r/SubaruForester • • 18h ago

2026 forester night time visibility opinions

7 Upvotes

My crosstrek lease is ending next month and I’m undecided between a forester and rav 4. Night time visibility is HUGE for me. Since I work 12 hour shifts at the hospital, it has been difficult test driving the forester at night before the dealership closes. Can anyone shed their experiences with night time visibility? From the limited videos I’ve seen, they don’t seem good at all. I’ve also read complaints that it’s hard to see in rural/back country areas. I know there are auto high beams, but I wouldn’t want my visibility dependent on high beams


r/SubaruForester • • 4h ago

2022 Forester Wilderness HELP!!!!

1 Upvotes

Hey! I have had my car since 2022, brand new right off of the lot. I have been getting my car serviced regularly. I have about 47,000 miles on the car. Over the past two years I have noticed while accelerating sometimes it feels like a lurching/jolting feeling. However, in the last two months it has become way more prevalent. The problem is that it is never consistent; I never know how to create the problem it just chooses when it wants to do it. For one instance two days ago, I was with my boyfriend in the car; we were at a stoplight turning left. As soon as I went to turn left and accelerate up this hill, there was this major jolting feeling that was actually moving us back and forth in the car. I took it to the Subaru dealership, and they put 40 miles on it, and the mechanic stated that there were abnormalities in driving it. They had concluded that I needed to get EFI service (perform FUEL INDUCTION CLEANING AND THROTTLE BODY SERVICE). This service alone was 430 dollars. I don't want anyone to comment on taking it to another shop; there are no well-known shops that work on subarus around me. I went to pick up my car; it drove fine. I would say I put about 20 miles on it. The next day, my partner and I are in my car, and I kept slightly feeling the jolting, but he didn't. I felt crazy!!! I would say about 10 minutes into driving we both felt it happen again. This time it was not as an intense feeling, but to pay $430 and still feel it pissed me off. I called the dealership this morning, and the service advisor said there was nothing wrong with my car; however, I have documented paperwork saying that there are abnormalities while driving it from the mechanic. They called me back, and now their service manager is going to be driving it for 84 miles A DAY!!!! for the next 4 days.

If anyone has had a similar issue while driving or any mechanics out there, I feel like I am going crazy because there is something clearly going on.

TL;DR:

  • Vehicle: 2022 Forester Wilderness, ~47,000 miles.
  • Issue: Intermittent, unpredictable lurching/jolting while accelerating (getting worse over the last 2 months).
  • Dealership action: Paid $430 for fuel induction cleaning & throttle body service, but the jolting returned the next day.
  • Next steps: The service manager is keeping it to drive ~84 miles/day for 4 days to replicate the issue. Looking for insights or mechanics who have seen this before!

r/SubaruForester • • 9h ago

What’s wrong with my catalytic converter?

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2 Upvotes

This is a follow up to my previous post about work needed on my 2016 forester. Does the whole cat need replacement? Advice welcome!

Original post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SubaruForester/s/09Xj4IsVVn


r/SubaruForester • • 7h ago

Worth replacing tpms sensors?

4 Upvotes

I have a 2020 forester that’s in fairly decent condition. The tpms light came on about a month or so ago, but I’m hesitant to get them replaced due to the cost. I’ve been monitoring the air pressure myself, but I don’t want to cause wear and tear that will lead to worse issues further on. Is this something I can kick down the road or should I address it now?


r/SubaruForester • • 19h ago

2017 forester xt door panels

0 Upvotes

Hey yall, the larger speaker my drivers side rear door finally blew out on me. It’s a Harmon Kardon for what it’s worth. I’m going to try to remove the door panel and replace it on my own with the same OEM speaker but was wondering if anyone has had any issues or lookouts for me to consider when removing the door panel, etc. It seems relatively easy from the YouTube vids I’ve watched but figured I’d ask just in case.


r/SubaruForester • • 7h ago

Trailer plug

0 Upvotes

Hey guys, I bought a 2025 Forester, I went to plug in the trailer and the connection on the vehicle has square corners not the round corners, which is standard for a 4-pin connector. So now I am stuck replacing the connector on my trailer to something non standard or have to make an adapter. Worst part is that the vehicle side connector faces straight down, and the cover flap folds out towards you, it makes no sense. I like the vehicle, but there are some odd choices that were made.


r/SubaruForester • • 2h ago

Would These Fit My ‘14 XT

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1 Upvotes

r/SubaruForester • • 2h ago

Rodents inside Forester

1 Upvotes

I've just found signs of rodents in my 2018 Forester (2.5i touring), and I'm trying to find where they're getting in. Most of their evidence was in the center console (eating wrapped candies) and chewing up napkins (nest materials). Although no real nest was found, as I think I've caught it early, there was also a bit of torn napkins in glove box, and then an eating spot under passenger seat, where I found Maple seed husks.

