Subaru Forester 2.0i e-BOXER SK

The thermo control valve (TCV) on 2019-2021 Foresters is prone to internal sensor corrosion. The stainless steel shaft corrodes over time, causing diagnostic trouble codes P2682 and P26A-series. Symptoms include check engine light, rough running, and in some cases engine overheating if the valve sticks in the wrong position. Subaru issued TSB 09-80-21R acknowledging the design flaw and introduced an updated valve with improved waterproofing and stainless steel internals from June 2021. Subaru has since extended the warranty on this component to 15 years or 240,000 km, so most used car buyers should still be covered. However, if buying outside this coverage window, replacement costs approximately 1,000-1,500 EUR including parts and labor. The part has been on extended backorder due to the volume of replacements needed.

The e-BOXER Forester has two 12V batteries under the bonnet (48Ah and 45Ah). Owners widely report the starting battery going flat after just 5-10 days of not driving the car. The hybrid system's electronic control modules maintain a higher parasitic draw than non-hybrid Foresters. Some owners report the battery dying after as little as 4 days. The issue has been reported on brand-new vehicles under warranty. Subaru has acknowledged the problem but has not provided a definitive fix. Dealer replacements of the battery are common but the issue often recurs. Using a quality trickle charger (CTEK recommended) when the car is parked for extended periods is the most reliable workaround. Battery replacement costs 200-400 EUR depending on whether one or both batteries need replacement.

Subaru switched to AGC acoustic windshield glass to reduce cabin noise, but this glass is notably fragile. Owners report spontaneous cracks appearing without any rock impact, often starting near the wiper area or black perimeter band. A class action lawsuit in the US resulted in a settlement covering 2019-2022 Foresters. In Europe, Subaru has been less forthcoming with warranty coverage for this issue. Replacement is expensive because the windshield must be OEM-spec acoustic glass, and the EyeSight cameras mounted to the windshield require professional recalibration afterward. Total cost for windshield replacement plus EyeSight recalibration runs 700-1,200 EUR depending on the source of glass and dealer labor rates.

The Lineartronic CVT in the SK Forester is improved over the SJ generation but still exhibits shuddering during light acceleration, particularly around 20-40 km/h when the torque converter locks and unlocks. The issue is more noticeable in cold weather or when CVT fluid has degraded. Subaru has released software reflashes (TSBs) that improve but do not fully eliminate the sensation. Some owners have had torque converters replaced under warranty. Regular CVT fluid changes every 40,000 km are essential to minimize this. If the valve body is damaged, repair costs 1,200-2,500 EUR. Full CVT replacement (rare) would cost 5,000-7,000 EUR but this is unlikely on SK models unless severely neglected. The 10-year/160,000 km extended CVT warranty applies to many affected vehicles.

The EyeSight driver assistance system uses stereo cameras mounted to the windshield. These cameras are sensitive to alignment, condensation, and windshield condition. The system can disable itself during heavy rain, fog, or when the windshield is dirty or damaged. More concerning is that after windshield replacement or even minor front-end work, the cameras may need professional recalibration at a Subaru dealer (200-300 EUR). Some owners report persistent EyeSight shutdowns with no obvious cause, requiring camera module replacement at 500-800 EUR. This is more of a nuisance than a safety issue since the car drives normally without EyeSight, but the frequent warning messages are frustrating.

The Starlink infotainment system in the SK Forester has received numerous complaints about screen freezing, random reboots, Apple CarPlay not connecting or greying out, and Bluetooth audio dropouts. Software updates have improved but not resolved the issue for all owners. In severe cases where the head unit hardware fails completely (black screen, constant reboot loop), the entire unit must be replaced at 800-1,500 EUR. For intermittent software glitches, a dealer software update or factory reset may help at minimal cost (100-300 EUR diagnostic fee).