Subaru›Forester›2013›Overview/subaru/forester/2013/base/

2013 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Forester.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2013 Subaru Forester is an SUV equipped with an automatic S4 transmission and a powertrain that takes 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, delivering EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 city, 26 highway, and 23 combined mpg. Owner-reported complaints for this model year total 77, with the engine emerging as the top complaint area and 12 recalls issued. In the broader Forester lineage spanning 1998 through 2026, the 2013 model sits well below the peak complaint year of 2019 (831 complaints) and above the lowest recorded year of 2026 (12 complaints), suggesting a middling reliability profile relative to its siblings.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque74 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/26/23 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 · 550 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 · 550 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 weight3307 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 26 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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
20112.5X Touring PZEV 2.5L F-48.70 sec16.80 sec170 hpAWD
20112.5x Touring 2.5L F-49.20 sec17.00 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
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, 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
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 0W-20 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts44 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts74 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugMetal
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00-1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance12.0 ohms
Engine Compression152-203 psi. 14 variance psi.
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

Torque Caliper to Bracket59 ft-lbs / 48.7 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.944 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.944 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.87 in / 0.335 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 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
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 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
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 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
678-82 degrees.78–82 degrees
7Bolts 1, 273–77 degrees
86, 5, 4, 328–32 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 1,200 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 1,200 miEngine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 6,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miFuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 36,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Injector (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 100,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

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 2013 Subaru Forester represents a notable low point for complaints within its generation, sitting at a pivot point between two periods of higher instability. While the years 2009 through 2012 saw complaints peak at 262 in 2010, the 2013 model reduced this figure to just 77. This stability is particularly striking when compared to the subsequent years, where complaints surged to 403 in 2014 and eventually reached 831 by 2019. For the 2013 model, the most frequent complaints involved the engine (22), air bags (9), and vehicle speed control (7), though the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. With 12 recalls and 374 TSBs, it avoids the massive spike in technical service bulletins that occurred in 2014. Because it is the lowest complaint year in its immediate arc and precedes a significant increase in reported failures, this is a good year to buy.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
374
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
77
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 77 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine22
Air Bags9
Vehicle Speed Control7
Service Brakes6
Exterior Lighting4
Unknown Or Other4
Visibility4
Power Train2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V007000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida… Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…

19V009000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska… Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 374 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.

Group 35 batteryVehicles taking 4.5 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Forester take?

4.5 qt of SYNTHETIC 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Forester have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Forester get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.