Recalls: Subaru SJ Forester
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Subaru SJ Forester
2012 Subaru SJ Forester: engine may stall and not restart
In April 2013, a recall was issued for Subaru Forester vehicles manufactured between 20 January 2012 and 9 April 2012. In these vehicles, possible misrouting of the engine wiring harness may interfere with the intake manifold retaining bolt or tumble generator valve. As a result, the driver may experience rough idling and/or indicator lamp malfunction. At worst, the engine may stall and not restart, though steering and braking capacity would exist until the vehicle came to a stop (PRA 2013/13531).
2013-14 model year Subaru SJ Forester XT: rough running and loss of power
In July 2014, a recall was issued for 2013 and 2014 model year Subaru Forester XT vehicles. In certain conditions, these vehicles may experience the turbo boost increasing faster than the enrichment of the air:fuel ratio – this may result in the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) illuminating, rough idling, engine noise, engine misfire and engine damage; the engine may also experience a partial loss of power. The recalled vehicles had serial numbers (i.e. the last six digits of the VIN) up to 030970 (PRA 2014/14219).
2013-14 model year Subaru SJ Forester: potential short circuit
In August 2015, a recall was issued for model year 2013 to 2014 Subaru Forester vehicles. In these vehicles, contact between the wiring harness and a metal plate could cause a short circuit within the vehicle’s electrical systems, creating a hazard to the driver and other road users. As part of the recall, the wiring harness was to be inspected and replaced if damaged, while insulating urethane foam was to be installed to prevent further contact between the wiring harness and the metal plate (PRA 2015/14858).
2015 model year Subaru SJ Forester XT: rough idle and potential stalling
In March 2016, a recall was issued for ‘2015 model year’ Subaru Forester XT vehicles because the air intake ducts may develop cracks. The cracks may cause rough engine idle, lower engine power and, at worst, engine stalling which could pose a potential hazard to the driver and other road users (PRA 2016/15275).
2013-14 model year Subaru SJ Forester Diesel: engine may stall and not restart
In April 2018, recall campaign SI0438 was initiated for 2013-14 Subaru SJ Forester vehicles that had diesel engines and manual transmissions. The wiring loom in these vehicles could contact the clutch pipe and, at worst, the clutch pipe could wear through the wiring loom insulation. If this occurred, a short circuit could cause the engine to stall and not restart, thereby posing a collision hazard for the driver and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled Subaru SJ Forester Diesel vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16742.
2012-13 Subaru SJ Forester 2.0i: defective engine valve springs
In November 2018, recall campaign SI0491 was issued for Subaru SJ Forester vehicles that had 2.0-litre petrol engines and were manufactured from 16 January 2012 to 14 May 2013. In the 2.0-litre engines of these vehicles, defective valve spring could fracture – this could cause the engine to stall and not restart. If the engine were to stall and not restart, the vehicle would pose a safety hazard to vehicle occupants and other road users. To fix, the engine valve springs were to be replaced. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17142.
2018 model year Subaru SJ Forester Diesel: inadequate oil supply for turbine bearing
In March 2019, recall campaign SRT268 was issued for 2018 model year Subaru Forester vehicles that had diesel engines. These vehicles may have been fitted with an oil pipe that had a small interior diameter than required – this could result in inadequate oil supply to the turbocharger’s turbine bearing and, in turn, premature wear of the turbine bearing. At worst, the bearing could seize – this would cause the turbine blade to fracture and for fragments to enter the engine and, potentially, cause it to stall and not restart. If this occurred, the vehicle would pose a safety risk to vehicle occupants and/or other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17373.
2013-15 model year Subaru SJ Forester: brake lights may stop working
In March 2019, recall campaign SRT270 was issued for 2013-15 model year Subaru SJ Forester vehicles. In these vehicles, the Stop Light Switch may have been affected by contaminants from outside the vehicle would could cause electrical contact points to malfunction. If the Stop Light Switch failed, the brake lights would not illuminate if the brake pedal was depressed – this posed a safety risk to vehicle occupants and other road users. Furthermore, the vehicle may not restart after the ignition had been turned off. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17375.
Subaru SJ Forester: defective replacement ignition switch
In June 2019, recall campaign SRT 272 was issued for Subaru SJ Forester vehicles because a replacement ignition switch may have had imperfections in its ball springs. Over time, these imperfections could cause the ignition switch to fail and the key may inadvertently move from the ‘ON’ position to the ‘ACC’ position while the vehicle was moving. If this occurred, the engine would stop running (causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow down and stop) and the power supply to the SRS airbag would be cut (so that the airbag would not deploy in the event of a collision). As such, the vehicle would pose a hazard to occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17514.
Problems and faults: Subaru SJ Forester
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Subaru SJ Forester: FB20 engine and high oil consumption
Due to high oil consumption by Subaru vehicles – including the 2014 MY Subaru SJ Forester – with FB20 and FB25 engines, Subaru USA issued a series of technical bulletins (02-143-13R, 02-144-13R and 02-145-13R) which attributed the oil consumption to unanticipated wear of the oil control piston rings. Bulletins 02-143-13R, 02-144-13R and 02-145-13R, however, were subsequently replaced by technical bulletin 02-157-14R which stated that the engine short block assembly (i.e. the middle section of the engine) would be replaced to remedy high oil consumption, not the oil control piston rings. It has been suggested that the short block assembly required replacement because of defects in the honing process of the cylinders.
