Subaru Forester Key Fob Programming by Year
Can you program a Forester fob without the dealer? For most years, yes. Pick your year for the route and best next step.
Find your year
| Year | DIY onboard? | How it programs | Working fob? | Erase risk | Confidence | Best next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–2004 | Yes | Yes - onboard relearn | No (all-keys-lost OK) | Possible | High | Follow the steps below |
| 2005 | Yes | Yes - onboard relearn | No (all-keys-lost OK) | Possible | High | Follow the steps below |
| 2006–2009 | Yes | Yes - onboard relearn | No (all-keys-lost OK) | Possible | Med | Follow the steps below |
| 2010 | Yes | Yes - onboard relearn | No (all-keys-lost OK) | Possible | High | Follow the steps below |
Subaru Forester key types & programming facts
For the 2001-2010 Subaru Forester in the USA/Canada market, published sources support traditional transponder-chip keys across the range and remote keyless-entry fobs for later years, including 2009-2010. The sources provided indicate onboard programming is used for key-related programming on this model, but they do not provide step-by-step procedures here.
Key types used on the Forester:
- transponder chip key (2001-2010)
- remote-head key (2009-2010)
Common fob FCC IDs: NHVWB1U711, CWTWB1U819 — check the back of your fob; we confirm the exact variant on site.
2001–2004 Subaru Forester
Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment
Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.
Show the programming methods (19 steps)
Preparation
Programming sequence
Remote registration
Verification and testing
For the 2001–2004 Forester: Forester key replacement & all compatible fobs →
2005 Subaru Forester
Exact steps source-verified for this year/equipment
Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). Steps below are source-verified for this year/equipment path.
Show the programming methods (15 steps)
Preparation Steps
Programming Sequence
Confirmation and Exit
For the 2005 Forester: Forester key replacement & all compatible fobs →
2006–2009 Subaru Forester
Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment
Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.
Show the programming methods (19 steps)
Preparation
Entering Programming Mode
ID Entry Sequence
Completion and Testing
For the 2006–2009 Forester: Forester key replacement & all compatible fobs →
2010 Subaru Forester
Route verified — exact steps vary by trim/equipment
Route verified as onboard programming (no dealer needed). The sequences below are general route guidance — use them only if your vehicle shows the same prompts and controls. If the prompts don’t match, stop and call us.
Show the programming methods (19 steps)
2) Preparation/Setup
3) Entering Programming Mode
4) Code Entry Procedure
5) Finalization/Multiple Remotes
For the 2010 Forester: Forester key replacement & all compatible fobs →
How we validate this guide
Year coverage comes from our consolidated vehicle programming dataset. Route-level programming status is reviewed against internal route sheets and available manufacturer, security-access, and professional tool references. Exact button sequences are marked source-verified only when we have year/equipment-specific support; where a year is labeled “route verified, steps vary,” we confirm the exact fob, trim, and prompts before programming. Reviewed for route and safety by Mohammad H. Abdelhadi, ALOA-Certified Master Locksmith.
| Year | Route status | Exact steps |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–2004 | Route verified | General guidance |
| 2005 | Route verified | Source-verified |
| 2006–2009 | Route verified | General guidance |
| 2010 | Route verified | General guidance |
Common questions
Is key programming for this Forester generation onboard?
Yes. The query’s programming route is onboard, and the sources here support older Subaru key fob programming as model-specific rather than requiring dealer-only equipment for these years.
Can you program a Forester key fob without going to the dealership?
For most years, yes - the route is onboard relearn or an OBD tool, both of which a mobile locksmith handles at your location.
Does this program the remote only, or the transponder key too?
It depends on your key type. Tell us your FCC ID and we will confirm.
What if my year says professional programming required?
Those years need a programmer or security access; we bring the tool to you and program it on site.
How much does it cost?
It depends on year, key type, and whether you have a working key. Call (833) 439-8636 for a firm price before we dispatch.