2012 Subaru Forester Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,496miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the visibility of the 2012 Subaru Forester, 5% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,496 miles.
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 sun visor mount is of low quality and failure allowed the visor to fall in my lap while driving 50 MPH on a county highway. No vehicle damage occurred. The attached photo shows the reason for failure. Vehicle mileage at failure was approximately 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11337862, filed 2020-07, 70,000 miles“The driver-side sun visor dropped out of it's bracket, and fell in front of the driver's face, while driving in town, startling the driver and blocking driver's complete view of on coming traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10787689, filed 2015-11, 10,992 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 2014-12Related service bulletins
- 10171105Jan 31, 2020This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies.
- 10163526Jul 12, 2019"This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies developed to address the following customer concerns: ⢠Power windows inoperative from the…
- 10161812May 2, 2019This bulletin announces availability of new power window switch assemblies developed to address the following customer concerns: ? Power windows inoperative from the driver?s…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 25% |
| 2025 | 20 | 20% |
| 2024 | 5 | 16% |
| 2023 | 12 | 16% |
| 2022 | 24 | 24% |
| 2021 | 90 | 42% |
| 2020 | 301 | 50% |
| 2019 | 406 | 49% |
| 2018 | 156 | 31% |
| 2017 | 116 | 20% |
| 2016 | 23 | 6% |
| 2015 | 28 | 5% |
| 2014 | 12 | 3% |
| 2013 | 5 | 6% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 11 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 7 | 7% |
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 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 27, 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