2012 Subaru Forester problems and complaints
Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Subaru Forester. The most-reported areas: Engine (27), Air Bags (20), Vehicle Speed Control (18).
Key takeaways
- 105 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 15 involve a crash, 5 a fire, 9 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 26% |
| Air Bags | 20 | 19% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 17% |
| Service Brakes | 15 | 14% |
| Electrical System | 10 | 10% |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 | 8% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | 6% |
| Structure | 5 | 5% |
| Power Train | 5 | 5% |
| Hydraulic | 4 | 4% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4 | 4% |
| Wheels | 3 | 3% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Unknown Or Other - filed 2026-04-22
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 appeared under the hood. The car was eng...
Service Brakes, Hydraulic - filed 2025-04-16
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, where it was diagnosed and determined ...
Engine - filed 2025-01-16
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 stated that the engine was blown. The 2.5...
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More for the 2012 Subaru Forester
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.