2011 Subaru Forester Problems and Repair Histories
2011 Subaru Forester problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
See what people are saying about 2011 Subaru Forester problems
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Subaru Forester
2011 Subaru Foresters for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2011 Subaru Forester problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2011 Subaru Forester problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2011 Subaru Forester problems and repair histories that follow it.
Subaru Forester Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2011 | Subaru Forester | 43 Foresters, 8.8 months of data per Forester, average 18000 miles25 |
Fewest Trips
Most Trips
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see reported repairs |
Non-members can see only ten 2011 Subaru Forester problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2011 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV
turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2010 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 4000 | 0 | A/C button on control panel popped out and would not fully re-seat. System actually worked okay, just a bad button Exterior window trim on passenger's side front of rear cargo compartment window - horizontal cracks. Entire piece of glass to be replaced. Known issue - learned about it on forums. Paint damaged by fix, small area repainted by paint shop |
| Aug | 2012 | 17000 | 0 | TSB for rerouting wiring harness in area of rear seats. |
| Jan | 2013 | 21700 | 0 | Drivers side visor return spring failed. Dealer ordered and replaced visor. |
| Mar | 2013 | 23000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Iowa, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 7000 | 0 | Back of power driver's seat does not hold its position, seat back declines on own when car is powered off. No issues while vehicle is running. |
2011 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2013 | 15000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2013 | 16000 | 0 | Fuel gauge reads incorrectly. Fuel gauge shows 3/4 tank after filling. A restart or 2 will correct this. But then gauge drop very quickly,dropping from full to 3/4 of a tank after 20 miles |
| Mar | 2013 | 17000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 11000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2012 | 12000 | 0 | excessive oil burning, 2 qts every 3k, backfire when AC is on, loud vibration when traction control kicks on in snowy conditions |
2011 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| Subaru Forester in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 18000 | 1 | Needed a new bolt for the rear view mirror assembly. The mirror assembly kept on getting lose when driving over bumps. Had to replace the hex socket bolt. Total Cost: $1 |
| Subaru Forester in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2010 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 28000 | 0 | Faulty tire sensor, replaced under warranty |
| Mar | 2013 | 41000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Kentucky, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2012 | 38000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2012 | 45500 | 0 | Check engine light, ABS light, Traction control light all illuminated. |
| Mar | 2013 | 58000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2012 | 0 | oil leaking from valve cover gasket. | |
| Nov | 2012 | 0 | valve cover gasket replaced (warranty) | |
| Dec | 2012 | 0 | 4th Trip to Dealer for the same oil leak. Dealer unable to correct problem. After last trip to Dealer on 12/07 I found RTV sealant glopped over valve cover gasket to attemopt sealing the leak. Improper repair, returned to Dealer for repair | |
| Subaru Forester in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 0 | ECM reflashed. Oil consumption test started as no sign of oil leaking/burning could be detected. | |
| Dec | 2011 | 0 | Replaced relay. Oil consumption check + oil change. | |
| Jan | 2012 | 0 | Oil consumption check. Moon roof leaks. Rattle from the spare tire area of the vehicle. Moon roof (and driver side door) leaks. Oil consumption check. Developed engine knocking. It was explained to me that the knocking is typical of the boxer engine; some louder than others. | |
| Feb | 2012 | 40 | Oil consumption check plus oil change. Dealer says the fresh oil change should resolve the oil consumption now that the engine has been broken in. No start. Towed to dealer. Very rough idling at start up after the no-start repair. Smell of raw fuel. Occasional stall. Oil consumption issue not resolved. Dealership says contact Subaru of America as they cannot fix the issue. | |
| Mar | 2012 | 5000 | 0 | Very rough idle; vehicle would not stay running. Smell of raw fuel, enough to cause eyes to burn. |
| Subaru Forester in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 13000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2013 | 16000 | 300 | Engine started tapping sound and then lost power while driving on highway. Was towed to a dealer. It took 5 days for them to get it fixed. Have not pick it up yet since the dealer is 2 hours drive away from my home. |
