DealScan2011–2024
Is a used Subaru Forester a good deal?
By the DealScan team · Updated 2026-06-12
Quick answer
A used Subaru Forester is a capable all-weather buy with two documented soft spots: oil consumption on 2011–2015 FB25 engines (subject of a class action — check for top-off habits) and CVT reliability on 2014–2018 cars, for which Subaru extended the warranty to 10 years/100,000 miles. 2019+ models mostly trade those for minor annoyances like windshield cracking and battery drain. Verify head gasket history on anything older you're cross-shopping.
Known issues to check first
- 2011–2015: FB25 oil consumption — check the dipstick now and ask how often oil is added between changes
- 2014–2018: CVT failures led Subaru to extend coverage to 100,000 miles — confirm whether the CVT was serviced or replaced
- 2019+: windshield stress cracking and parasitic battery drain complaints — ask about replacements
- AWD system needs four matched tires — mismatched tread depths cause drivetrain wear
How much mileage is okay?
200,000 miles is attainable, but Subarus punish neglect more than Toyotas. An oil-fed, CVT-serviced Forester at 120,000 miles beats a vague-history one at 70,000.
How many miles does a Subaru Forester last?Common questions
Which used Forester years should I avoid?
Be most careful with 2014–2016: they combine the oil-consumption engine with the early CVT. 2019+ models have the cleanest record.
Is the Forester CVT a dealbreaker?
No, but it's a checkpoint. Subaru's extended warranty acknowledgment means you should ask directly: serviced, replaced, or original? Factor the answer into price.
Why do tires matter so much on a used Subaru?
Full-time AWD needs all four tires within about 2/32" of each other. A seller who replaced one or two tires cheaply may have quietly stressed the drivetrain.
Found a Forester listing? Check it before you message.
Paste the ad link or text into the analyzer and DealScan scores the deal, flags the risks above when they apply, and lists the questions worth asking this specific seller.
Check a listing freeWhat is a used Subaru Forester worth by year?
Free value estimate for each year, with a price-by-mileage table and year-specific risks.
Compare the Subaru Forester
Torn between two models? See the Forester head-to-head with its closest rivals.
Is the Subaru Forester a best used car pick?
The Forester makes these DealScan shortlists — see where it ranks and what to buy it against.