The 2015-2024 Subaru Forester with the 2.5L naturally aspirated H4 is generally reliable transportation, but the FB25 engine has well-documented weak points including oil consumption, head gasket seepage, and PCV valve failures. The CVT transmission shows occasional cooler line and mount issues but is less problematic than earlier generations.
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure (FB25 Engine)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: burning 1+ quart oil every 1,000-1,500 miles, blue smoke on cold start or under load, check engine light P0420 (catalyst efficiency) from oil fouling, frequent low oil warnings
Fix: Subaru extended warranty covered many early cases, but out-of-warranty requires short block replacement or full engine rebuild with updated piston rings. 12-16 hours labor for short block swap in-chassis. Some owners live with it and top off oil religiously.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
CVT Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: red transmission fluid dripping near front of engine, low CVT fluid warning, burnt smell after highway driving, transmission temperature gauge climbing
Fix: Rubber o-rings in the cooler line connections harden and leak. Replace both cooler lines and o-rings preventively; 2-3 hours labor. Flush and refill CVT fluid while you're in there.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Head Gasket Seepage (External Oil Leaks)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: oil weeping from lower sides of engine block, oil smell from exhaust manifold heat, visible crusty brown residue on head/block joint, no overheating or coolant mixing—just external oil
Fix: FB25 doesn't have the catastrophic internal coolant-mixing head gasket failures of older EJ engines, but external oil seepage still happens. Both head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, and timing components while open: 14-18 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
PCV Valve Failure / Crankcase Pressure Issues
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: rough idle, oil leaking from valve cover or dipstick tube, whistling noise from engine bay, check engine light P0171/P0172 (fuel trim codes)
Fix: PCV valve integrated into valve cover; cannot replace separately on many FB25 variants—requires entire valve cover assembly. 2-3 hours per side if both are done. Clean intake valves while intake manifold is off.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Transmission Mount Failure
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk when shifting from park to drive or reverse, excessive vibration at idle in gear, visible cracking or separation in rubber mount, driveline shudder on acceleration
Fix: Rear transmission mount (pitch stopper) wears from CVT torque fluctuations. Replace mount and inspect front engine mounts at same time. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Fuel Pump Failures / No-Start Condition
Rare · high severity
Symptoms: intermittent no-start with crank but no fire, fuel pump not priming (no hum when key turned on), stalling at operating temperature, check engine light P0087 (fuel rail pressure low)
Fix: Some 2019-2021 models had recall for fuel pump impeller. Even post-recall, occasional pump failures occur. Drop fuel tank, replace pump assembly. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Owner tips
Check oil level every fuel fill-up—FB25 oil consumption can accelerate quickly and starve the engine
Use Subaru-spec CVT fluid (High Torque or CVT-F) and change every 30,000-40,000 miles regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims
Inspect CVT cooler lines and o-rings at every oil change after 70,000 miles—catch leaks early before trans runs low
Replace PCV valve/valve covers proactively at 80,000 miles to prevent crankcase pressure issues
Keep detailed oil consumption records if under 100,000 miles—may qualify for Subaru goodwill assistance on oil burners
Solid choice if you verify oil consumption history and CVT maintenance records—avoid high-mileage examples with no proof of CVT services or engines burning oil.
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.
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Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Consequence: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · 23V754000
2023-11-09
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Consequence: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH · 23V755000
2023-11-09
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · 23V723000
2023-10-26
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.
Consequence: Leaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subarus independent distributor processing facilities will tighten the water pipe attachment bolts. The affected vehicles have not been delivered to dealers or sold to owners and therefore, no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRO-23.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
SUSPENSION:REAR · 21V263000
2021-04-15
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Consequence: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) · 19V856000
2019-12-02
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · 19V701000
2019-10-03 · PE19009
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Consequence: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · 19V701000
2019-10-03 · PE19009
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Consequence: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · 19V701000
2019-10-03 · PE19009
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Consequence: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · 19V701000
2019-10-03 · PE19009
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Consequence: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · 19V149000
2019-02-28
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · 19V149000
2019-02-28
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 19V065000
2019-02-06
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.
TIRES · 18V455000
2018-07-10
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected label, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTS-78.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · 16V162000
2016-03-21
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · 16V162000
2016-03-21
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
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