2012 SUBARU FORESTER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Subaru Forester. This model year has 105 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2012 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Unintended Acceleration
Considering a 2012 Subaru Forester?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Subaru Forester. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 29 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 20 | 3 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 18 | 11 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 15 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 10 | — | 2 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 8 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 105 most recent complaints
I purchased the car Feb. 2026 from [XXX] in Seagirt. There were no problems with it. In Saturday April 18 , 2026 I was driving on Parkway north. As I paid toll at Tinton Falls toll I proceeded to go and the car made weird noises followed by a loud pop and black smoke and flames …
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the brake pedal was inoperative. The contact then discovered that there was brake fluid leaking underneath of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer…
I checked my oil level, fluids, and tire pressure before a drive on the highway. Driving on [XXX] South, faint ticking started, then a louder tapping, and I immediately pulled off, luckily, off an exit ramp. AAA towed the Forester to a certified repair shop and the mechanic st…
my vehicle has 52460 miles and was in southern oregon subaru for an oil change, when i was informed the engine was leaking oil. the service advisor said the cam carrier reseal was needed and it would cost $3380.00. i checked youtube and found that subaru forester from 2012 to 201…
My 2012 Subaru Forester suddenly accelerated as I was making a right hand turn from a parking lot onto a major street. My brakes failed and I could only steer at high speed off the street, over a curb on to a parking strip between trees, and through a motel parking lot. The ca…
After purchasing the vehicle on July 25, 2023 at approximately 99,800 miles, I began driving across the country from PA to CA. I purchased the vehicle from a Subaru dealership, so it was certified pre-owned. Beginning on day 3 of the drive, the car began to make a ticking sound u…
Both rear gate hydraulic arms failed at the same time. On or about 11/27/22, while retrieving items from the cargo compartment, I heard a pop and the door completely collapsed and struck me on the back of the head. Upon inspection the popping noise was the fracturing of the bol…
The vehicle will just stall. It has happened three times; usually at a stop sign or slowing down to turn. I have had it towed and in the shop, and they can't find anything wrong with it. No error messages. One shop cleaned the throttle body and thought that might be the probl…
2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO STUD FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE 3 OF THE 5 WHEEL STUDS EXPERIENCED A SHEARING FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FAILURE DUE TO IT BEING A KNOWN ISSUE.
My 2012 Subaru forester had a recall on my passenger air bag that I had completed February 2019. It is now July 2022 and it’s displaying the same codes for a faulty air bag per my mechanic. I contacted Subaru of America and they stated that it’s not their problem because they hav…
I purchased my Subaru Forester new in 2012. After a few thousand miles it was brought to my attention by the service tech that there was a "small" oil leak coming from the engine. They said it was not significant. No one mentioned that SB 02-131-12R had been issued addressing …
My car suffered a catastrophic oil event without an indicator light or any other warning requiring a new engine. The car has 119k miles (purchased from a Subaru dealer with 114k less than a year ago). We had no leaks in our garage or driveway from the car. My daughter was drivi…
My car suffered a catastrophic oil event without an indicator light or any other warning that is nesitating a new engine. The car had less than 70,000 miles on it. I had informed some ticking noise from the engine in previous maintenance events. I was driving on the interstate, a…
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed through a parking garage, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle initially crashed into a parked vehicle which caused a chain reaction with two other …
1st noticed a couple of years ago sounded like valve tapping engine noise. Took to auto shop and they stated car had virtually no oil in it. Never mentioned oil consumption issue. In March of 2020, took car into Subaru dealer for inspection and oil change. Yesterday, while drivin…
KEEPS SMELLING LIKE GAS, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CRUISE LIGHT BLINKS, AND TRACKTION CONTROL LIGHTIS BLINKING. SAYS CODE PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
2012 SUBARU DASH LIGHT ALL COME ON AND THEN THE CAR STARTS TO STALL OUT. DEALER CAN NOT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. THE HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT RUNS FOR A COUPLE HOURS OR DAY AND THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS WILL HAPPEN IN THE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY …
SUBARU HAS BEEN AWARE OF AN OIL CONSUMPTION DEFECT WITH THE PISTON RINGS IN THIS MODEL CAR AND NEVER NOTIFIED OWNERS THAT IT WAS PRESENT. THE RESULT CAN BE OIL PRESSURE LOSS, RAPID OVERHEATING, AND MOTOR SEIZING. THE MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR SOME CUSTOMERS FOR THE OIL CONSUMP…
MY FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A SPONTANEOUS CRACK. IN APRIL 2020, THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT, AND IN THE MORNING, THERE WAS A 20-INCH LONG HORIZONTAL CRACK ON THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT MARK TO INDICATE A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD.
AT 102K MILES, ENGINE DEVELOPED LOUD TAPPING SOUND. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS USED A QUART OF OIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1000 MILES SINCE NEW. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE OIL RELATED DUE TO ENGINE DESIGN/PART DEFECT. PROBLEM APPEARED AFTER 4 HOUR DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEED (70-75MPH). MECHANIC …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Subaru Forester.
Recalls for 2012 Subaru Forester
15 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Subaru Forester. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2012 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2012 Subaru Forester has 105 NHTSA owner complaints, 15 crash-related, and 15 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (29 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Forester?▾
#1: Engine Problems (29 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (20 complaints). #3: Unintended Acceleration (18 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Subaru Forester?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2012 Subaru Forester has 15 crash-related complaints and 5 fire reports out of 105 total NHTSA complaints. 9 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
Yes — 15 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Subaru Forester. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2012 Subaru Forester has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2012 Subaru Forester
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.