SubaruForester2023Overview/subaru/forester/2023/base/

2023 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Forester.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S7)

The 2023 Subaru Forester uses a 0W‑20 oil viscosity with a 4.4‑quart capacity and is mated to an automatic AV‑S7 transmission delivering EPA estimates of 26 city, 33 highway and 29 combined mpg. Owner‑reported complaints total 70 for the model year, with the leading category listed as unknown and a single recall issued. Across the Forester’s 1998‑2026 complaint record, the 2023 figure sits well below the 2019 peak of 831 complaints and above the 2026 low of 12, indicating a comparatively quiet year in the model’s long‑term reliability trend.

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.

Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified
Tire size225/60R17 99TOEM · 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.

8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 2023 Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2023Touring 2.5L F-48.50 sec16.50 sec182 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.5L F-48.00 sec16.30 sec182 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.5L F-48.10 sec16.20 sec182 hpAWD
2020Limited 2.5L F-48.30 sec16.50 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

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 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 · DOT 4 · SAE J1704 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new gasket: 31.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703 · DOT 4 · SAE J1704
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity9.0 qt
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)4.7 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)15.5 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new gasket: 31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugUse new gaskets. 40.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugUse new gaskets: 40.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugUse new gaskets. 23.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugUse a new gasket. 35.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug TypeDILKAR7Q8
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031" in
Spark Plug Torque12.9 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.85-0.97 lbs
Oil TypeVCF100YF
Oil Capacity3.38 oz

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.06" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Apply clean engine oil to the crank pulley bolt, seat and threads. Step 270.1 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use Liquid Gasket 3-Bond and install oil pan. Step 24.7 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 6,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 6,000 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 Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine 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) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
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 Subaru Forester's federal record shows a significant downward trend in complaints from a peak of 831 in 2019 to just 70 in 2023. This target year falls toward the end of that declining arc, recording 1 recall, 0 investigations, and 238 TSBs. Compared to the 94 complaints in 2022 and 28 in 2024, the 2023 model maintains a relatively low volume of reported issues. Top complaint areas for 2023 include "Unknown Or Other" (11) and "Visibility/Wiper" (10), though the data does not specify the root causes for these entries. The year also recorded 8 crash complaints and 4 fire complaints. Given the substantial reduction in complaints compared to the 2019-2021 period, this is a good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
238
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
70
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 70 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other11
Visibility/Wiper10
Forward Collision Avoidance5
Engine3
Lane Departure3
Air Bags3
Exterior Lighting3
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V754000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 09/11/2023

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 238 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
15-246-19R2026-06-29Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin outlines a new required procedure to follow when…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
16-159-262026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in…
06-94-25R2026-06-19Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces availability of new Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) & Vehicle…

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 2023 Forester take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic SP, SN or SN+ Resource Conserving ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2023 Forester have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 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.