What 105 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Subaru Forester Wilderness

I checked my oil level, fluids, and tire pressure before a drive on the highway. Driving on [XXX] South, faint ticking started, then a louder tapping, and I immediately pulled off, luckily, off an exit ramp. AAA towed the Forester to a certified repair shop and the mechanic stated that the engine was blown. The 2.5 boxster engine used little to no oil, and the oil changes had been made always earlier than needed. The Forester had been maintained perfectly, driven cautiously and it had never been subject to any adverse conditions or accidents. After speaking with a number of certified mechanics, it is known that the engine needs to be replaced. But, how can the engine be replaced, especially with a used engine, when the boxster engines are very faulty and Subaru has not engineered corrective actions/new parts ? Subaru has a serious problem with these engines and now after there are hundreds of similar owners they should do some type of recall to compensate the owners. The Forester has less than 126,000 miles, and was cared for in every possible way. Subaru, you should contact us owners to get this corrected, and to provide updated boxster engines with thicker and better, pistons, rods, cylinders, cams etc. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11636357

my vehicle has 52460 miles and was in southern oregon subaru for an oil change, when i was informed the engine was leaking oil. the service advisor said the cam carrier reseal was needed and it would cost $3380.00. i checked youtube and found that subaru forester from 2012 to 2019 engines have this problem. why should i pay this if subaru's engines have this problem.

NHTSA ODI 11565874

After purchasing the vehicle on July 25, 2023 at approximately 99,800 miles, I began driving across the country from PA to CA. I purchased the vehicle from a Subaru dealership, so it was certified pre-owned. Beginning on day 3 of the drive, the car began to make a ticking sound under the hood. The car still had oil on the dipstick, but I added half a quart to be safe. There were no dealerships nearby, so I proceeded to drive to the nearest town and went to a mechanic. They believed the sound was from the engine working hard. We proceeded driving the following day, and after a few hours (around 2,000 miles of the cross country drive) the sound became worse/louder. I was fortunately able to pull off at an exit in the middle of Wyoming, and immediately after driving down the exit ramp, the car stopped. I could not turn the steering wheel, the car would not move, and 3 lights came on. I was able to turn on the car to move it 20 feet out of the way, and checked the oil again as two oil lights came on the dash. There was essentially no oil in my car. I added the last half quart I had with me, but the location we were at did not carry oil for cars. We got a tow to the nearest dealership the following day and they informed me that my engine needed to be replaced and I had no oil in my car. There were no warning or indication lights the entire time we were driving. The engine seized without warning and there were never any leaks under the car indicating that I was losing oil. Had there not been an exit at the right time, the car would have given out on the side of the highway where people drive 80mph. The exact cause is still unknown as to why the engine burned through all the oil and why the engine needs to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11538924

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 ODI 11486216

I purchased my Subaru Forester new in 2012. After a few thousand miles it was brought to my attention by the service tech that there was a "small" oil leak coming from the engine. They said it was not significant. No one mentioned that SB 02-131-12R had been issued addressing these leaks because they were so prominent with the engine in my Forester. At a little over 60,000 miles all of a sudden the dealer was "concerned" about fixing it now that I would have to foot the bill. The repair was made but failed shortly thereafter. The engine started showing PO170, PO171 codes. I took the vehicle to Subaru of Loveland and was told that the camshaft carrier that was supposed to be repaired at Subaru of Pueblo was leaking oil on the O2 sensor causing the lean condition. I was told that if it was not repaired that the catalytic converter would overheat and valve damage to the engine would occur. Loveland said that the repair would cost $3,300.00 and that I probably would need a new short block shortly because of the damages caused by the leak. This is an emission problem as the engine will not meet standards. The engine in the Subaru Forester was a new design in 2011 and has suffered excessive oil consumption and camshaft carrier leaks until 2018 when the engine was replace with a new design. A search of the https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2012-cam-carrier-oil-leak.261490/ (Subaru Forum) will show many, many Subaru owner complaints on this issue. The overheating of the catalytic converter is a definite fire hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11450311

My car suffered a catastrophic oil event without an indicator light or any other warning requiring a new engine. The car has 119k miles (purchased from a Subaru dealer with 114k less than a year ago). We had no leaks in our garage or driveway from the car. My daughter was driving the car to school, and the smoke filled the car. The car was not driveable and was towed to an auto repair shop.

