What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 3,200+ owner reports, the 2012-2012 Subaru Forester has 2 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: FB25 Engine Excessive Oil Consumption, Rear Suspension Bushing Clunk Over Bumps. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Subaru Forester reliable?

The 2012-2012 Subaru Forester has 2 known issues documented across 3,200+ owner reports. 1 issue is rated critical: FB25 Engine Excessive Oil Consumption. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Forester problems?

Repair costs for known Subaru Forester issues range from $0 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, FB25 Engine Excessive Oil Consumption, typically costs $0-$4,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

2012 Subaru Forester Problems: 2 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2012 model year · 3,200+ owner reports · Updated April 2026

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According to Au7o's analysis of 3,200+ owner reports, the 2012 Subaru Forester has 2 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is FB25 Engine Excessive Oil Consumption ($0-$4,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is FB25 Engine Excessive Oil Consumption with 3,200 owner reports. Across all issues, repair costs range from $0 to $4,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

All 2 Known Issues

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Community Reported

3,200 owners

On the 2011-2018 Subaru Forester FB25, the 2.5L FB25 engine in 2011-2018 Foresters is widely reported for excessive oil consumption, often burning 1 quart every 1,000-1,500 miles. The root cause is defective piston rings that fail to maintain proper oil control. Subaru acknowledged the issue with TSB 02-157-14R and extended the powertrain warranty to 8 years/100,000 miles for affected vehicles. A class-action settlement (Oakes v. Subaru) covered ring replacement for qualifying owners. The oil consumption test (OCT) required by Subaru involves monitoring oil usage over 3,000 miles at the dealership.

This issue also affects: Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Audi Q5, Audi Q7

Common Symptoms

Oil level drops significantly between changes
Low oil pressure warning light
Blue or grey smoke from exhaust on startup
Need to add 1+ quart of oil every 1,000-1,500 miles
Burning oil smell from engine bay

How to Fix

Request an oil consumption test (OCT) at a Subaru dealer. If consumption exceeds 1 qt per 3,000 miles, piston ring replacement is warranted. The fix involves replacing all piston rings and sometimes pistons (Subaru part 12006-AB270 short block assembly for severe cases). Check warranty extension and class-action settlement eligibility. Use Subaru 0W-20 synthetic oil and change at 3,000-mile intervals while monitoring.

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 3,200+ owners who fixed this issue

Tip
Tip
Tip
UpgradeHigh-quality synthetic oil helps reduce consumption and protect worn engines (Mobil 1 Extended Performance Full Synthetic Motor Oil)
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UpgradePremium oil filter ensures proper filtration with high-mileage engines (Wix Oil Filter)
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Typical repair cost:$0 - $4,500

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3,200+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

High Confidence3,200 reportsLast reported by owners Feb 2026Reviewed Feb 2026

On the 2009-2018 Subaru Forester, foresters from 2009-2018 develop a persistent clunking or knocking noise from the rear suspension when going over bumps, rough roads, or speed bumps. The cause is worn rear lateral link bushings and rear stabilizer bar end links. The rubber bushings dry out and crack, allowing metal-on-metal contact. The noise is often misdiagnosed as strut or shock failure.

Common Symptoms

Clunking from rear over bumps and rough roads
Hollow knocking sound at low speeds over uneven surfaces
Rear end feels loose or vague in corners
Visible cracking or deterioration of rear suspension bushings

How to Fix

Replace rear lateral link bushings (both inner and outer on each side). Replace rear stabilizer bar end links. Whiteline polyurethane bushings are a popular upgrade that lasts significantly longer than OEM rubber. If noise persists, check rear subframe mounting bushings. Torque all bolts to spec with the suspension loaded (wheels on ground or suspension compressed to ride height).

What Owners Are Using

Parts and tips from 0+ owners who fixed this issue

Tip
Tip
UpgradePerformance monotube shocks/struts for sport-tuned suspension (Bilstein B8 Sport Shocks/Struts)
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UpgradeStrut mount and bearing for noise-free strut operation (Moog Strut Mount Assembly)
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Typical repair cost:$300 - $800

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0+ owners have reported this issue

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Community Reported

Medium Confidence0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Invalid Date

2012 Subaru Forester Problems: 2 Issues Every Owner Should Know

All 2 Known Issues

2011-2018 Subaru Forester: FB25 Engine Excessive Oil Consumption#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

Research This Issue

2009-2018 Subaru Forester: Rear Suspension Bushing Clunk Over Bumps#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What Owners Are Using

Research This Issue

Other Subaru Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?

Is the Subaru Forester reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Subaru Forester problems?

What is the 2011-2018 Subaru Forester FB25 Engine Excessive Oil Consumption?

What is the 2009-2018 Subaru Forester Rear Suspension Bushing Clunk Over Bumps?