NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt force-limiter may not work properly during a crash, potentially causing the belt to restrain occupants with excessive force.
This page covers 13 recalls, 105 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Subaru Forester.
21–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.2 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2012 Forester centers on the engine and airbag systems. On the engine side, owners frequently report oil leaks, oil consumption, and internal failures, some describing ticking or tapping noises that progressed to complete engine failure, often at relatively low mileage. Oil leaking from the engine is a recurring theme across multiple reports. Airbag complaints are also well-represented, with owners describing warning lights, unexpected deployment, or concerns about airbag readiness. The third notable cluster involves vehicle speed control, where owners describe unintended acceleration and brake-related issues, some reporting the vehicle surging unexpectedly and brakes failing to respond as anticipated. A smaller number of reports mention brake line corrosion leading to fluid loss and a non-functional brake pedal, discovered without any dashboard warning light triggering beforehand.
105
Total Complaints
15
Crash-Related
5
Fire-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Subaru Forester has 13 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
The airbag concern spans multiple filings covering the same underlying defect, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles. There is also an electrical fire risk on turbocharged models: a relay controlling the secondary air injection pump can fail, causing the pump to run continuously, overheat, and melt, raising the risk of a vehicle fire. On vehicles where the ignition switch was replaced with a certain aftermarket part, an internal spring can break and cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving, and the airbags may not deploy if a crash follows. Two seatbelt recalls round out the list: the front seatbelt force-limiter may not work correctly in a crash, reducing how well it restrains the occupant, and the rear center seatbelt's automatic locking retractor may fail to lock properly, leaving a child safety seat unsecured. There is also a recall involving exterior puddle lights, where moisture can reach the circuit board and cause a short.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt force-limiter may not work properly during a crash, potentially causing the belt to restrain occupants with excessive force.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front seat belt assembly and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the propellant inside degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breaking down after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The relay controlling the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to run continuously and overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Puddle lights under the doors can develop electrical short circuits when road spray containing salt penetrates the light's circuit board or connector pins.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an additional fused harness to protect the puddle light circuit from moisture damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic locking retractor in the rear center seat belt doesn't lock properly, preventing secure installation of a child restraint in that seating position.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear center seat belt assembly with a modified automatic locking retractor at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.