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2010 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Forester.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2010 Subaru Forester is a compact SUV built on Subaru’s enduring platform and equipped with a 4.4‑quart capacity of 5W‑30 API oil, paired with an automatic S4 transmission that delivers the model’s EPA‑rated 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined fuel economy. While its overall owner‑complaint count stands at 262—most frequently centered on seat issues—and the vehicle has been subject to 17 recalls, these figures sit comfortably between the model’s peak of 831 complaints in 2019 and the low of 12 complaints recorded in 2026. Consequently, the 2010 Forester occupies a middle ground in the model’s reliability timeline, offering a generally dependable option without the extremes of the highest‑complaint years.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2010

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque74 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy20/26/22 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 · 550 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 · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Diagrams

Power distribution wiring4 sheets

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S4)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	179.5 in
Overall width	70.1 in
Overall height	66.9 in
Wheelbase	103.1 in
Curb weight	3269 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	20 / 26 / 22 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
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.

6.7–9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2010 2.5XT Limited

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	2.5XT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	6.70 sec	15.10 sec	224 hp	AWD
2010	2.5X Premium PZEV 2.5L F-4	9.30 sec	17.10 sec	170 hp	AWD
2009	2.5XT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	6.60 sec	15.10 sec	224 hp	AWD
2009	2.5XT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	6.70 sec	15.20 sec	224 hp	AWD
2009	2.5XT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	6.70 sec	15.10 sec	224 hp	AWD
2009	2.5X Premium 2.5L F-4	9.70 sec	17.40 sec	170 hp	AWD
2009	2.5X Premium 2.5L F-4	9.90 sec	17.40 sec	170 hp	AWD
2009	2.5X Limited PZEV 2.5L F-4	10.00 sec	17.50 sec	170 hp	AWD

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 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 74 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. 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

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	9.8
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	51-55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	74 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 650, AT and TURBO: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	9520-12,880 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	Turbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.03-1.17 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	100
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	41.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	33.0-38.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12.0 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ 600 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000
Intake Valve Lash	SOHC: 0.008, DOHC: 0.079 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	SOHC: 0.010, DOHC: 0.118-0.158 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	59 ft-lbs / 48.7 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.944 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.944 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.87 in / 0.335 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

35 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

35 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

1	21.5 ft. lbs.	21.5 ft. lbs
2	51 ft. lbs.	51 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
5	31 ft. lbs.	31 ft. lbs
6	80-90 degrees.	80–90 degrees
7	40-45 degrees.	40–45 degrees
8	40-45 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.	40–45 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

1	21.5 ft. lbs.	21.5 ft. lbs
2	51 ft. lbs.	51 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
5	31 ft. lbs.	31 ft. lbs
6	80-90 degrees.	80–90 degrees
7	40-45 degrees.	40–45 degrees
8	40-45 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.	40–45 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 1,250 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 1,250 mi	Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
At 3,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 3,750 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Belt Tensioner (replace) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect alignment)
Every 7,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Battery Cable (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Line (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Injection System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)

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 2010 Forester sits in the early years of the third generation, where complaint and recall volumes spiked sharply. With 262 complaints, it marks the highest total in the generation—well above the 178 in 2009 and the subsequent decline to 147 in 2011 and 105 in 2012. Recalls also peaked in this period at 17, nearly matching 2009’s 18, before trending downward in later years. The top complaint areas for 2010 are Seats (73), Air Bags (38), Engine (21), and Service Brakes (18), though the data does not specify root causes. Given that 2010 represents the apex of reported problems in its generation, a buyer would likely encounter fewer issues by choosing a later model year such as 2012 or 2013.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

229

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

262

Owner complaints

21 involved a crash · 6 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

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 262 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seats73

Air Bags38

Engine21

Service Brakes18

Vehicle Speed Control13

Unknown Or Other9

Electrical System8

Service Brakes, Hydraulic7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 17 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V007000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida… Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…

19V009000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska… Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 229 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E	2026-06-11	Unknown Or Other	This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R	2026-05-04	Power Train	This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R	2026-04-30	Unknown Or Other	This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-26	2026-04-24	Power Train	This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

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 4.4 qt

Fuse box & wiring diagrams

Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.

Wiring diagrams

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 2010 Forester take?

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

Does the 2010 Forester have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 17 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Forester get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.