Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2026 Forester.
The 2026 Subaru Forester, a compact SUV built on its familiar platform and powered by its standard engine, pairs an Automatic (AV‑S8) transmission with EPA‑rated fuel economy of 26/33/29 mpg. In the latest reliability review it logged only 12 owner complaints — the lowest count across the 1998‑2026 model range — while encountering three recalls and a primary complaint area of Forward Collision Avoidance. This low complaint total reflects a notable improvement in durability for the current year, underscoring the Forester’s continued reliability trajectory.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S8) |
| Overall length | 183.5 in |
| Overall width | 72 in |
| Overall height | 68.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.1 in |
| Curb weight | 3580 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.8 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 26 / 33 / 29 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Wilderness 2.5L F-4 | 8.40 sec | 16.70 sec | 180 hp | AWD |
| 2026 | Wilderness 2.5L F-4 | 8.60 sec | 16.80 sec | 180 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | Touring Hybrid 2.5L F-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh | 8.10 sec | 16.20 sec | 194 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | Sport 2.5L F-4 | 8.20 sec | 16.30 sec | 180 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | Touring Hybrid 2.5L F-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh | 8.20 sec | 16.20 sec | 194 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | Sport 2.5L F-4 | 8.30 sec | 16.60 sec | 180 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | Sport 2.5L F-4 | 8.40 sec | 16.60 sec | 180 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | Touring Hybrid 2.5L F-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh | 8.40 sec | 16.50 sec | 194 hp | AWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2026 Forester sits at the low end of the complaint and recall spectrum, with only 12 complaints and three recalls compared to a peak of 831 complaints and 18 recalls in 2019. Over the decade preceding 2026, complaints rose from 262 in 2010 to a high of 831 in 2019 before falling sharply to 70 in 2023 and 28 in 2024; recalls followed a similar arc, peaking at 18 in 2019 and falling to zero in 2020 and 2021, then rising modestly to three in 2026. The 2026 model’s four complaint categories—Forward Collision Avoidance, Unknown Or Other, Electrical System, and Visibility/Wiper—each account for only two complaints, indicating a broad but minimal issue distribution. With no crash or fire complaints reported, the 2026 Forester represents a downturn in the recall and complaint trend for the generation, suggesting improved reliability. For a buyer, the 2026 model’s low complaint and recall counts make it a strong candidate for purchase.
All 12 complaints on record, top 7 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear hatch support brackets and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29…
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…
Showing 5 of 44 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02-193-24R | 2026-06-29 | Engine | This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for… |
| 09-74-21R | 2026-06-25 | Engine | This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for… |
| SubaruNet Annoucement (E | 2026-06-11 | Unknown Or Other | This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood… |
| 07-241-26 | 2026-06-10 | Electrical System | This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide removal and installation tips… |
| 18-243-26 | 2026-06-10 | Engine | This bulletin announces the elimination of oil spacers from both left- and right side… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg.