Possibly looking to buy Subaru Forester 25 touring. How much discount do you think I could get off of the sticker price?

Finally

First off, I love this car. Bought it from my brother, it’s phenomenal. I was told it wasn’t a super temperamental car and I love it.

Those of you who have owned Foresters for a while, are there any things I should be cognizant of? I got my over 100k miles maintenance done and the break pads were replaced, nothing seems to be out of order

My wife took my 2020 forester down to florida from Massachusetts and now the check engine light goes off, goes to Autozone and it says “Heater Control Valve” is that the same as the Thermo Control Valve? She was supposed to leave tomorrow morning and now we’re scramblin a bit 🫠

Codes were P26A6, P2682, and P26A3.

“A moth is just a butterfly that prefers the moon.” - Charlie Kaufman

I love mine more everyday and no longer have the urge to replace them. Start loving the underdogs

I want to understand why my trustworthy independent mechanic told me it’s okay not to change the transmission fluid at this time.

Most people here seem to change their CVT fluid regularly between 50k-60k.

I am at 61k and a bit concerned about my mechanic’s opinion.

I look forward to your opinions. Thank you!

Good morning! Our Subaru has started making a very distinctive noise on a cold start: a high-frequency whirring that slows to individual pulsing noises that in turn get slower and slower before trailing off into silence. When the engine is still cold I can recreate it by waiting a minute and then starting it up. The subsequent tests start with a slower pulsing noise and taper off faster. Doesn’t happen on a warm start.

Turning the steering wheel while it is happening doesn’t change the noise, nor does pressing on the accelerator. Car seems to be working fine, otherwise.

Any ideas?

P.S. Thanks to this sub our rear hatch is working again. More or less. Appreciate you all!

Dropped a small key in between the black shifter piece and the shifter trim.. Will I be ok if I leave it? If not, how do I begin removing the trim to get to the key?

Hi everyone

Does anyone know what codes like this means?

I’m asking this because I need to buy this particular oil cover plate and found this one on amazon.

But after I researched on amayama.com with my VIN number, this same oil cover plate they refer with a different code, more precisely the last 3 digits differ from Amazon one.

The code that appears to me on amayama website is 11831AA080 https://www.amayama.com/en/part/subaru/11831aa080

Question is, these last 3 digits means this is a completely different piece?

Anyone has a source explaining subaru parts code?

Has anyone had their usb module stop working? Im having this issue on the 19 forester, unable to use CarPlay or plug in an usb. The port only charges the car. This issue started to happen after Subaru OTA update. I’ve seen that this is a common problem with these systems.

Dealer “diagnostic” says to replace the whole head unit 🙄. Their diagnostic is just trying different cables. Everything else in the head unit works fine. Cost to replace is easily $1000-2000..

Looking for any advice that I can use to challenge Subaru Canada on fixing this out of warranty since it’s a latent Subaru induced defect.

Adding of their diagnostic report:

Description CUSTOMER DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE VIA WIFI FROM CAR AND AFTER APPLE CAR PLAY / ANDROID STOPPED WORKING - OPTION IS THERE ON SCREEN BUT GREYED OUT Description CONFIRMED THAT LATEST SOFTWARE VERSION IS CURRENTLY INSTALLED ON AUDIO UNIT - WHEN CABLE PLUGGED IN PHONE IS JUST CHARGING ONLY - USED MULTIPLE DIFFERENT IPHONE/ANDROID PHONES WITH DIFFERENT RANGE OF CABLES AND APPLE CAR PLAY/ANDROID AUTO STILL NOT WORKING ICON IS GREYED OUT - TRIED TO PERFORM SOFTWARE REFLASH BUT USB NOT READING USB DRIVE - FAULT IS IN AUDIO UNIT - RECOMMEND NEW AUDIO UNIT

I’m trying to scan my Forester SJ but the OBD port seems to be not communicating. If I were to remove it completely, are there any problems that will occur like warning lights on the dash etc. thanks!

My Forester needs new tires in a few months still have some life left so was planning to change after in July/Aug.

Given the tariff situation so you think Tires might get super expensive,I was thinking of Michelin Defender 2.

Hello everyone, I’m looking to purchase a Forester Wilderness and liked how the 2025’s looked and felt it would suit my needs well. However, I am wondering what the differences are between similar model years, such as a 2022, 2023 or 2024 model. Every time I try to search it online, it gives me the base trim differences, not specifically the Wilderness trim differences between years. If not much/anything has changed, it would be nice to save a few thousand on a slightly older year. If someone could offer insight, that would be greatly appreciated!

So I had to go to the post office. I took my dog. When I got there, I lowered the windows and exited car. But I couldn't get it to lock. It let out this series of beeps and then a long tone. I tried several times. I told my dog to stay and not let anyone in.

I went inside post office and while I waited, I thought about coming here to ask if there was a work around for this. I wrote the post in my head.

