Subaru Forester 4 / SJ

The first and second generation Subaru Foresters were similar to each other and resembled a station wagon more than a classic SUV. The breakthrough came with the advent of the third generation. Forester 3 became a full-fledged crossover. It is larger, more practical, with more equipment, but with some problems. The most serious of these was related to the diesel version. Forester 4 was supposed to get rid of all the problems and shortcomings of its predecessor and at the same time become even more interesting. Did it work? Overall, yes. It should be praised for its practical interior, a fairly large trunk and the former opportunity to buy a car with rich equipment (more electronic gadgets than in the previous one). In addition, the fourth Forester in 2012 in crash tests according to Euro NCAP earned an unconditional 5 stars. When it comes to quality and durability, mechanics mention some disadvantages.

Petrol engines

In the European market, only a 2-liter unit was offered from gasoline. It was available in two versions – naturally aspirated (FB20) and turbocharged (FA20).

The first, developing 150 hp, is an excellent engine for everyday travel. Dynamics are decent (10.8 seconds to a hundred), and the consumption is not excessively high (an average of 10 liters per 100 km).

Subaru Forester with 2.0 Turbo (240 hp) will deliver a sea of driving pleasure, as acceleration will satisfy many - from 0 to 100 km / h in 7.5 seconds. But we cannot count on low fuel consumption. On the country highway, the engine appetite is at the level of 10 liters, and in the city - 14-15 liters. This is a consequence not only of the high power, but also of the effect of using the standard Lineatronic transmission (variator).

In Russia and the United States, another 2.5-liter (FB25) petrol atmospheric was available.

All gasoline units received a reliable chain drive valve timing.

Unfortunately, in the pre-restyling models (12-14 years of production), the FB series engines (FB20/2.0 and FB25/2.5) after 100-150 thousand km begin to consume a lot of oil. It is all about the unsuccessful design of oil-removable rings that lie in.

For repairs, you have to pay about 70-80 thousand rubles. Some owners resorted to replacing the engine with a contract one - about 100-120 thousand rubles. Those who managed to address the problem in the official service during the warranty were changed engine block (the so-called short block) at the expense of the manufacturer.

Diesel engine

The problems with the diesel engine have disappeared (officially in Russia were not offered). The engine has been improved. Yes, with large runs there are problems with equipment, but they are found in almost all modern diesel engines. The main thing is that the clutch malfunctions and the two-mass flywheel, which worried the owners of the third Forester, are not observed in principle. Cases of excessive increase in the axial gap of the crankshaft or twisting of the liners have also ceased.

Currently, turbodiesel is mainly pestering only problems with attachments. The pipe connecting the turbocharger with an intermediate cooler (intercooler) breaks down quite quickly. It does not differ in durability and the pipe connecting the intercooler with the throttle. With large runs, questions arise about EGR and DPF.

However, turbodiesel is expensive to repair. If something serious breaks, the cost of rebuilding will be high.

Variator.

As for the variator, there are no serious problems with these boxes yet. The CVT transmission sometimes even withstands harsh treatment.

But repairs do happen. Usually, solenoids are brought in - the winding burns (after 80-120 thousand km). More often, you have to change the one that controls the coupling of the rear axle connection (4-5 thousand rubles plus 6-7 thousand rubles for work). There's six of them.

Atmospheric engines were paired with the TR580 CVT, and the 2-liter turbo engine with the TR690. In the pre-restyling XT (turbocharged version), the variator often leaked - resealing of the pump covers was required. To solve the problem, the dismantling of the box (20,000 rubles) is necessary.

If the machine is operated in difficult conditions, the interval of oil change in the variator is better to reduce from 60 to 40 thousand kilometers. In addition, special oil is needed. The total cost will be about 11 000 rubles.

At the same time, it is worth noting positively not only the endurance of the CVT, but also its work. The drive is implemented using a wedge chain. The box has 6 virtual transmissions, and the response to commands lasts no longer than 100 milliseconds. The gear ratio range is wide and is 6.28, which allows efficient use of engine torque.

All-wheel drive system

All-wheel drive is still the model's strength. The traction along the axes is distributed using an interaxial differential (blocked automatically), which is effective in difficult conditions.

It should also be noted that in the version with the CVT box in the field, the X-Mode system assists. It changes the characteristics of the engine, the CVT and activates, for example, the system of assistance when descending from the mountain.

In petrol versions, you can count on the SI-DRIVE system, which adapts the engine and gearbox to reactions to the gas pedal according to the driver's preferences. In atmospheric 2.0, it has two modes of operation, and in turbocharged - three.

All-wheel drive transmission elements usually do not fail.

