Used Subaru Forester 4th Gen (2014-2018): Buyer's Guide

Subaru extended the CVT warranty on 2014 and 2015 Foresters to 10 years and 100,000 miles. They did that because enough transmissions were failing early that they had no choice. The 2016 Forester logged 164 NHTSA complaints. The 2015 logged 389. Same generation. Same engines. The gap maps exactly to when the worst CVT production issues worked themselves out.

That's before you get to the engine split. The 2.0XT turbo that powers the premium trims is a fundamentally different car from the 2.5i, with a completely different list of things to check. Carbon buildup on the intake valves is invisible in a normal inspection. An oil pan seal failure can require pulling the engine to fix. The 2.5i has its own early oil consumption concern that matters a lot on 2014 models and almost not at all on 2016-2018.

This guide covers the full generation, organized by the things that actually matter before you hand over $16,000.

This Generation at a Glance

The 4th gen Forester arrived for the 2014 model year on Subaru's SJ platform, replacing the 2009-2013 SH generation. The body grew slightly, the interior got a significant upgrade, and the engines switched from the older EJ-series flat-fours to the newer FB/FA family. That engine change matters: the notorious EJ25 head gasket failures that defined previous Subarus do not carry over to this generation.

The only mid-cycle update was a 2017 refresh. New front fascia, updated headlights with Subaru's C-shaped LED motif, improved EyeSight cameras with wider stereo view, and a heated steering wheel added standard to Touring trims. The refresh also brought active torque vectoring to the 2.0XT Touring with EyeSight, a meaningful handling improvement.

The 6-speed manual transmission, available on the base 2.5i through the full run of the generation, makes the SJ the last Forester you can buy without a CVT. Subaru dropped the manual entirely with the 5th gen SK in 2019.

Market data by year: 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018

Powertrain and Trim Breakdown

2.5L FB25: What Most Buyers Get

The FB25 naturally aspirated flat-four is the engine in the vast majority of used SJ Foresters. 170 horsepower isn't exciting, but it's adequate, and it's connected to a drivetrain that routinely reaches 200,000 miles with consistent maintenance.

Oil consumption on 2014 models. Early FB25 engines in the 2011-2014 Forester had a documented oil consumption issue tied to low-tension piston rings. Subaru addressed it under TSB 02-1157-14R, which extended warranty coverage to 8 years and 100,000 miles for qualifying oil consumption complaints. The revised ring design rolled into 2015 production. For 2015-2018 FB25 engines with clean service records showing stable oil between 5,000-mile changes, excessive consumption is not a significant concern. For 2014 models, it's the first question you ask.

If you're buying a 2014: pull the dipstick before and after the test drive. Ask for service records. Look for any documentation of warranty work on oil consumption. A 2014 with 80,000 miles that has no consumption history on file doesn't necessarily have a problem, but you're buying without data. A 2014 with documented TSB work and a short-block replacement under warranty is actually a better buy, because you know the issue was addressed.

Head gaskets. The FB25 is a genuine improvement over the EJ25. External oil seepage around the head is possible but uncommon. Internal failure mixing oil and coolant is rare on this generation. Before buying any SJ Forester, have a mechanic do a quick coolant test. If the coolant is clean and the exhaust isn't showing white smoke at idle, you can set the head gasket concern aside. This is not the EJ-era Subaru risk.

CVT reliability. The CVT extended warranty for 2014-2015 models covers failures for 10 years and 100,000 miles from the original in-service date. The classic symptom is a shudder or judder during light, steady-state acceleration, usually between 20 and 45 mph. It can also show as hesitation climbing a grade, or transmission-related warning lights.

Before committing to any 2014 or 2015 Forester, call a Subaru dealer with the VIN and ask about CVT extended warranty status. Specifically: is it still active, and has any prior CVT work been done under that warranty? If the warranty has expired and the CVT has been showing symptoms, you're looking at $4,000 to $7,000 for a replacement unit. Subaru replaces the whole transmission rather than rebuilding, so there's no affordable middle ground when it fails.

For 2016-2018, the production issues that drove the 2015 complaint count had been addressed. This doesn't mean CVTs are invincible after 2015, but the failure rate dropped significantly and the extended warranty doesn't apply because those years didn't need it.

