SubaruForester2021Overview/subaru/forester/2021/base/

2021 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Forester.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S7)

The 2021 Subaru Forester is built on Subaru’s compact crossover platform and is powered by an engine that requires 4.4 qt of 0W‑20 oil, mated to the AV‑S7 automatic transmission, delivering an EPA rating of 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and a combined 29 mpg. Its reliability record shows 207 owner‑reported complaints, most frequently concerning visibility and wiper issues, and notably zero recalls for the model year. Within the broader 1998‑2026 complaint timeline, the Forester’s 2021 figures fall well after the 2019 peak of 831 complaints and before the 2026 low of just 12, indicating a steady improvement in dependability as the generation matures.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89.0 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 35 · 520 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 · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified
Tire size225/55R18 98HOEM · 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.

8.0–9.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2022 Wilderness
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
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
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
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 0W-20 engine oil, GL-5 · SAE 75W in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 31.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru CVT Oil for Lineartronic II
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.9 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · SAE 75W
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity9.0 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: Use a new gasket: 37.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 52.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 37.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Checking Speed: 675 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Speed-Up Speed: 850 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.85-0.97 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca

Service checks

RPM58.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.059" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect ball joint dust cover. Step 3: Replace ball joint if any looseness is detected during step 1. Step 4: Replace ball joint dust cover if any damage is noted during visual inspection of step 2.
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
170.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55-65°70 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen 360°, Step 4: 14.8 ft. lbs., Step 5: 31.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 98-102°, Step 7: Bolts 1 & 2: 98-102°, Step 8: Bolts 3-6: 48-52°14.8 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 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 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 2021 model year represents a significant inflection point in the Forester’s federal record, with complaints plummeting to 207 from 592 in 2020 and a peak of 831 in 2019, while registering zero recalls and investigations compared to the single recall seen in 2022. This places the 2021 model at the tail end of a steep downward trend in reported issues that began after the 2019 high-water mark, indicating a stabilization in manufacturing quality before the 2022 model achieved even lower complaint volumes. Visibility and wiper systems dominate the 2021 complaint data with 67 filings, representing roughly one-third of all reported issues, alongside 16 crash-related and 5 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes for these incidents. Given its substantially lower complaint volume than the preceding two model years, absence of recalls, and position within a clear improvement arc, the 2021 Forester presents as a comparatively stable and mature choice within this generation. This is a strong year to buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
349
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
207
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 207 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper67
Unknown Or Other20
Electrical System16
Visibility13
Engine11
Vehicle Speed Control6
Power Train5
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 349 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 2021 Forester take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Forester have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 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.