Overview & Reviews

For 2011, Subaru Forester 2.5X models have a revised 2.5-liter engine that boosts torque and fuel economy slightly. The 2.5XT Limited trim has been dropped and a couple of new trim levels have been added: the 2.5X Touring and the 2.5XT Touring, positioned above the Limited trim. Several trims get improved audio features, while the 2.5X Premium gets a new optional TomTom navigation system. An eight-way power driver seat (with power-adjustable lumbar support) is now standard on the 2.5XT Premium, and Bluetooth is now standard on all Foresters except the 2.5X.

• Standard all-wheel drive
• Roomy cabin with ample cargo space
• Comfortable ride
• Strong turbocharged engine on XT trims.

• Unimpressive fit and finish.
• Outdated four-speed automatic transmission

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 55.00

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  Not my dream car - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By wndylu - April 28 - 8:26 pm

  Granted I have the basic plain jane model, but I am not impressed with the design and would not purchase another Subaru based off this car. The main complaint I have is the heater, there does not seem to be much warm air when put in the feet/defrost setting and when you put in feet only you get more heat coming out of the vents facing the side windows then anything. As far as I can tell there are not heat vents in the back seat and I can not seem to get the car warm. Dont even want to get started on the sterero...or the middle console. Very dissapointed with this purchase and am upset with myself that I did not take more time when making this purchase. Should have gotten more for $23200

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  fair at 800 miles - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By rustythepuppy - July 22 - 7:15 am

  800 miles so far for this fairbanks, alaskan vehicle. driving on ice requires patience since it slides around a lot -- better treaded tires will be the next investment, though have not driven it in much snow. not happy with the yokohamas. the back hatch has some probs closing all the way - have to open and slam it a few times to get it to securely shut. i love the huge moonroof and the visibility out back. the sound quality of the premium stereo is a bit stinky -- not what i expected, and have to crank it if i want to hear it. well keep on driving the overpriced car and see what happens.

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  Noisy engine - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By fnamowicz - May 30 - 10:27 pm

  Noisy engine lots of clatter sounds like a bunch of bolts in a blender. The spare tire procedure is ridiculous. you have to switch to 2wheel drive by adding a fuse and then removing it after going back to a full size tire Why not provide a full size spare to start with?

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  Not all warm and Fozzy - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By arveejay - November 21 - 4:37 am

  There is a lot of noise inside the car at speed. I spent a couple hours setting up the hands free Bluetooth phone. Pairing the phone was easy. Sitting still, windows up, programming numbers was a major chore. The voice mostly said pardon. It just didnt want to accept numbers. We finally got 6-7 numbers programmed and took it for a test ride. It rarely worked, even at speeds under 35 mph. At speeds above 55, forget it. Dealer replaced the radio and the microphone. Tech prewarned me it was no better, and it isnt. Called S.O.A. and I was informed there was no know fix for it. Bumper 2 bumper warranty, and it cant be fixed. Thats reassuring.Pistons rattle when cold. Was told its normal.

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  Engine Vibration - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By hharry - April 1 - 2:33 am

  Bougth my new 2011 Forester a week ago and have put about 250 miles on it. My main complain so far is the engine vibration at idle. Vibration can be felt through the driver seat when the engine is cold and then it reduces. Engine also makes noise when it is first started and then it goes away after few seconds but you can still hear a clicking noise coming from the engine like the valves are not tuned. Overall I am not very impressed with the car but willing to give it more time.

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  Subee two - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By mindshutter - December 18 - 8:54 am

  My last Subaru was while in college several years ago, and after driving this brand new one, Im disappointed. The engine sometimes sounds like one with 100k miles on it, the interior is cheap plastic. The console is not at all user-friendly. Sometimes when touching the gas pedal lightly the car will lurch forward as if Ive gunned it, other times I have to really put it to the floor to get it to gradually accelerate. I was expecting the engine to sound really quiet for more than just the first week. When I start it sometimes different parts of the engine rev, sometimes its smooth, you just never know. Besides those things it runs well, but Ive only put 3k miles on it.

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  Excessive oil consumption - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By pardosa - November 30 - 12:13 am

  Like many others on this site, weve been plagued by excessive oil consumption, beginning with the light coming on unexpectedly, and the dealers telling me that all Subarus use oil between changes. I have never, ever, experienced this with any other model car Ive driven, except late into its life, like 185,000 miles, and then only a quart between changes. This is much worse. I would happily join a class-action lawsuit, and will certainly never buy another Subaru

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  WARNING!!! Make sure to check your Oil!!! - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By looney3 - May 18 - 4:52 pm

  If you own a 2011 or newer Forester with the new engine requiring synthetic oil, Check/add oil frequently! Mine requires 1 qt added every 1800 miles on average. I read an account of another 2011 Forester owner who went just over 10,000 miles without checking or changing the oil, and the engine ran out of oil, seized and was destroyed. You will need to add 3-4 qts in between oil changes. Engine rattles loudly at startup for a few seconds. Subaru needs to fix the problem of oil use. Most people are not diligent about checking and topping up their oil. There will be many unhappy owners.

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  Youll need lots of oil - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By Joe Krownen Jr. - November 21 - 9:27 pm

  Bought our 2011 forester new. On a long drive in 2014, we heard a ticking sound in the engine. Once home, took it to the dealer. Dealer said it was very low on oil, so they replaced filter and topped it off. We took another long drive and the ticking returned. I had to add three qts of oil. Since that time, it seems I have to check the oil every 1,500 to 2,000 miles and will need to add a quart. The break-in procedures were followed and oil service was accomplished on schedule. All service was performed by the dealer the first two years or so (long drive). We smell burning oil in the garage. There is no oil on the ground or engine. Not sure exactly when it started, but it seems to be getting

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  Excessive Oil Consumption - 2011 Subaru Forester
  By climaxbrew - November 20 - 1:18 am

  wife and I bought this car for our 20th anniversary. We bought it based on consumer reports and the companies image of being safe and reliable. It turns out that this is all hype and BS as this is the worst piece of junk I have ever bought. This car went through oil like crazy. Every 500-1000 miles I had to put 3-4 quarts of oil in. I diligently did this as Subaru tells you that it is normal to burn 1-2 quarts per 1000 miles. The end result was a blown motor on a 3 year old car. Told Subaru america about the problem and they offered no help whatsoever. We had to put a used motor in the car at a cost of over $4000 as a rebuild of the motor would have cost $7000. Beware people.This car is JUNK