--- title: "Subaru Forester Key Fob Battery" description: "How the Subaru Forester key fob battery specification changed from 2012 to 2026, compared generation by generation. The Subaru Forester key fob takes a CR2032 (push-button-start smart key) coin cell. How to open the fob without breaking it, and which substitutions actually work." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/key-fob-battery" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # Subaru Forester Key Fob Battery Type and Replacement The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Subaru Forester key fob battery specification changed by year? | Model years | Fob battery | | --- | --- | | [2025-2026](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/key-fob-battery) | CR2032 (push-button-start smart key) | | [2019-2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019-2024/key-fob-battery) | CR2032 (push-button-start smart key, standard across this generation) | | [2014-2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/key-fob-battery) | CR1620 (flip-key remotes on base/Premium); CR2032 on push-button-start Limited/Touring/XT smart keys. Check which key your trim uses | | [2012-2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/key-fob-battery) | CR1620 (exposed-blade flip key with integrated remote) | ## Full specifications by generation The key fob battery on a Subaru Forester is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [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) - [2012-2013 Subaru Forester Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/key-fob-battery) ## Subaru Forester key fob battery: common questions ### What battery does the Subaru Forester key fob take? A single CR2032 (push-button-start smart key) coin cell. ### Can you use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025 in a Subaru Forester key fob? This fob takes a CR2032 (push-button-start smart key), 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 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 (SL)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester) - [Subaru Media, Subaru debuts all-new 2025 Forester SUV (press release)](https://media.subaru.com/pressrelease/2123/1/subaru-debuts-all-new-2025-forester-suv-new) - [Car and Driver, Tested: 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid (specs, mpg, curb weight, tire size)](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a64352235/2025-subaru-forester-hybrid-drive/) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2025 Forester 2.5L FB25D oil spec/capacity (0W-16, 4.6 qt)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2025/subaru/forester/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-fb25d-1/) - [sportsubarusouth.com, Subaru Forester oil type by model year (2025, incl. S:HEV hybrid)](https://www.sportsubarusouth.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-oil-type/) - [KBB, 2025 Subaru Forester specs (180 hp across trims)](https://www.kbb.com/subaru/forester/2025/specs/) - [Subaru.com, 2025 Forester Hybrid Edition (194 combined hp, e-CVT)](https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/hybrid/2025.html) - [classaction.org, Subaru lawsuit: 2019-2025 vehicles, parasitic battery drain (Taylor v. Subaru)](https://www.classaction.org/news/subaru-lawsuit-says-2019-2025-vehicles-plagued-by-electrical-system-defect-causing-parasitic-battery-drain) - [Conley Subaru, Forester lug nut torque by model year](https://www.conleysubaru.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-lug-nut-torque/) ## Find your exact Forester - [2026](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2026) - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012) More Subaru Forester guides: - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/oil-reset) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.