2012 SUBARU FORESTER

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine oil consumption

    13 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 87,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE ENGINE CONSUMES TOO MUCH OIL FOR SUCH A RELATIVELY NEW & LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE 2ND COMPLAINT TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS CONCERN. EACH TIME THE ENGINE OIL IS CHECKED THE DIPSTICK WOULD NOT REGISTER ANY OIL READING. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALER C…"~12,200 mi, complaint #1030250
    • "OIL WAS CHECKED BEFORE VEHICLE LEFT MASSACHUSETTS FOR A TRIP TO NEW MEXICO. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2300 MILES, UPON ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION NO OIL SHOWED ON THE DIPSTICK. MECHANIC DRAINED ONLY 2.5 QUARTS FROM VEHICLE (5.5 QUARTS IS FULL) SO ENGINE CO…"~43,405 mi, complaint #1157857
    • "TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER BECAME AWARE OF OIL CONSUMPTION ON THE VEHICLE. HIS DAUGHTER FREQUENTLY HAD TO REPLENISH THE OIL DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED MAITA SUBARU ([REDACTED ADDRESS], SACRAMENTO,…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1692546
    • "EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. HAVE TO ADD MORE THAN A 1 QUART BETWEEN OIL CHANGES(EVERY 3K MILES)."~109,250 mi, complaint #1640254
    • "ON 12/31/18, WHEN DRIVING HOME AT 11P.M.,AND AN HOUR FROM MY HOME, MY "OIL LIGHT" CAME ON. I STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION AND HAD 3 QUARTS OF OIL PUT IN MY OIL TANK. TWO DAYS LATER, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND A LEAK BUT OVER THE NEXT 9 MONTHS…"~129,000 mi, complaint #1658822
  2. #2

    unintended acceleration

    11 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 83,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION: STEPPED ON BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. INSTEAD ENGINE REVS INCREASED AND CAR SPED UP. WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR UNDER CONTROL BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, ONLY BY TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REPLACING IT SEVERAL TIMES. SAME PRO…"~3,690 mi, complaint #999308
    • "2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB"~28,000 mi, complaint #1327351
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH ENTERING A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE OF A HOUSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPL…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1550982
    • "WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL AT APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MPH I WENT TO PRESS THE BRAKES WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CONCRETE WALL IN FRONT OF ME. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND NEIT…"~91,575 mi, complaint #1562210
    • "WHILE BACKING UP IN REVERSE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. OPERATOR HAD FOOT ON BRAKE BUT VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING TO STOP THE CAR AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL CONTACT WITH A PARKED VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED DAMAGE. POLICE OBSERVE…"~95,300 mi, complaint #1485411
  3. #3

    airbag system

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "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. THE SEAT BELT LATCH FA…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1429054
    • "ME AND MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING 20MPH DOWN A SMALL HILL,A LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF US,I HIT THE BRAKES,WHICH LOCKED UP AND WE SLID SO I LET OFF THEM IMMEDIATELY,THE ROADS WERE ICY AND SNOWY,SO WE GAINED A LOT OF VELOCITY,WE MISSED HITTING HER BU…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1147910
    • "AFTER HITTING A CURB PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AT A LIGHTENING SPEED AND RACED AT INCREASING SPEED FORWARD KNOCKING OVER A BUSH AND CRASHING INTO A BRICK WALL OF A CHURCH BUILDING. THE SEVERE IMPACT CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO OPEN…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1304457
  4. #4

    brake hydraulics

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 20,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE MADE AN INTERMITTENT CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL THE ELECTRICAL…"~3,330 mi, complaint #1259419
    • "TL* I RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (1ST NOTICE) FOR MY 2012 SUBARU FORESTER REGARDING POTENTIAL BRAKE LINE CORROSION. IT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STOP THE CAR BY INCREASING BRAKING DISTANCE. IN THE 1ST…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1092837
    • "I WANT TO ALSO SUBMIT A STATEMENT ABOUT THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY BRAKES,I ALSO NOTICED OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS,AS SOON AS I GOT THE CAR I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE VERY SOFT.I TOOK THE CAR IN,I WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE.A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I WAS…"~29,600 mi, complaint #1147937
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V830000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED BUT, DUE TO THE INCOMPLETE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED CORREC…"~33,055 mi, complaint #1161167
    • "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 w…"~80,000 mi, complaint #2083564
  5. #5

    engine internal

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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…"~69,999 mi, complaint #1759593
    • "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 [REDACTED ADDRESS] SPEED (70-75…"~102,000 mi, complaint #1702302
  6. #6

