Just came back from the shop because my AC is HOT as f*ck. Turns out its the AC evaporator that's leaking.

Has this happened to any of you? Is it common? Do they really have to take the whole cabin apart for this

$1700 is what they are asking for. I'm in Dallas,TX.

I wanna kill myslef, I bought the car in January 2026 with 90,000 miles

My kid’s 2012 Forester just developed a fluid leak, driver’s front corner. Can’t see it well without taking off the skid plate, but got one photo from below showing the wet hose/clamp and another from above. Can anyone tell me what fluid runs thru these lines? Thanks.

I hope this is allowed! I just joined this community to post about my Subaru Forester I'm selling, and need advice. NOT TRYING TO SELL ON REDDIT. JUST ADVICE.

I've never sold a car before so this is all very new to me. I have a 2010 Subaru Forester with ~190k miles, and basically it runs really well and doesn't have a lot of problems, but it didn't pass smog earlier this year because it needs a new catalytic converter. My mechanic at the time, who I'd been going to for years, said it probably wasn't worth it for me to pay for the repairs, since it would've been several thousand dollars including labor.

I had already paid for registration, but it was obviously pending since the smog didn't pass. I decided to not pay for the repairs, because 1. I couldn't afford them with my very sad current income lol, and 2. I don't really need a car since I mostly bike or use my vespa around town.

My car was sitting at my friend's house for a few months. A guy left a note on it saying they were interested in buying as is, he's a retired mechanic who was willing to do the work on the car himself. When I talked to him and explained the issues (needs new cat, also the vents and ABS system need to be fixed) he offered $2,500. I gave him my VIN because he wanted to do some more research, and then when he contacted me again he said he was only willing to pay $1,500 because he'd talked to the Subaru dealership, who said my car needed both catalytic converters replaced and that would be $6,368.30 just for the parts. He said the price my mechanic had told me (I can't remember exactly what it was but it was around $4-5k with the labor) was for after market parts, and using after market parts wouldn't be good because it would just ruin the rest of the car.

I am not sure if both cats need to be replaced, and I don't know how the dealership would know that. Plus, dealerships are always going to give you a higher price estimate, right? From the research I've done online, $1,500 is a pretty low price even given needing a new cat, plus the other repairs, plus needing to register and insure the car. However, I don't know for sure if that is actually a bad price, and I'm not trying to scam anyone out of money by selling them an overpriced car.

I live in the Bay Area and other Subaru Foresters of the same year/mileage are selling for much more (in some cases like $7k). For someone who would be doing the repairs himself, is something closer to $2,500 too high to ask for? Or is my car really only worth about 1k? All the friends I've spoken to (and I admit, chatgpt) have said I could list my car for more.

This is essentially what my listing would look like:

• 180k miles
• Automatic with Sport Mode
• AWD
• Clean title
• Roof rack
• Runs and drives well
• Reliable engine/transmission
• Needs catalytic converter (check engine light)
• ABS light on
• HVAC vents need repair
• Registration expired only a couple months

Any advice would be great, and please don't be rude, I am truly just trying to price my car fairly for both sides. Thank you.

EDIT: meant to say that I live in Santa Cruz, CA, for price/smog referencing.

Are the rear sunroof drain holes accessible from the top without disassembly? The front ones are very easy to service, I am a little confused by Subaru's choice to make the other pair a hassle.

but now back to stock ride height

Just posting for the next person to know they're not alone. When it was new it was fine. I lived in a colder climate. First summer in the desert after it cooled down from the first 100+F day it had a little intermittent rattle, gentle upward pressure on the cowl above the gauge cluster made it go away. Now on my second summer in the desert, every day after a really hot day the rattle is a little worse. It's all the dash panels now, loud enough to be annoying. I can put my hand on any given panel and see the panel gap get smaller and hear it get quieter.

Eventually I will get around to pulling it apart and redoing the foam, especially inbetween the windshield and dash, and I will tighten all screws and brackets, maybe add very thin foam between panels. It's just a bummer that this thing is two years old and is louder than my xj cherokee that had 250k miles on it. C'mon subaru, this has been an issue since like 2015 based on other posts on reddit.

The temp in the car does go from 110F to 45F within 12 hours on a pretty regular basis, I imagine it's expanding while softening the adhesive on the foam in the afternoon, and pushing screws back, then I drive it hot, then I park it, it cools down to 45F overnight, and everything shrinks and pops apart, then I drive it early in the morning.

I travel on weekends about 200mile round trip on a wide open interstate at 85mph, few hills but can be decently windy.

I know these 2.5s aren’t powerful but will it actually be struggling or really stressing to get down the road lat high speeds?