Manual transmission. The 2.5i base is the only trim in the SJ generation with a manual option. No other trim, and no other powertrain, offers a clutch pedal. If you want a Forester without CVT exposure, you're buying a 2.5i base, and you're accepting no EyeSight, no moonroof, and basic features. For some buyers, that trade is worth it. The 6-speed manual is conventional and reliable.

What owners consistently say they love about the 2.5i: The panoramic visibility through the large greenhouse glass. Symmetrical AWD that performs in snow without requiring the driver to think about it. Cargo space that competes above its class. A 170-hp flat-four that's more refined at highway speeds than the numbers suggest.

2.0L FA20DIT: The Turbo Most Buyers Don't Fully Research

The 2.0XT came in only two trims and sold in far smaller numbers than the 2.5i. Subaru moved approximately 15-20% of SJ Foresters as 2.0XT variants. The scarcity shows in the used market: a well-maintained 2.0XT with documented service history takes real effort to find.

The car itself is fast by family SUV standards. Zero to sixty in roughly 6.0 seconds, 258 pound-feet of torque available earlier in the RPM range than the 2.5i. It's a noticeably different driving experience. It's also a different ownership experience, and the differences start at the engine.

Carbon buildup on intake valves. The FA20DIT is a direct-injection engine. Fuel sprays directly into the cylinder, not across the intake ports. That means no fuel washing the back of the intake valves. Carbon deposits accumulate on the valve faces, building slowly through normal combustion. At 60,000 to 80,000 miles, engines that haven't been cleaned can run rough on cold starts and show reduced responsiveness at low load.

The fix is walnut blasting, an induction service where crushed walnut shells are sprayed through the intake to blast carbon deposits from the valves. Cost at a shop: $300 to $700. This service is not part of Subaru's factory maintenance schedule, so many 2.0XT owners have never had it done.

If you're buying a 2.0XT over 70,000 miles, ask specifically whether carbon cleaning has been done and when. If it hasn't, treat it as a pending maintenance item and factor the cost into your offer.

Oil pan RTV sealant leak. The FA20DIT uses a two-piece oil pan sealed with RTV compound. Subaru issued TSB 02-166-17R for oil seepage from the upper oil pan seam. In mild cases the leak is cosmetic. In severe cases, fixing it requires pulling the engine to access and reseal the upper pan. The labor alone on an engine-out repair can run $600 to $1,500 beyond parts.

Look for oil residue on the underside of the engine, particularly at the front-bottom seam. Any fresh seeping oil around that area warrants a closer look from a mechanic with a lift. If the owner says it's been seeping a little for a while and they just top it off, that's a conversation about price, not a reason to walk away automatically, unless it's significant.

Turbo intake duct recall. Some 2015-2016 2.0XT models were recalled because the turbo air intake duct could crack, potentially causing an engine stall. Dealers replaced the duct at no charge. Verify this was completed via the CarScout recall lookup or by calling a Subaru dealer with the VIN.

Rear wheel bearings. Several forum members on subaruforester.org report rear wheel bearings starting to make noise on 2.0XT models around 80,000 to 100,000 miles. The symptom is a low hum that changes with road speed, not with engine speed. It's not an emergency, but budget $300 to $500 per side if you're buying one in that mileage range.

Maintenance discipline on the 2.0XT. Full synthetic oil only, changed at 5,000-mile intervals. Turbo bearings are fed by oil, and the FA20DIT is more sensitive to neglect than the naturally aspirated FB25. If the car you're looking at has records showing conventional oil at 7,500-mile intervals, that's a meaningful red flag, not a minor detail.

What 2.0XT owners consistently say they love: Real power at altitude, where turbos maintain output better than naturally aspirated engines. The cargo space and visibility are identical to the 2.5i. AWD behavior is the same. The 2.0XT Touring with active torque vectoring (available from 2017) handles noticeably better than anything else in the SJ lineup.

Trim-Specific Notes

The SJ Forester ran six trim levels through most of the generation.

2.5i base: Manual or CVT, no moonroof, no heated seats, no EyeSight. The airbag occupant classification recall (NHTSA 19V701, affecting 2015-2018 models) does not apply here because it's triggered by the heated seat sensors. If you want a manual Forester, this is the only option in the generation.

