The 2024 Forester Wilderness shares the FB25D 2.5L naturally-aspirated boxer with other recent Foresters and uses the same CVT. Being so new, most field failures haven't surfaced yet, but the engine and transmission history from 2019-2023 Foresters tells us where to watch.
CVT Transmission Fluid Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid drips on ground, often near front passenger side, Low CVT fluid warning light, Burnt smell if driven low on fluid
Fix: Replace cooler lines and flush CVT fluid. 2.5-3 hours labor. Subaru redesigned fittings mid-2022 but early-build 2024s may still use older brittle lines.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Head Gasket Seepage (FB25D Engine)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: External oil weeping at head/block junction, visible around exhaust side, Slight coolant smell after hot shutdowns, White residue under oil cap but no milkshake in oil
Fix: Full head gasket replacement requires removing intake manifold, timing components, heads. 12-16 hours labor. FB25D is much better than older EJ engines but not immune. Recommend resurfacing heads and new head bolts.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,200
Piston Ring Land Failure (FB25D)
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption, 1+ quart per 1,000 miles, Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Misfires in one or more cylinders, check engine light P030x codes
Fix: Requires short block replacement or full rebuild with new pistons and rings. 18-24 hours labor. Some early FB25 engines had weak ring lands prone to cracking under load. Subaru extended warranty on some VINs but 2024s are too new to know if fully resolved.
Estimated cost: $5,500-8,000
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · low severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Vibration at idle, especially with AC on, Excessive engine movement visible from engine bay
Fix: Replace rear transmission mount. 1.5-2 hours labor. Wilderness model is heavier and sees more off-road use so mounts fatigue faster than standard Forester.
Estimated cost: $300-500
Fuel Filter Clogging (High Ethanol or Contaminated Fuel)
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Hard starting, especially when warm, Hesitation or stumble under acceleration, Fuel pump whine louder than normal
Fix: In-tank fuel filter/pump module replacement. 2-3 hours labor. More common in regions with high ethanol blends (E15+) or if vehicle sits for long periods. Subaru doesn't recommend routine filter replacement but symptoms force the job.
Estimated cost: $700-1,100
EyeSight Camera Calibration Drift
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: Pre-collision braking false alarms on clear roads, Lane keep assist pulling to one side, Adaptive cruise disengaging frequently with 'EyeSight malfunction' message
Fix: Static recalibration required, often after windshield replacement or minor front-end impact. 1-1.5 hours labor. Requires factory scan tool or compatible aftermarket system. Off-road use on Wilderness can jar cameras out of alignment more than pavement-only Foresters.
Estimated cost: $200-400
Would buy one used under 60,000 miles with full service records and CVT fluid changes documented—skip any with high oil consumption or deferred maintenance.
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.