2012 Subaru Forester Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

Fuel tank capacity

16.9gal · 64 L

The 2012 Subaru Forester has a fuel tank capacity of 16.9 gallons (64 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 406–456 highway miles or 321–355 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

16.9 gal · Smaller than 74% of 2012 models we list.

Highway range
406–456 mi
City range
321–355 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
23 MPG
EPA size class
Sport Utility Vehicle

2012 Subaru Forester fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Engine
no difference

All 14 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank Fuel MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
2.5X 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 5M AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X Limited 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X PZEV 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X PZEV 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 5M AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X Premium 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 5M AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 5M · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 5M AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X Touring 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5X Touring PZEV 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl 4A · AWD · Regular MPG 21 / 27Range 355 / 456 mi 2.5L 4cyl 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Regular 21 / 27 355 / 456 mi
2.5XT Premium 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 19 / 24Range 321 / 406 mi 2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Premiumrequired 19 / 24 321 / 406 mi
2.5XT Touring 4dr SUV AWD 2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A · AWD · Premium (required) MPG 19 / 24Range 321 / 406 mi 2.5L 4cyl Turbo 4A AWD 16.9 gal64 L Premiumrequired 19 / 24 321 / 406 mi

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 2012 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 23 MPG, a full 16.9-gallon tank covers about 389 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full16.9456355
3/412.7342266
1/28.5228177
1/44.211489
1/82.15744

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 652 gallons, roughly 39 full tanks.

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
23 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
386 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings

What it costs to fill up a 2012 Subaru Forester

$72.16 to fill the 16.9-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
16.9 galRegular$4.27$72.16$54.12
16.9 galPremium$5.28$89.23$66.92

By region, 16.9-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$67.94
Midwest$4.27$72.16
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$62.53
Rocky Mountain$4.46$75.37
West Coast$5.42$91.60
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$99.54

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

  • 16.9-gallon tank$72.16
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,785

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 2012 Forester uses the same 16.9 gal tank as every Forester since 2009.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2017 Forester 15.9 gal 509 mi
2016 Forester 15.9 gal 509 mi
2015 Forester 15.9 gal 509 mi
2014 Forester 15.9 gal 509 mi
2013 Forester 16.9 gal 456 mi
2012 Forester 16.9 gal 456 mi
2011 Forester 16.9 gal 456 mi
2010 Forester 16.9 gal 456 mi
2009 Forester 16.9 gal 456 mi
2008 Forester 15.9 gal 429 mi
2007 Forester 15.9 gal 413 mi
Subaru Forester fuel tank by model year

2012 Subaru Forester vs similar 2012 SUVs

The Forester has the largest tank of the seven 2012 SUVs compared here, 16.9 gallons against 16.8 for the Volkswagen Tiguan.

2012 modelTankLongest highway range
Subaru Forester 16.9 gal 456 mi
Volkswagen Tiguan 16.8 gal 454 mi
Nissan Rogue 15.9 gal 445 mi
Kia Sportage 15.3 gal 459 mi
Honda CR-V 15.3 gal 474 mi
Hyundai Tucson 15.3 gal 459 mi
Jeep Patriot 13.5–13.6 gal 394 mi

Other 2012 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.

2012 Subaru Forester fuel system recalls

NHTSA lists 2 fuel-system recalls for the 2012 Subaru Forester, out of 15 recalls in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.

Service brakes, hydraulicDec 31, 2014 · NHTSA 14V830000 · Subaru Of America, Inc. · 200,064 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.

Risk and remedy

Risk: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

Service brakes, hydraulic · Foundation components · Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJun 10, 2014 · NHTSA 14V311000 · Subaru Of America, Inc. · 461,338 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

Risk and remedy

Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.

All Subaru fuel recalls Look up your tank by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Subaru Forester?

The 2012 Subaru Forester holds 16.9 gallons (64 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 2012 Subaru Forester gas tank hold?

The 2012 Subaru Forester tank holds 64 liters, or 16.9 gallons in US gallons.

How far can a 2012 Subaru Forester go on a full tank?

About 406–456 miles on the highway and 321–355 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 2012 Subaru Forester go on a quarter tank?

About 114 highway miles or 89 in town from the 16.9-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.2 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

What gas does the 2012 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 2012 Subaru Forester?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 16.9-gallon tank from empty costs $72.16. It ranges from $62.53 in the Gulf Coast to $99.54 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2012 Subaru Forester?

About 105 pounds for the 16.9-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 2012 Subaru Forester have a bigger gas tank than the Kia Sportage?

Yes. The 2012 Subaru Forester holds up to 16.9 gallons; the 2012 Kia Sportage holds up to 15.3.

Has the 2012 Subaru Forester had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 fuel-system recalls for the 2012 Subaru Forester: 14V830000 (service brakes, hydraulic); 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is affected.

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).

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 2012 Subaru models