This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Subaru Forester engine problems
moderate 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 22 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2012 Subaru Forester with the 2.5L engine burns oil at rates well above normal—owners consistently report losing 1 quart per 500–1000 miles or 3+ quarts between 3,000-mile service intervals. No external leaks appear underneath the vehicle. Despite severe oil depletion, the low-oil warning light often fails to illuminate, leaving owners unaware of the problem until they physically check the dipstick.
When oil runs out, the engine seizes without warning, typically during highway driving. Owners hear escalating ticking or knocking under the hood minutes before seizure, then lose all power and steering. This requires complete engine replacement—a major repair with no permanent fix documented in these narratives.
Related to excessive consumption is a known camshaft carrier oil leak that contaminates the oxygen sensor, triggering lean-running codes (P0170, P0171) and overheating the catalytic converter. Subaru issued bulletins (02-131-12R, 02-144-13R) and extended warranty periods, but repairs failed and coverage expired by 2020. One owner was quoted $3,300+ for a cam-carrier reseal and warned a new short block would likely follow.
Owners also report loud pinging from catalytic converter guards after shutdown as they cool under thermal stress. Subaru confirms this is normal. One vehicle caught fire at 130,000 miles under circumstances still unclear to the owner.
Across the 22 complaints here, no owner received a recall notice, and many discovered the problem only after thousands in repairs or engine replacement became necessary.
Same Subaru Forester engine reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burns through oil at abnormally high rates, causing oil level to drop significantly between service intervals. Owners report consuming 1 quart per 500–1000 miles or burning 3+ quarts between changes. No external leaks visible, yet dipstick readings drop to zero or near-zero within days or weeks of service.
When: Begins early in vehicle life, typically noticed between 7,000 and 32,000 miles; continues throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Dipstick reads zero or well below minimum after short driving intervals; Owner must add oil every few days to every 500–1000 miles; No visible oil leaks underneath vehicle or around filter; No low-oil warning light illuminates despite severe depletion
Codes mentioned: P0170, P0171
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru offered oil-consumption tests and warranty extensions (expiring by 2020) for some owners; no permanent repair identified. Dealer service bulletins 02-131-12R and 02-144-13R referenced but ineffective. Some owners charged $3,380 for cam-carrier reseals; others told repair would fail shortly. One owner reports needing a new short block.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru issued warranty extensions and bulletins (02-131-12R, 02-144-13R); acknowledged issue in 2015 lawsuit. Extended warranty periods ended by 2020 for many vehicles. No recall issued.
Engine seizure from oil starvation
Engine seizes and locks when oil is depleted, rendering vehicle undrivable and requiring complete engine replacement. Occurs without warning lights and typically during highway driving, creating immediate safety hazard.
When: Occurs suddenly after excessive oil consumption has depleted reserves; documented between 70,000 and 130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking or tapping noise under hood escalating in intensity; Sudden loud knocking immediately before seizure; Steering wheel becomes stiff or immobile; Vehicle loses all power or becomes immobile; Multiple warning lights illuminate after seizure; No oil-warning light before event
Repairs/costs cited: Requires full engine replacement; dealerships confirm engine is seized and non-recoverable. Costs unknown in narratives but context suggests major expense; one trade-in loss documented at $6,000.
Camshaft carrier oil leaks
Oil leaks from camshaft carrier onto oxygen sensor, causing lean-running conditions and overheating of catalytic converter. Leak confirmed during service; repair attempted but failed. Creates emission defect and fire hazard.
When: Leak present at low mileage (noted after service threshold crossed); appears related to 2011–2018 engine generation
Symptoms owners cite: Oil visible leaking from engine area; O2 sensor contaminated with oil; Lean-running condition (codes P0170, P0171); Catalytic converter overheating risk
Codes mentioned: P0170, P0171
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft carrier reseal quoted at $3,300–$3,380. One owner reports repair was attempted but failed shortly after completion. Owner warned of probable need for new short block due to heat damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Bulletin SB 02-131-12R issued to address camshaft carrier leaks; dealer initially called it 'not significant' despite it being 'so prominent' per narrative. Subaru forum shows multiple owner complaints on this issue.
Engine fire
Vehicle caught fire while driving at highway speed, destroying the vehicle. Owner speculates possible relay-system defect, though vehicle was not included in turbo-booster recall.
When: At 130,000 miles while driving at approximately 69 mph with cruise control enabled
Symptoms owners cite: Flames visible from underneath driver-side hood; Cruise control independently disengaged; Vehicle lost all power; Fire required fire department intervention
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Unknown relay-system recall existed for turbo-booster models; non-turbo model was not recalled.
Catalytic converter noise and overheating
Loud pinging noise from catalytic converter guards after engine shut-off, persisting for 20 minutes. Guards reportedly warp due to excessive heat, creating metal-fatigue concern. Related to overheating caused by oil-contamination issues.
When: When engine shuts down; heat causes guards to ping as they cool
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rapid pinging from front of car for 20 minutes after shutdown; High-pitched squeal audible from driver-side window area; Guards overheat from catalytic converter heat
Repairs/costs cited: No repair identified in narratives; Subaru confirmed as normal behavior per home office and service managers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru home office and service departments stated pinging is normal and due to guard thermal cycling.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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.…
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. *ss the consumer stated if the driver and passenger windows were lowered when driving at highway speeds, the window glass shifted out…
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.
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.
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,…
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.…
Had engine trouble with your 2012 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 43,405 and 107,500 miles, with the median around 87,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 43,405; a quarter make it past 107,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.