Subaru Forester: Owner & Buyer Guide
What breaks, what it should cost to fix at an independent shop versus a dealer, when routine service comes due, and what to check before you buy.
Last reviewed: August 2026Reviewed by a drivway-verified technician2.5L naturally aspirated flat-4 (FB25) with Lineartronic CVT — the only engine offered in this generation (no turbo Forester in the US market for these years)
The short version
The 5th-generation Subaru Forester (2019–2024) pairs standard all-wheel drive and class-leading visibility with a genuinely rough launch year: 2019 models drew CVT stalling and shuddering complaints (partly recall-covered) and windshields prone to cracking from minor chips, though independent trackers show later model years — especially 2023 and 2024 — scoring meaningfully better. This guide is a research skeleton — the recall history and reliability trend are sourced, but ordinary wear-and-tear repair costs are marked TODO pending follow-up research.
Reliability: Middling launch year (2019) that improved noticeably by 2023–2024 — early CVT calibration and stalling complaints gave way to better independent reliability scores in later model years.
What owners like
- Standard symmetrical all-wheel drive and best-in-class visibility/greenhouse across every trim and year
- Later model years (2023–2024) score meaningfully better on independent reliability trackers than the 2019 launch year
- Timing chain (not a belt) on the FB25 engine — no scheduled belt-replacement bill
- Roomy, boxy cabin with a low beltline that's unusually easy to see out of for the class
What to watch
- 2019 models drew notable CVT complaints — stalling, shuddering, and delayed acceleration, with a related recall for some units
- Windshield cracking from small chips/debris was a frequently reported complaint on 2019–2020 models
- TODO confirm — extent of oil-consumption/oil-leak issues on this generation vs. earlier EJ25-engined Foresters (early reporting suggests the FB25 is meaningfully better, but needs a firmer source)
- TODO confirm — 2023–2024 models had a recall for front driveshaft outer-race cracking; verify how widespread the underlying wear pattern is beyond the recall population
Common problems & what they should cost
Independent ranges reflect typical parts + labor at a competent independent shop. Dealer ranges reflect published estimator averages. Your quote depends on your area, parts choice, and related work.
CVT stalling, shuddering, and delayed acceleration (2019 models)
Reported from very low mileage (some under 20,000 mi) through mid-lifeSome 2019 Foresters exhibited a jerky, unpredictable CVT — hesitation followed by a lurch, or a stall without a check-engine light — traced to transmission calibration. Subaru issued a related recall for certain 2019 units; later model years (2020+) benefited from updated valve-body calibration and cooling improvements that owners and reviewers describe as a real fix, not just a patch.
Windshield cracking from minor chips
Reported across low-to-moderate mileage, mainly 2019–2020 modelsA frequently reported complaint on early 5th-gen Foresters is windshields cracking from small stone chips more readily than expected, which owner discussions tie to glass/coating changes. Not a recall — replacement is an out-of-pocket glass repair, though comprehensive insurance often covers it.
Front driveshaft outer-race cracking (2023–2024 models, recall)
Not mileage-dependent — a manufacturing/material defect, per the recallOn some 2023–2024 Foresters, the outer race of the front driveshaft assembly can develop cracks and eventually break, which Subaru addressed with a safety recall and free replacement.
TODO non-recall wear item (brakes, tires, cabin filter, etc.) — needs research
TODO when it shows upTODO — placeholder pending research; do not publish cost figures until sourced from real independent-shop quotes.
Maintenance milestones
| Interval | What's due |
|---|---|
| Every 6,000 mi | Oil & filter (full synthetic), tire rotation, quick look-over — Subaru's official interval for this generation; some conventional-oil references cite a shorter 3,750 mi/3-month interval, so confirm which the specific car has been running. |
| ~30,000 mi (30 months) | CVT fluid inspection (Subaru's official schedule calls for inspect, not replace, at this interval), cabin/engine air filters, brake inspection. |
| Every 3 years | Brake fluid — time-based, not mileage. |
| ~60,000 mi | TODO confirm — spark plugs, full brake service, coolant check. |
Buying a used one? Check these first
A 20-minute inspection catches the issues that actually cost money on this generation. Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup before you view the car. This generation has had multiple separate recall campaigns (rear stabilizer bracket bolts, 2019 CVT-related recall, 2023–2024 front driveshaft outer race, 2024 water pipe/coolant leak) — confirm every applicable one shows 'completed,' not just 'not affected.'
- Test-drive at low speed and through a full stop-and-go cycle, especially on a 2019 model. Feel for hesitation, shuddering, or a lurch/stall from the CVT — the documented failure pattern on early 5th-gen cars. A smooth, predictable power delivery is a good sign; anything jerky is disqualifying until diagnosed.
- Inspect the windshield closely for chips and stress cracks, not just cracks already spreading. Given the documented chip-cracking pattern on 2019–2020 cars, a windshield already showing multiple small chips is a near-term replacement cost to factor into your offer.
- Ask for CVT fluid service history. Subaru's official schedule only calls for inspection, not replacement, but a documented proactive fluid service is a reassuring sign on a used CVT, especially on a 2019–2020 car.
- Check tire wear pattern and alignment. TODO confirm — verify whether this generation has any documented suspension/alignment wear pattern beyond normal, or if this is just a generic used-SUV check.
- Confirm which recalls (if any) are still open and get a firm commitment on who pays for the fix. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer regardless of who currently owns the car, but you don't want to inherit the scheduling hassle of an open recall without knowing about it upfront.
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Find a Subaru technicianFrequently asked
Is the Subaru Forester reliable?
It's improved rather than been uniformly good — the redesigned 2019 launch year drew CVT stalling/shuddering complaints and a below-average reliability score, but independent trackers show meaningfully better results for 2023 and 2024 models as Subaru refined the CVT calibration and addressed early issues through recalls and running changes.
What are common Subaru Forester problems?
On the 2019–2024 (5th gen) Forester, the most documented issues are CVT stalling/shuddering complaints concentrated in the 2019 model year (partly recall-covered), windshields prone to cracking from small chips on 2019–2020 cars, and a 2023–2024 recall for front driveshaft outer-race cracking. TODO — add ordinary (non-recall) wear items once researched.
Are Subaru Forester repairs expensive?
TODO — needs real independent-vs-dealer cost research for routine wear items; do not guess at figures here. Several of the documented issues so far are free recall repairs rather than paid jobs, which is worth confirming by VIN before assuming a used Forester needs work.
Does the Subaru Forester have a timing belt or timing chain?
Timing chain, on the FB25 2.5L engine used throughout this generation — no scheduled belt-replacement service to budget for.
Does the 5th-gen Forester come with a turbo engine option?
Not in the US market for 2019–2024 — every trim uses the naturally aspirated 2.5L FB25 paired with the Lineartronic CVT. (Subaru dropped the turbo Forester after the previous, 4th-gen SJ generation.)