2011-2015 Foresters burn 1 quart per 1,000 miles — class-action settlement covers ring replacement.
Reviewed by SubaruReview Editorial Team · Last reviewed 2026-05-10 · Editorial standards
This is one of several documented Forester problems we track, and it fits inside the broader Engine Guides guide. If you're weighing repair against replacement, cross-check the Subaru repair-cost database and any open NHTSA recalls on your VIN before booking a shop.
Low-tension oil control rings score the cylinder walls and lose their seal. Oil migrates past the rings and gets burned, fouling plugs and triggering misfires.
Low-tension piston ring design intended to reduce friction for fuel economy.
Low-tension piston ring design intended to reduce friction for fuel economy.
National average $0–$3,500. Free under class action if oil-consumption test fails; $3,500 cash
Difficulty 5/5. Short-block replacement with revised piston rings (covered under settlement)
Oil level drops a quart every 1,000-1,500 miles with no leaks; Bluish exhaust smoke at startup; Plug fouling on cylinder #2 or #4
Owners typically pay $0–$3,500 at an independent Subaru shop, parts and labor included. Our Subaru Head Gasket Replacement Cost guide breaks the job down by parts, labor hours, and where the money actually goes.
Cross-check NHTSA campaign 18V-846, which covers FA20 Valve Spring Fracture on 2012-2014 BRZ/Forester XT/WRX/Legacy. Recall work is free at any Subaru dealer — always run your VIN before paying for the fix.
We rate it 5/5 on our DIY scale. Most owners come out ahead with an independent Subaru shop; read labor-hour benchmarks in the repair-costs hub before you commit tools and a weekend.
It's part of our Engine Guides cluster, which collects every article covering the same system as this failure.
Same failure mechanism documented on a different Subaru — shares components with this article.
Same failure mechanism documented on a different Subaru — shares components with this article.
EJ, FA, FB, and EZ boxer deep-dives — the engine background this failure sits inside.
Dig into the Problems Database to plan your next maintenance sprint, or browse every model hub for buyer's guides, generation breakdowns, and known-issue lists.