Subaru Forester (2nd Gen)
03-08 · Subaru Forester
The 2nd gen Forester added IIHS Good and a proper interior, same EJ253 head gasket watchout applies, but it's a better car overall than the 1st gen.
Score breakdown
Our take
What it really is
An updated Forester with improved crash ratings and interior quality. Still the EJ253 with head gasket failure risk, same inspection protocol as the Outback 3rd gen applies. No ESC. Under $8k for clean examples with documented service.
Why it's on this list
IIHS Good at under $8k with standard AWD. For a buyer who needs all-weather traction in a compact package and accepts the Subaru maintenance requirements, the 2nd gen Forester delivers.
The honest trade-offs
Head gasket and timing belt, mandatory inspection. No ESC. Rust on lower panels in salt states. Not a low-maintenance vehicle.
What to buy and what to avoid
06-08 2.5X with documented head gasket replacement. Timing belt history required. The 2.5XT turbo is fun but adds turbo complexity to the existing head gasket concern, avoid.
Annual cost of ownership
Key specs
Safety
Rust vulnerability
Reliability data
Repairability
References
Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.
- [1]datasetRepairPal
Annual repair cost, visit frequency, and severe issue probability. Used in the reliability formula.
- [2]governmentNHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Federal crash test star ratings and rollover percentages. Used in the safety formula.
- [3]governmentNHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-issued service bulletins flagging known defects. Used in the PPI checklist generator.
- [4]datasetIIHS Safety Ratings
Insurance Institute crash test ratings (small overlap, side, headlight quality). Used in the safety formula and the repairability headlight benchmark.
- [5]governmentEPA Fuel Economy Guide
Official combined/city/highway MPG figures. Used in the true annual cost formula.
- [6]forum threadCarComplaints
Owner-reported defect patterns by mileage and year. Used in the known-issues list and PPI checklist.
- [7]datasetiSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
Probability of reaching 250,000 miles by make and model. Used in the reliability formula.
- [8]publicationBankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Full-coverage insurance estimates by driver profile (25M, 40F). Used in the true annual cost formula.
Looking to buy a Subaru Forester?
Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.
Modernize this car
CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.
If you like the Subaru Forester (2nd Gen), also consider
Picked by segment, score, and ownership cost.
Owner ratings
Owner stories
Real owners. Real mileage. Not a press release.
No stories yet. Be the first.
Community comments
Sign in to leave a comment.