2012 Subaru Forester engine problems
29 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2012 Subaru Forester, which is 21% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 29 21% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 86,000 miles 19 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 19 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 86,000 miles, and 26% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire.
What owners wrote
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. The cruise control independently disengaged and the vehicle lost all power. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. A police report and a fire report were filed. There were no injuries sustained.
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 changed the oil & filter under warranty as per bulletin 02-144-13r & having me return after an additional 1200 miles of driving. This engine is defective for having oil usage at such low mileage and begin relatively new.
Other problems reported for the 2012 Subaru Forester
- Air bags 20 complaints
- Cruise control 18 complaints
- Brakes 15 complaints