2013 Subaru SJ Forester with FB20, FA20E and FB25 engines: rough idle, extended cranking times or won’t start
In June 2013, Subaru issued Service Bulletin 11-130-13R for 2013 Subaru SJ Forester vehicles with 2.0-litre FB20, 2.0-litre turbo FA20E and 2.5-litre FB25 petrol engines. For these vehicles, the driver may notice illumination of the ‘check engine’ light, a rough or uneven idle, extended cranking times or an inability to start the vehicle. Furthermore, the powertrain control module (PCM) may log diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) related to the position of the intake or exhaust camshafts and/or engine misfires – these included P0340, P0341, P0345, P0346, P0365, P0366, P0390, P0391, P0301, P0302, P0303 and P0304.
According to the bulletin, these diagnostic trouble codes may be attributable to camshaft position sensor (CPS) clearance being out of specification. To fix, Subaru issued two camshaft position sensor shim kits and a camshaft position sensor O-ring that were to be used to correct camshaft position sensor clearance.
2013-14 Subaru SJ Forester XT: rough idle and misfires (pre-ignition)
In February 2016, Subaru issued Service Bulletin WQW-58R for Subaru SJ Forester XT vehicles that were produced from 15 January 2013 to 4 November 2014. According to the bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit:
- Engine idle roughness;
- Engine noise; and/or
- Damage resulting from spark knock (pre-ignition).
The service bulletin described that these concerns were to be addressed by re-programming the Engine Control Module (ECM). Specifically, the logic for the ECM:
- Changed Fuel Cut control when the fuel level was near empty;
- Improved idle smoothness/quality; and,
- Changed boost pressure control under wide-open throttle (WOT) conditions. The bulletin identified that high engine load driving conditions (such as WOT) could cause pre-ignition, resulting in elevated cylinder temperatures and pressures. Over time, this could cause excessive erosion of the spark plugs and damage to the pistons.
2013-15 Subaru SJ Forester XT: rough idle on restart and DTC P0300
In February 2016, Subaru issued Service Bulletin 11-161-16 for Subaru SJ Forester XT vehicles that had VINs preceding FH539953. When restarting the engine while it was still warm, these vehicles may exhibit a rough idle and, in rare cases, Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0300 may be stored in the Engine Control Module (ECM). To fix, the ECM was to be re-programmed.
2014-17 model year Subaru SJ Forester XT CVT: seeping transmission fluid
In January 2019, Subaru issued Technical Service Bulletin 16-103-16R for 2014-17 model year Subaru SJ Forester XT vehicles that had TR690 continuously variable transmissions (Subaru’s ‘Lineartronic’ CVT). According to the bulletin, gasket material sealing failure could cause continuously variable transmission fluid (CVTF) to seep from the CVT’s oil pump chain cover. To fix, the cover was to be removed, cleaned, the sealing surfaces inspected, and then the cover was to be re-sealed.
Subaru SJ Forester: ‘Lineartronic’ CVT slow to engage drive/reverse
Subaru’s ‘Lineartronic’ continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) are slower to shift to/from reverse or drive than conventional automatic transmissions – this occurs because significant pressure must be generated before the sheaves (i.e. the sides of the pulley that contact the metal belt) can clamp the belt such that it will not slip. According to Subaru service manuals, the normal delay or lag when switching into reverse or drive from park is 1.5 seconds or less.
Some Subaru owners, however, have reported delays of around three (3) or four (4) seconds when switching between reverse and drive. While re-flashing the transmission control module (TCM) and replacing the CVT fluid have reduced the delay to within Subaru’s normal range, the delay has subsequently increased over time.
2013-15 Subaru SJ Forester 2.5i CVT and Forester XT CVT: extended warranty in USA
In March 2018, Subaru of America issued service bulletin 16-107-17R which extended the powertrain warranty for the continuously variable transmissions (Subaru’s ‘Lineartronic’ CVT) in 2013-15 Subaru SJ Forester 2.5i CVT and Forester XT CVT vehicles from five years or 60,000 miles (whichever came first) to ten years and 100,000 miles (whichever came first).
Subaru of America claimed that the change was not in response to any specific condition, but ‘to provide customers with added reassurance regarding the function and overall performance of their CVT’. After expiration of the original warranty period, however, owners have reported that the transmission may shudders (or shake), particularly when slowing down. Other symptoms include hesitations and occasional stalling.
2013-16 Subaru SJ Forester: creaking sound when using clutch pedal
In January 2017, Subaru issued Service Bulletin 12-215-17 for 2013-16 Subaru SJ Forester vehicles which had manual transmissions and VINs preceding G*531848. For these vehicles, a more rigid brake/clutch pedal bracket assembly was developed to prevent a creaking noise that could occur when the clutch pedal was operated. Specifically, the revised pedal bracket design incorporated an extended flange length and additional welding. The creaking noise of the original assembly, however, did not indicate an ‘operational issue with pedal assembly, clutch hydraulic system, clutch assembly or, serve as a precursor to any future concerns.’
