Skip to main content
CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2012 Subaru Forester

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

8

7 current

Combined

10.2L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$3,162

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2019191 · manufacturer campaign WUF-91

18 April 2019

Transport Canada lists: Forester 2009–2013 · Impreza 2008–2014 · Legacy 2004–2014 · Outback 2004–2014 · and 1 more

What is wrong

A problem with certain replacement ignition switches may allow the key turn out of the “ON” position while driving. This could cause the engine to turn off suddenly. It could also cause the airbag system not to work properly in a crash. Note: This is a voluntary service campaign that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This problem only affects certain parts used for replacement of original parts.

Why it matters

A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. An airbag system that does not work properly in a crash could cause an increased risk of injuries.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary.

100 vehicles affected in CanadaCarService Campaign Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2019013 · manufacturer campaign TKC-19

10 January 2019

Transport Canada lists: Forester 2010–2013 · Impreza 2010–2014 · Legacy 2010–2014 · Outback 2010–2014 · and 1 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.

Why it matters

If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the passenger-front airbag inflator replaced. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

102,110 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2016492 · manufacturer campaign WTM-73

7 October 2016

Transport Canada lists: Forester 2009–2013 · Impreza 2008–2014 · Legacy 2007–2009 · Outback 2007–2009

What is wrong

On certain turbocharged vehicles, the relay which controls the secondary air injection pump may have been manufactured incorrectly. As a result, the relay may allow the pump to operate continuously. If this condition were to occur, the pump may overheat and melt, causing burning smell or smoke and possibly resulting in a fire. This could increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a revised relay.

15,378 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2014586 · manufacturer campaign WQQ-52

22 December 2014

Transport Canada lists: Forester 2009–2013 · Impreza 2008–2014

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the center and rear brake lines may become perforated due to corrosion. This would cause a leak in the brake system potentially increasing stopping distances, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect vehicles and either apply an anti-corrosion coating to the 4-way joint connector and brake lines, or replace them as necessary. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2013092 and 2014223. Vehicles that were inspected and/or repaired under the previous recall will require re-inspection and/or repair.

33,000 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2014223 · manufacturer campaign WQK-47

12 June 2014

Transport Canada lists: Forester 2009–2013 · Impreza 2008–2014 · Legacy 2005–2009 · Outback 2005–2009

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the center and rear brake lines may become perforated due to corrosion. This would cause a leak in the brake system potentially increasing stopping distances, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect vehicles and either apply an anti-corrosion coating to the lines, or replace them as necessary. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2013092. Vehicles that were inspected and/or repaired under the previous recall will require re-inspection and/or repair.

105,649 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Accessories

Transport Canada recall 2012444 · manufacturer campaign WQE-41

27 December 2012

Transport Canada lists: Forester 2009–2012 · Legacy 2010–2011 · Outback 2010–2011 · Tribeca 2006–2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with dealer-installed accessory puddle lights, a short circuit may develop causing the lights to melt and/or emit smoke. This could result in a fire causing property damage and/or injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install an additional fused wiring harness to protect against short circuits.

293 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 2012189 · manufacturer campaign WQA-37

22 June 2012

Transport Canada lists: Forester 2009–2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the center rear seating position seatbelt, when used in automatic locking retractor mode, may not allow the proper installation of a child restraint system or booster seat and could revert to emergency locking mode while in use. Although the seatbelt would still lock in the event of a crash, the belt could loosen during normal operation and cause the child restraint or booster seat to shift or become improperly positioned, increasing the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Subaru will send owners a locking clip to be used to properly secure a child restraint system or booster seat, and an owner's manual supplement with instructions on its use. Also, dealers will replace the center seatbelt retractor upon request.

35,585 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety TC

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Sport utility vehicle
In its class
More efficient than 81% of 239 2012 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
235 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2012 Subaru Forester and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

Only when a new recall lands. Unsubscribe in one click.

Common questions

Does the 2012 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 8 recalls on record for the 2012 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2012 Subaru Forester get?
NRCan rates the 2012 Subaru Forester at 10.2 L/100 km combined, emitting 235 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 3 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2012 Subaru Forester for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $3,162 in fuel, producing roughly 4,712 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.