Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2012 Subaru forester has 15 recalls, 104 complaints, and a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
15
Recalls
104
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 9, 2026
19V008000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 F...
19V007000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold...
19V009000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Fo...
19V297000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legac...
17V014000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009...
16V738000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009...
18V012000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles so...
14V311000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 20...
14V830000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently,...
12V099000
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 FORESTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING...
12V602000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before Ja...
20V001000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 L...
20V002000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 ...
20V003000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 ...
22V838000
SEAT BELTS
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correct...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2012 Subaru Forester SUV AWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 8, 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the brake ... |
| Oct 1, 2024 | ENGINE | I checked my oil level, fluids, and tire pressure before a drive on the highway. Driving on [XXX] ... |
| Jan 15, 2024 | ENGINE | my vehicle has 52460 miles and was in southern oregon subaru for an oil change, when i was informed ... |
| Nov 21, 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES | My 2012 Subaru Forester suddenly accelerated as I was making a right hand turn from a parking lot o... |
| Aug 5, 2023 | ENGINE | After purchasing the vehicle on July 25, 2023 at approximately 99,800 miles, I began driving across ... |
| Nov 27, 2022 | STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Both rear gate hydraulic arms failed at the same time. On or about 11/27/22, while retrieving item... |
| Sep 14, 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The vehicle will just stall. It has happened three times; usually at a stop sign or slowing down to... |
| Aug 1, 2022 | WHEELS | 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO STUD FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE 3 OF THE ... |
| Jul 8, 2022 | AIR BAGS | My 2012 Subaru forester had a recall on my passenger air bag that I had completed February 2019. It ... |
| Feb 3, 2022 | ENGINE | I purchased my Subaru Forester new in 2012. After a few thousand miles it was brought to my attenti... |
| Nov 13, 2021 | ENGINE | My car suffered a catastrophic oil event without an indicator light or any other warning requiring a... |
| Jul 2, 2021 | AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of spee... |
| Jun 17, 2021 | ENGINE | 1st noticed a couple of years ago sounded like valve tapping engine noise. Took to auto shop and the... |
| May 5, 2021 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | KEEPS SMELLING LIKE GAS, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CRUISE LIGHT BLINKS, AND TRACKTION CONTROL LIGH... |
| Dec 21, 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2012 SUBARU DASH LIGHT ALL COME ON AND THEN THE CAR STARTS TO STALL OUT. DEALER CAN NOT FIND OUT THE... |
| Nov 25, 2020 | ENGINE | SUBARU HAS BEEN AWARE OF AN OIL CONSUMPTION DEFECT WITH THE PISTON RINGS IN THIS MODEL CAR AND NEVER... |
| Oct 1, 2020 | WHEELS | 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WHEEL ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIR... |
| Sep 26, 2020 | ENGINE | AT 102K MILES, ENGINE DEVELOPED LOUD TAPPING SOUND. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS USED A QUART OF OIL APPROXIMA... |
| Jun 1, 2020 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER BECAME AWARE OF OIL C... |
| Apr 1, 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | MY FRONT WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A SPONTANEOUS CRACK. IN APRIL 2020, THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIG... |