2012 Subaru Forester Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 9%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Subaru Forester, 9% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 of the vehicle ignited. The fire burned the wiring harness near the connector and damaged the o2 sensor. Both needed to be replaced to repair my vehicle. This fire happened spontaneously and seems to be a safety risk . In my opinion, a 3.5 year old vehicle should not spontaneously catch fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10807884, filed 2015-12, 48,000 miles“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 driving on the highway and is very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #11384365, filed 2020-12, 146,000 miles“The vehicle will just stall. It has happened three times; usually at a stop sign or slowing down to turn. I have had it towed and in the shop, and they can't find anything wrong with it. No error messages. One shop cleaned the throttle body and thought that might be the problem. The vehicle has always consumed oil; at least a quart is added every 700-1000 miles. We have changed the oil regularly and don't understand why the oil consumption problem. Now the cruise light flashes off and on. The traction light and check engine light stays on all the time.”
NHTSA complaint #11486216, filed 2022-09“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 for almost and hour until help arrived. I took the car to the dealership neil huffman in louisville ky where I purchased the car new 4 years ago. I was told the mass airflow sensor had failed. I was also told that they had no idea why this happened at 65 MPH with no warning. …”
NHTSA complaint #10919796, filed 2016-10“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 repaired. The vehicle was unable to be restarted by the mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 56,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10892235, filed 2016-08, 56,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V297000Apr 11, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2013, Legacy 2005–2014, Outback 2005–2014 +3 more
- 16V738000Oct 13, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2013, Impreza 2008–2014, Outback 2007–2009 +1 more
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 25% |
| 2025 | 9 | 9% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 8 | 11% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 34 | 16% |
| 2020 | 103 | 17% |
| 2019 | 134 | 16% |
| 2018 | 71 | 14% |
| 2017 | 106 | 18% |
| 2016 | 93 | 22% |
| 2015 | 82 | 13% |
| 2014 | 42 | 10% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 10 | 9% |
| 2011 | 11 | 7% |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% |
| 2009 | 22 | 12% |
| 2008 | 5 | 10% |
| 2007 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 7 | 8% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Forester
27 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology