Subaru Forester SJ

Subaru's pre-announcement of 1 November 2012 set the Japanese premiere for 13 November. The launch range was the 2.0i, 2.0i-L, 2.0i-L EyeSight and 2.0i-S EyeSight (naturally aspirated) and the 2.0XT and 2.0XT EyeSight (turbo). The 2.0i and 2.0i-L came with a six-speed manual or Lineartronic; the EyeSight grades and the turbo used Lineartronic.

Subaru's November 2012 catalogue lists the 2.0i family as DBA-SJ5 and the 2.0XT family as DBA-SJG. A November 2014 brochure lists the X-BREAK and S-Limited in the naturally aspirated range. The catalogue span of November 2012 to July 2018 is not a production-end date.

Subaru's November 2012 catalogue rates the 2.0i manual's FB20 (1,995 cc, 84.0 × 90.0 mm, 10.5:1) at 148 PS (109 kW) at 6,200 rpm and 196 N·m at 4,200 rpm, on regular unleaded. The 2.0XT's FA20 (1,998 cc, 86.0 × 86.0 mm, 10.6:1) is rated 280 PS (206 kW) at 5,700 rpm and 350 N·m from 2,000 to 5,600 rpm. Subaru describes it as a direct-injection turbo with a twin-scroll turbocharger. It specifies premium unleaded; the 2014 brochure says regular can be used if premium is unavailable, with reduced engine performance. Catalogue mass is 1,440 kg for the 2.0i manual and 1,590 kg for the 2.0XT.

Subaru's 2012 advance specification gives 4,595 × 1,795 × 1,695 mm on a 2,640 mm wheelbase, with 1,735 mm height with roof rails. A November 2014 brochure lists height figures that differ from that launch figure and adds 20 mm for roof rails, so check the grade columns and the date rather than quoting one undated SJ height. The brochure takes 35 mm off interior height with a sunroof, and adds 10 kg for the power tailgate and 20 kg for the large sunroof to catalogue mass.

X-MODE was fitted to the 2.0i-L Lineartronic, 2.0i-L EyeSight, 2.0i-S EyeSight and 2.0XT grades, with an operating range of 0 to 40 km/h and hill-descent control from 0 to 20 km/h, so it was not on every launch car. The launch EyeSight grades carried EyeSight ver.2. The major revision announced on 28 October 2015 and on sale from 2 November 2015 brought EyeSight ver.3. Subaru also describes thicker door glass, stronger seals and Lineartronic changes for quietness; those are its own descriptions, not measured noise results.

The tS is an STI complete car, announced and on sale on 25 November 2014, with orders to 5 April 2015 and a limit of 300; that is an announced limit, not a build count. STI lists the same FA20 rating, 206 kW (280 PS) and 350 N·m net, with Lineartronic and manual mode, at 4,595 × 1,795 × 1,700 mm, 205 mm clearance and a 1,620 kg reference mass. Equipment includes BBS forged 19-inch wheels with 245/45R19 tyres, Brembo 17-inch brakes (four-pot front, two-pot rear), STI-tuned suspension 15 mm lower with inverted front struts, and dedicated ECU, TCU, VDC and EyeSight tuning.

Recall 4361 (1 November 2018) concerns FB20 valve springs that could break, causing noise, poor running and, at worst, engine stoppage; for the SJ it lists SJ5-002001 to SJ5-025663, built 10 October 2012 to 30 September 2013 (14,242 cars), and is not a turbo recall. Recall 4439 (28 February 2019) concerns brake-light switch contacts that could stop working through silicone vapour, with possible dark brake lights, a VDC warning or hard starting; it lists SJ5-002001 to SJ5-068147 and SJG-002002 to SJG-028954. Recall 3774 (17 March 2016) concerns an intake duct on direct-injection turbo engines; it lists SJG-028052 to SJG-028954, built 10 April to 20 October 2015 (903 cars).

Recall 4611 (28 November 2019) concerns rear coil springs whose coating could be damaged by stones at the spring seat, leading to corrosion and, at worst, fracture; it lists SJ5-012235 to SJ5-068147 and SJG-007986 to SJG-028954, built 25 March 2013 to 20 October 2015, and the remedy inspects and replaces applicable springs. A June 2020 notice covers condenser corrosion on facelift cars built 2 November 2015 to 28 August 2017 (SJ5-070001 to SJ5-113649, SJG-030001 to SJG-039505); its five-year warranty extension was historical. Ranges can include unaffected cars, so check completion with Subaru or a dealer.

US: the age-based safety exemption under 49 CFR 591.5(i) applies at 25 years from the individual car's manufacture date. EPA code E separately uses calendar-year age of at least 21 and requires original unmodified configuration. A replacement engine must be the original model or come, with any aftertreatment, from a certified vehicle no older than the imported car. State rules vary.

Canada: vehicles older than 15 years are outside the Motor Vehicle Safety Act at import; age is primarily the manufacture month and year. CBSA entry requirements still apply. Provincial registration is separate, and some provinces refuse right-hand-drive cars.

Subaru's US brochure rates the model-year 2014 2.0XT at 250 hp at 5,600 rpm and 258 lb-ft from 2,000 to 4,800 rpm, against 280 PS at 5,700 rpm and 350 N·m from 2,000 to 5,600 rpm for the Japanese 2.0XT. Those are different specifications in different units, so do not copy US ratings into a Japanese car's description or the reverse.