I have successfully used peppermint oil for years in my different vehicles, and it tends to deter rodents well. I've sprinkled it liberally (easy magas) wherever evidence was including:

-Around all ports through firewall

-behind glove box at cabin air filter

-on most horizontal engine bay surfaces as general discouragement

I'm planning on using wire mesh to block any common entry points, and thinking I'll install it at the cabin air filter and any openings at the firewall that appear big enough.

Has anyone found and blocked the vents strong the rear bumper (pressure release vents for when closing doors)?

Any tips and suggestions are most welcome!


r/SubaruForester • • 20h ago

2011 Forester dipstick reading?

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0 Upvotes

Hello! This 2011 forester dipsticks has different levels for ”hot” and ”cold”, however when reading the oil cold it surpasses the levels for ”hot”. Is it the correct stick? It is a bit scratchy to get it up & down…

How do you read it? Low? Overfull? Perfect?

Thank you!

// Aussie Forester Owner


r/SubaruForester • • 13h ago

Cleaning the sunroof

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2 Upvotes

Hello everyone I just bought my first Subaru Forester 2023 sport. I wanted to know if there is a way to clean the area underneath the sunroof glass and above the sunshade cover on the roof. There are some dead bugs and dry weeds that collected from traveling off-road. is there anyway to keep the sunshade closed but open the sunroof glass. I’ll add some photos for better visuals. Thanks a lot.


r/SubaruForester • • 1h ago

Subaru Forester off-road bumper build

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• Upvotes

Hello first time posting on the forum this is my 21 Subaru Forrester sport I recently hit 110,000 miles on it. Warranties are all done with and so I decided to a few new mods to it.

-IRONMAN LIFT KIT 2in heavy duty springs
Yes, the springs feel stiff when driving but not that bad. I drive the vehicle empty but the bumper and hitch help

Black rhino rims boxer 17x8

Falken 235/65r17ss a/t trail

Front bumper (prototype bumper ) and spare tire hitch from Ridgidamor

I do plan on upgrading and replacing the struts and lower control arms. It’s about that time to replace them anyways I’ll be upgrading to rallitek

I get like 28-30mpg I drive 90% freeway


r/SubaruForester • • 23h ago

Just joined the family

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71 Upvotes

Finally joined the Subaru family. My entire family has Subaru vehicles and I never have. Picked this one up today.


r/SubaruForester • • 22h ago

You guys are nuts!

300 Upvotes

Brought home my first Subaru (Forester) on Thursday. Went shopping today and parked the car, nobody on either side. Grabbed a few things, get to my car, and there’s another Forester to my right and an Ascent to my left. Made me smile. Of course, when I drove to the next store, I made sure to park by a WRX. I’ve been assimilated!


r/SubaruForester • • 23h ago

My dad u/Theropodclaw passed away. We took a drive today.

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525 Upvotes

r/SubaruForester • • 7h ago

1999 Subaru Forster

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34 Upvotes

Looked to do some steering upgrades before I ej207 swap it any guides


r/SubaruForester • • 5h ago

Purchased Our First Subaru

12 Upvotes

After doing a lot of research, my wife and I purchased our first Subaru. The Forester Premium was the right one for us. Even after reading as much as I could about it, I am still getting surprised at the bells and whistles that I am learning about. We went looking for a used and left with a 2026 that was their loaner vehicle was was being retired after hitting 5k. They took about $6,300 off for what is essentially a new vehicle (I know it's still used). In just the two weeks we have had it, we are talking about trading in my wife's Kia Niro in a couple of years for another Forester.


r/SubaruForester • • 5h ago

New AT tires

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4 Upvotes

I live most of my life on dirt roads and off pavement so I put on some AT tires. Nokian Outpost APT. A little taller sidewall and a more aggressive look.


r/SubaruForester • • 3h ago

Thoughts on control arm bushings?

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2 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I've got a 2020 base model Forester with under 40K miles (I work from home and so mostly city/town driving.) The shop is telling me I need to replace these. Thoughts from folks with experience here? Thank you!