A lot, if not most, medical research evaluates success of new procedures/surgeries for a relatively short period of time. Follow-ups for N.American studies are particularly short because doctors quickly lose track of patients who are mobile and change place of residence often and get lost to follow-up.
Most US. medical studies present results for
18-24 month follow-ups. Success is based on these short intervals. Many side effects show later.Similarly most car studies concerning themselves with quality reference relatively periods of time.
Cars within an initial 5 year period of ownership.
Very few look at 10-15 year period. Average time a car was owned in the US was 10.8 years in 2012.
True reliability experience should be measured for average if not slightly longer period of ownership.
Data below compiles issues for older cars. Results for foresters are mixed. Engine problems are frequent over the long run. In the short run Forester quality looks fabuluous.
Basia