2012 Subaru Forester vs 2013 Subaru Forester
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 | 2013 Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 105 | 77 |
| Recall campaigns | 15 | 12 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 379 | 374 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 15 | 13 |
| Fire reports | 5 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–23 | 21–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 48,000 mi | 52,500 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Forester | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 26 |
| Air Bags | 20 | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 9 |
| Electrical System | 10 | 3 |
| Power Train | 5 | 6 |
| Structure | 5 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Check engine light | 9 | 5 |
| Oil consumption | 9 | 7 |
| Stalling | 7 | 5 |
2012 Subaru Forester
2013 Subaru Forester
Compare all Subaru Forester vs Subaru Forester 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.