NHTSA ODI 11441124

My car suffered a catastrophic oil event without an indicator light or any other warning that is nesitating a new engine. The car had less than 70,000 miles on it. I had informed some ticking noise from the engine in previous maintenance events. I was driving on the interstate, and my engine seized and locked-up, and I had to slowly pullover on an interstate highway.

NHTSA ODI 11426454

1st noticed a couple of years ago sounded like valve tapping engine noise. Took to auto shop and they stated car had virtually no oil in it. Never mentioned oil consumption issue. In March of 2020, took car into Subaru dealer for inspection and oil change. Yesterday, while driving home, noticed same noise as before. Auto shop found article about excessive oil consumption. Article stated owners were notified and advised of actions that could be taken. Mechanic stated it was a known issue, but no official recall had ever been issued. I never received any notification. Subaru offered to extend warranty period, but I may now be outside of that. Have appt at dealer tomorrow for other service work (including oil change). Car has 75k miles and is 2012. Was down over 3 quarts of oil at around 7,000 miles. No oil warning indicator ever illuminated. Was told by dealer when I called last night that they would perform "Oil Consumption Test" recommended by manufacture, "if your engine VIN meets the requirements". If the engine runs dry, good potential to seize on the spot and cause accident and injury.

NHTSA ODI 11421378

SUBARU HAS BEEN AWARE OF AN OIL CONSUMPTION DEFECT WITH THE PISTON RINGS IN THIS MODEL CAR AND NEVER NOTIFIED OWNERS THAT IT WAS PRESENT. THE RESULT CAN BE OIL PRESSURE LOSS, RAPID OVERHEATING, AND MOTOR SEIZING. THE MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR SOME CUSTOMERS FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION DAMAGES, BUT NOT FOR MANY OTHERS. THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE AT MANUFACTURE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE INSTITUTED.

NHTSA ODI 11377318

AT 102K MILES, ENGINE DEVELOPED LOUD TAPPING SOUND. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS USED A QUART OF OIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1000 MILES SINCE NEW. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE OIL RELATED DUE TO ENGINE DESIGN/PART DEFECT. PROBLEM APPEARED AFTER 4 HOUR DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEED (70-75MPH). MECHANIC CHECKING FOR VALVE OR ROCKER DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11366444

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER BECAME AWARE OF OIL CONSUMPTION ON THE VEHICLE. HIS DAUGHTER FREQUENTLY HAD TO REPLENISH THE OIL DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED MAITA SUBARU (2912 AUBURN BLVD, SACRAMENTO, CA 95821) AND ELK GROVE SUBARU (8581 LAGUNA GROVE DR, ELK GROVE, CA 95757) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE VEHICLE FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN MAY OF 2020. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THE DEALERS INFORMATION. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11355110

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. HAVE TO ADD MORE THAN A 1 QUART BETWEEN OIL CHANGES(EVERY 3K MILES).

NHTSA ODI 11301531

PURCHASED VEHICAL 3-4 MONTHS AGO W/ 86K MILES. OIL LEAKS IN HEAD GASKET ( QUART EVERY 6 WEEKS..RESEARCHED THIS AND TURNS OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FROM 1999- 2013. ON ALL FORESTERS. MANUFACTURER USED MORE SEALANT AND LESS GASKET ON THAT ENGINE.WHY WASN'T THIS RECALLED?? EASILY VERIFIED VIA TUBE OR INTERNET.THE OTHER ISSUE IS LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WORN OUT AT 86K MILES. STEERING IS VERY UN STABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11232174

2012 SUBARU FORESTER WITH 106,000 MILES BURNS ALL OF THE ENGINE OIL DRY. I HAVE READ THIS IS DUE TO FAULTY PISTON RINGS. WHERE IS THE RECALL FOR THIS ? IT IS UNACCEPTABLE. REGULARLY, IF NOT, OVER MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ODI 11222584

