2012 Subaru Forester Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the seats of the 2012 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Forester. While driving approximately 30 MPH, a burning odor filled the inside of the vehicle. The seat became very hot and burned a hole through the seat and the contact's clothing. There were no injuries. The contact turned off the seat heater. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that it was a second occurrence and the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered a savings coupon in addition to the seat replacement. …”
NHTSA complaint #10966491, filed 2017-03, 90,000 miles“2012 Subaru Forester. Consumer stated the windows glass will not close. The head rest is not installed properly. Rear hatch door will not close without being slammed and opened while driving. Check engine light indicates a code of misfiring on two cylinders. The consumer stated if the driver and passenger windows were lowered when driving at highway speeds, the window glass shifted out beyond the channel in the door and the windows would not close. The consumer stated he had to listen to a high-pitched squeal while driving. The dealer did confirm a problem existed, but there was no solution.”
NHTSA complaint #10654358, filed 2014-12Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 0% |
| 2018 | 30 | 6% |
| 2017 | 34 | 6% |
| 2016 | 24 | 6% |
| 2015 | 22 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 76 | 29% |
| 2009 | 16 | 9% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
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 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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