The 2017 Forester XT uses Subaru's FA20DIT turbo boxer-four paired with a CVT. While more reliable than older EJ turbos, this platform sees head gasket seepage, CVT cooler failures, and catastrophic engine failures from oil starvation or ringland cracks—often surprisingly early.
CVT Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission overheating warning light, Coolant mixing with CVT fluid (strawberry milkshake appearance), Delayed engagement or slipping, Coolant loss without visible external leaks
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler, flush CVT and cooling system completely. If contamination is severe, CVT replacement may be required. Labor: 4-6 hours for cooler only, 12-16 if CVT needs replacement.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for cooler replacement; $4,500-7,000 if CVT contaminated and needs replacement
Head Gasket Seepage (External)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil weeping from cylinder head mating surface, Burning oil smell after engine reaches temperature, Small oil spots under vehicle, No coolant mixing or overheating initially
Fix: External seepage is less catastrophic than EJ engines but still requires head gasket replacement. Must remove turbos, intake manifold, timing components. Labor: 14-18 hours for both sides.
Estimated cost: $2,500-3,800
Ringland Failure / Piston Cracking
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden misfire on cylinder 4 (most common) or cylinder 2, White smoke from exhaust, Loss of compression on one cylinder, Rattling noise from crankcase, Often follows low oil level or aggressive driving
Fix: Piston ringland cracks or complete piston failure requires short block replacement or full engine rebuild. Many shops recommend replacing with forged pistons if rebuilding. Labor: 20-28 hours for short block swap.
Estimated cost: $5,500-9,000 for short block replacement; $7,000-12,000 for full rebuild with upgraded internals
Main and Rod Bearing Wear (Oil Starvation)
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Deep knocking noise from lower engine on cold start or acceleration, Low oil pressure warning, Metallic debris in oil filter, History of extended oil change intervals or low oil running
Fix: Requires full engine disassembly, crankshaft inspection/machining, bearing replacement. Often discovered after catastrophic failure. Labor: 24-32 hours depending on crank condition.
Estimated cost: $6,000-10,000 for bearing replacement and machine work; often leads to short block replacement instead
Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle
Common · low severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise from engine bay on cold start that disappears when warm, Sound comes from passenger side, No performance loss or boost issues, Most noticeable in cold weather
Fix: Wastegate actuator rod develops play in bushings. Technically a warranty-extended item on some model years. Turbo replacement required if out of warranty. Labor: 6-8 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800 for turbo replacement; $0 if extended warranty applies
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, Visible sagging or tearing of rubber mount, Drivetrain movement visible during throttle application
Fix: Replace transmission mount (typically rear mount fails first). Simple job but requires lifting transmission slightly. Labor: 1.5-2.5 hours.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Buy only with documented oil change history and recent CVT service; budget $3,000-5,000 for eventual engine or CVT work—the turbo performance is great until it isn't.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.