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL AT APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MPH I WENT TO PRESS THE BRAKES WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CONCRETE WALL IN FRONT OF ME. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND NEITHER ME OR MY PASSENGER WERE NOT HURT. DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, FRAME, GRILL AND VARIOUS COMPONENTS JUST INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI 11204536

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 ODI 11182718

MY CAR SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC OIL EVENT WITHOUT AN INDICATOR LIGHT OR ANY OTHER WARNING THAT IS NESITATING A NEW ENGINE. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS IN SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY WITHOUT ANYONE NOTICING THE OIL PROBLEM? ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND WAS HEARING A TICKING NOISE LIKE WHEN YOU PUT A BASEBALL CARD ON YOUR BICYCLE SPOKES WITH A CLOTHESPIN. WHEN I WAS A MILE FROM MY WORKPLACE AN OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE EXPRESSWAY INTO A GAS STATION. I PUT SYNTHETIC OIL INTO THE CAR, RESTARTED IT AND DROVE LESS THAN A MILE TO AN OPEN SERVICE STATION WHERE I LEFT THE CAR FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE STATION INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. I SPOKE TO SUBARU AFTER DISCOVERING THAT THIS EVENT WAS NOT MINE ALONE AND IN 2015 SUBARU WAS SUED FOR THE PROBLEM. I WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS OR DREAMED IT WAS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11161791

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 VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE RELAY SYSTEM AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, WHICH ONLY INCLUDED TURBO BOOSTER ENGINE VEHICLES. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S NON-TURBO BOOSTER ENGINE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11109597

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND BATTERY FAILED. THERE WAS ALSO TOO MUCH FUEL IN THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,235.

NHTSA ODI 10938488

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM BANK OWNED, IT WAS 3 YEARS OLD WHEN BOUGHT, IT HAD 70,000 MILES. IN ONE YEAR OF USAGE/SERVICE TIME, WITH 3 OIL CHANGES/2 WITH EXTREME OIL BURNING. NO SIGNS OF SMOKE, OVERHEAT, BUT WITHIN THE 4TH YEAR OF OWNERSHIP IT BEGAN TO MAKE ENGINE NOISES. A RATTLING WHICH AS IT TURN OUT, AND UNBEKNOWN TO US VEHICLE WAS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH, AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD US THAT THE VEHICLE COVERAGE WAS AT 100,000 MILES/A CUT OFF FOR COVERAGE ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT. THEY TOOK OUR CAR, STORED IT, BECAUSE IT HAD GONE 120 MILES OVER THE CUT OFF, AND WE'RE STILL WAITING TO SEE IF THEY WILL HONOR THEIR PROMISE OF COVERAGE BEING THAT IT'S NOT AN OLD VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10926803

I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY. I ONLY HAD IT A COUPLE DAYS AND DECIDED I SHOULD CHECK THE OIL. NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK!! PUT 2 QUARTS IN TO BRING IT LEVEL. I HAVE TO CHECK THE OIL EVERY FEW DAYS TO MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT RUN OUT. I AM HAVING TO PUT IN A QUART EVERY 500 MILES! THIS IS NOT NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION! THE OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF SUBARU'S REPUTATION. NEVER AGAIN! AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT FILED. HOW CAN A DEALER SELL A CAR THAT IS THE OBJECT OF A LAWSUIT? SUBARU SHOULD BE RECALLING THIS VEHICLE. NOW I'M STUCK MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT WON'T LAST.

NHTSA ODI 10926790

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. I PAID THE 403.00 REPAIR AND CONTACT SUBARU USA DUE TO MY CONCERNS. ALTHOUGH I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS ON HOLD EACH TIME FOR UP TO 10 MIN AND ALSO EMAILED.. STILL NOT RESPONSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR.. AND PLAN TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR SOON.. BUT AM CONCERNED SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE MY CAR AND BE IN DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10919796

