2012 Subaru Forester Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the seat belts of the 2012 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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 failed and released the seat belt and the front air bag did not deploy. There is substantial damage to the interior of my car ,steering column , gear shift ,etc. I sustained rather severe neck injuries which I believe would have reduced or eliminated if the safety systems had operated.”
NHTSA complaint #11051371, filed 2017-11, 38,000 miles“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 twice and checking pressures. Recommended change oil every 3000 miles on this particular type of engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11182718, filed 2019-02, 86,000 miles“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, while driving and the check engine light flashes, along with vehicle dynamics control waring light also blinks. The dealership tells me the car will run properly, not to worry. The owner's manual states that the ABS is poroblably malfunctioning. The first time this happened, they dealership said I may have had watery gas. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456177, filed 2012-04Related recalls
- 22V838000Nov 10, 2022Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2013
- 12V099000Mar 13, 2012SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 FORESTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2012
Related service bulletins
- 10228782Dec 9, 2022Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, in which a defective left front seat belt may have been…
- 10226878Nov 29, 2022Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, in which a defective left front seat belt may have been…
- 10226849Nov 11, 2022Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, in which a defective left front seat belt may have been…
- 10226846Nov 11, 2022Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2009-2013 model year Forester vehicles, in which a defective left front seat belt may have been…
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 10 | 2% |
| 2017 | 10 | 2% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 9 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 2% |
| 2013 | 3 | 4% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 7 | 5% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Forester
27 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 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 31, 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