2012 Subaru Forester
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 101 |
| 1999 | 131 |
| 2000 | 75 |
| 2001 | 139 |
| 2002 | 88 |
| 2003 | 189 |
| 2004 | 219 |
| 2005 | 93 |
| 2006 | 88 |
| 2007 | 72 |
| 2008 | 50 |
| 2009 | 178 |
| 2010 | 262 |
| 2011 | 147 |
| 2012 | 105 |
| 2013 | 77 |
| 2014 | 403 |
| 2015 | 611 |
| 2016 | 405 |
| 2017 | 579 |
| 2018 | 487 |
| 2019 | 831 |
| 2020 | 592 |
| 2021 | 207 |
| 2022 | 93 |
| 2023 | 69 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 78 |
| 2026 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
26% of complaints: engine — 27 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 69 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE HOOD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180705
19% of complaints: air bags — 20 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS TURNING LEFT WHEN I WAS STRUCK BY A CAR GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. ACCORDING TO POLICE THE IMPACT WAS AT 01-1 O'CLOCK. . MY CAR WAS SPUN INTO THE GUARD RAIL CAUSING DAMAGE TO LEFT FRONT AND RT REAR OF MY CAR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171129
16% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 17 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, HE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130930
WHILE PASSING A PARKED DUMPSTER, THE DRIVER STEPPED LIGHTLY ON THE GAS. INSTEAD OF THE EXPECTED MILD ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE REVVED GREATLY AND AN UNEXPECTED HIGH ACCELERATION OCCURRED. IT RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20121115
WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROUTE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KICKED ON AND PROCEEDED TO FLASH WHILE THE STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON DISABLING THE TRACTION CONTROL. THIS LASTED APPROXIMATELY 10-15 SECONDS, ALL LIGHTS KICKED OFF AND SEEMED OKAY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20111227
10% of complaints: service brakes — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
My 2012 Subaru Forester suddenly accelerated as I was making a right hand turn from a parking lot onto a major street.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231128
10% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file.
FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 FORESTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR in the SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES LOCATED IN
Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A NEWLY MODIFIED AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED ON MARCH 26, 201
Campaign 12V099000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 20
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Campaign 12V602000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax.
Campaign 14V311000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015.
Campaign 14V830000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Campaign 16V738000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
Campaign 17V014000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 18V012000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
Campaign 19V008000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
Campaign 19V007000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Campaign 19V009000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Campaign 19V297000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.
Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Campaign 22V838000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (27 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (20 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (17 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V099000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V602000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V830000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V738000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V014000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V012000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V007000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V009000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V297000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V838000 (seat belts) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Subaru Forester reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Subaru Forester is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Forester?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Forester have?
15 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.