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.

2012 Subaru Forester

● Typical for this model

2012 Subaru Forester
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:06:01.586Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 105
Recalls: 15
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Engine

Complaints per year

2012: 105 complaints

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	74
2008	50
2009	178
2010	262
2011	147
2012	105
2013	78
2014	403
2015	616
2016	414
2017	593
2018	497
2019	833
2020	604
2021	213
2022	100
2023	74
2024	30
2025	99
2026	33

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

26% · 27 reports

CRASHFIRE

Show 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, 2018-07-05

Air bags

19% · 20 reports

CRASHINJURY

Show 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, 2017-11-29

Also filed under Seat belts

Vehicle speed control

17% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY

Show 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, 2013-09-30

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-15

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, 2011-12-27

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc) and traction control system

Service brakes

14% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Show 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, 2023-11-28

Electrical system

10% · 10 reports

FIRE

Safety timeline

15 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2012-03-26Seat belts12V099000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2013-02-19Exterior lighting12V602000 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…

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2014-07-23Service brakes, hydraulic14V311000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2015-01-27Service brakes, hydraulic14V830000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2016-12-16Electrical system16V738000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2017-03-06Air bags17V014000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-02-09Air bags18V012000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-01-25Air bags19V008000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-01-25Air bags19V007000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-01-25Air bags19V009000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2022-12-01Seat belts22V838000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Engine: 27 reports on file for this year.
Air bags: 20 reports on file for this year.
Vehicle speed control: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 12V099000 · Seat belts
Recall 12V602000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 14V311000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 14V830000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 16V738000 · Electrical system
Recall 17V014000 · Air bags
Recall 18V012000 · Air bags
Recall 19V008000 · Air bags
Recall 19V007000 · Air bags
Recall 19V009000 · Air bags
Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
Recall 22V838000 · Seat belts

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2012 Subaru Forester

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Engine

Air bags

Vehicle speed control

Service brakes

Electrical system

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years