Subaru Forester vs. Honda Element Reliability Comparisons
You won't find Subaru Forester or Honda Element reliability information like this anywhere else. Actual repair frequencies, not just vague dots, to make it clear how much the Subaru Forester and the Honda Element truly differ in reliability. These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to much more closely track Subaru Forester and Honda Element reliability as the cars age. Others tell you how reliable the Subaru Forester and the Honda Element were a year ago, when the cars were a year younger and had 12,000 fewer miles on them. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Subaru Forester and the Honda Element have been recently.
See Subaru Forester vs. Honda Element price comparisonSee what people are saying about Subaru Forester reliability
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Subaru Forester
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Honda Element
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Subaru Forester Reliability through December 31, 2012
An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
What People Are Saying about Reliability and the Subaru Forester
blog comments powered by DisqusWhat Our Members Are Saying about Subaru Forester Reliability and Durability
| Reliability and Durability of the Subaru Forester: Pros | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2011 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Subaru has a great reputation for reliability. |
| 2010 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
just reliable |
| 2010 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I hope that I find Subaru to be deserving of the reliability & durability ratings. |
| 2010 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
My last 2 Subarus have gone to 185,000 and 240,000 miles. |
| 2010 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Reliable vehicles that last for years. |
| 2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Subaru has a good reputation (hope this one holds up). |
| 2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Well manufactured, tightly built. |
| 2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
There is a reason you see so many old one around in our mountain town - they just work and keep working. |
| 2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Based on reputation, so far (less than 2000 miles). |
| 2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Good reputation, needs to be reliable for the amount of remote driving that is done. |
| 2009 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
good reputation, resale, alot of em out there pushing 200K, some even 300K!! |
| 2009 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
The brand has long history of relatively few problems. |
| 2009 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
I visited service only for scheduled inspections Reliable car. This is my second Subaru Forester. The previous one was also reliable. |
| 2008 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Have yet to have an issue with the Forester. |
| 2008 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Subaru is great for cold-weather climates and snowy roads -- I never worry about getting stuck anywhere. |
| 2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Thus far aftr 3 years and 36K miles, virtually no issues. |
| 2007 | 4dr SUV 173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
basically same as pervious question; friend has 03 legacy which is basically trouble free with routine maintenance |
| 2006 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 230hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
One of the biggest reason I bought the 06 FXT was for Subaru reliability. Even reasoning that the turbo would cause high mileage problems, I figured the money I would pay for a used 2006 Forester XT would be less per mile than newer but more boring cars. Plus, it would be money well spent seeing how the car will probably run another 100K at least. The first year totaled about 2K in repairs, but that is about what I knocked off the purchase price, knowing certain items needed replacement at 105K. |
| 2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
It has never failed to start, in all weather and it has always stuck to the road. |
| 2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
No problems with the transmission, exhaust or anything major. With regular maintenance it has been problem-free. |
| 2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
My Forester has lived in Chicago for three years with no major problems. |
| 2005 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
No head gasket problem from 2005 forward. |
| 2004 | 4dr SUV turbocharged 210hp 2.5L I4 5-speed manual AWD |
Strange question! I like that it is reliable and durable! |
| 2004 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Have had no problems for the past three years. |
| 2004 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
Only one fairly minor problem in >4 years of ownership |
| 2004 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD |
Bought it with 174k, runs like a new one. My mechanic said it will run to 300k without any issues. Just change the oil & timing belt (every 100k). |
| 2003 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
know many people with Suarus - not one compalint about reliability - many have several hundred thousand km on their vehicles |
| 2002 | 4dr SUV 165-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD |
I have had some problems (front axles/cv boots needed replacing, air conditioner condenser rusted out) but overall has been reliable. I have put a lot of miles on the car (130,000+). |
| Reliability and Durability of the Subaru Forester: Cons | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2011 | 4dr SUV 170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Not impressed thus far. Has consumed far too much oil for a new vehicle. Dealership inspected for leaks; they did not find any. They stated the oil consumption (about three quarts every 4000 miles) is typical. Subaru Of America was no help. |
What Our Members Are Saying about Honda Element Reliability and Durability
None of our members have yet commented on the reliability and durability of the Honda Element.