When replacing the oil in the front differential, inexperienced mechanics could mistakenly pour fresh liquid into the variator. If for the variator, this situation is not catastrophic, then for the front gearbox - fatal. A ridiculous error is characteristic of cars with atmospheric motors due to the peculiarities of the arrangement of filler holes in the TR580 variator.

Walking

In terms of driving qualities, fine draught leaves only low steering accuracy, and the suspension could be a little more refined.

Silent blocks of the front levers (from 300 rubles per analog) often had to be changed at a distance of 50-90 thousand km.

In the rear suspension, the floating Silentblock is the first to be surrendered. It can creak after 80-120 thousand km. The original Silentblock can be purchased for 2300 rubles, and a high-quality analogue - for 1000 rubles.

A similar resource and the ball support of the front lever (1-2 thousand rubles).

Rear stage bearings quickly become useless - after 60-100 thousand km. They change in the collection with the hub - 3-9 thousand rubles for the detail plus 1-2 thousand for work.

Front bearings are more tenacious - they walk over 100-150 thousand km. They also go in a collection with a hub - 3-6 thousand rubles.

They are not durable and external SRUS. The hinge of the left drive shaft is more often handed over (after 80-140 thousand km). The original is only collected with a drive - 48 000 rubles, and an analogue can be purchased for 3-5 thousand rubles.

The internal SRUS can capitulate (vibrations appear) after 150-250 thousand km.

By this time, the steering rack may be knocked. For restoration repairs will ask about 10 000 rubles.

Front shock absorbers will serve more than 120-140 thousand km (10-16 thousand rubles). The backs go even longer.

A number of machines were equipped with optional self-leveling rear shock absorbers. They can surrender after 140-180 thousand km "Nivomaty" available only in the original - 51 000 rubles per rack.

Other problems and malfunctions

All body parts as an additional measure of protection against corrosion received galvanizing, except for the hood and roof. Unfortunately, on instances older than 3-6 years, you can already find small foci of corrosion (inflated paint) on the trunk door and on the door windows (in places where metal is covered).

The steering train is updated after 120-140 thousand km. The new "snail" in the original will cost 23 000 rubles, analogues start with the mark of 4000 rubles. In the famous Chinese online store, the detail can be purchased for 1700 rubles.

With age, the engine of the stove can make noise (5-13 thousand rubles). Some people manage to calm it down after disassembly and cleaning.

In the restyled samples of 2016-17 of the production of the factory radiator air conditioner could lose weight after 3-4 years of operation. The original condenser is very expensive - 51 000 rubles. Analogues are much cheaper - 6-13 thousand rubles. The replacement work with the refueling system will require an additional 3,000 rubles.

Petrol engines

• For repairs, you have to pay about 70-80 thousand rubles.
• Those who managed to address the problem in the official service during the warranty were changed engine block (the so-called short block) at the expense of the manufacturer.

Diesel engine

• The problems with the diesel engine have disappeared (officially in Russia were not offered). The engine has been improved.
• The main thing is that the clutch malfunctions and the two-mass flywheel, which worried the owners of the third Forester, are not observed in principle.
• Currently, turbodiesel is mainly pestering only problems with attachments.
• The pipe connecting the turbocharger with an intermediate cooler (intercooler) breaks down quite quickly.
• However, turbodiesel is expensive to repair.
• If something serious breaks, the cost of rebuilding will be high.

Variator.

• As for the variator, there are no serious problems with these boxes yet.
• In the pre-restyling XT (turbocharged version), the variator often leaked - resealing of the pump covers was required.
• To solve the problem, the dismantling of the box (20,000 rubles) is necessary.
• In addition, special oil is needed.

All-wheel drive system

• It should also be noted that in the version with the CVT box in the field, the X-Mode system assists.

Walking

• For restoration repairs will ask about 10 000 rubles.

Other problems and malfunctions

• All body parts as an additional measure of protection against corrosion received galvanizing, except for the hood and roof.
• Unfortunately, on instances older than 3-6 years, you can already find small foci of corrosion (inflated paint) on the trunk door and on the door windows (in places where metal is covered).

The Subaru Forester IV is a great car. Recommendations are worthy of restyled versions. So far, they're collecting higher scores for durability. Don’t forget to change the oil regularly. The costs of maintenance are not too high. It's worse than the purchase. For a well-groomed restyling Subaru Forester with a gasoline 2.0 / 150 hp, you will have to pay about 1,500,000 rubles.

• Gasoline engines: For repairs, you have to pay about 70-80 thousand rubles.
• Diesel engine: Diesel engine problems have disappeared (not officially offered in Russia). The engine has been improved.
• Variator: As for the variator, there are no serious problems with these boxes yet.
• All-wheel drive system: All-wheel drive is still the model's strength.
• For repairs will ask about 10 000 rubles.
• Other problems and malfunctions: All body parts received galvanization as an additional measure of corrosion protection, except for the hood and roof.

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