Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain? (1998 - 2021)

Does A Subaru Forester Have A Timing Belt Or Timing Chain?

From model years 2014 to 2021 all Subaru Foresters have timing chains. From model years 2011 to 2013 the naturally aspirated Foresters have timing chains while the turbo Foresters have timing belts. Prior to 2013 all Foresters have timing belts.

All Forester engines are interference.

For example, the 2021 Subaru Forester 2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (FB25 DI H4) option has a timing chain while the 2013 Subaru Forester 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) option has a timing belt.

Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Model Years	Engine Option	Timing Belt Or Chain	Interference Or Non-Interference
2014 - 2021	all	timing chain	interference
2011 - 2013	naturally aspirated	timing chain	interference
2011 - 2013	turbo-charged	timing belt	interference
1998 - 2011	all	timing belt	interference

Scroll down for detailed information on your particular Subaru Forester model year.

Check the belt or chain for other makes and models here.

Timing Belt Basics

The primary purpose of the timing belt or timing chain is to maintain the timing (syncronization) between the crankshaft and the camshaft(s).

A timing belt is made of a rubber compound while a timing chain is made of chain similiar to a bicycle chain.

A timing belt wears out over time and must be replaced at the manufacturer's specified interval. Timing belt failure can result in serious engine damage.

Although a timing chain will wear over time it is usually good for the lifetime of the engine but it should be routinely inspected.

2021 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2021 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2021 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (FB25 DI H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing chain
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	lifetime

2020 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2020 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2020 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (FB25 DI H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing chain
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	lifetime

2019 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2019 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2019 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (FB25 DI H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing chain
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	lifetime

2018 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2018 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2018 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L 4 Cyl. 250 hp (FA20F H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2017 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2017 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2017 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L 4 Cyl. 250 hp (FA20F H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2016 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2016 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2016 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L 4 Cyl. 250 hp (FA20F H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2015 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2015 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2015 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L 4 Cyl. 250 hp (FA20F H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2014 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2014 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2014 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L 4 Cyl. 250 hp (FA20F H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2013 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

The naturally aspirated 2013 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain while the turbocharged have a timing belt. They both have an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2013 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2012 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

The naturally aspirated 2012 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain while the turbocharged have a timing belt. They both have an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2012 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2011 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

The naturally aspirated 2011 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain while the turbocharged have a timing belt. They both have an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2011 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4)	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2010 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2010 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2010 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2009 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2009 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2009 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2008 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2008 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2008 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2007 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2007 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2007 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2006 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2006 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2006 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2005 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2005 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2005 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2004 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2004 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2004 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2003 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2003 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2003 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles
2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4)	timing belt	interference	105k miles

2002 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2002 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2002 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	105k miles

2001 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2001 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2001 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	105k miles

2000 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 2000 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

2000 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	105k miles

1999 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 1999 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

1999 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	105k miles

1998 Subaru Forester - Timing Belt Or Chain

All 1998 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine. See the data outlined in the table below.

1998 Subaru Forester Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4)
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	105k miles