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1998 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Forester.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Subaru Forester pairs a four-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, while its engine oil service capacity is listed at 4.8 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. Reliability records spanning 1998–2026 show this model year generated 112 owner complaints, led by Power Train issues, and one recall. That complaint count sits well below the range’s peak of 831 recorded for 2019 and much closer to the low of 12 reported for 2026, positioning the 1998 Forester as a comparatively quiet year in the model’s long history.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 1998

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque58-72 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/24/20 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 · 360 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 · 360 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	175.2 in
Overall width	68.5 in
Overall height	63 in
Wheelbase	99.2 in
Curb weight	3009 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.5 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 24 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	95 cu ft
Cargo volume	33 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular 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.

9.1–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.10 sec — 1998 S

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1998	S 2.5L F-4	9.10 sec	17.00 sec	165 hp	AWD
1998	L 2.5L F-4	9.50 sec	17.00 sec	165 hp	AWD
1998	S 2.5L F-4	9.50 sec	17.20 sec	165 hp	AWD
2001	S 2.5L F-4	9.70 sec	17.40 sec	165 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 58-72 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.6 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.8 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid	80W-90 · GL-5

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	33 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	123-137 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	53 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.1 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22.4 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	58-72 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug	17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	137 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	137 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.66-.80 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	10,880-14,720 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	13-17 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.30-1.43 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	5.20 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	360 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	169-176 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	5-20 ohms
Engine Compression	137-176 psi
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ 600-700 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash	0.008 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.010 in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket	58 ft-lbs / 24-31 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	58 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.295; Rear: 0.256 specification
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0029 in / 0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.394 in / 0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.394 in / 0.945 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	51 ft. lbs.	51 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
5	Bolts 1-2	25 ft. lbs
6	Bolts 3-6	11 ft. lbs
7	80-90 degrees.	80–90 degrees
8	80-90 degrees.	80–90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

At 3,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Hill Holder System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the federal record, the 1998 Subaru Forester had 112 complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations, and 30 technical service bulletins. Compared with the following year, complaints rose to 141 in 1999 while recalls remained at 1 and investigations appeared for the first time. Over the subsequent generation, complaint totals fluctuated but showed a general upward trend after 2008, peaking at 831 complaints in 2019 before declining, whereas recall activity was low in the early years, spiked between 2009 and 2012 (up to 18 recalls in 2009), and then remained low again. Thus, the 1998 model sits at the low‑end of the complaint spectrum and experiences only a single recall, placing it favorably relative to many later model years. Because the data do not specify root causes for any complaints or recalls, the takeaway is that, based solely on the reported frequency of issues, the 1998 Subaru Forester is a comparatively good year to consider for purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

112

Owner complaints

7 involved a crash · 5 a fire

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 112 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train18

Suspension14

Service Brakes, Hydraulic13

Engine & Engine Cooling11

Vehicle Speed Control9

Tires9

Visibility5

Air Bags4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

99V040000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master CylinderReported 03/03/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED). IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 30 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
12-249-23R	2023-07-11	Equipment	This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering…
15-302-22	2022-08-23	Equipment	This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as…
01-167-08R	2022-08-23	Equipment	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
15-192-22R	2022-03-18	Electrical System	This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential…
01-167-08R	2021-06-17	Electrical System	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…

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 battery Vehicles taking 4.8 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Forester take?

4.8 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 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 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.