SubaruForester2024Overview/subaru/forester/2024/base/

2024 Subaru Forester

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2024 Forester.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S8)

The 2024 Subaru Forester comes equipped with an Automatic (AV-S8) transmission and returns an EPA-estimated 26/33/29 mpg. Its current reliability profile shows 28 total owner complaints with the top category listed as Unknown Or Other and two recalls issued to date. In the context of the model's 1998–2026 complaint history — which peaked at 831 complaints in 2019 and bottomed out at 12 in 2026 — the 2024 model year sits at a comparatively low level, indicating a relatively trouble-free entry in the Forester's long-term record.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy26/33/29 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

Tail / brake / turnLIGHTOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S8)

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.

8.0–9.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2022 Wilderness
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2023Touring 2.5L F-48.50 sec16.50 sec182 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.5L F-48.00 sec16.30 sec182 hpAWD
2022Wilderness 2.5L F-48.10 sec16.20 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

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 6,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 6,000 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 Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine 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 Hoses (inspect) · 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.

Since 2019, the Subaru Forester has followed a consistent downward trend in consumer complaints, falling from a peak of 831 in 2019 to 70 in 2023. The 2024 model year sits at the lowest point of this arc, recording only 28 complaints and 2 recalls. This volume is significantly lower than both the 2023 model and the 79 complaints reported for 2025. While the 2024 record includes reports concerning air bags, visibility/wipers, and forward collision avoidance, the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. With zero investigations and a historical low in complaints relative to the current generation, the 2024 Subaru Forester is a strong year to buy.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
165
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
28
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 28 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other6
Air Bags5
Visibility/Wiper4
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Air Bags,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Engine1
Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure1
Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V723000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 26/10/2023

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant. Remedy: Subaru’s independent distributor processing facilities will tighten the water pipe attachment bolts. The affected vehicles have not been delivered to dealers or sold to owners and…

23V754000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 09/11/2023

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 165 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 2024 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 Forester get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined mpg.