Daughter just bought an 09 Forester in good shape. What are problem areas on that year Forester that I should become aware of, or at least keep an eye on?

Standard fluid remarks ATF, brake fluid, and EJ25 stuff:

Headgaskets.  That year can get External oil leaks that slowly get worse over many thousands of miles.  Nothing you can do preventatively but there’s no immediate worry and they won’t strand you so it’s benign. Takes a long time to slowly get worse.

Timing components - notice I said components. They all need replaced, they’re 12 years old now. Belt pulleys tensioner and water pump ideally. Bare minimum it needs a Subaru belt and lower cogged pulley. That’s the one part that frequently fails more than all the others combined.

05-09 legacy power steering pumps suck, I mean they just don’t last as long as most subaru models. They’re fine when new. If 09 Forester is similar do not buy aftermarket units. Get used, new oem or see if there’s a rebuild kit (not available for legacy).

Edited December 24, 20205 yr by idosubaru

Thanks idosubaru for advise...............much appreciated                 Rooster2

 

3 hours ago, Rooster2 said:

Thanks idosubaru for advise...............much appreciated                 Rooster2

 

Sure thing. A 2009 For isn't much different than prior models mechanically. Engine, drivetrain, trans, brakes, suspension bolt on to other prior models with minor mechanical/relaibility differences.

I'd look up whether or not that has electronic parking brake - those are annoying if the battery dies for any reason and you need to get it out of park. 

There were so many changes 5EAT, drive by wire, electronic parking brake, curtain bags, eyesight, knee bags...I don't have a good grasp on which models/trims have which. The parking brake is one that could be good to know about now though.