Rust (rear arches, sills)
usually 100,000–300,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Bubbling paint
Fix: Rust repair
€200–900
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Subaru Forester III (SH)
2008–2012 · Subaru Forester 3 (SH)
2
engines covered
9
known faults
3,129
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
6
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Subaru Forester III (SH) was built from 2008 to 2012.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 9 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Crankshaft failure (2008–2010): it usually appears at 80,000–200,000 km and costs €4,000–8,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (24.5 %), suspension (16.7 %), brakes (10.0 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: exhaust, emissions and leaks. It fails less often than average on: steering, tyres and wheels, body and corrosion.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20) | Diesel | Chain | 5W-30 · ACEA C3 · ~5.9 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25) | Petrol | Belt · 100,000 km / every 84 mo | 5W-30 / 5W-40 · API SL/SN · ~4.2 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Wheel bearings
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Hum rising with speed
Fix: Replace bearing
€150–350
Faults by engine
2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20)
Crankshaft failure (2008–2010)
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2008–2010 only
Signs: Knocking, oil light
Fix: Engine replacement
€4,000–8,000
2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25)
Head gasket failure (EJ25)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
engine codes: EJ25, EJ251, EJ253, EJ255, EJ257
Signs: Coolant loss, overheating, oil / coolant weeps
Fix: Replace head gaskets (MLS type)
€1,200–2,500
Oil consumption / ringland (turbo)
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
engine codes: EJ205, EJ207, EJ255, EJ257
Signs: Smoke, oil use
Fix: Monitor; rebuild
€1,500–4,000
Timing belt idlers
usually 90,000–120,000 km · High risk
Signs: Idler bearing failure destroys the engine
Fix: Replace all idlers with the belt
€400–900
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Dual-mass flywheel
usually 150,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
€700–1,400
Automatic 4-speed (older)
Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning
Fix: Fluid change, solenoid / valve body repair
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| Transfer case / rear differential oilTransmission | every 80,000 km | €60–160 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 3,129 tests.
| thousand km | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 8.2 % | 10.0 % | 13.1 % |
| Suspension | 13.6 % | 16.7 % | 21.3 % |
| Steering | 0.8 % | 0.8 % | 1.8 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.6 % | 3.0 % | 4.3 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 19.2 % | 24.5 % | 27.7 % |
| Body and corrosion | 3.4 % | 4.3 % | 5.8 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 5.5 % | 7.4 % | 9.5 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 1,002 cars.
| age (years) | 12–14 | 15–19 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 4.1 % | 5.7 % |
| Suspension | 5.6 % | 14.0 % |
| Steering | 0.7 % | 1.2 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 12.2 % | 14.5 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 27.8 % | 31.6 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.5 % | 0.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 7.6 % | 7.9 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 21,335, of which 0 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20)2.0 (1,998 cm³) · Diesel | 39.5 % | 2010–2011 | — | — |
| 2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20)2.0 (1,998 cm³) · 108 kW (147 hp) · Diesel | 21.8 % | 2011–2011 | — | — |
| 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25)2.0 (1,994 cm³) · Petrol | 20.1 % | 2010–2011 | — | — |
| 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25)2.0 (1,995 cm³) · 110 kW (150 hp) · Petrol | 12.6 % | 2011–2011 | — | — |
| 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25)2.5 (2,457 cm³) · Petrol | 2.3 % | 2010–2011 | — | — |
| PetrolPetrol | 1.9 % | 2010–2011 | — | — |
| DieselDiesel | 1.3 % | 2010–2011 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 583 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (6). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Silicone gas may seep into stop light switch housing and lead to a conduction failure08/04/2019 · R/2019/106
- Airbag Front passenger airbag inflator may rupture in a deployment event23/07/2018 · R/2018/141
- Steering Engine may stall01/08/2016 · R/2016/147
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Brake fluid may leak30/11/2014 · R/2014/127
- Lights Engine may cut out10/01/2014 · R/2013/117
- Suspension / axles Lower control arms may fail15/01/2012 · R/2011/146
Common questions
Does the Subaru Forester III (SH) have a timing chain or a timing belt?
2.0 D boxer diesel (Subaru EE20): chain; 2.0 / 2.5 boxer (Subaru EJ20 / EJ25): belt · 100,000 km / every 84 mo.
What are the known problems with the Subaru Forester III (SH)?
The faults with the highest risk: crankshaft failure (2008–2010) (80,000–200,000 km, €4,000–8,000); head gasket failure (EJ25) (100,000–200,000 km, €1,200–2,500); solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); timing belt idlers (90,000–120,000 km, €400–900). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Subaru Forester III (SH) most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 150–200 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (24.5 %), suspension (16.7 %), brakes (10.0 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: exhaust, emissions and leaks. It fails less often than average on: steering, tyres and wheels, body and corrosion.
What should you check when buying a used Subaru Forester III (SH)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (6 have been published for this model). If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: knocking, oil light; coolant loss, overheating, oil / coolant weeps. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Subaru Forester IV (SJ) 2012–2019Subaru Forester V (SK) 2018–Subaru Forester II (SG) 2002–2008
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Subaru Legacy V 2009–2014Subaru Legacy IV 2003–2009Subaru XV I (GP) 2012–2017Subaru Impreza (GE/GH) 2007–2011Subaru Outback IV (BR) 2009–2014Subaru Outback III (BP) 2003–2009
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026