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Subaru Forester: EJ205/EJ255 Turbo Oil Starvation and Cartridge Failure

EJ205/EJ255 Turbo Oil Starvation and Cartridge Failure is a common engine fault on the Subaru Forester on the 2002–2012 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $2,000 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 50 documented faults on the Subaru Forester.

Vehicle
Subaru Forester
Engine
EJ205 / EJ255
Years
2002–2012
Fuel
petrol
System
Engine

This page covers the Subaru Forester as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Subaru Forester faults50 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Turbocharger yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

Turbocharged EJ205 and EJ255 engines in SG and SH XT models are susceptible to turbocharger failure caused by oil starvation or restricted oil return. The braided oil feed line to the turbo becomes brittle and cracks, or the return line develops partial blockage from carbon and varnish deposits, causing oil to back-sump into the turbo bearing housing. High-idle shutdown habits (not idling down post-hard use) accelerate bearing wear. Centre bearing failure follows, with shaft play allowing compressor or turbine wheel contact with the housing.

What you would notice

  • Blue smoke on overrun or under boost
  • Loud whine, chirp, or rattling from turbo at boost
  • Oil consumption without visible external leak
  • Loss of boost pressure or sluggish power delivery

How to check it

Where to look. Turbocharger mounted on exhaust manifold, right-centre of engine bay

Inspect the oil feed and return banjo fittings and braided lines for cracking or weeping. With engine running, check for shaft play by feel on the compressor wheel (must be cool, engine off, wearing gloves — spin the wheel and feel for radial movement). Confirm oil change interval has been under 5,000 km with quality synthetic. If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove the intercooler inlet hose and check for oil film or pooling inside — light misting is normal but heavy oiling indicates turbo seal failure.

Parts involved: Turbocharger.

What it costs to put right

$2,000 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the turbo oil feed and return line ever been replaced or inspected?”
  • “What oil change interval and oil grade has been used?”
  • “Has the vehicle ever been driven hard and shut down immediately without idling down?”

Now check the Subaru Forester you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Subaru Forester buyer questions

Is ej205/ej255 turbo oil starvation and cartridge failure serious on a Subaru Forester?

We rate it major and common on the Subaru Forester. Turbocharged EJ205 and EJ255 engines in SG and SH XT models are susceptible to turbocharger failure caused by oil starvation or restricted oil return. The braided oil feed line to the turbo becomes brittle and cracks, or the return line develops partial blockage from carbon and varnish deposits, causing oil to back-sump into the turbo bearing housing. High-idle shutdown habits (not idling down post-hard use) accelerate bearing wear. Centre bearing failure follows, with shaft play allowing compressor or turbine wheel contact with the housing.

How much does it cost to fix on a Subaru Forester?

$2,000 to $5,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Subaru Forester years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2002–2012 Subaru Forester. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Inspect the oil feed and return banjo fittings and braided lines for cracking or weeping. With engine running, check for shaft play by feel on the compressor wheel (must be cool, engine off, wearing gloves — spin the wheel and feel for radial movement). Confirm oil change interval has been under 5,000 km with quality synthetic. If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove the intercooler inlet hose and check for oil film or pooling inside — light misting is normal but heavy oiling indicates turbo seal failure. Look here: Turbocharger mounted on exhaust manifold, right-centre of engine bay