Subaru sells more Foresters per capita in Canada than anywhere else in the world. The combination of standard all-wheel drive, good ground clearance, and a reputation for winter invincibility makes it the unofficial vehicle of Canadian cottage country. Drive through Collingwood or Mont-Tremblant in February and every third vehicle is a Forester.
But Subaru has had some rough years. The FB25 engine from 2011–2015 consumed oil at rates that triggered a class-action settlement. The early CVTs had valve body failures. And the head gasket problem that everyone talks about is mostly real on older EJ engines, not the newer FB engines — but the reputation stuck. Here is what actually matters by model year.
2009–2010: The last of the EJ, and the last of the head gasket era
The 2009–2010 Forester used Subaru's EJ253 engine, the last of the EJ family that earned Subaru its head gasket reputation. The EJ's head gaskets fail because the gasket material degrades over time, allowing coolant and oil to mix or coolant to leak externally. It is not a sudden failure — you get warning signs: a sweet smell from the engine bay, coolant disappearing with no visible leak, oil that looks like chocolate milk. Ignore the signs, and the engine overheats and warps the heads.
Head gasket replacement on an EJ Forester costs $2,500–3,500 at an independent Subaru shop. Once replaced with the updated multi-layer steel gasket (the original was a single-layer graphite-coated gasket), the problem does not recur. The question when buying a 2009–2010 Forester is not whether the head gaskets will fail, but whether they have already been replaced with the MLS gasket. If yes, the engine is solid for another 200,000 km. If no, budget the repair into the purchase price.
The 4-speed automatic in these years is ancient but unkillable. The manual transmission is fine. The all-wheel drive system is the same mechanical system Subaru has been using for decades — it works, it is durable, and it gets you through snow that stops other crossovers.
Verdict: Buy only if the head gaskets have been replaced with MLS gaskets and you have the receipt. Budget $2,500–3,500 if they have not been done. Prices: $4,000–8,000 for a clean one.
2011–2013: The FB engine arrives, and so does the oil consumption
The 2011 Forester introduced the FB25 engine, replacing the EJ. The FB was more efficient and more powerful. It also burned oil. Subaru's specification allowed up to 1 litre per 2,000 km before it was considered "excessive" — a standard that owners found absurd. A class-action lawsuit in the US and Canada resulted in Subaru extending the engine warranty to 8 years / 160,000 km for affected 2011–2015 Foresters with the FB engine. That extension has expired for 2011–2013 models.
The oil consumption problem is not catastrophic — the engine does not seize, it just needs to be topped up regularly. But owners who did not check their oil between changes (and most people do not) would run low, and running low on oil damages the engine over time. When you look at a 2011–2013 Forester, check the oil level. Ask the seller how often they top up. If they say "never," check the dipstick — if it is low, the engine has been run low on oil repeatedly and the bearings may have taken a beating.
The CVT debuted in the 2014 Forester, so 2011–2013 models have the 4-speed automatic. It is less efficient than the CVT but more durable. If you find a 2011–2013 with a manual transmission, buy it — the take rate on manuals was low, and they are worth more on the used market.
Verdict: The 2011–2013 Forester is good if you can verify the oil consumption has been managed. The manual transmission models are keepers. The 4-speed automatic is durable but thirsty.
2014–2016: The CVT and the oil consumption overlap
The 2014 brought the fourth-generation Forester with Subaru's Lineartronic CVT. The CVT is Subaru's own design — not a Jatco unit — and it uses a chain instead of a belt, which makes it more durable than the Nissan CVTs. But the early years (2014–2015) had valve body failures that caused harsh engagement and hesitation. Subaru extended the CVT warranty to 10 years / 160,000 km for 2014–2015 Foresters in Canada. That extension is still active for some cars depending on the in-service date.
The FB25 engine from 2014–2015 still falls under the oil consumption class-action window. Subaru revised the piston rings for the 2015 model year, and by 2016 the oil consumption problem was mostly resolved. The 2016 Forester is the first year where the FB25 does not have a meaningful oil consumption issue.
The 2014–2016 XT trim with the 2.0-litre turbocharged FA20F engine is the enthusiast pick. It makes 250 horsepower, uses a different engine family than the FB, and does not have oil consumption problems. The FA20F is a direct-injected turbo engine, so carbon buildup on the intake valves is a concern past 120,000 km. A walnut blast cleaning costs $600–1,000.
Verdict: 2016 is the safest FB25 Forester in this generation. 2014–2015 are acceptable with oil consumption and CVT valve body history. The XT is the hidden gem — fast, fun, and mechanically different from the problematic FB engines. Check remaining CVT warranty coverage.
2017–2018: The safe years
By 2017, Subaru had resolved the oil consumption issue and the CVT valve body problem. These are the Foresters we recommend most often. The 2017 refresh brought a revised front fascia, better sound deadening, and an improved infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (2018+). The EyeSight driver assistance system became available on more trims, and it is one of the best adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems in the industry.
The 2017–2018 Forester with the 2.5L FB25 and CVT is the sweet spot for used buyers. You get the modern Subaru safety and AWD capability without the oil consumption or CVT problems of the earlier years. Prices: $16,000–24,000 for a clean Touring or Limited with EyeSight.
Verdict: Buy. The 2018 with EyeSight and CarPlay is the best used Forester under $25,000. The XT was discontinued after 2018 — if you can find a 2017–2018 XT, it is the last of the turbo Foresters and a future classic.
2019–2024: The modern Forester
The fifth-generation Forester (2019–present) moved to Subaru's Global Platform, which is stiffer, safer, and better to drive. The 2.5L FB25 DI (direct injection) engine makes 182 horsepower and does not burn oil. The CVT was revised again and is smoother than the fourth-gen unit. The 2019–2024 Forester is the most refined and reliable Forester Subaru has ever built.
The 2022 brought a mild refresh with a revised front end. The 2025 Forester is a new generation with updated styling. Used 2019–2024 Foresters are still expensive — $22,000–35,000 depending on year and trim — but they are excellent vehicles with no known systemic issues.
Head gaskets: the real story for Forester buyers
The head gasket problem is real on 2009–2010 Foresters with the EJ engine. It is not a concern on 2011+ Foresters with the FB engine — the FB uses a different gasket design and does not have the EJ's failure rate. If someone tells you "all Subarus blow head gaskets," they are repeating something they heard about a 2005 Outback. The FB engine's actual problem is oil consumption, and Subaru addressed it by 2016. The head gasket anxiety that depresses older Forester prices can work in your favour — a 2016 Forester is priced lower than a comparable RAV4 or CR-V because of a reputation it does not deserve.
The short list
- Best cheap Forester: 2011–2013 manual transmission. No CVT, oil consumption is manageable. $6,000–10,000.
- Best value overall: 2017–2018 Touring with EyeSight. Solved oil consumption, solved CVT, excellent safety. $16,000–24,000.
- Best enthusiast Forester: 2017–2018 XT. Turbo, fun, last of its kind. $18,000–26,000.
- Do not buy: 2014–2015 without CVT warranty verification. Any 2011–2015 FB25 that has been run low on oil repeatedly. 2009–2010 EJ with original head gaskets and no MLS replacement receipt.
A Forester is the vehicle you buy when winter is a thing you deal with for six months of the year. The right year will get you through anything a Canadian February throws at it. Browse our Subaru inventory or get pre-qualified for financing.