2.5i Premium: Adds the panoramic moonroof (a significant feature on the SJ, which has outstanding visibility to begin with), power rear gate, keyless entry, and push-button start. EyeSight was optional through 2016 and became standard by 2017. Heated front seats are available, which triggers the airbag recall on 2015-2018 models. Confirm that recall is completed.

2.5i Limited: Navigation, leather, heated front and rear seats. All the same recall considerations as the Premium. The navigation system in 2014-2016 models aged badly; if you're buying a Limited, consider how much you'll actually use the built-in nav versus your phone.

2.5i Touring: Harman Kardon audio, maximum feature set for the naturally aspirated lineup. Heated steering wheel became standard in 2017 with the refresh.

2.0XT Premium: The entry point to the turbocharged engine. Moonroof, push-button start, most of the 2.5i Limited features. EyeSight was optional earlier, standard by 2017. If you want turbo power without paying full Touring prices, this is the value trim in the XT lineup.

2.0XT Touring: Full features, EyeSight standard, and from 2017, active torque vectoring. That last feature distributes torque independently between the rear wheels and changes how the car handles corners. If you're choosing between a 2016 2.0XT Touring and a 2017, the torque vectoring on the 2017 is a real difference, not a spec sheet distinction.

Buying tip on EyeSight: If you're debating between a non-EyeSight version of any trim and an EyeSight version at a similar price, take EyeSight. The adaptive cruise control alone changes highway driving enough to be worth the premium. On pre-2017 models, EyeSight was an option package, so check the window sticker or Subaru's VIN decoder to confirm whether a specific car has it.

Which Model Years to Target Within This Generation

The 2016 is the sweet spot. Complaint rates dropped by more than half from 2015. The production CVT issues from launch had been resolved. The car has enough model years of improvements behind it without the refresh premium that the 2017-2018 commands. A clean 2016 2.5i Premium with EyeSight and under 100,000 miles in the $13,000-$17,000 range is the target.

The 2017 and 2018 are better cars if you have the budget. Current used inventory shows 2018s averaging around 91,000 miles versus the 2016's 113,000. That mileage gap matters more than the small reliability differences within the post-2015 years. The 2017 refresh improvements are genuine, particularly on the EyeSight system.

For 2017 and 2018, be aware of the windshield cracking issue. Class action lawsuits filed in 2019 named 2017-2020 Foresters as affected vehicles, with complaints citing spontaneous cracking without any apparent external cause. There's no recall. Before buying a 2017 or 2018, inspect the windshield carefully in direct light for any cracks or chips you weren't told about.

The 2014 and 2015 are viable if you do the research. Verify CVT extended warranty status before the test drive. For the 2014 specifically, dig into the oil consumption history. A 2014 with documentation showing a short-block replacement under warranty is actually lower risk than one with no service records, because the issue was addressed. A 2015 with 75,000 miles under active CVT extended warranty coverage and clean records is a reasonable buy. One at 98,000 miles with no CVT history requires a harder look.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

These items are specific to the SJ generation. Run them in addition to any standard pre-purchase inspection.

All years and powertrains:

• Check oil level cold, before the engine starts. Note the level. After the test drive, check again. A healthy engine doesn't move measurably on a single drive.
• Test CVT behavior during a smooth, steady acceleration from 15 to 45 mph on flat road. Hold a constant light throttle. Any vibration, judder, or hesitation during that range is a warning sign.
• At highway speed, open the windows and listen for a hum that changes with road speed but not engine speed. That's a wheel bearing.
• Run the VIN through the CarScout recall lookup or call a Subaru dealer. For 2015-2018 with heated seats, confirm NHTSA campaign 19V701 (airbag occupant classification) is completed. For 2014-2016, confirm the brake light switch recall is done. For 2018, confirm fuel pump recall WRG-21 is completed.

For 2.0XT specifically:

• Ask for carbon cleaning history. If the car has over 70,000 miles and no record of walnut blasting or induction cleaning, budget $300-$700 for it and price accordingly.
• Have a mechanic inspect the underside around the oil pan. Fresh oil seepage at the front pan seam is the FA20DIT oil pan issue. Cosmetic seeping changes the negotiation. Significant leak changes the decision.
• Start the engine cold and listen during warm-up. A healthy turbo is quiet. Any unusual whine, rattle, or hesitation during the first two minutes of running warrants closer inspection.
• Ask how the previous owner drove the car. Hard starts from cold kill turbo bearings faster than anything else.

