Insurance
$2,150/yr
Insurance, not maintenance, is this vehicle's dominant running cost: $2,150 a year on a national average against $516 for upkeep.
Subaru Forester Maintenance Cost (2016–2026)
Report ACI-SUB-FORESTER · Updated July 2026 · Figures are ACI model estimates
Maintenance Cost Report ACI-SUB-FORESTER
Subaru Forester
gas · compact suv · MY 2016–2026
- Avg annual cost
- $516
- 10-year total
- $5,155
- Cost rank
- #24 of 52 vehicles
- Major-repair chance, 5 yr
- 13%
Average Annual Cost $516
$43per month
4.3¢per mile
Assumes 12,000 mi/yr · independent shop · 10-year average · ACI model estimate
The Subaru Forester ranks #24 of 52 vehicles we track — mid-pack for annual maintenance cost.
What it costs as it ages
Annual cost by vehicle age · ACI modelVehicle age, years · figures at 12,000 mi/yr, independent shop
Costs stay under $500 a year through year 5, then climb as tires (set of 4) and other wear items come due.
Common services
Typical U.S. pricing · independent shop| Service | Typical cost | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Oil change (synthetic) | $88 | 6,000 mi |
| Cabin + engine air filters | $74 | 15,000 mi |
| Brake pads (front, pair) | $310 | 48,000 mi |
| Tires (set of 4) | $840 | 50,000 mi |
| CVT fluid exchange | $240 | 60,000 mi |
Your numbers
Table recalculates with the settings panel| Vehicle age | Annual cost | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Age 1 | $160 | $160 |
| Age 2 | $205 | $365 |
| Age 3 | $280 | $645 |
| Age 4 | $365 | $1,010 |
| Age 5 | $460 | $1,470 |
| 5-year total | $1,470 | $1,470 |
Ownership context
National averages · beyond the maintenance billCost rank
#24 of 52
The Subaru Forester ranks #24 of 52 vehicles we track — mid-pack for annual maintenance cost.
Gas service profile
5 routine items
Routine costs are fluid-and-wear driven: oil at 6,000-mile intervals, filters, brakes, and tires. Tires (set of 4) is the single largest routine bill at $840.
Against its rivals
Average annual maintenance · ACI model| Vehicle | Avg annual | 10-yr total | vs. Forester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru ForesterThis page | $516 | $5,155 | — |
| Toyota RAV4 | $468 | $4,680 | −$48/yr |
| Subaru Crosstrek | $490 | $4,900 | −$26/yr |
| Honda CR-V | $510 | $5,100 | −$6/yr |
| Subaru Outback | $540 | $5,395 | +$24/yr |
Questions people ask
Is the Subaru Forester expensive to maintain?
It is about average. The Forester averages $516 a year in maintenance and typical repairs, ranking #24 of 52 vehicles on AutoCostIndex. That is mid-pack among vehicles we track.
What does a Subaru Forester cost to maintain per year?
$516 a year averaged over the first ten years — about $43 a month. Year 1 runs roughly $160; by year 10 the annual figure reaches $950. Ten-year total: $5,155.
What are the most common Forester services?
The routine items are oil change (synthetic) (~$88), cabin + engine air filters (~$74), brake pads (front, pair) (~$310). Intervals and full pricing for every service are in the table on this page.
What's not included in this estimate?
Fuel or charging, insurance (about $2,150 a year nationally for this vehicle), collision damage, parking, tolls, taxes, and registration. The figure covers scheduled maintenance plus typical age-related repairs, modeled per our methodology.
Keep exploring
More Subaru models
Similar running costs
Rankings & hubs
How we calculate this
Figures come from the ACI maintenance model: manufacturer service schedules priced at typical U.S. independent-shop rates, plus expected age-related repairs weighted by published reliability patterns. The calculator scales costs with mileage (wear factor) and shop choice. Figures are modeled estimates — your invoices will differ. Full detail on the methodology page.
SOURCES: ACI maintenance model v1 · manufacturer service schedules · 2026 U.S. parts & labor pricing · published reliability studies · Updated 2026-07-19