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Vehicle Specification Lookup Tool🔍
Find and filter vehicles by technical specifications.
For example, add filters to find all 2025 vehicles with over 300 hp and a timing chain.
From model years 2014 to 2025 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.
Scroll down to see detailed timing belt data for your particular model year of the Subaru Forester.
| Year | Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2025 | All | Timing Chain | Interference |
| 2011-2013 | naturally aspirated | Timing Chain | Interference |
| 2011-2013 | turbo-charged | Timing Belt | Interference |
| 1998-2011 | All | Timing Belt | Interference |
Note: Replacement intervals are broad recommendations and can be affected by age, weather conditions, running conditions etc. Check with the owner's manual/ manufacturer/ dealership.
Check out the Belt Or Chain specifications for other makes and models.
The 2025 Subaru Forester engines all have timing chains and are interference engines.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.5L H4 naturally aspirated hybrid | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2024 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2023 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2022 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2021 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (FB25 DI H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2020 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (FB25 DI H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2019 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 182 hp (FB25 DI H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2018 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 250 hp (FA20F H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2017 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 250 hp (FA20F H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2016 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 250 hp (FA20F H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
All 2015 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 250 hp (FA20F H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |

All 2014 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.0L 4 Cyl. 250 hp (FA20F H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
The naturally aspirated 2013 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain while the turbocharged have a timing belt. They both have an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
The naturally aspirated 2012 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain while the turbocharged have a timing belt. They both have an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
The naturally aspirated 2011 Subaru Forester models have a timing chain while the turbocharged have a timing belt. They both have an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (FB25 H4) | Timing Chain | Interference | Lifetime |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2010 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2009 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2008 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2007 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2006 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2005 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2004 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2003 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 170 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 224 hp (EJ25 H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2002 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2001 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 2000 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 1999 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |
All 1998 Subaru Forester models have a timing belt and an interference engine.
| Engine | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-Interference | Replacement Interval (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4 Cyl. 165 hp (EJ25D H4) | Timing Belt | Interference | 105k |

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.
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