Engine Major
Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
What Owners Say
“The oil consumption is either cylinder head ,rings or the entire small block replacement”
Norman Q., ON (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Head gasket needed to be replaced. This caused significant overheating”
Anonymous, PA (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Engine consumed excessive oil. The very thin synthetic oil passed the piston rings and triggered engine replacement under warranty”
Anonymous, MD (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Burns oil, likely due to bad rings. Not fixed”
Robert O., OR (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“The engine block was cracked resulting in oil leaks. Engine was replaced twice before problem was solved”
Anonymous, DC (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Going through a quart of oil in 1500 miles. Its just a matter of time before the engine goes”
Anonymous, CO (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“The engines burns an alarming amount of oil! Subaru knows about this but doesn't alert customers. Following the instructions in the owners manual does NOT safeguard against running out of oil”
Anonymous, MA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“despite low mileage the short block required replacement due to a thrown rod. Covered by warranty”
David M., AK (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)“Needed to replace top engine block”
George L., PA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Bought car with rebuilt short block. Had to get new short block a few months later. Eventually traded in for a 2015 Forester. The 2011 Forester 5-speed is a terrible car and should be avoided at all costs”
Anonymous, NY (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“we were low on oil and running very hot but had no idea .There was no indication on the dash. Also, it was a few months after an oil change so the car must have been using a lot of oil. A service rep told me that they had a few people who's engine”
Anonymous, CA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“24000 miles the engine was knocking . they said it was oil starvation even though the oil light never came on. said it would need a new engine not under warranty. did not have the money so drove it till the engine went out. $8500 to replace”
Karen T., TN (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Engine began making loud knocking sound while driving. I immediately parked & called a tow truck. Dealer Service reported the engine needed to be replaced but warranty only goes to 60,000 mi. Vehicle has 63,000 mi. & gets regular maintenance. I che”
Anonymous, CA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Just passed the warranty mileage and the engine is knocking, tick tick ticking. Dealer trying to blame it on my going too long between oil changes, though I followed the recommended mileage changes. Later learned the low oil light does not work. T”
Craig L., IA (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Problem was oil consumption. Short Block was installed by dealer at no cost to me”
Anonymous, CO (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Started burning oil, likely bad piston rings, engine replaced”
Anonymous, NC (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Rod knock-replaced short block under warrenty”
Ronald C., CO (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“They replaced the short block because of excessive burning of oil. Cylinders were bad”
Anonymous, PA (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“This model year is well documented as burning oil. On our way home from Florida to Toronto we burned a litre and a half of oil. This is not acceptable. Subaru is being smug in their attempts to cover this up. this is not the only year or model with”
Norman Q., ON (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“It was using excessive amount of oil. 2-3 quarts in between oil changes. Subaru said it was the cylinder rings. they are going to replace the short block”
Anonymous, AK (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Excessive oil consumption. Subaru replaced the engine at 53000 under extended warranty”
Anonymous, OH (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“From new this car burned approx 1 qt oil per 1000 miles. Purchasing dealer said it was "normal". Moved to anther state last summer and found it 3 qt low in Feb '15. Also when checking it dip stick broke off. Dealer told me about engine design fla”
Anonymous, MD (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Engine was leaking, dealership had to rebuild engine after first rebuilding for rod knock after only one year of ownership”
Jacob G., IL (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“The oil would be consumed at a rate in excess of 1-2 quarts per 5000 miles.No oil spots on garage floor.This age range of forester has had internal engine issues causing oil consumption.Subaru dealer investigated and replaced the short block”
Andrew E., MN (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Replaced short block because of oil consumption”
Anonymous, AZ (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Our engine died! Subarus are supposed to last forever. Everything seemed fine, we were acerbating/ revving and something blew. We now are looking into replacing the engine. The car has less than 80,000 miles. We still do not know the origin of the problem. Really frustrated”
Anonymous, HI (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)“Subaru had a recall for 2.5L engines - leaked oil internally and burned the oil. they did a "short block" replacement -- solved the problem and increase mpg and power”
Anonymous, NJ (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“The engine had an oil burning issues known to the manufacturer. Subaru replaced the engine (short block) at 80,000 miles at no charge to us and provided a loaner car during the replacement work”
Andrew P., ME (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“The Forester was burning up oil like you wouldn't believe. The Check Oil light did not work properly which led to the car running out of oil on the highway. The engine seized up and stopped while driving. I had to replace the entire engine. Subaru made me pay for the labour which was over 4$k. I am looking forward to buying a Toyota or Kia for my next new vehicle in a year”
Patrick S., QC (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Oil consumption. First, the dealer said oil was leaking. Then after $2600 for gaskets they did an oil consumption test and found that the ending was burning about a quart every 1200 miles. The only repair for this model is engine replacement. The car is currently at the dealer having the engine replaced”
Anonymous, IN (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Engine replaced under recall program for excessive oil consumption”
Anonymous, GA (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Last summer Subaru installed the third engine. Earlier engines began burning oil after 20,000 miles. Dealer incompetence was major issue”
