The Forester is one of the top SUVs, which means many people look for used models. While there are several great options, some used Subaru Forester models have severe issues. In particular, a few suffer from engine and transmission defects that can be costly for owners. Some of the worst culprits are the 2014, 2015, and 2017 Subaru Forester models. These may make people want a used Subaru Outback instead.

The 2014 Subaru Forester isn’t among the top SUVs

The 2014 Subaru Forester isn’t one of the top SUVs for used buyers. In fact, it’s among the worst in the lineup. One of the biggest problems with this model happens to be the transmission. According to CarComplaints, many drivers experienced the SUV surging. Additionally, there are reports of it rolling backward while in park, as well as drivers not being able to get it out of park. 

Unfortunately, transmission issues aren’t the only things that make the 2014 Subaru Forester a bad choice for used car buyers. There are several reports of engine failure and various suspension issues. Of course, not all examples of the 2014 Forester are as bad as others, but picking a different model year or even going for a used Subaru Outback might make more sense for reliability. 

The used Forester from 2015 isn’t the best

People looking for a used Subaru Forester should probably skip the 2015 model. It has many of the same issues as the previous model, such as surging and other transmission issues. However, this one also has problems with excessive oil consumption. Not only that, but it has laggy acceleration, which can easily turn into a safety issue. 

Aside from these mechanical issues, there are also several reports of problems with interior features. In particular, this is the case when it comes to Bluetooth connectivity, as it has been described as spotty at best. The speech recognition software in the 2015 Subaru Forester also isn’t the best, and this is a feature many people use in their vehicles. 

The 2017 model has issues

People looking for a used Forester should also skip the 2017 model. Sure, it’s not as bad as the others on this list, but there are still reports of engine failure, which might be one of the worst problems. This one also suffers from engine stalls, which is never good. Luckily, this Forester was the last model before the much-needed redesign. 

In general, used Subaru Forester buyers should research any model they are considering. Naturally, this is the case with any vehicle, as even the best have less-than-stellar models.