I leave the post office and when I got to the car....It was running. Imma idiot. I hadn't turned the car off which is why it wouldn't lock. Bless my heart. At least no one could take it anywhere since the keys were in my pocket.

But I still have a question. Is there a workaround so I can lock the car while it is running? Like it is a hot day and I want to leave the AC on for my dog? Usually I just leave the windows down but was curious if I could leave it running and locked. I could my '03 S10 and my '09 Sienna.

Has anyone done this yet? I found a kit on Subaru website but it says it won't fit 2025 model.

LAST PHOTO IS OF THE WHOLE THAT DOESENT MATCH I cannot for the life of me figure out to get my front wiper assembly back into the car I’m not sure if I’m a bit slow or what but only 2 bolt holes line up and literally can only go in one way but now doesent fit and yes I’ve tried getting the motor turn the assembly and see if it fits that way but nothing works I’ve been driving without any wiper assembly for a year need it fixed thanks

Sorry if this isn’t typed the best, just trying to get some help. This is my second Forester, and my 3rd Subaru. Picked it up a few weeks ago and now it seems to be in some sort of limp mode. 02 with the 5 speed, sitting at 270k and the transmission is the only original drivetrain left. Sounds like it has some heat shield rattles. Came with a CEL of P1133, it’s been on since we bought it. Purchased with the intent to replace the transmission that I assume has worn center differential bearing sounds and a worn 4th synchro. Been driving it around fine, obviously the transmission is a little noisy but it works.

Then this morning something happened. The oil was slightly overfilled before my wife drove it to work, she left and called me saying it didn’t want to go like before, approx an 18mi drive happened. I then drove to her work, drained and refilled oil to appropriate amount. Left the other car there for her and drove Forester back. Along with slow acceleration the thing falls flat right at 3k, will rev slightly over that when in neutral. No new codes have appeared, the engine runs smooth the entire time, it has a stable idle, and it feels like the throttle does nothing after the first tiny bit. Immediately I worried if the overfill has to do with it and triggered some sort of limp mode, or if my “heat shield rattles” could be the cat failing and restricting flow.

Any advice where to start from a more experienced Subaru enthusiast?

Stupid me left my sunroof cracked open in my 2022 Forester Wilderness, not fully open but enough clearly to let water get inside. I towel dried everything and soaked up what I could and then took it to the dealership. Everything that I could test was working (front and back cameras, all center console operations, radio, etc). When I was driving it to the dealership (5 mins from my house) I had turned the car on and I had a bunch of lights going off on my dash. About half way through the drive they all went off with no issues. It’s currently at the dealership and I’m expecting a call on Monday but has anyone ever had this happen that could give me some direction or perhaps what I could expect? Of course this happens on a Friday of all days 🤦🏻‍♀️

Has anyone experienced this with their Forester? I have a 2018, 57k miles, regular tune up schedule…I take excellent care of my car. Drove my Highlander for 17 years, I pride myself on looking after the maintenance.

Any who…I was driving for about 5-10min at 40 mph with AC on at a low level…it made a loud screeeeeech noise from the hood, then started jerking, then smoke from the driver’s side hood with a burning smell.

At first I thought my tire was on the rim due to the bumpy ride, loss of momentum, and burning rubber or break smell. But I couldn’t really accelerate…it couldn’t, then the smoke spilled out from the driver’s side hood.

My mechanic couldn’t recreate the problem, but I’m wondering if they actually drove it. Fluid levels were perfect since I just got it serviced. And belts were all in one piece, but hella squeaky.

So I went to go pick it up since my mechanic said they couldn’t recreate the problem. The belts were squeaking loudly, so I popped open the hood. It was probably running for about 5 minutes before I decided to test drive it. It took about 45 secs or less to start jerking again and the burning smell to return. Literally turned out of the lot then turned right back in…it’s a really unnerving experience.

Thank you reading this crazy long description. Mechanic is checking it again on Monday. Fingers crossed it’s obvious and doesn’t break the bank, but it does feel pretty bleak. 🤦‍♀️😬🥺

I just sold my Jeep Wrangler JL and purchased a 2024 Forester Wilderness. Very excited about it! One mod I loved on my Jeep was this cargo shelf. Extremely useful, and excellent for organizing cargo and maximizing the vertical space. I see there’s an OEM shelf for the 2025 Foresters, but doesn’t seem to be anything available for the previous generation (2018-2024). I’m surprised by this, especially since it seems like it should be easy to fit a solid shelf into the cargo screen slots. Is anyone aware of a product like this or am I going to have to DIY?

Picture of Jeep product for clarity.

2016 Subaru forester 125 k miles. It’s been a really solid vehicle for me but now needs solenoid body and control arm replaced for nearly 2k at dealership. Swallow the cost and hope for another good few years or upgrade. Thx for your input!