SubaruForester2017Overview/subaru/forester/2017/base/

2017 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Forester.

Body SUV

The 2017 Subaru Forester is an SUV utilizing 5W-30 or 0W-20 API viscosity oil with a capacity of 5.0-5.5. This model year recorded one recall and 578 total owner complaints, the majority of which were concentrated in the air bags. Across the model's reliability history from 1998 to 2026, the 2017 version's complaint volume sits between the series high of 831 in 2019 and the low of 12 in 2026.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0-5.5OEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 390 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 · 390 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.1 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3635 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

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.

6.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2017 2.0XT Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20172.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-46.80 sec15.50 sec250 hpAWD
20162.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-46.30 sec15.00 sec250 hpAWD
20162.5i Limited 2.5L F-48.70 sec16.80 sec170 hpAWD
20142.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-46.20 sec14.80 sec250 hpAWD
20142.0XT Premium 2.0L Turbo F-46.40 sec15.00 sec250 hpAWD
20142.5i Premium PZEV 2.5L F-47.50 sec15.80 sec170 hpAWD
20142.0XT Touring 2.0L Turbo F-47.60 sec16.00 sec250 hpAWD
20142.5i Touring PZEV 2.5L F-48.60 sec16.70 sec170 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0-5.5 of 5W-30 / 0W-20 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 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 Capacity12.6-13.1
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.6 qt
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant part number SOA68V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity9.5
Engine CoolantUse Subaru coolant part number SOA68V9270

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 70.0 ft-lbs, MT: 63.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31 FT/LBS
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 FT/LBS

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts34.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerSubaru
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance390 cca

Service checks

RPM49-58 @ IDLE rpm
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)41-46 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)33-38 psi
RPM49-58 @ IDLE rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59; Rear: 49
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Maximum Drum Diameter6.730

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

114.8 ft. lbs.14.8 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely in reverse order
414.8 ft. lbs.14.8 ft. lbs
531.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
6100 degrees100 degrees
7Bolts 1 and 2 100 degrees100 degrees
8Bolts 3,4,5,650 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

121.4 ft. lbs.21.4 ft. lbs
273.8 ft. lbs.73.8 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely in reverse order
431.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
531.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
6100 degrees100 degrees
7Bolts 1 and 2 75 degrees75 degrees
8Bolts 3,4,5,630 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
235.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 6 stages
126.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
2Back off 360.0 degrees360 degrees
326.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
4Back off 360.0 degrees360 degrees
513.0 ft. lbs.13 ft. lbs
660.0

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 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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 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) · Clutch Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (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 2017 Forester sits amid a notable complaint spike that began in 2014 (403 complaints) and peaked in 2015 (613 complaints), with the target year recording 578 complaints—still elevated but representing a slight decline from 2015. Unlike the high-recall period of 2009-2012 (when recalls ranged from 15-18 annually), the 2017 model year experienced only 1 recall alongside 1 NHTSA investigation, yet generated substantially more consumer complaints than surrounding model years. The top complaint categories—air bags (115), visibility/wiper issues (93), and electrical system problems (57)—suggest recurring hardware and reliability concerns that persisted into the 2018 and 2019 model years, with 2019 reaching the generation's peak at 831 complaints. With 39 crash-related complaints and 1 fire complaint, severity indicators are present but not extreme relative to volume. The 2017 Forester appears to inherit the quality issues that emerged mid-generation while offering minimal recall coverage, making it a less favorable purchase compared to earlier model years with lower complaint volumes.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
438
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
578
Owner complaints
39 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 578 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags115
Visibility/Wiper93
Unknown Or Other71
Electrical System57
Air Bags,Seats21
Engine21
Power Train20
Visibility12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V701000Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant ClassificationReported 03/10/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen. Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 438 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
02-193-24R2026-05-13EngineThis 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Forester take?

5.0-5.5 of Turbo: Synthetic 5W-30 API, Non-Turbo: Synthetic 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Forester have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.