Engine Major
Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
What Owners Say
"Turbo lost compression in 2 cylinders. No warning. Subaru Service acknowledged know turbo problems and head gaskets all Subaru. But didn't warranty. Repair $4,800 - 5,800 for used engine Not worth repairing. Subaru Service did nothing"
Anonymous, MA (2008 Subaru Forester)"broken exhaust valve sprinhg"
Anonymous, NM (2008 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Top of engine had to be rebuilt due to cyclinder head gasket leaks. Water and oil intermingled. Engine is a flat 4. lower half (closest to ground) of head gasket failed. oil leaked. heads were pitted and had to be machined."
Anonymous, MA (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"after rebuilding the tranny in '13, sad to see the valves go this year-tech said it's common on turbos"
Norma L., NV (2008 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)"In late 20013 we experienced catastrophic engine failure. the engine had no oil and we received no warning. Engine rebuilt but burns oil and mechanic says block may be warped because of overheating. We suspect but cannot prove the oil burning lead to"
Peter C., ON (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"A major piston failure resulting in total engine failure"
John J., VA (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Engine blew up on the highway at 140000 miles"
Adam B., CO (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"This Subaru is affected by defective head gasket issue with the 2.5l. I began dating a woman with this Subaru, and notice a burning smell under the hood after driving it. Upon inspection I found the head gaskets to be leaking coolant externally. The vehicle never overheated, but did experience coolant loss. I ended up removing the engine from the vehicle and after checking that the heads and engine block were not warped, replace the head gaskets with Fel-Pro brand head gaskets. I also replaced many other parts while I had the engine out, including the rear man seal, timing belt and pulleys, water pump, thermostat, and other items, with aftermarket parts. I replaced the head bolts with aftermarket head bolts. 30k miles later there are no leaks and no coolant loss, the repair is holding up for now."
Anonymous, SC (2008 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Had a smell in the cabin and saw some oil leaking around the gaskets,"
Anonymous, WA (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Lower head gasket, Subaru's are notorious for having this problem well before reaching mileage when other vehicles may have the same problem.vehicles"
Anonymous, OH (2008 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Had to get head gasket replaced"
Anonymous, AZ (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"leaking head gaskets, expensive replacement"
Bill H., FL (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Had to replace"
Mary N., CO (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"The head gasket failed at 80,000 even though this vehicle was purchased new with all maintenance work done by the dealership technicians"
Anonymous, WI (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Head gasket failed at 70000 miles. I researched this model of vehicle prior to purchase and had read nothing about this problem. When the gasket failed, I was told by the service writer and other Forester/Subaru owner this was a common problem on S"
Anonymous, CA (2008 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Oil leak from pass side head gasket. Chronic issue with Subarus. Estimated repair cost: $2500"
Wirtz H., NY (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Failure of the head gasket allowed depletion of engine lubrication oil that was not detected by the idiot light or pressure gauge. This led to head and engine failure"
John H., CO (2008 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Missing, using too much gas"
Anonymous, OH (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Canadian owned car purchased in US. Problem diagnosed by local Subaru canadian dealer at 96000 km scheduled maintenance, at the end of 7 year extended warranty, confirmed by independant mechanic. Work performed by dealser at the cost of close to CA$"
Anonymous, QC (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Replaced gaskets earlier than i thought reasonable. Subaru paid half of repair"
Anonymous, CO (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Leaking head gasket(s) picked up by technician during other routine service. Understand that this is a common problem with Subaru flat engines. Fine with me if this is the only problem with aging Subaru vehicles."
J C., NY (2008 Subaru Forester L.L. Bean 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Head gasket failed. Water and oil leaks.oil leaked out. Water leaked into cylinder. Also had to replace pitted valves."
Anonymous, MA (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Had an oil leak. Had to replace the head gasket(expensive). Found out that this is a common problem with factory head gaskets from Subaru. No recall on this year. Disappointing!"
David B., NC (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Dealership would only give a 12 month warranty on repair. this is the second Surbaru that I have had head gasket issues with."
Anonymous, VA (2008 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"The car would overheat because of the head gasket, at first thecheck engine light would come on and off and the mechanic thought it was a bad radiator, had that replaced and it worked well for a few months but eventually the head gasket problerm came to light. After researching this, found out that this is a common problem with Subarus"
Dianne C., PA (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Subaru showed me oil seepage at head gasket on both sides - had to be replaced - Subaru of America paid for 75%"
Anonymous, VT (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Head gasket leaking common to all Subaru's this should be fixed with better design as it has gone on for years"
Larry C., NY (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Had to get the head gasket replaced"
Anonymous, PA (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Head Gasket started leaking. Remover the head, planed it flat new gasket. Parts & labor $4,000"
Ken M., BC (2008 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"My car has always been serviced correctly and taken good care. This shouldn't happen at this low a mileage with good care. Very costly"
David B., NC (2008 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Leacking"
Anonymous, SC (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"car was treated well and up to date with maintenance and service. I am surprised and very disappointed with this failure. My next car will not be a Subaru"
Gary S., MA (2008 Subaru Forester)"Head gaskets leaking R&R at $2770.0"
Anonymous, WA (2008 Subaru Forester L.L. Bean 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Dealer diagnosed leaky head gasket about 6 months ago. Have not repaired - no problems to date"
Anonymous, NY (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"This is second Subaru car I had a leaking head gasket that I have owned."
Anonymous, VA (2008 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"I took my Subaru in for an elective timing belt change and the mechanic found symptoms of a leaking head gasket. I change the water pump and had the driver's side power window fixed as well. The bill was $5100.00."
Anonymous, BC (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Engine light came on, took to dealer, they said a bad sensor and needed a new head gasket."
David C., PA (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"Car over heating, sputtering"
Dianne C., PA (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"I Think that Subaru needs to change something cause the mechanic said to just consider it routine maintenance to have the head gaskets fixed at 104000. $2700.00 is not routine maintenance."
Jerry C., WA (2008 Subaru Forester L.L. Bean 2.5-L 4 Cyl)"It was a routine scheduled replacement. I also replaced the water pump at the same time as a preventive measure as recommended due to similar labor to replace it later. I experienced no problems with either of these items"
Franklin O., ME (2008 Subaru Forester 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
"Engine started knocking while climbing mountain grades at freeway speeds. Diagnosis was a valve job was needed (ended up replacing valves) Timing belt also replaced, scheduled replacement in a few miles. Also spark plugs, replaced water pump and a"
Thomson J., CA (2008 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)