2004 Subaru Forester Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
15.9gal · 60 L
The 2004 Subaru Forester has a fuel tank capacity of 15.9 gallons (60 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 334–398 highway miles or 254–302 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
15.9 gal · Smaller than 83% of 2004 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
2004 Subaru Forester fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Engine
- no difference
All 10 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | Fuel | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 302 / 398 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 302 / 398 mi |
| X AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 302 / 398 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 5M | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 302 / 398 mi |
| XS AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 302 / 398 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 302 / 398 mi |
| XS AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 302 / 398 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 5M | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 302 / 398 mi |
| XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 302 / 398 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 302 / 398 mi |
| XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Package 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 302 / 398 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 302 / 398 mi |
| XS AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Package 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 19 / 25Range 302 / 398 mi | 2.5L 4cyl 5M | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | Regular | 19 / 25 | 302 / 398 mi |
| XT AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 21Range 270 / 334 mi | 2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | Premiumrequired | 17 / 21 | 270 / 334 mi |
| XT AWD 4dr Wagon 2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 16 / 22Range 254 / 350 mi | 2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | Premiumrequired | 16 / 22 | 254 / 350 mi |
| XT AWD 4dr Wagon w/Premium Leather Package 2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 17 / 21Range 270 / 334 mi | 2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A | AWD | 15.9 gal60 L | Premiumrequired | 17 / 21 | 270 / 334 mi |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
How far a 2004 Subaru Forester goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 21 MPG, a full 15.9-gallon tank covers about 334 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 15.9 | 398 | 302 |
| 3/4 | 11.9 | 298 | 227 |
| 1/2 | 8.0 | 199 | 151 |
| 1/4 | 4.0 | 99 | 76 |
| 1/8 | 2.0 | 50 | 38 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 714 gallons, roughly 45 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 23.1 MPG in the Forester (29 drivers), about 367 miles on a full 15.9-gallon tank.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
- EPA combined
- 18–21 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 423–494 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2004 Subaru Forester
$67.89 to fill the 15.9-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.9 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $67.89 | $50.92 |
| 15.9 gal | Premium | $5.28 | $83.95 | $62.96 |
By region, 15.9-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $63.92 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $67.89 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $58.83 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $70.91 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $86.18 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $93.65 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Your own price
- 15.9-gallon tank$67.89
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,050
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Forester tank size in other years
The 2004 Forester uses the same 15.9 gal tank as every Forester since 1998.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Forester | 16.9 gal | 456 mi |
| 2008 Forester | 15.9 gal | 429 mi |
| 2007 Forester | 15.9 gal | 413 mi |
| 2006 Forester | 15.9 gal | 429 mi |
| 2005 Forester | 15.9 gal | 429 mi |
| 2004 Forester | 15.9 gal | 398 mi |
| 2003 Forester | 15.9 gal | 398 mi |
| 2002 Forester | 15.9 gal | 398 mi |
| 2001 Forester | 15.9 gal | 398 mi |
| 2000 Forester | 15.9 gal | 398 mi |
| 1999 Forester | 15.9 gal | 398 mi |
- 2026
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
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- 1999
- 1998
2004 Subaru Forester vs similar 2004 SUVs
The Forester has the largest tank of the five 2004 SUVs compared here, 15.9 gallons against 15.0 for the Chrysler PT Cruiser.
| 2004 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester | 15.9 gal | 398 mi |
| Chrysler PT Cruiser | 15.0 gal | 390 mi |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback | 13.2 gal | 343 mi |
| Toyota Matrix | 11.9–13.2 gal | 436 mi |
| Pontiac Vibe | 12.0–13.0 gal | 429 mi |
Other 2004 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.
2004 Subaru Forester fuel system recalls
None of the 2 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2004 Subaru Forester involve the fuel system.
2004 Subaru Forester fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2004 Subaru Forester, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2004 Subaru Forester?
The 2004 Subaru Forester holds 15.9 gallons (60 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2004 Subaru Forester gas tank hold?
The 2004 Subaru Forester tank holds 60 liters, or 15.9 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 2004 Subaru Forester go on a full tank?
About 334–398 miles on the highway and 254–302 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 2004 Subaru Forester go on a quarter tank?
About 99 highway miles or 76 in town from the 15.9-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.0 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 2004 Subaru Forester really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 23.1 MPG in the 2004 Subaru Forester (29 drivers), which works out to about 367 miles on a full 15.9-gallon tank.
What gas does the 2004 Subaru Forester take?
Regular unleaded, or Premium unleaded (required), depending on the engine. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2004 Subaru Forester?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 15.9-gallon tank from empty costs $67.89. It ranges from $58.83 in the Gulf Coast to $93.65 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2004 Subaru Forester?
About 99 pounds for the 15.9-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2004 Subaru Forester have a bigger gas tank than the Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Yes. The 2004 Subaru Forester holds up to 15.9 gallons; the 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser holds up to 15.0.
Has the 2004 Subaru Forester had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 2 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2004 Subaru Forester involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
- MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
- Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Subaru fuel system recalls).
- Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.