Four problems related to engine oil leaking have been reported for the 2011 Subaru Forester. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the 2011 Forester.
Leaky cylinder head gaskets made oil leak into cooling system. Car began rattling and engine warning lights all came on. Subaru knows this is an issues with this and may other years cars yet refuses to do anything about it. Looking at a costly $3k fix. Not drivable otherwise. Luckily it didn't fail on us while driving.
73000 miles and we had to do a full engine reseal including head gaskets, cam carriers, valve cover gaskets. All were leaking. Complaint is that the gaskets should not fail this soon, 73k miles. We were losing engine oil. Car was maintained according to Subaru.
Our Subaru Forester began ticking, like a lifter was sticking, and the oil level of the synthetic oil was perfect. Then the car began to have a burning smell from the engine compartment. We took the car to our dealer huebueger, colo. Springs, colorado. The tech informed us that the car had technical service bulletins about these issues. The tech also said that a TSB is issued by an auto maker when there is a growing trend with an unanticipated problem, but does not warrant a recall. He said the irregular stamping of camshaft position sensor plates caused the eventual ticking and leaking from the camshaft carrier on both sides of the engine and this is what happened to our vehicle now warranting a $4,500 repair. Since the issue has been identified as a factory defect I called Subaru support expecting financial help to rid the car of the defect. The woman was very obtuse and pretended not to understand the issue of responsibility of Subaru. I don't understand the reason for technical service bulletins being released only to dealerships and mechanics. Isn't it logical and reasonable to alert the owners of vehicles that may develop oil leaks that could lead to a vehicle fire ? isn't Subaru admitting responsibility by issuing a TSB for a growing trend with an unanticipated problem. It seems irresponsible for the NHTSA and Subaru not to notify owners of identified problems that could lead to serious safety issues. Please respond as soon as possible, I am 69 years old and this issue and the financial strain is very important. The applicable communication #"s of the TSB is 02-131-12r of oct. 2, 2012, 060000 engine (pws). Sb-11-100 hr, November 27, 2012, irregular stamping of camshaft position sensor plate. The burning smell became overpowering on the way to the dealership. The tech advises that an oil leak is coming from the cam carriers on both sides defects.
Oil leaking from valve covers. It is chronic across other models. Just search repair histories of Subaru boxer engines.