For 2014-2015 specifically:

• Before the test drive, call Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 with the VIN and ask whether the CVT extended warranty is still active and whether any prior CVT work was done under it.
• For 2014 2.5i: Ask for all service records. Look for oil top-offs between oil changes. Ask whether any TSB warranty work was performed on oil consumption.

For 2017-2018 specifically:

• Inspect the windshield in direct light, both inside and outside. Look for edge cracks, chips, and any lines that weren't caused by an obvious impact. Ask the seller directly whether the windshield has ever cracked without explanation.

Running Costs

RepairPal estimates average Subaru Forester annual maintenance at around $632, below the compact SUV average of $859. The significant wildcard is CVT replacement: $4,000 to $7,000 when it fails outside warranty. Not every car needs it, but it's the reason the CVT warranty status question matters so much on 2014-2015 models.

Subaru's official CVT fluid recommendation is 100,000 miles. Every independent transmission shop and most informed Subaru owners put the real safe interval at 30,000 to 40,000 miles. When reviewing service records, look for CVT fluid changes. No record of CVT fluid in a 100,000-mile Forester is a meaningful data point about how the car was maintained overall.

The 2.0XT's one-time carbon cleaning cost ($300-$700) doesn't happen to the 2.5i. If you're comparing prices between an equivalent 2.5i and 2.0XT, that service adds a line item the 2.5i buyer doesn't face.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 4th gen Subaru Forester (2014-2018) reliable? Yes, with important differences by year and engine. The 2016-2018 2.5i models are straightforward to own, with RepairPal estimating annual costs around $632. The 2014-2015 models carry higher CVT and oil consumption risk, though the extended warranty covers CVT failures on those years through 10 years or 100,000 miles from original sale. The 2.0XT is reliable when maintained on full synthetic oil and has carbon cleaning done around 70,000 miles.

What year Subaru Forester SJ should I avoid? The 2014 and 2015 have the most documented issues. The 2014 had peak oil consumption complaints and the highest CVT failure rates in the generation. The 2015 logged 389 NHTSA complaints, the highest of any year in this generation. Both are manageable if you verify warranty status and review service history carefully, but the 2016+ is a meaningfully lower-risk starting point.

Does the 4th gen Forester still have the EJ25 head gasket problem? No. The FB25 engine that replaced the EJ25 in 2014 is a different design with significantly better head gasket integrity. External oil seepage around the head can occur on high-mileage examples, but internal failure mixing oil and coolant is uncommon. The head gasket issue that defined previous-generation Subarus is not a defining concern with the SJ.

Is the 2.0XT worth it over the 2.5i? If you want the power and can maintain it correctly, yes. The FA20DIT produces 250 horsepower in a capable AWD package that most compact SUVs can't match. But it costs more to buy, requires synthetic oil on a stricter schedule, needs carbon cleaning the 2.5i doesn't, and the oil pan seal issue adds inspection complexity. Don't buy one without service records.

How many miles does a 4th gen Subaru Forester last? With consistent maintenance, 200,000 to 250,000 miles is the typical lifespan. Some examples have exceeded 300,000. The main threats to longevity are CVT neglect on 2014-2015 models and unaddressed oil consumption on early 2014 FB25 engines. A well-maintained 2016 Forester bought at 100,000 miles has a realistic path to 200,000 with no catastrophic repairs.

Bottom Line

Target a 2016 or 2017 2.5i Premium or Limited with EyeSight, under 110,000 miles. That combination gives you the post-sorting reliability of the mid-generation run, the most useful daily features, and a price that makes sense in the current used market. If you want the turbo, the 2016-2018 2.0XT Premium with documented oil changes and carbon cleaning history is the pick. Run every VIN through a recall check before the test drive. CarScout members can track price drops on specific Forester trims, years, and mileage ranges at usecarscout.com.

Data sourced from NHTSA recalls database, EPA fuel economy data, and real owner experiences from Subaru Forester Owners Forum (subaruforester.org), CarComplaints.com, NASIOC, and RepairPal. See the full Subaru Forester market data for current pricing and inventory.