Subaru›Forester›2014›2.0L/subaru/forester/2014/2-0l/

2014 Subaru Forester — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2014 Forester 2.0L.

Body SUVEngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2014 Subaru Forester is a compact SUV built on Subaru’s symmetrical all‑wheel‑drive platform and powered by a 2.0‑liter engine mated to an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios, using 5.4 qt of 5W‑30 API oil. Its fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and a combined 25 mpg positions it solidly within the segment’s efficiency expectations, while the modest oil capacity reflects the engine’s modest displacement. In terms of reliability, the model recorded 403 owner complaints—most commonly about suspension—alongside two recalls, placing it toward the lower‑complaint end of the 1998‑2026 Forester history, which saw a peak of 831 complaints in 2019 and a record low of 12 in 2026. This suggests the 2014 year is comparatively dependable within the model’s broader track record.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy23/27/25 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

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	181.1 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	68.5 in
Wheelbase	103.9 in
Curb weight	3677 lb
Track (front / rear)	61 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	23 / 27 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent published road-test results.

6.2–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2014 2.0XT Touring

250 hpHorsepower (as tested)

258 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2014	2.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-4	6.20 sec	14.80 sec	250 hp	AWD
2014	2.0XT Premium 2.0L Turbo F-4	6.40 sec	15.00 sec	250 hp	AWD
2014	2.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-4	7.60 sec	16.00 sec	250 hp	AWD
2016	2.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-4	6.30 sec	15.00 sec	250 hp	AWD
2017	2.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-4	6.80 sec	15.50 sec	250 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 89 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

Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.7 Pints
Engine Oil	SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.4 qt
Transfer Case Fluid	75W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity	3 Pints

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	13 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	31 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	37.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	Metal
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)	TURBO: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.00-1.21 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	100
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance	2.1 Turbo ohms
Engine Compression	152-203 psi. 14 variance psi.
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

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

7.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 16

7.4 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

1	21.4 ft. lbs.	21.4 ft. lbs
2	73.8 ft. lbs.	73.8 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	78-82 degrees.	78–82 degrees
7	Bolts 1, 2	73–77 degrees
8	6, 5, 4, 3	28–32 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 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 1,200 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 1,200 mi	Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 6,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Fuel Line (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 36,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Injector (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 75,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace)

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 2014 Subaru Forester marks the debut of the fourth generation, and the federal data reveals a sharp break from the outgoing third generation. While 2013 closed the previous design with just 77 complaints and 12 recalls, the 2014 model year exploded to 403 complaints—a fivefold increase—accompanied by a generation-high 627 technical service bulletins, though recalls dropped to only 2. This complaint surge continued into 2015 (613 complaints) and remained elevated through 2018, indicating that the 2014 model sits at the start of a problematic arc for the generation. The top complaint areas for 2014 are suspension (83 reports), air bags (37), and engine (34), with 48 crash-related complaints and 3 fire incidents, though the data does not specify root causes. Given that it is the first model year of a new generation with a dramatic spike in owner-reported issues and the highest TSB count in the entire 1998–2026 record, the 2014 Forester represents a higher-risk purchase; a buyer would be better served by a later fourth-generation year with potentially fewer initial teething problems or a well-documented 2013 from the prior generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

627

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

403

Owner complaints

48 involved a crash · 3 a fire

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

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

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 403 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension83

Air Bags37

Engine34

Unknown Or Other27

Power Train18

Vehicle Speed Control16

Electrical System15

Structure13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V149000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 28/02/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

13V159000EquipmentReported 24/04/2013

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2014 Forester vehicles manufactured from January 2013 through March 2013. The backing for the carpeted floor mats was not manufactured to specification. As a result, the floor mats… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace each of the vehicle's four (4) carpeted floor mats with new ones. These services will be performed free of charge. Subaru…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 627 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…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E	2026-06-11	Unknown Or Other	This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R	2026-06-02	Power Train	This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
01-167-08R	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
02-193-24R	2026-05-13	Engine	This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…

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 5.4 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 2014 Forester 2.0L take?

5.4 qt of SYNTHETIC 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2014 Forester have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 27 highway / 25 combined mpg.