6.7

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,350
Average Mileage:
58,450 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace control arms and bushings (3 reports)
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problem #3

Oct 012024

Forester Limited 2.5L Trn

  • CVT transmission
  • 62,300 miles

1ST, WE LOVE Subaru's! Our extended family has owned 6 since '95. We believe it's one of the safest vehicles on the road! Up to this point all the vehicles have lived up to their expectations, with no outstanding issues. This one particle problem is one we just CAN/NOT overlook as loyal Subaru owners. This problem arises in BOTH FRONT ARM CONTROL BUSHINGS becoming shot within 60,000 miles...maybe much, much sooner, until our dealership pointed out the problem to us when we had our scheduled oil change.

The way we understand it, is that this type of failure just doesn't happen overnight...we only travel on paved

roads. The dealer was very consoling in telling us that it would cost US only $1600 to have Subaru's engineering oversight fixed for them (by them) using OUR money...and only after 60,000 miles of gentle- carrying use. You've have thought we were dealing with a OIL company, and you all know how much they all care about us - Right ! Sylvia Johnson - MN

- sylviajohnson, Wayzata,, US

problem #2

Sep 272022

Forester XT 2.0L Xt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

Family members have had very good, long lasting, mechanical histories with Subarus, for more than 25 years, with minimum repairs.

I took it to the dealer for servicing, and to have the suspension repaired. It took more time than it should have. They did not have all the parts in stock. I was very lucky to have spent the extra $$$ for the extended warranty; but that did not stop them from trying to sell me other expensive & unnecessary repairs, like cleaning battery terminals for $120.00 usd and resurfacing brake rotors before the brake pads needed to be replaced for $450.00...

I own three Toyotas and am used to getting some excessive repair estimates from the dealers on occasion; but never been treated as much like an idiot as I was this month by the Subaru dealer !

What has happened to the Subaru reliability? Front suspension parts worn out at 43k??? We have driven normally on paved roads, no off roading... My wife is a nurse and uses it mostly to go to work...

- tedfisher47ef, Mission, US

problem #1

Jul 012021

Forester Limited 2.5L V4

  • CVT transmission
  • 70,000 miles

3yo Subaru Forester with only normal road miles. This car is not taking a beating.... I'm driving on good paved roads and occasionally on gravel roads at low speed. No off road, and no bouncing through pot holes has occurred.

The front left wheel would begin to shudder at highway/interstate speeds when you go around a left turn or move to the left. Shudder was so severe that control over the car was dicey. It felt like the wheel was going to fall off, and the whole car was shaking. Took it to the dealer, who found that the left control arm bushing was completely shot. He advised that the whole assembly had to to be replaced, control arm and bushing, and that if one side is blown, the other is going to quickly follow. Both were replaced, to a tune of $1100, none of it covered by the warranty.

- Sara P., Woodlawn, US