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2012 Subaru Forester Electrical Problems

9 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

9
Complaints
2
Recalls
2
Fires
Feb 2016Dec 2016
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Electrical Recalls (2)

RECALLCampaign #19V297000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

RECALLCampaign #16V738000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.

Owner Complaints (9)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Dec 2020

All of your dashboard warning lights come on simultaneously, and then your engine starts to stall out while you're driving. This happens unpredictably — sometimes after a couple hours or a day — and it's particularly dangerous when it occurs on the highway. The dealer reset your computer, but the problem returns, suggesting an underlying electrical issue that needs proper diagnosis.

NHTSA #: 11384365
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2022

Your car has stalled three times while stopping or slowing down, though mechanics haven't found the cause or any error messages. You've also noticed excessive oil consumption (about a quart every 700-1000 miles), and now the cruise control light flashes intermittently while the traction control and check engine lights stay on constantly. The issue may involve fuel delivery, ignition timing, or engine sensors, and could require diagnostic scanning and potential fuel system or ignition component replacement.

NHTSA #: 11486216
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2016

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 #: 10938488
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2016

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 #: 10919796
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Aug 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS; HOWEVER, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CLUTCH FLUID DRAINED OUT OF THE RESERVOIR, AND THE SMOKE WAS CAUSED BY FLUID DRAINING TO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS NOT ACCURATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS STARTER RELAY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE CHIP FOR THE KEY FOB WAS NOT RESPONDING TO THE SYSTEM. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY INTEGRATED UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10894853
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER READ 2 MPH OVER THE ACTUAL SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED BY THE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA #: 10892235
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE MADE AN INTERMITTENT CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING FUEL ISSUES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED, THE FUEL GAUGE READING WAS INACCURATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,330.

NHTSA #: 10824963
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Dec 2015

WHILE IDLING IN A PARKING LOT, MY FORESTER CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT QUICKLY. SO, THE DAMAGE WAS FORTUNATELY ISOLATED TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. IT SEEMS THAT THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE WIRING HARNESS AND ONE OF THE O2 SENSORS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IGNITED. THE FIRE BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS NEAR THE CONNECTOR AND DAMAGED THE O2 SENSOR. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THIS FIRE HAPPENED SPONTANEOUSLY AND SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY RISK . IN MY OPINION, A 3.5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT SPONTANEOUSLY CATCH FIRE.

NHTSA #: 10807884
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2013

2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED UNLESS HE DROVE THE VEHICLE REGULARLY, OR STARTED IT AND LET THE ENGINE IDLE, THE COMPLEX OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS WOULD RUN DOWN THE BATTERY TO A NO START AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, ALL SYSTEMS WOULD BE DEAD. THE CONSUMER STATED SELLERS ADMITTED TO THE PROBLEM AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND RUNNING THE ENGINE MORE OFTEN.

NHTSA #: 10509051

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