| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2012 Subaru Forester repairs by problem area
Engine (50%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (2%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (11%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (16%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)
Other (12%)
Chart based on 92 repairs.
2012 Subaru Forester engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (8%)
$1000 - $2499 (3%)
$500 - $999 (3%)
$100 - $499 (16%)
< $100 (71%)
Chart based on 38 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2012 Subaru Forester
Engine not specified
| 10000 mi US $100 |
Engine burning too much oil Car hard to start, need to try several times. Check engine light and traction watning light flashes while driving |
| 8000 mi | Burning too much oil, approx 2.5 quarts every 1500 miles. TSB, dealer began process of resolution. I did not want to deal with going back and forth to the dealer, and so early. Replaced car. |
2012 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD
| 24700 mi | Engine is consuming excessive oil. Dealer started oil consumption test. Consumed .5 quarts of oil in 600 miles. Dealer topped off the oil and will recheck at 1000 miles. |
| 26000 mi | High oil consumption continues. Dealer did not accurately measure oil consumption in 1000 miles. Restarted test and will return to dealer in 1000 miles. |
| 27400 mi | Dealer determined oil consumption of 1.25 quarts in 800 miles is excessive. Subaru replaced the short block (crank case, pistons, crankshaft) under warranty. Also given an extended warranty for 8 years, 80k miles at no cost. |
| 14140 mi | Excessive oil consumption; 1 litre / 1200 km on one trip. Dealer recommended oil consumption test which is in progress. No repairs performed as of yet. |
| 11840 mi | Oil Consumption Test Completed: 1 litre 0W20 synthetic oil used in 4,000km. Dealer sitting on fence as to whether this is "excessive". Looking into whether or not Subaru will allow use of 5W30 synthetic instead. |
| 18600 mi | 5W30 Synthetic now in car. Aprox. 1000K since oil change. Oil consumption appears improved. |
| 27900 mi | Short block replaced under warranty due to excessive oil consumption. Engine was consuming 1 litre of oil every 2000 - 3000 km despite switching to 5W30 from 0W20 synthetic oil. Dealer was very reasonable and helpful. |
| 132060 mi | Car went into limp mode with check engine , cruise and traction control light on or flashing. |
| 137020 mi | Oil consumption test recall from Subaru Canada. More than 1 liter per 2500km Engine will be changed under warranty in January 2018. |
| 138880 mi C $300 |
Engine changed under recall from Subaru Canada for excessive oil consumption. |
| 46521 mi | Loud clacking noise from engine compartment and significant oil loss with no external signs. Diagnosed at sticking PCV valve which was replaced under oil system warrantee. Currently in the midst of 1,500 mile oil consumption test. This happened once before. |
| 47000 mi | Vehicle failed oil consumption test with rate of 43.760Z per 1,200 miles. Engine removed and new short block installed. |
| 75000 mi | Over the last 2 oil change intervals, my Forester has started burning oil at a rate of >1 QT/3,000 miles. None prior. Brought to dealer for an oil consumption test, performed over 1200 miles. Dealer overfilled >1/2 Quart at start of test. |
| 82000 mi | Engine continues to burn oil at a rate of ~0.5 qts/1,000 miles. |
| 72000 mi US $60 |
Took car to dealer for oil consumption test. Burns 1 qt. of 0-20 every 2000 miles. Dealer over filled it with a thicker oil. No surprise, it burns less, about 1 qt. In 3000 miles. Subaru says 1 qt per 1000 miles is ok in their owners manual |
2012 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 14200 mi | Check engine light. Codes read misfires in #1 and #2 cylinders. Has occurred twice when under acceleration,computer was flashed for upgrade,and told to use only premium fuel. |
| 16000 mi | Burning oil. Dealer states normal a qt.every 1,000 miles. |
| 20000 mi | Faulty fuel cap, took 3 visits to diagnose & fix. Technician left clamp on line during 2nd visit causing 3rd visit |
| 59000 mi | CEL, flashing cruise, traction control lit. Cruise in. Code indicated loose gas cap. |
| 131000 mi US $250 |
CEL was on, which on a Subaru means cruise and traction control disabled. Scanned the codes which indicated the Bank 1 sensor was not responding correctly to lean and rich commands. Oxygen sensor replaced, codes reset, no further issues. $250 part at Autozone!!! |
| 144000 mi US $2800 |
Reseal engine to resolve multiple oil leaks. Replace water pump. Replace one wheel bearing. Replace stabilizer links. |
| 148000 mi US $1700 |
Catalytic converter replaced. O2 sensor damaged due to overheating. |
| 82500 mi US $100 |
Engine would turn over many times before starting, corrected with ECM reflash Rattle from under vehicle, clamp on heat shield replaced |
| 41540 mi | Plugs and coil to correct check engine light |
| 91000 mi US $600 |
Replace serpentine belt. |
| 125860 mi A $6800 |
Engine replaced due to main bearing failure |
| 68000 mi | High oil consumption. Dealer did oil change at no charge and re-checked oil consumption after 1200 miles. Within acceptable consumption rate. |
| 78000 mi US $2500 |
Head gasket failure resulting in coolant leaking along with a crack in another small part. |
| 45000 mi | Vehicle would occasionally take unusually long time to start, not related to temperature or time since last drive. Dealer said there was a bulletin for the issue and applied a software update. Am waiting to see if the update fixes the issue. |
| 13000 mi | While accelerating up a large hill, cruise light, service engine light and traction control light came in making cruise and traction control inoperable. Read on net 26 pages of this issue. Needed an ECM flash. all good and better mileage |
| 31100 mi | The lower part of the engine was replaced as a courtesy. My insurance, factory warranty (under 30,000 miles) did not apply, the extended warranty did not apply(under 30,000 miles) and my insurance policy did not cover the repair. |
| 14400 mi | Check engine went on, and the traction control sensor showed the system was defective, also the cruise control stopped working. It was the oxygen sensor causing the check engine to be on and other dfisplay irregularities |
| 42000 mi US $120 |
Fuel mileage at 17-18 in cold weather city drving. Dealership couldn't solve problem. Also, for the first time in life, the washer fluid lines froze though at least they didn't burst like other cars. |
| 10080 mi | Check engine light and traction light on, then off within 15second on itself. Called dealer, said not to worry because lights are off. Wo waited two weeks for service. Tech said system parameters setting wrong. Flashed system with new memory |
| 91760 mi | Valve cover leak observed, inspection only, only to monitor. |
| 13000 mi | Reloaded engine software but still have intermitant starting problems. Seal for timing belt cover leaking. |
| 16500 mi | Engine at 18,000 miles was 2.5 quarts low on oil. It now has long cold start until key is recycled and serve piston slap. Has blown blue smoke, low coolant, blown fused, and cracked windshield. Our second Subaru to crack a windshield. |
| 24000 mi | Motor oil consumption, misfires, coolant consumption. |
| 3000 mi | CEL, Traction Control, and Cruise Control lights blinking on dash. Dealer tech stated that the control module recorded two engine misfires. The module was re-flashed in compliance with a TSB. |
| 13000 mi | CEL, Cruise & Traction control lights blinking. Dealer reset ECU. |
| 51000 mi US $385 |
Engine was repaired under Subaru's high oil consumption TSB. |
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