2012 Subaru Forester Fuel System Problems
5 owner-reported fuel system complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (5)
Your car has a persistent gas smell inside or around the vehicle, and your check engine light is on. Your cruise control and traction control lights are also blinking. The diagnostic code indicates a problem with your catalytic converter. The issue likely involves replacing or servicing the catalytic converter, which is part of your exhaust system.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
ENGINE SEIZED DURING STRAIGHT ROAD, UPHILL ASCENT. OIL LIGHT BLINKED TWICE QUICKLY THEN WENT SOLID AND THEN IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER AT 60MPH ON FREEWAY. NO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH ENGINE. I WAS IN FAR LEFT LANE WITH NO EMERGENCY PARKING SO I NAVIGATED TO THE FAR RIGHT EMERGENCY SHOULDER AND STOPPED. CAR REQUIRED TOW TRUCK TO SHOP.
2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, AT WHICH TIME, THEY DIAGNOSED THE IGNITION ISSUE AS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT IT WAS FIXED WITH AN UPDATE TO THE FIRMWARE. HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME IGNITION PROBLEM, BUT ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY. DESPITE THE NEW BATTERY REPLACEMENT, HE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE SAME FREQUENCY. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL PUMP, BUT WERE UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS 100% UNTIL THEIR FUEL PUMP MECHANIC MADE FURTHER INQUIRES WITH THE SUBARU FACTORY. THE CONSUMER MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT, AS IT WAS FINALLY CONFIRMED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
DURING COLD WEATHER STARTS, THE VEHICLE CABIN SMELLS STRONGLY OF RAW FUEL, AS IF THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE SMELL PERSISTS UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS REACHED ITS NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. LOOSE FUEL LINES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR FORESTERS, AND RARE INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING IN CURRENT GENERATION FORESTERS (09-13). *TR
FUEL MILEAGE WAY OUT OF WHACK. ON HIGHWAY AT 100-110 KMH AVERAGES 11 L/100KM SUNROOF LEAKS WHEN GOING THROUGH CAR WASH. *TR