| Feb | 2013 | 23000 | 0 | Check engine light is on. It camplained about bank 1. Dealer said upgraded software and reset check engine light. |
| Mar | 2013 | 27000 | 0 | Engine light is on again. Dealer said changed both down pipes. I was told there was a leak in intake. |
| Subaru Forester in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2011 | 18000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 19000 | 80 | Going thru a 1/2 to 3/4 of oil every 1000 miles.... |
| Mar | 2013 | 30000 | 0 | oil consumption test. Dealing w /subaru of america directly on resolution of problem. |
| Subaru Forester in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 14300 | 0 | Left side timing chain tensioner replaced with revised part per TSB. Caused a loud knocking sound on cold start up since new. Issue resolved. |
| Nov | 2011 | 15700 | 0 | Previous replacement of timing chain tensioner. Dealer did not seal timing cover properly so it was leaking oil on to the exhaust. Brought back to dealer and they removed and resealed the timing cover. Seems to be fixed for now. |
| Sep | 2012 | 32000 | 0 | Engine and/or transmission hesitation when turning corners and accelerating. Doesn't respond for a couple seconds, then usually... |
| Mar | 2013 | 39000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2011 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 1000 | 0 | Check Engine Light on, Cruise control light flashing, traction control light on. Started at 1201 miles. Dealer flashed the ecu and reset the codes. Problem came back 2 times since then. Car is back in the shop for 2 days now. no updates 2nd time in the shop. dealer could not determine cause and reset the codes. |
| Oct | 2011 | 1000 | 0 | Car is still in the shop without an update. Been 5 days nows. Dealer is calling Subaru engineers to assist. They gave the car back to me. Apparently a fix is out now, but it is not signed off by the government. |
| Subaru Forester in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 3000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 5000 | 0 | Rear seat recliner button came off, plastic component damaged, had to be replaced |
| Oct | 2011 | 17000 | 0 | Evaporator core developed a leak and had to be replaced. It took a recharge with leak detector and 2 trips to the dealer to find the problem. |
| Mar | 2012 | 22000 | 0 | Started oil consumption test with dealer. Oil consumption is higher than expected, using approx. 1 qt. for every 3000 miles. |
| Mar | 2013 | 50000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Arkansas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 4000 | 0 | Rattles and squeaks from the cargo hold. Dealer shop removed right trim and headliner. Two of the noises were lessened. One rattle still needs to be chased down. |
| Jan | 2012 | 6000 | 0 | Rattle in cargo hold. The technician took down passenger side trim and installed wedges between parts of the roof metal. I think that it worked this time. |
| May | 2012 | 10000 | 0 | Rear side drivers window working intermittently. |
| Sep | 2012 | 14000 | 0 | Rear drivers side window not working. Dealership lubricated track and pronounced it repaired. We shall see. |
| Apr | 2013 | 18000 | 0 | Rear power window out again. Fourth time in shop. Window motor to be replaced this time. Of course the part has to be ordered so a fifth time will be needed. |
| Subaru Forester in British Columbia, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2010 | 620 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2011 | 1860 | 0 | CEL on, same as last visit. Dealer discovered condensate in the fuel vapour recovery line from the gas tank - dealer thinks either faulty installation or bad design as there is a low spot in line before the drain. Dried out, CEL off now. |
| Dec | 2012 | 19840 | 0 | Engine sometimes made noise on cold-starts; determined was covered by TSB for timing chain tensioner. Replaced tensioner, does not make noise anymore. |
| Mar | 2013 | 20460 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru Forester in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 2000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 4000 | 0 | Engine was making noise like a sewing machine. The vehicle was admitted for TSB 02-117-11 Left side cylinder head, intake camshaft, intake valves and rocker arm pivots needed to be replaced. Vehicle replaced, due to manufacture defect. |
| Subaru Forester in New Hampshire, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 6000 | 0 | Electric moonroof would not close. Moonroof stuck open. Had to be realigned in order to close fully. |
| Nov | 2012 | 28500 | 0 | cam engine seals leaking resulting in oil leak and low oil levels |
| Feb | 2013 | 32700 | 0 | car is still leaking oil, has to go back to shop |
| Mar | 2013 | 34000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
Expert 2011 Subaru Forester Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2011 Subaru Forester
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