2012 Subaru Forester: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2012 Subaru Forester? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 105 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2012 Subaru Forester Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2012 Subaru Forester trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2012 Subaru Forester Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
17.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
17.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2012 Subaru Forester has 105 owner complaints, 15 crash-related complaints, and 15 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Subaru
- Model
- Forester
- Model year
- 2012
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 105
- Crash-related complaints
- 15
- Safety recall campaigns
- 15
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 21 / 26
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2012 Subaru Forester Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Unintended Acceleration
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Airbag Malfunctions, Unintended Acceleration. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2012 Subaru Forester?
The 2012 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2012 Subaru Forester
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the engine for any signs of problems or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag and acceleration-related components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the engine for any signs of problems or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag and acceleration-related components.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2012 Subaru Forester, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2012 Subaru Forester are concentrated in engine problems, airbag malfunctions, and unintended acceleration. Crash-related complaints account for a notable portion of total reports. The data suggests potential issues with critical safety systems.
- Engine problems represent the highest number of complaints among all components.
- Airbag malfunctions and unintended acceleration are also frequently reported.
- Crash-related complaints constitute a significant proportion of total complaints.
- Engine Problems
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Unintended Acceleration
All 2012 Subaru Forester Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru Forester. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| 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.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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.
2012 Subaru Forester Recalls
15 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Subaru Forester. 15 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2012 Subaru Forester Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2012 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 105 owner complaints, 15 crash-related complaints, and 15 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2012 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
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?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2012 Subaru Forester, NHTSA complaints include 15 crash-related reports and 5 fire reports out of 105 total complaints. 9 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
Yes. 15 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Subaru Forester. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 15 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2012 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2012 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
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.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2012 Subaru Forester based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.