--- title: "2012-2013 Subaru Forester Key Fob Battery" description: "The 2012-2013 Subaru Forester key fob takes a CR1620 (exposed-blade flip key with integrated remote) coin cell. How to open the fob without breaking it, and which substitutions actually work." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/key-fob-battery" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # 2012-2013 Subaru Forester Key Fob Battery Type and Replacement The 2012-2013 Subaru Forester key fob takes a CR1620 (exposed-blade flip key with integrated remote) coin cell. How to open the fob without breaking it, and which substitutions actually work. **Quick answer**: The 2012-2013 Subaru Forester key fob takes a CR1620 (exposed-blade flip key with integrated remote) coin-cell battery, available at any pharmacy, hardware store, or online for a few dollars. ## Replacing the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester key fob battery - Pry the fob open gently at the seam with a small flathead screwdriver or a coin, working around the edge. Many fobs have a hidden release slot near the key ring or emergency-key blade. - Note the battery orientation (usually positive side up) before removing the old cell. - Avoid touching the new battery's faces with bare fingers; skin oils can shorten its life. - If the fob doesn't work after replacement, check that the battery is seated fully and the contacts weren't bent. Most vehicles do not need re-pairing after a battery change. ## Which Subaru Forester model years does this cover? These key fob battery specifications apply to every Subaru Forester built from 2012 through 2013, the SH (3rd generation), compact crossover suv. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012) - [2013 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2013) ## What changed during the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | 2.5X Touring trim added above 2.5X Limited with HID headlights, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, and silver roof rails; 2.5XT models gain a larger rear spoiler | | 2012-2013 | Facelift years of the SH generation; non-turbo trims run the newer FB25 while the 2.5XT retains the EJ25 turbo through the end of production in 2013 | | 2013 | Minor changes only: Sky Blue dropped from the exterior color palette, replaced by Marine Blue and Deep Cherry Pearl | ## 2012-2013 Subaru Forester key fob battery: common questions ### What battery does the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester key fob take? A single CR1620 (exposed-blade flip key with integrated remote) coin cell. ### Can you use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025 in a 2012-2013 Subaru Forester key fob? This fob takes a CR1620 (exposed-blade flip key with integrated remote), so start there. The two cells share a 20 mm diameter but differ in thickness, and the thicker one does not always seat in a housing built for the thinner. ### How do you open a 2012-2013 Subaru Forester key fob? Slide out the mechanical emergency key first, which usually releases a catch, then part the halves with a plastic pry tool or a coin wrapped in tape. A screwdriver will mark the case and can crack the seam. ## Sources - [Wikipedia, Subaru Forester generations (SH)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2013 Forester 2.5L FB25BC oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2013/subaru/forester/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-fb25bc-2/) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2010 Forester 2.5L EJ255 turbo oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2010/subaru/forester/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-ej255-e-turbo/) - [Subaru Forester Owners Forum, oil type & filter for 2013 2.5XT (5W-30, 4.4 qt per owner's manual)](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/oil-type-filter-for-2013-2-5xt.133018/) - [sportsubarusouth.com, Subaru Forester oil type by model year (2011-2013 SH)](https://www.sportsubarusouth.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-oil-type/) - [KBB, 2010 Subaru Forester specs (2.5XT: 224 hp / 226 lb-ft)](https://www.kbb.com/subaru/forester/2010/) - [Edmunds, 2013 Subaru Forester review (2.5XT specs, 4-speed automatic)](https://www.edmunds.com/subaru/forester/2013/review/) - [tirecalculatorhub.com, Subaru Forester OEM tire size guide by year](https://tirecalculatorhub.com/guides/subaru-tire-calculator) - [Conley Subaru, Forester lug nut torque by model year](https://www.conleysubaru.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-lug-nut-torque/) - [Class Law Group, Subaru oil consumption class action settlement summary](https://www.classlawgroup.com/subaru-oil-consumption-class-action-lawsuit) - [subaruforester.org, 2011-14 Forester oil consumption class action lawsuit thread](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2011-14-forester-oil-consumption-class-action-lawsuit-merged-thread.360817/) - [subaruofdayton.com, Subaru EJ25 head gasket history explainer](https://www.subaruofdayton.com/blog/head-gaskets-horizons-and-hope-the-truth-about-older-subaru-models) ## Other Subaru Forester generations - [2025-2026 Subaru Forester key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/key-fob-battery) - [2019-2024 Subaru Forester key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019-2024/key-fob-battery) - [2014-2018 Subaru Forester key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/key-fob-battery) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/key-fob-battery). ## More for the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil-reset) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.