Anonymous, PA (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“The engine started to randomly lose oil. It would start with the characteristic knocking that comes from flat cylinder engines when they were either running low on oil or nearing an oil change. It then began to give low oil lights during hard braking near the time of the oil change. In talking with the service department, they found out that this was an issue with the model year and engine that we had, and Subaru replaced the engine without question”
Anonymous, IL (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Engine was burning excessive oil. Made it just under the 100000 mile warranty. I was always careful to change oil regularly. Subaru paid for a total rebuild, but only guaranteed the work for 12000 miles. I am almost there. Really disappointed as I bought this car because of CR's reliability rating”
Anonymous, NY (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Apparently this model Subaru can cause oil to 'disappear' despite regular fuel checks. On a long road trip, the engine seized up because it was COMPLETELY without oil. Fortunately, Subaru lived up to a settlement agreement and replaced the engine with one that is supposedly free of this defect and provided a 36000 mile warranty on it”
Anonymous, CO (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)“My car had two major issues. Excessive oil consumption and oil leaks. Subaru dealer replaced short block and replaced a number of gaskets all under warranty”
Anonymous, WA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Subaru has had to replace the small block, engine gaskets in the recent past. They needed to replace the enter engine, but they took 4 weeks to get this done at the dealer. Subaru had to settle a lawsuit on thousands of 2011-2014 cars that use synthetic oil. They should have had a national recall”
Edward N., IL (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“had chronic oil loss problem, at 980,000 diagnosed by Subaru dealer as eligible for free engine replacement. Engine was replaced by Subaru, no cost to me”
Anonymous, VA (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure Unsure)“Due to a failed oil consumption test, Subaru replaced the engine block in my Forester. It was still covered under warrantee, but even had it not been, the results a class-action lawsuit meant that Subaru would have reimbursed my entire cost, including the cost of the consumption test”
Dana S., WA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Excessive oil consumption. Engine replacement under warranty, so I'm happy with the way Subaru dealed with the problem”
Anonymous, QC (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“The car was burning oil. And twice almost ran completely out between oil changes. I am not used to having to check the oil in my subaru at all. Evidently 2011 was the year they started using synthetic oil for subaru foresters. And Subaru has had to replace the short block for these cars. I am thankful they have stood by their product and at 97,000 they are replacing my short block due to burning 14 oz of oil in 1200 miles. The new short block has been redesigned to keep this from happening. It”
Anonymous, TN (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Dealer testing determined our Forester 2011 was consuming excessive amounts of oil. Entire engine was rebuilt at no expense to us”
Anonymous, PA (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Excessive oil consumption”
Anonymous, NY (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Excessive oil consumption. Company replaced short block after testing for oil consumption”
Kathy W., VT (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)“Spent money to replace the catalytic converted in order to pass the state inspection (per Subaru dealership). They only charged me for the parts ($1500 instead of $2000) )because I only completed the repair because they told me it would be enough for the car to pass state inspection after ward. Then they told me it would cost another $6000 to replace the engine in order to pass the inspection, that I could not afford to do. The total repair expense would cost as much as the car is worth as a tra”
Anonymous, NC (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“The short block was replaced as a result of oil consumption lawsuit. Consumer Reports never said anything about the oil consumption lawsuit settlement effecting significant numbers of subaru cars. Shame on you”
Kath L., WA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Forester had problems with oil leaking in the combustion area and Subaru replaced the short block on 2011 Forester”
Anonymous, WI (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Engine burned excessive oil after 9200 miles, shortblock replaced at no cost. Rental car furnished for 10 weeks at no cost”
Anonymous, CA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Engine was replaced by the dealer at no cost due to chronic loss of oil”
Anonymous, NY (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“all caused by faulty adhesive used in manufacturing of vehicle. (per dealership) 3 pages of repairs that had to be done due to leaks, warping etc”
Anonymous, UT (2011 Subaru Forester XT Unsure)“Oil leak due to bad/out of place gasket in engine; major maintenance covered under warranty”
Anonymous, MD (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Engine is consuming oil at about 1 quart per 1000 miles. Been this way since we bought it. Originally told by Subaru dealer that "this was normal". It is not”
Anonymous, TX (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Check engine light was on due to oil leaking into the A/F sensor. Engine needed to be resealed. $2,500 repair covered by warranty”
Anonymous, WA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Head gasket leaked oil. Required replacement”
Kathy W., VT (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl turbo)“After complaining that the Forester leaked oil after the small block was replaced, the dealer finally replaced the head gaskets. I have no confidence that the repair will stop the oil leaks. Forester was out of action for 3 weeks during repair. I did get a free loaner from the Dealer”
Edward N., IL (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“I had to have the engine repaired twice. Both times for oil leaks related to the head gasket”
David M., FL (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“oil consumption”
Anonymous, NL (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Leak but was covered by warantee”
Joan H., NJ (2011 Subaru Forester XT 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“Timing chain tensioner noise”
Ronald C., CO (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)“After shortblock replacement engine made knocking noises upon startup. Replacement of timing chains, tensioners and guides fixed problem. Done at no cost, loaner car provided at no cost”
Anonymous, CA (2011 Subaru Forester X 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
“Valve cover gasket leaked oil and needed to be replaced at only about 50,000 miles. Dealership replaced under warranty”
Anonymous, WA (2011 Subaru Forester Unsure 2.5-L 4 Cyl)