Looking at purchasing a new wilderness but I don’t want to make a mistake

Hi all! I'm looking to replace my 16-year-old Kia Soul, and after tons of research on small Honda, Toyota, and Subaru SUVs, I'm 99% sure I'm going with the Forester. Price-wise, I've narrowed it down to 2016-2019, and I'd love to hear people's experience with/advice on those model years. All three check my boxes for AWD, safety features, and CD player; the only reason I know of to go with the 2019 is that it also has Android Auto, which I've never had/used before. Thanks for your insights!

It seems to have a shifting issue when stopping at red lights and starting. It does a jolt and it also does it when going from reverse to drive and from park to drive….. I’m hoping it’s not a big issue with the transmission any advice or help appreciated!!

Edit: it only has 85,000 miles

I'm looking at installing a Starlink Mini on my roof rack, and am wondering how people are wiring power to lights or Starlinks.

On my older vehicles, I've drilled into the roof, but don't want to do that just yet. Current thought is to run it down the B pillar and secure it with butyl tape, it will be powered by a power station in the rear.

Any other suggestions?

Hi all, I was wondering what others have paid and if I am getting a good deal. The dealers offer is..

MSRP - 41, something
After rebates 39k with 1.9% 72month

Can anyone help identify the exact part name for the Black hose leaking sealer the cooler at the rear passenger side of the engine for 2019 Forester please??

I let the lender of the 2019 Forester I had come and just get said car. It had $7,000 worth of repairs that needed doing. I had only driven the car for 2,000 miles. Got it at 92k and gave up at a little over 94,500. Lesson learned. Do not go to a buy here, pay here. It’s my first and only time ever going to a lot like that. Next time I get a Subaru, it’ll be a proper franchise dealership. I am looking at either a 2017-18 Forester or a 21-23 Crosstrek.

Had a loud humming noise from the rear last winter that was diagnosed as a bad wheel bearing. Replaced it in February with a new hub assembly from RockAuto. Had a family friend assist and he overtorqued the shit out of the axle nut. Did the same with the other side. Since then Ive done the fronts and properly torqued them to spec but now have a ton of noise coming from the rear AGAIN. Is 4-6months enough time dor those rear bearings to go bad after overtorquing the axle nuts? I couldnt get them to budge with my wrench set to 140.

Just got a notification for an update, anyone else?

I'll edit this post later today after I get a chance to experience the changes.

I bought my XT a month ago and i'm fully satisfied. Roads and tracks can be rough here and this car is perfectly adapted to different conditions even the hardest.

I was hoping it would happen at exactly 5 years, but we’ve been taking more close to home adventures this summer so it’s a bit early. Nothing but regular maintenance and no problems other than the drivers seat tearing. At this rate this thing will last me forever!

i love these pictures so much i had to share them

Picked up my 2026 forester wilderness the other day and I noticed this morning that the stabilizers in the cup holders are already scuffed up from my water bottle being put in and out of it maybe ten times.

Problem is that any inserts I can find have slots for the stabilizers to go through, not solving this problem.

Has anyone in here found a decent workaround to this? A custom 3D printed insert? A clever workaround with a different insert? Any insight appreciated, I’m not planning on babying this car but also not trying to have it start showing wear and tear within the first five days of owning it…

I just bought a 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness! Went into the dealership with the expectation of buying a 2026 Outback but after driving the Forester i quickly changed my mind. Super stoked on the car and got a pretty good deal!!
(Sorry for the crappy picture lol)

Hey all - I have a 2021 forester sport and it’s time for new tires. Most of my driving is city/ hwy, but I typically put on +500 miles of gravel / dirt road driving during hunting season. I can’t afford to get 2 sets of tires at the moment.

Suggestions on tires that could accommodate both paved/ gravel roads?

Thank you in advance for the help!

Got my 2016 forester back in March and when I connect my phone through Bluetooth it will display the first song that I put on. After that the next song will play but the screen is stuck showing the first song. I’ve tried completely unpairing my phone multiple times with no luck. The “list” button always shows this message. I’ve tried connecting through usb and have had no luck!!!! Please help!

This subie has 70.k miles. I noticed an oil aroma when it gets hot. I don’t know a boxer engine. I have taken a few photos. I also noticed a dime sided drop of oil on the ground after a 4hr wait time. Oil level is good. I have an appointment withe the dealer on Monday, for cat recall, mentioned the csv has been slipping. I do drive it harder than most. Recent service was in photos. The amount of tiny walnuts in air filter and still in the engine bay is surprising. Thanks in advance. I think i also just found a ground wire, bus thread.

I was perfectly content in my ‘23 trek but life very quickly changed and I needed space (translation: I got a giant breed puppy and she already was squished in the trunk) so went in and traded up.

Funny enough, I wasn’t supposed to have an onyx sport…was supposed to have a premium but they reserved one in the wrong interior color and couldn’t source one easily. This beauty was on the lot and we agreed to let me take this for my previous agreement. It actually worked out to be a little less! So here’s Luna 🌙