MY CAR IS SUBURU FORESTER 2012. I USUALLY CHANGE THE OIL IN THE CAR BETWEEN 7000-10000 MILES. ON JAN 13-2016, AT 71854 MILE, AMSOIL 5 QUART SYNTHETIC OIL WAS PLACED AT OIL CHANGE. ON AUG 8TH AT 80600, I WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND ALSO THE CAR WAS MAKING KNOCKING SOUND. THE SUBURU DEALER TOLD ME ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO LACK OF OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS DEEMED NOT DRIVABLE. THERE WERE NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAK UNDER THE CAR OR AROUND THE OIL CONTAINER ON THE ENGINE, WHEN CHECK BY THE GLASSMAN DEALER IN SOUTHFIELD MICHIGAN. SUBURU FORESTER DOES NOT HAVE ANY ENGINE OIL LEVEL LIGHT. THE ENGINE CONSUMES THE OIL AND, THE OWNERS SHOULD BE WARNED ABOUT THIS. I LOST 6000.00 MONEY ON THE TRADE IN DUE TO THE ENGINE CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI 10895374

OIL WAS CHECKED BEFORE VEHICLE LEFT MASSACHUSETTS FOR A TRIP TO NEW MEXICO. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2300 MILES, UPON ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION NO OIL SHOWED ON THE DIPSTICK. MECHANIC DRAINED ONLY 2.5 QUARTS FROM VEHICLE (5.5 QUARTS IS FULL) SO ENGINE CONSUMED 3.0 QUARTS. THIS IS GROSSLY EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION AND INDICATIVE OF A SERIOUS ENGINE/MATERIALS DEFECT. HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THIS OIL CONSUMPTION DEFECT IS COMMON TO 2011-2014 SUBARU VEHICLES. SUBARU WILL NOT FIX THIS ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE WILL CAUSE ME TO INCUR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO PURCHASE AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE OIL VOLUME DURING THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVAL AND LOSS OF VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS A DANGER TO THE DRIVERS AND OTHERS ON THE STREET BECAUSE THE ENGINE MAY CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ON THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT IT, TOO, IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10683736

ENGINE USING SYNTHETIC OW-20 OIL PER DEALER RECOMMENDATION USES OIL FASTER THAN NEW CAR SHOULD. OIL CHANGED 18,951MI. AT AROUND 22,000 OIL WAS NOTED LEAKING AROUND OIL FILTER. ALSO DIPSTICK SHOWING LOW LEVEL. OWNER HAD TO ADD OIL WHILE ON A TRIP. AFTER 24,393MI OIL FILTER LEAK REPORTED, DEALER REPLACED GASKET 803916010 AND TOPPED OFF OIL. AT 26,312 MI, OIL AGAIN CHANGED BY DEALER. 3K MI LATER (29,000MI) OIL AGAIN SHOWED BELOW LOW ON DIPSTICK REQUIRING OWNER TO ADD OIL. 32,191 MI SERVICE APPOINTMENT OIL CHANGE BY DEALER STATES "CLOSE TO FULL." DEALER TOLD US THAT CARS USE A QUART OF OIL EVERY THOUSAND MILES NORMALLY. NO LEAK FOUND ON INSPECTION. I ALWAYS PARK IN THE SAME PLACE AT PARKING GARAGE AND THERE ARE NO OIL LEAKS ON THE CONCRETE. MY FAMILY HAS HAD 2 OTHER NEW SUBARU VEHICLES SINCE 2003 WHICH ALSO USE SYNTHETIC OIL AND NO OTHER CAR HAS HAD THIS OIL USAGE. I HAVE OWNED 6 NEW CARS IN MY LIFETIME. I KNOW HOW TO MAINTAIN AN ENGINE BY FREQUENT CHECKS AND MAINTENANCE. MY CONCERN IS THAT OWNERS MAY LOSE AN ENGINE DUE TO SEIZURE IF THEY FOLLOW SUBARU RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE BY MILEAGE OR MONTHS. SOME OWNERS WHO ARE NOT DILIGENT IN CHECKING FREQUENTLY MAY LOSE AN ENGINE. MY OTHER CONCERN IS THAT EITHER SUBARU ENGINE DESIGN, GASKETS, OR OTHER PARTS MAY BE TO BLAME IN EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10614733