This alone is a reason to RUN, don't walk, away from Subaru Forester's from the era; certainly any over 100K miles, unless you enjoy the prison shower experience. Yet another crap design and known fault by Subaru and ZERO support from both dealer and company. This along with excessive oil consumption, should have been a recall. Instead only a bulletin was put out, with an extended warranty to 100k or time. Only way the owner will know, if they have a transmission issue or if they are overly diligent due to not trusting a company to do the right thing by it's customers.

I bought a certified pre-owned Forester with 18,000 miles. Took it to the dealer for 30,000 service. All was good (except $500 service charge for diagnosis and fluid change), nothing showed up. 2 weeks later, while 400 miles from home, the transmission suddenly blew and needed to be replaced immediately. Subaru was good about it, replaced the tranny, paid for rental to get home and towed my car back to NYC (home), even sent me a car vac as a present. But man, the tranny broke at 30k, and 500 miles after a complete service? Not cool.

This happened in Feb. 2015. 30,000 miles later and it is happening again (July 30,2015). The car goes thru oil one quart every 700 miles. They said that's normal they burn oil. It is very expensive because it is synthetic oil. This has been happening since I bought car new June 2014.

Update from Sep 9, 2015: on July 30, 2015 got rental. Told could not locate new transmission. On Sept 8, 2015 call told prime Subaru rental needs oil change. Told transmission in and my car ready. Not sure of cost yet