SubaruForester2019Overview/subaru/forester/2019/base/

2019 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Forester.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (AV-S7)

The 2019 Subaru Forester is a compact SUV built on Subaru’s longstanding platform and equipped with an automatic AV‑S7 transmission that pairs with a 4.4‑quart oil capacity and accepts 5W‑30 or 0W‑20 viscosity oil. Its EPA rating of 26 / 33 / 29 mpg reflects a balance of efficiency and utility, while the vehicle’s most frequently reported issue—visibility and wiper performance—contributed to a total of 831 owner complaints and three recalls for the year. Situated at the peak of the model‑year complaint curve within the 1998‑2026 range, the 2019 Forester represents the highest recorded level of reported concerns, a benchmark that underscores its position as a pivotal point in the model’s reliability trajectory.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/33/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · 620 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 NS · 620 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225/60R17 99HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3459 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 33 / 29 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.

8.3–9.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2019 Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Limited 2.5L F-48.30 sec16.50 sec182 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.5L F-48.50 sec16.60 sec182 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.5L F-48.60 sec16.70 sec182 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.5L F-49.60 sec17.30 sec182 hpAWD
2020Limited 2.5L F-48.30 sec16.50 sec182 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.5L F-48.00 sec16.30 sec182 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.5L F-48.10 sec16.20 sec182 hpAWD
2023Touring 2.5L F-48.50 sec16.50 sec182 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 / 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 3
Engine CoolantSubaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Oil5W-30 · Synthetic · 0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162.0
Rear Wheel Hub140.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)675 Setting Speed. 650 Checking Speed. rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)±100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)800-900 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)±100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap.039-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.850 - 0.97 lbs
Standard BCI Cranking Performance620 cca

Service checks

RPM58.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque19.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059 in; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .870; Rear: .590
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
121.4 ft. lbs. Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs. Step 3: In the reverse order of installation loosen 180°. Step 4: Repeat Step 3. Step 5: 31 ft. lbs. Step 6: 78-82°. Step 7: Bolts 1 & 2: 73-77°. Step 8: In Order - Bolts 6, 5, 4, 3: 28-32°.21.4 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30°-35°.22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 24,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (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 2019 Forester, as the first model year of its generation, recorded 831 complaints—the highest in the entire dataset and a sharp increase over the 488 complaints in 2018 and the 403–613 range seen in the prior generation. Recalls held steady at 3, matching several earlier years, while TSBs rose to 555, indicating a high volume of service guidance typical of a redesign. The complaint trend then fell dramatically in subsequent years, dropping to 592 in 2020 and continuing downward to just 12 by 2026, suggesting that many early issues were resolved in later production. Visibility/Wiper complaints dominated at 346, far exceeding other categories, though the data does not specify a root cause. Given the spike in complaints and the pattern of rapid improvement afterward, this model year appears to carry a higher risk of unresolved early-production problems, making a later year in the same generation a more reliable choice.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
555
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
831
Owner complaints
35 involved a crash · 11 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 831 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper346
Unknown Or Other98
Electrical System73
Engine35
Visibility32
Power Train11
Structure11
Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V263000Suspension:RearReported 15/04/2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach. Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru…

19V856000Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)Reported 02/12/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 555 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
09-81-21R2026-06-24Fuel/Propulsion SystemThis bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector and fuel pipe in…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…

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 2019 Forester take?

4.4 qt of Turbo Engines: 5W-30 Synthetic; Non Turbo Engines: 0W-20 Synthetic., per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Forester have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Forester get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg.