The standard, naturally aspirated trim on this Forester generation — the same EJ25 family and the same documented head gasket design as the turbocharged XT.
The standard, naturally aspirated trim on this Forester generation — the same EJ25 family and the same documented head gasket design as the turbocharged XT.
Without boost-related heat layered on top, this version runs under somewhat gentler conditions than the turbo, though the gasket concern itself still applies.
This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.
This naturally aspirated Forester shares its EJ25 engine, and that engine's head gasket concern, with the turbocharged XT trim. The full checklist lives on the shared engine page.
FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNSubaru 2.5L EJ25 Flat-Four — Reliable or Not →Ask whether the head gasket has been proactively replaced, and get documentation if so.
Check for a sweet coolant smell or visible seep near the lower edge of the cylinder head.
Check coolant level consistency over a few days if possible.