NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Subaru Forester[1]. The engine group has the most, with 29[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups, biggest first. These are unverified owner reports to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one part. - Engine. 29 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the engine using oil faster than they expected, with a dipstick that shows low or empty. Some also mention an oil leak near the filter, a check engine light, or a rough misfire. - Air Bags. 20 complaints[6]. Owners describe getting a notice about a passenger side air bag and then waiting on repair parts. Some felt left without a clear timeline from the dealer. - Speed Control. 18 complaints[7]. Owners describe the check engine light coming on together with the cruise control and stability lights. Others describe the car speeding up or holding its speed when they did not want it to. This group lists 11 crashes[7]. - Brakes. 15 complaints[8]. Owners describe a soft pedal that sinks toward the floor, and a pedal that feels different from one stop to the next. Some say they needed extra distance to stop. - Electrical System. 10 complaints[9]. This group includes 2 fires[9]. - Unknown Or Other. 8 complaints[10]. - Fuel/Propulsion System. 6 complaints[11]. - Structure. 5 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Forester is necessarily included.
- Seat Belts (22V838), November 2022. About 16 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V001), January 2020. About 258,813 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V003), January 2020. About 111,562 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V002), January 2020. About 127,547 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Electrical System › Ignition › Switch (19V297), April 2019. About 511 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V008), January 2019. About 330,120 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V007), January 2019. About 43,394 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[19]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V009), January 2019. About 452,630 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[20]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V012), January 2018. About 64,179 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[21]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V014), January 2017. About 53,480 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[22]
- Electrical System (16V738), October 2016. About 100,127 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[23]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic (14V830), December 2014. About 200,064 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[24]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (14V311), June 2014. About 461,338 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[25]
- Exterior Lighting (12V602), December 2012. About 633,842 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[26]
- Seat Belts › Rear/Other (12V099), March 2012. About 326,014 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[27]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[4] | 21 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[28] | 21 / 26 / 23 | $2,900 |
| Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S4), Premium, All-Wheel Drive[29] | 19 / 23 / 21 | $3,900 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD[5] | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 17.9% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 101 | 1 |
| 1999 | 131 | 1 |
| 2000 | 75 | 0 |
| 2001 | 139 | 0 |
| 2002 | 88 | 1 |
| 2003 | 189 | 3 |
| 2004 | 219 | 2 |
| 2005 | 93 | 1 |
| 2006 | 88 | 2 |
| 2007 | 74 | 1 |
| 2008 | 50 | 1 |
| 2009 | 178 | 17 |
| 2010 | 262 | 17 |
| 2011 | 147 | 16 |
| 2012 | 105 | 15 |
| 2013 | 78 | 12 |
| 2014 | 403 | 2 |
| 2015 | 615 | 3 |
| 2016 | 415 | 3 |
| 2017 | 592 | 1 |
| 2018 | 498 | 3 |
| 2019 | 834 | 3 |
| 2020 | 603 | 0 |
| 2021 | 210 | 0 |
| 2022 | 100 | 1 |
| 2023 | 74 | 1 |
| 2024 | 31 | 2 |
| 2025 | 98 | 4 |
| 2026 | 29 | 4 |
NHTSA's counts for the Forester show 105 complaints and 15 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 29 model years listed, 13 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 15 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (29) and the most are for 2019 (834)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Forester?
The 2012 Forester has a clear spread of owner complaints, led by the engine group[2]. Air bags, speed control and brakes follow, and those touch safety, so they deserve a closer look[6][7][8]. The numbers are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show what owners reported and not how often a problem happens[1]. Check the recall list on this page and ask a seller for service records before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Forester?
- Owners filed 105 complaints with NHTSA[1]. The engine group is the largest with 29[2], followed by air bags with 20[6] and speed control with 18[7].
- Does the 2012 Subaru Forester have recalls?
- Yes. The recall count for this model year is in the by-year fact[3], and every recall is listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- How many brake complaints does the 2012 Subaru Forester have?
- There are 15 brake complaints on file[8]. Owners describe a soft or sinking pedal.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Subaru Forester?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2012 Subaru Forester reliable?
- The complaint groups on this page give a picture of what owners reported[1]. Compare them with the recalls and the by-year section before you decide.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Subaru Forester
Compare all model years of the Subaru Forester
Other Subaru models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Subaru Forester (15 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Forester model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the speed control component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,600). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,400). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 22V838, filed November 10, 2022: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V001, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V003, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V002, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V297, filed April 11, 2019: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V008, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V007, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V009, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V012, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V014, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V738, filed October 13, 2016: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V830, filed December 31, 2014: Service Brakes, Hydraulic. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V311, filed June 10, 2014: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V602, filed December 26, 2012: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V099, filed March 13, 2012: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S4), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Subaru Forester with electric motor: rated 224 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Subaru Forester with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov