2012 Subaru Forester vs 2012 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Subaru Forester | 2012 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 105 | 291 |
| Recall campaigns | 15 | 16 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 379 | 316 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 15 | 15 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–23 | 20–24 |
| Median reported mileage | 48,000 mi | 90,991 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Forester | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 5 | 107 |
| Engine | 27 | 50 |
| Air Bags | 20 | 39 |
| Electrical System | 10 | 37 |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 34 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 18 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 4 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 9 | 21 |
| Oil consumption | 9 | 0 |
| Stalling | 7 | 83 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 32 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 12 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 11 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 7 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 6 |
2012 Subaru Forester
2012 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Forester vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.