SubaruForester2022Overview/subaru/forester/2022/base/

2022 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2022 Forester.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S7)

The 2022 Subaru Forester is a model-year vehicle specified with an automatic (AV-S7) transmission, EPA fuel-economy ratings of 26/33/29 mpg, and an engine-oil capacity of 4.4 quarts of 0W-20 API SN. Owner-reported data show 94 total complaints, one recall, and Visibility/Wiper as the top complaint area. Within the 1998–2026 complaint history, that 2022 total is well below the 2019 high of 831 complaints and sits near the lower end of the range, making it one of the more subdued model years for reported problems.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 API SNOEM · verified
Lug nut torque89.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/33/29 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 - Enhanced Flooded Battery · 520 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 - Enhanced Flooded Battery · 520 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified
Tire size225/60R17 99HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3459 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 33 / 29 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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.

8.0–8.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2022 Wilderness
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2022Wilderness 2.5L F-48.00 sec16.30 sec182 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.5L F-48.10 sec16.20 sec182 hpAWD
2023Touring 2.5L F-48.50 sec16.50 sec182 hpAWD
2020Limited 2.5L F-48.30 sec16.50 sec182 hpAWD
2019Limited 2.5L F-48.30 sec16.50 sec182 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.5L F-48.50 sec16.60 sec182 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.5L F-48.60 sec16.70 sec182 hpAWD
2019Touring 2.5L F-49.60 sec17.30 sec182 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 API SN engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru CVT Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.7 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidSubaru CVT Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.4 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-90
Engine CoolantSubaru Super Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity9.0 qt

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.85-0.97 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number35 - Enhanced Flooded Battery
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 19.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.3
Minimum Pad Thickness0.06" in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 16; Rear: 0.59

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inspect ball joint dust cover. Step 3: Replace ball joint if any looseness is detected during step 1. Step 4: Replace ball joint dust cover if any damage is noted during visual inspection of step 2
Maximum Rotor Runout — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install Lug Nuts88.5 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.8 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen 360°, Step 4: 14.8 ft. lbs., Step 5: 31.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 98-102°, Step 7: Bolts 1 & 2: 98-102°, Step 8: Bolts 3-6: 48-52°14.8 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 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) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
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 2022 Subaru Forester recorded 94 complaints, 1 recall, no investigations and 299 TSBs, marking a sharp decline from the 207 complaints and 0 recalls in 2021 and sitting just above the 70 complaints and 1 recall seen in 2023. Prior to 2020, complaint volumes were consistently high—peaking at 831 in 2019—while recalls were relatively frequent from 2009 through 2013 before dropping to near‑zero levels from 2014 to 2021. The 2022 figure places the model in the descending leg of the complaint trend that began after the 2020‑2021 spike and continues into the low‑complaint years of 2023‑2026, with recalls remaining minimal (1‑3 per year) in this period. Since the data do not specify any root causes for the complaints or recalls, the assessment relies solely on the reported counts. Overall, the low complaint count and limited recall activity for the 2022 model year indicate it is a reliable choice among used Foresters.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
299
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
94
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 94 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper16
Unknown Or Other13
Exterior Lighting8
Forward Collision Avoidance6
Power Train3
Service Brakes3
Visibility3
Vehicle Speed Control3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V755000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock SwitchReported 09/11/2023

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail. Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 299 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
02-193-24R2026-06-29EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
15-246-19R2026-06-29Electrical SystemThis Service Information Bulletin outlines a new required procedure to follow when…
09-74-21R2026-06-25EngineThis bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for…
16-159-262026-06-22Electrical SystemThis bulletin provides new diagnostic steps for DTC P0851 and P0852 to be used in…
06-94-25R2026-06-19Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces availability of new Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) & Vehicle…

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 2022 Forester take?

4.4 qt of Subaru API SN/SN Plus or SP GL-5 or GF-6A Synthetic 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2022 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 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg.