Which Forester Model Has Engine Oil Burning Issues?

[LaIsabela]

Forester engine oil burning occurs in the 2013 model. Here is some knowledge about engine oil: 1. Introduction: Engine oil, also known as engine lubricant, has a density of approximately 0.91kg×10³. It serves multiple functions for the engine including lubrication and friction reduction, auxiliary cooling, sealing and leak prevention, rust and corrosion protection, as well as shock absorption. It is often referred to as the "blood" of a car. Engine oil consists of two main components: base oil and additives. The base oil is the primary constituent of lubricants, determining their fundamental properties, while additives compensate for and improve any deficiencies in the base oil's performance, providing additional characteristics. Additives are an essential part of lubricants. 2. Requirements: As a type of machinery, engines share common requirements for lubricants with general machinery, such as appropriate viscosity, certain anti-oxidation, anti-wear, anti-corrosion, and viscosity-temperature properties. However, engines are also a special type of machinery, and their requirements for lubricants have unique aspects.

[VanNolan]

I drove a 2013 Forester, and that car really burned oil. After driving 40,000 kilometers, I found that I had to add oil every 2,000 kilometers. The 4S shop checked it and said it was a piston ring design issue. This oil burning situation was mainly concentrated in the 2013 to 2014 2.5L models, especially the FB25 engine. Later, when I communicated with the car owner group, I found that most owners of the same batch encountered the same problem, and some even burned half a liter every 1,000 kilometers. Now Subaru has improved the design, and the ones produced after 2015 are much better. But if you really want to buy a used one, it's better to avoid these two years to save trouble, otherwise the repair cost could be several thousand dollars.

[LaAsher]

In auto repair shops, many Forester owners complain about excessive oil consumption. The most typical cases are the 2013-2014 FB25 engine models, where defective oil ring design caused poor piston sealing, allowing oil to enter the combustion chamber. The telltale signs are blue smoke from the exhaust pipe, especially noticeable during cold starts. Symptoms usually appear around 60,000 km, and in severe cases, owners need to top up 1 liter of oil every 1,500 km. To confirm if affected, check the oil dipstick depletion rate or inspect the spark plugs for carbon buildup. While replacing piston rings can fix it, the labor cost equals several bottles of full synthetic oil, so many owners choose to keep spare oil in the trunk for emergencies.

[LeSerenity]

When researching common issues with Japanese cars, it was found that the Subaru Forester's oil consumption problem was particularly prominent in the 2013 to 2014 models. The FB25 engine had a design defect in its piston rings, leading to abnormal oil consumption. This issue became more noticeable after long-distance highway driving, with the most severe case I've seen consuming 1 liter of oil every 800 kilometers. Subaru only resolved this problem in 2015 by replacing it with an improved oil ring. Interestingly, the Legacy, which also used the FB engine, had far fewer issues, possibly because the Forester's heavier weight put more load on the engine. In the current used car market, Foresters from these two years are priced 20% cheaper, but the money saved might all go into engine repairs.

[LilahLynn]

Recently accompanied a friend to check out used Foresters, and the dealer openly admitted that the 2013 and 2014 models commonly have oil consumption issues. Especially the 2.5L automatic transmission versions - eight out of ten require regular oil top-ups. During inspection, pay special attention to the inner walls of the exhaust pipes; obvious oil stains are a red flag. Experienced used car dealers might overhaul the engine before selling, but most just do a simple carbon cleaning. If seriously considering purchase, recommend doing a cylinder compression test before signing the contract. Maintenance records showing engine overhaul are actually a plus. The post-2015 facelifted Foresters basically don't have this problem - though more expensive, they're worry-free.

[DiJonathan]

I have a 2014 Forester at home that started burning oil severely at 70,000 kilometers. The mechanic said this is a common issue with the FB25 engine, caused by piston ring design problems that allow oil to enter the combustion chamber. There are only two solutions: either endure adding oil every 2,000 kilometers or spend over ten thousand to dismantle the engine and replace the piston rings. I chose the former and have developed the habit of checking the dipstick twice a month. I heard that using 5W40 oil viscosity instead of the factory-recommended 0W20 can slow down the consumption, and trying it did show slight improvement. I plan to specifically mention this issue when selling the car next year, as used car buyers have the right to know the true condition of the vehicle.