    engine stall or no start

    2 stranded, 5 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 86,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "AFTER SHARP ACCELERATION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. NO OTHER ISSUES NOTED. TWO MONTHS LATER WITH 7500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE SAME THING OCCURRED BUT THIS TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE STABILIZATION LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL…"~5,325 mi, complaint #934918
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER READ 2 MPH OVER THE ACTUAL SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRE…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1303772
    • "ENGINE SEIZED DURING STRAIGHT ROAD, UPHILL ASCENT. OIL LIGHT BLINKED TWICE QUICKLY THEN WENT SOLID AND THEN IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER AT 60MPH ON FREEWAY. NO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH ENGINE. I WAS IN FAR LEFT LANE WITH NO EMERGENCY PARKING SO I NAVIGATED TO THE FAR R…"~107,000 mi, complaint #1553768
    • "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 DRI…"~146,000 mi, complaint #1714627
    • "WHICH DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR AT 65 MPH... WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OR WARNING LIGHT MY CAR STALLED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING WENT OUT ALONG WITH THE BRAKES AND ALL POWER. I SAT IN THE FAST LANE OF TRAFFIC UNABLE TO SAFELY EXIT MY CAR F…"~800,000 mi, complaint #1329655
  7. #7

    other

    6 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • ""TAKATA RECALL" RECEIVED LETTER FROM SUBARA OF AMERICA, INC. 3/24/17 IN REFERENCE TO RECALL. INSTRUCTED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. TOOK VEHICLE NEXT DAY TO DEALERSHIP, WHICH STATED THEY HAD REPAIR PARTS AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR…"~18,000 mi, complaint #1385514
    • "THE SUN VISOR MOUNT IS OF LOW QUALITY AND FAILURE ALLOWED THE VISOR TO FALL IN MY LAP WHILE DRIVING [REDACTED ADDRESS]. NO VEHICLE DAMAGE OCCURRED. THE ATTACHED PHOTO SHOWS THE REASON FOR FAILURE. VEHICLE MILEAGE AT FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000."~70,000 mi, complaint #1674871
    • "MY SUN VISERS FALL OFF. THEY FALL OFF AND LAND IN MY LAP. THEY AT TIMES CATCH THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY HAVE DONE THIS SINCE 2016. BOTH OF THEM DO THIS. WHEN I AM DRIVING, FREEWAY OR AROUND TOWN, THEY FALL OFF AND STARTLE ME AND CAUSE THE SUN TO BE IN MY EYES.…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1473810
  8. #8

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN TURNING OFF ENGINE, LOUD RAPID PINGING NOISE FROM FRONT OF THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. PER SUBARU HOME OFFICE THIS IS NORMAL. PER MANAGER OF SUBARU SERVICE DEPT IT IS NORMAL. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GUARDS AROUND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER - THAT THEY GET V…"~3,000 mi, complaint #975015
  9. #9

    door latch and hinge

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE TOP, RIGHT CORNER OF THE DOOR STRUCK MY FOREHEAD, CAUSING A GASH JUST ABOVE MY RIGHT EYEBROW THAT REQUIRED SIX STITCHES TO CLOSE. A LITTLE LOWER AND THE SHARP, POINTED CORNER OF THE DOOR FRAME COULD HAVE CAUSED THE LOS…"~2,800 mi, complaint #920702
  10. #10

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "DURING COLD WEATHER STARTS, THE VEHICLE CABIN SMELLS STRONGLY OF RAW FUEL, AS IF THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE SMELL PERSISTS UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS REACHED ITS NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. LOOSE FUEL LINES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR FORESTERS, AND…"~1,900 mi, complaint #951813
    • "FUEL MILEAGE WAY OUT OF WHACK. ON HIGHWAY AT 100-110 KMH AVERAGES 11 L/100KM SUNROOF LEAKS WHEN GOING THROUGH CAR WASH. *TR"~3,000 mi, complaint #906263
  11. #11

    glass and windshield

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 W…"~64,000 mi, complaint #1702968
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD HAD NOT BEEN STRUCK BY ANY OBJECT OR DEBRIS. THE DEALER (PIAZZA…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1486988
  12. #12

    software or update

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED THE SAME SPEED ONCE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE FAIL…"complaint #899860
    • "MY FORESTER HAS HAD THE ISSUE OF MISFIRING ON THREE OCCASIONS. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE FIRST TWO, NOW THEY TELL ME I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THEY CREATE A COMPUTER UPDATE, THAT MY CAR HAS A "GLITCH IN THE COMPUTER". MY CRUISE CONTROL BECOMES DISABLED…"complaint #915685
  13. #13

    stability and traction control

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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. A COUPLE OF DAY…"~1,600 mi, complaint #896943
    • "WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RPM, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND START FLASHING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ALSO FLASHED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME ALL THE LIGHTS…"~6,000 mi, complaint #919476
  14. #14

