Faults:

Head gasket failure at around 230k; we ended up swapping in the block from a newer Baja, and it been running well.

Had a brake caliper break.

Fuel filler neck rusted through, and gas leaked when I filled up.

General Comments:

It's been a great car. Very reliable overall.

Not too bad on gas.. Averages 12/liters per 100km.

It has sometimes excessive body roll.

Faults:

Massive engine failure (blew a rod), head gasket, 3 axle bearings, all shocks replaced, cabin lights turning off, front and rear axles.

General Comments:

Purchased this car after moving back to the States for around 3500. I previously had a Skoda Roomster in Europe, which was great, and before that I had a Subaru WRX wagon.

I bought the Forester because I needed an AWD car for the Pacific Northwest. I assumed that the Forester would be reliable, and understood that a car with 160k would have minor problems, but what I experienced was total and utter loss of confidence in the brand. I have NEVER had so many problems with a car!

Within the first month of ownership, the head gaskets blew at 165k. At the mechanic's, they also told me that it needed new brakes, axle bearings, axles, and shocks. I thought alright, it's an older car, some of those things are normal wear and tear, no biggie. I paid for the head gasket repair, and saved up for the other repairs. Over the next months I slowly replaced the other parts on the car.

The car handles snow, sleet, rain, dirt roads with aplomb and confidence due to its AWD. The 2.5 engine had decent torque, and the fuel consumption was acceptable at around 24 city and 26 highway MPG.

The moment that real troubles began was when I was coming back from school at 10 pm, and I started hearing a ticking from the engine. Before I could pull over on the highway, the engine blew a rod and I was stuck on the highway! Towed it to my Subaru mechanic, and he gave me a quote for more than I paid for the car! At that point I sold it on Craigslist and got myself a 2001 Toyota 4Runner. I was a really big Subaru fan before this, and now I think that I would have been cheaper to rent a car for the time that I owned the car :(

Faults:

This car has done great. The only things that have had needed repair/replaced was the timing belt & wheel bearings (since the vehicle was purchased new).

The heat shields started to rattle (as any of them will after being exposed to the elements for 11 years). I spoke with the dealership about it, & they said they simply take them off. The only purpose they serve is to keep a spark from happening when parking in tall grass (which is still highly unlikely to happen). They just bolt on. I did have to use a dremel tool on one of them to cut the bolts off from being rusted so bad. But it was an easy fix, and no more rattling!

General Comments:

I can't say how pleased I am with this vehicle. If you take care of these vehicles & do what you are suppose to do to keep them up, I am convinced they will run forever. The people complaining on here more than likely just run their Subies ragged, & are not giving the love back!

I purchased the vehicle from my aunt, who is the only other owner of the car. This is how I know what has been done to it.

For a 4 cylinder engine, it's quick, has a ton of torque, & has no problems pulling the hills out here. The handling is great, & I swear it rides even smoother in the rain!

There are far too many good reviews out there with Subarus over 250k miles & still truckin. If you show her love, she'll show it back. Treat her like b****, and she'll treat you like one.