust corrosion. Rust and corrosion on the exhaust lead to leaks and more noise.
- Underbody damage. Foresters need checking for underbody damage, and bare metal from scrapes should be fixed before purchase.
Small jobs
- Electrics, screen and backlighting. Infotainment, sensor and dash display faults are reported, and blown fuses can kill the dash backlighting or radio.
- Hard starting. Slow starting is often a short lived factory battery, or fixed by a dealer software update.
Questions for the seller
- Is it the 2.0 or 2.5 petrol, the 2.0 XT turbo or the diesel?
- How much oil does it use, and has any engine work been done for oil use?
- When was the CVT fluid last changed, and by whom?
- Has it been off road?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-04. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.