SubaruForester2009Overview/subaru/forester/2009/base/

2009 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Forester.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2009 Subaru Forester is an SUV equipped with an automatic S4 transmission and returns EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 city, 24 highway, and 21 combined mpg, while its engine requires 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. In the context of the model's complaint history spanning 1998 through 2026, the 2009 model year recorded 178 total owner complaints with air bags as the top complaint area and 18 recalls issued. This places it well below the peak complaint year of 2019, which saw 831 complaints, and far above the lowest recorded year of 2026 with just 12 complaints, indicating a mid-range reliability profile for the generation.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque74 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/24/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 490 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S4)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.5 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3269 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 24 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Forester of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.6–10.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 2009 2.5XT Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20092.5XT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-46.60 sec15.10 sec224 hpAWD
20092.5XT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-46.70 sec15.20 sec224 hpAWD
20092.5XT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-46.70 sec15.10 sec224 hpAWD
20092.5X Premium 2.5L F-49.70 sec17.40 sec170 hpAWD
20092.5X Premium 2.5L F-49.90 sec17.40 sec170 hpAWD
20092.5X Limited PZEV 2.5L F-410.00 sec17.50 sec170 hpAWD
20102.5XT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-46.70 sec15.10 sec224 hpAWD
20102.5X Premium PZEV 2.5L F-49.30 sec17.10 sec170 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 74 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.8
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts133 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts51-55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts74 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 640, AT: 700, TURBO: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)MT: 110, AT and TURBO: 100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing Acceptable VarianceTurbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.03-1.17 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)33.0-38.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000
Intake Valve LashSOHC: 0.008, DOHC: 0.079 in
Exhaust Valve LashSOHC: 0.010, DOHC: 0.118-0.158 in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket38.3 ft-lbs / 59 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in / 0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 0.944 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.394 in / 0.944 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.335 in / 0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
121.5 ft. lbs.21.5 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
680-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
740-45 degrees.40–45 degrees
840-45 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.40–45 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
121.5 ft. lbs.21.5 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
680-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
740-45 degrees.40–45 degrees
840-45 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.40–45 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; coolant at 137,500 mi. The big-interval services (at 137,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 3,750 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Subaru Forester represents a sharp inflection point in the model's federal record, marking a significant increase in quality issues compared to previous years. While 2008 saw only 50 complaints and 1 recall, 2009 jumped to 178 complaints and 18 recalls. This year initiates a multi-year trend of high recall volumes and rising Technical Service Bulletins, which reached 219 for 2009 before continuing to climb in subsequent years. The primary complaint areas for 2009 were Air Bags, Engine, Seats, and Vehicle Speed Control, although the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. This upward trajectory persisted into 2010, where complaints further increased to 262. Given the dramatic spike in recalls and complaints relative to the preceding years, this is not a recommended year to buy.

18
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
219
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
178
Owner complaints
19 involved a crash · 7 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 178 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags36
Engine15
Seats14
Vehicle Speed Control12
Electrical System11
Power Train11
Engine & Engine Cooling7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 18 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V001000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold… Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall…

20V002000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or… Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 219 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-262026-04-24Power TrainThis bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Forester. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Forester take?

4.4 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Forester have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 18 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Forester get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.