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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"~3,000 mi, complaint #949633
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1301850
  15. #15

    tire failure

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "NOTICE TWO BLEMISHES ON TIRE SIDE WALL AFTER BUYING NEW CAR, 1 YEAR LATER BULGING IS BIGGER. *TR"~10,000 mi, complaint #991798
  16. #16

    transmission automatic

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "2012 FORESTER 2.5X, 4-SPD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, 50+ MPH, ANY ATTEMPT TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE CAUSES THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT ALL THE WAY TO SECOND GEAR. THIS RESULTS IN VERY HIGH RPMS, BUT A LOSS IN VELOCITY AS…"~11,500 mi, complaint #969999
    • "VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE POWERED OFF AND BACK ON BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REENGAGE. DTC WAS P2138. THIS IS THE FOURTH INCIDENCE OVER A 14 MONTH PERIOD. AFTER POWER CYCLE RESET,…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1462461
  17. #17

    battery and charging

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED UNLESS HE DROVE THE VEHICLE REGULARLY, OR STARTED IT AND LET THE ENGINE IDLE, THE COMPLEX OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS WOULD RUN DOWN THE BATTERY TO A NO START AND SHORTLY…"complaint #975044
  18. #18

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • " ON JUNE 9, 2015 I BROUGHT MY 2012 SUBARU FORESTER (MILEAGE 41184) INTO THE SUBARU DEALER FOR A "BRAKE PIPE INSPECTION RECALL" AND TO REPLACE A BROKEN PLASTIC MOLDING IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. INSPECTION BY THE MECHANIC AT THIS TIME STATED THAT ALL THE BRAKES W…"~42,513 mi, complaint #1197741
  19. #19

    control module

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DISABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE V…"~8,650 mi, complaint #1003173
  20. #20

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "PURCHASED VEHICAL 3-4 MONTHS AGO W/ 86K MILES. OIL LEAKS IN HEAD GASKET ( QUART EVERY 6 WEEKS..RESEARCHED THIS AND TURNS OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FROM 1999- 2013. ON ALL FORESTERS. MANUFACTURER USED MORE SEALANT AND LESS GASKET ON THAT ENGINE.WHY WASN…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1584641
  21. #21

    fuel pump

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEA…"complaint #1106982
  22. #22

    interior trim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A BURNING ODOR FILLED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BECAME VERY HOT AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT TURNED…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1363851
  23. #23

    lighting exterior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I'M HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. IN PAST 3-4 MONTHS THEY HAVE RANDOMLY GONE OUT. THE LIGHT BULB IS GOOD. SO IS THE FUSE. EACH TIME WE TOOK THE HEADLIGHT AREA APART AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER IT LIGHT BULB CAME BACK ON. I DO NOT KNOW IF ITS THE WIRES OR CO…"~39,000 mi, complaint #1095493
  24. #24

    power windows and locks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOWS GLASS WILL NOT CLOSE. THE HEAD REST IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. REAR HATCH DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE WITHOUT BEING SLAMMED AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATES A CODE OF MISFIRING ON TWO CYLINDERS.…"complaint #1135484
  25. #25

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "DRIVER SEATBELT BUCKLE WILL NOT RELEASE. MAY TAKE UP TO 10 FIRM PUSHES OF RELEASE BUTTON BEFORE BUCKLE RELEASES. ENGINE OIL WAS AT 1 QUART EVEN AFTER 1 QUART OF OIL WAS ADDED PER MONTH. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AS ROD KNOCK. SECOND OPINION LED TO CHANGING OIL…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1543459
  26. #26

    starter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS; HOWEVER, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TH…"complaint #1307039
  27. #27

    sunroof

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE DRIVER-SIDE SUN VISOR DROPPED OUT OF IT'S BRACKET, AND FELL IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S FACE, WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN, STARTLING THE DRIVER AND BLOCKING DRIVER'S COMPLETE VIEW OF ON COMING TRAFFIC."~10,992 mi, complaint #1234440
  28. #28

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I WAS A BLOCK FROM HOME AFTER HAVING HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES FROM WORK WHEN I HEARD A LOUD "POP." I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT THE CAR. I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE INTO MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SUDDENLY FOLDED INTO TH…"~25,861 mi, complaint #1053911
  29. #29

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "SINCE MARCH, 2017 MY FORESTER BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE CAR AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH IN TO REVERSE OUT OF THE GARAGE. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS TOO EARLY FOR THE CLUTCH TO FAIL AT ONLY 74,000 MILES AND LUBRICATED IT-- TWICE OVER THE I…"~75,647 mi, complaint #1402860
  30. #30

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "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."complaint #1829934
  31. #31

    wiring harness

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHILE IDLING IN A PARKING LOT, MY FORESTER CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT QUICKLY. SO, THE DAMAGE WAS FORTUNATELY ISOLATED TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. IT SEEMS THAT THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE WIRING HARNESS AND ONE OF THE O2 SENSORS ON THE FRONT…"~48,000 mi, complaint #1242306

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for SUBARU FORESTER directly.