Used 2011 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A) Consumer Reviews
Used Forester for sale
Excessive Oil Consumption destroys all value
sadsubaru, Davisburg, MI, 10/17/2014
updated 10/17/2016
Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
91 of 93 people found this review helpful
Let me begin by saying I own three Subarus and I used to love the company. However there is a defect in many 2011 to 2014 Forester engines. The defect cause them to consume massive amounts of the 0W20 oil the specs require. The problem is so bad a class action law suit has been filed. Google this story subaru-excess-oil-consumption-problem-may-lead-to-engine-failure-lawsuit My car has the defect and Subaru refuses to take full responsibility. I can't sell it to anyone in good faith and so I'm stuck pouring hundred of dollars of oil into it every year. My Subaru dealer quoted $5000 to fix the defect. It is an invisible problem, so buyer beware. Update - Subaru finally admitted fault (under pressure of a class action suit) and replaced the entire short block and whatever other little bits and pieces were necessary. Lo and behold, no more oil consumption issues, well at least not in the first 10K miles since the replacement. However, in the meantime, other issues have arisen. I had"heard noise for a long while from the wheels. I assumed it was tire noise, as the car was driving fine and the Subaru service centers did not identify anything. Within a couple of months I had to replace a wheel bearing in the front and another in the rear a in bad show I'm told a third is in bad shape. I also just had to replace both front axles and now I am told I have to replace the rear driver side U-joint which requires me to replace an entire drive shaft. I've never had to perform any of these repairs on any of my other subarus. I have had axles go on other cars, but they were 15+ years old, this car is five years old. In sum, I think this was a lemon I purchased and I'm still soured on Subaru.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Love it, fun to drive, but some problems
pip3, New Castle, PA, 11/07/2011
Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
65 of 68 people found this review helpful
We love our Forester, for the most part. It is the perfect size. I don't have to sink down to get in and better yet, don't have to yank myself high up to climb into it. Driving it is fun, very responsive and great turning radius. Visibility is excellent and parking is easy. However, we have 2 strong complaints and a minor one. First, the radio is terrible! The fm sounds like hollow am radio. Next, the passenger seat is highly uncomfortable, non adjustable, and sunk down so low it's hard to see over the dash. The minor complaint is storage. Glove box is tiny, cup holders are square and bottles routinely fall over. In-door cupholders are also flawed.
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Excessive oil consumption, computer fail, cold start noise
edholden, South Charleston, WV, 11/03/2014
Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
50 of 52 people found this review helpful
Purchased new 2011 Forrester prem 2.5. Currently have less than 22k miles. Have had excessive oil consumption from day one. It wasn't until after many complaints, that the dealer started an oil consumption test. No issue failing that. Car would consume 3-4.5 quarts on a thousand mile trip, over and over again. Subaru put a new short block in it after it failed the test, and also had a software malfunction whole taking the test. Now the engine knocks on every cold start. SOA Rep acknowledges the excessive noise, but claims there is no fix. The dealer already supposedly replaced the tentioner on the timing chain. Filed suit against SOA for failing to comply per warrant.
This thing is GARBAGE!!!
markfu, Herndon, VA, 06/05/2014
Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
40 of 42 people found this review helpful
It burns oil!!!!! My wife bought this new and we just had to have the engine rebuilt because it had no oil in it at the dealership recommended 7500 mile oil change!!!!! The dealership, with a straight face, tells us that 1 quart every 1500 miles is normal??? I have a 1995 Ford Bronco and it burns a quart every 6k miles. Why is it that an engine that is 19+ years old burns less oil than one 3 years old? How is this ok? How did this pass quality controll??? Why, why, why????? Pass these heaps over if you are wise! It is completely insane that a "modern" vehicle burns oil like its a vehicle from the 1970s, INSANE!!!!
Very Good Overall Package
premx11, Arlington, VA, 05/05/2011
Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
36 of 39 people found this review helpful
This is a very good overall package and an excellent value. Car is very sure-footed in rain and snow. Has comfortable ride and seats. Excellent visibility, has responsive brakes, steering, highly maneuverable, great sun roof - helps cool car quickly, responsive engine - a bit noisy on cold start, but smooth and quiet thereafter, excellent hauling capacity with rear seats folded, 4-speed AT is a bit antiquated, but shifts smoothly and is responsive. Integrated TomTom GPS & w/audio/video takes some time to figure out, but is not hard to use thereafter once you understand the controls. Mileage between 16 mpg in cold, city driving, & up to 29 mpg on the highway, w/overall ave. of 21.5 so far.