Name: 2011 Subaru Forester
Brand: Subaru

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

What Owners Say

Catalytic converter

"Because of oil in combustion with damage to O2 sensors the cats were damaged."

Anonymous, NH (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Car had a check engine light. Mechanic diagnosed the problem. The cost was about 3700.00"

Anonymous, CO (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Loose/rattling heat shield

"Heat shield rattled loudly. I repaired it myself with a "c clamp"."

Anonymous, WI (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Muffler

"Needs to be replaced."

Anonymous, IL (2011 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Both rusting out and had to be replaced"

Anonymous, NS (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Other/unsure

"In cold weather, the tire inflation icon appears consistently although the tire pressure is correct"

Anonymous, MD (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Pipes

"Rusted out pipes before entering the mufflers."

Anonymous A., NY (2011 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Pipes near both rear mufflers broke at the flange. Local mechanic cut off all the flanges and repaired the pipes with bland clamps."

Anonymous, WI (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

What Owners Say

Engine knock or ping

"The engine hesitates or lunges as a result of the oil consumption now fouling injection #1."

Anonymous A., OH (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Fuel leaks

"I need to add a quart of oil about every 1000 to 1200 miles."

Anonymous, RI (2011 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Oil leaks

"I had a slow leak for about a year so checked my oil each time I got gas and topped it of as needed. I have since replaced the oil pan which was rusted."

Anonymous, ON (2011 Subaru Forester XT)

"Significant oil leakage, spent $1800 to repair but it was recommended to replace the entire engine for $6-8,000. The engine had been replaced 5 years prior for the same issue, though Subaru paid for it at that time."

Anonymous, IL (2011 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"oil leaked into oil pan & radiator- $3k to replace. Subaru refuses to address factory problem of confirmed Oil consumption problem."

Anonymous, WA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Engine buns oil. If I had known about this before buying, I might have thought twice. I nearly ran out of oil once, because I didn't realize it was happening."

Anonymous A., NH (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Ive gotten a lot of miles out of this car. Head gaskets leaks are common with older foresters ."

Anonymous A., NJ (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

What Owners Say

Engine rebuild or replacement

"Oil loss"

Anonymous A., (2011 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Due to a large number of engine failures in the Forester, Subaru increase the warranty to 100,000 miles. Subaru would not honor This warranty with my Subaru, even though the mileage was only 67,000."

Anonymous A., GA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Engine needed a full reseal. Cost was the value of the car."

Anonymous, OH (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"The rebuild/replacement was as a result of the original engine blew as a result of oil consumption. It was replaced with a rebuild and this engine is even worse. It consumes 1qt for every 150 - 200mi thus clogging up the emissions systems. It now has a small leak around the crankshaft pully. Engine is out of warranty."

Anonymous A., OH (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Engine miss-fired and used excessive oil. Upon investigation eventually discovered poor compression in a couple cylinders resulting from cracked/burned through valves. Tried rebuilding heads but once heads were tight it was discovered that compression was still bad from worn piston wrings. Subaru had oil problems with the first couple years of the new 2.5l engine but never recalled. Apparently too much oil in combustion led computer to lean out fuel leading to burned valves. Ended up replacing engine/trans with a newer used 2014 engine and have had no problems since."

Anonymous, NH (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Head gasket

"Starting problems diagnosed as worn head gasket. It costs $4000+ to pull head. I called Subaru and they said I should have bought an extended warranty!"

Anonymous A., GA (2011 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Standard valve cover gasket oil leak for this model that eventually prevented proper spark plug function. Had to also replace coil pack because of oil leak."

Anonymous A., MO (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"It stopped working about 8 months ago, so therefore the overall A/C no longer cools the car. I cannot afford the repair of over $1000.00 that my Car Shield will not pay for, so I now drive the car without A/C."

Anonymous A., TX (2011 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

"AC compressor clutch failed"

Anonymous A., OH (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Car came with non functioning ac"

Anonymous, HI (2011 Subaru Forester)

Heater system

"The heater doesnt really warm up the car in New England winters for at least 20 minutes. And the air conditioning system comes and goes."

Anonymous, VT (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Refrigerant leaks

"My a/c stops working after awhile. If I turn off the car for a while and restart, it works again."

Anonymous, ON (2011 Subaru Forester XT)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

What Owners Say

12V battery

"Dealer first thought was the battery was failing. But in fact was the alternator, tried to put a manufactured one which was faulty. Eventually they put a new OEM alternator at no charge. Since then all is good."

Anonymous, WI (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Headlights

"right headlight needed a new bulb"

Anonymous A., OR (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Keyless entry

"It started when the buttons on the fob needed to be pressed multiple times. Then they didn't work at all. The batteries in the fob were checked and OK. The problem was in the controller which would cost $300 to fix which I opted not to do."

Anonymous, ON (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Remote engine starter

"The car was attempting to start at random times on its own. It turned out the battery in one of the key chain remotes was faulty"

Anonymous, WI (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

What Owners Say

Calipers

"roue arriere droite ,duree des grincements 3mois, ai fait changer l'etrier"

Anonymous, QC (2011 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Rotors

"just needed regular maintenance due to mileage"

Anonymous, NB (2011 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Almost every time I have the car inspected over the last few years, I was told I needed new brakes or rotors or calipers"

Anonymous, VT (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"I think with the amount of miles on this car I was lucky to make it this far before transmission failed ."

Anonymous A., NJ (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"leak"

Anonymous, VA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Steering And Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Bushings

"frozen on"

Anonymous, CO (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)

Paint And Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Rust

"above the rear wheels; needed to be repaired"

Anonymous, NS (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Noises And Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"Have asked dealer to check..noise is still there especially when idling.heat shields maybe?"

Anonymous, (2011 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

What Owners Say

Emission control devices (includes EGR)

"stalling running rough,. clean out Maps sensor port.,throttle"

Anonymous, CT (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Subaru Forester

Reliability

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

Exhaust

What Owners Say

Engine Minor

What Owners Say

Engine Major

What Owners Say

Climate System

What Owners Say

Electrical Accessories

What Owners Say

Brakes

What Owners Say

Transmission Major

What Owners Say

Steering And Suspension

What Owners Say

Paint And Trim

What Owners Say

Noises And Leaks

What Owners Say

Fuel System/Emissions

What Owners Say

Engine Electrical

In-car Electronics

Engine Cooling

Drive System

Body Hardware

Transmission Minor

2011 SUVs Reliability

Subaru vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability