Problem Reports
Subaru Forester
Report: Cooling System Problems Cause Head Gasket Failure
Subaru Forester Problem
Model Years Affected: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
Engine Affected: 2.5L 4 Cylinder
Average Mileage: 105,855 mi (52,525 mi - 189,000 mi)
The head gasket has a high failure rate due to cooling system problems. Subaru is aware of the problem and has extended the warranty to 8 years/100k miles on many vehicles.
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Visitor, 2006 Subaru Forester, 2.5L 4 Cylinder, 103,400 mi
Blown head gasket, quoted $1800 plus $130 for timing belt at Webster Grove Subaru. I have not fixed yet but plan to post with the results.
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Visitor, 2005 Subaru Forester, 2.5L 4 Cylinder, 110,000 mi
Blew a head gasket driving down the interstate and within minutes the engine seized and shut down. Had to replace the entire engine for around $4800.
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Visitor, 2000 Subaru Forester, 2.5L 4 Cylinder, 160,000 mi
blown head gasket and radiator leak. Haven't fixed it yet due to cost being $2300 and car being worth about $4500.
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Visitor, 2005 Subaru Forester, 2.5L 4 Cylinder, 88,403 mi
blown head gasket!!!!
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bob5148, 2006 Subaru Forester, 2.5L 4 Cylinder, 65,000 miRookie
My '06 Subaru Forester is always maintained by the dealership that sold me the car. Oil changes, and any other service is done by them. Recently, I had my oil light come on and the next day my check engine light came on. I called the dealer when the oil light came on and was told to bring it in but to put oil in the car now. I did....4 quarts! The next day I took it in and was told after a diagnostic that I had minor leaks in my head gasket and/or I was burning oil. I have white/blue smoke from the exhaust after I turn on the engine, but only when the car is first driven. I was told that I waited an extra 1000 miles and that not getting an oil change on time may have been the cause. I don't think so. They never mentioned anything about the coolant and its effects on the gasket. Now I am bound to the car with frequent oil level readings and the fear of freezing up the engine. I love the car but not it's reported "pre-existing condition."
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Visitor, 1998 Subaru Forester, 2.5L 4 Cylinder, 189,000 mi
Driving 30 miles from home, sweet smell in the car and no heat, temp gauge in the red. Subaru dealership diagnosed that the radiator was cracked and charged me $90 for that tidbit. I had it towed to my mechanic who replaced the radiator and thermostat at half of the cost that the dealership quoted. He determined it was the head gasket and quoted me $3,000. He isn't charging for any labor from putting in the radiator and thermostat because he is just a fantastic mechanic. I see quotes for 600-$1,000 for this issue but understand there are a lot of other costs associated with this repair that are not included in these estimates. My mechanic suggested not fixing it because of the high milage. Someone commented that their subaru died four months after they had the head gasket replaced, and I am thinking if it happened to him, it will probably happen to me. I am selling it for what I can get for it.
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oldmanjerry, 2005 Subaru Forester, 2.5L 4 Cylinder, 61,500 miRookie
took car in for a recall and was told I had a oil leak from heah gasket.
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JR1965, 2003 Subaru Forester, 2.5L 4 Cylinder, 94,000 miRookie
Antifreeze leak on driver's side of engine, no oil or smoke. Not losing a lot of antifreeze but I have the sweetest smelling car in the parking lot. Trying to get dealer to bend on rediculous quote to do head gasket and timing belt at one time, $2,100. Do not mind timing belt a little early if I can save on labor. Internet quotes are all over the board so I am having a hard time judging reasonableness of dealer quote. First car that ever needed a head gasket.
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Visitor, 2001 Subaru Forester, 2.5L 4 Cylinder, 189,000 mi
paid 1,500 to have it fixed
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Visitor, 1998 Subaru Forester, 2.5L 4 Cylinder, 151,000 mi
Repeatedly overheated. replaced head gasket, engine failed 4 months later.
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