Used 2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X PZEV SUV Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X PZEV SUV.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Air conditioning dilemma
Lloyd W. LeCureux, Willow Grove, PA, 11/14/2015
2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
The 2012 Subaru Forester (VIN: JF2SHAEC8CH447905) has been great overall, until this summer. After only 2 and one-half years of ownership the AC stopped functioning! The Subaru dealer (Fred Beans Doylestown, PA) said it was likely the evaporator ($150 to estimate) and could be repaired for $1100. Our home repair shop (Barry Luff's Buckingham, PA) recharged the system including … fluorescent dye and could not find a leak, suggesting it was the evaporator. They removed the evaporator, and saw (I have the part) the dye had leaked from within the evaporator fins by a puncture that was in addition to the place where the thermostat probe was placed. The suggestion was that the manufacturer had accidentally placed the additional puncture upon instillation, making a weakness for the leak to eventually occur, causing premature failure of the evaporator. It would be worthwhile to consider if other 2012 Subaru Forester owners have had this problem.
Does the job!
sciencwriter, Hanover, NH, 06/09/2014
2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
I leased it about 2 1/2 years ago and just bought out the lease. It is not beautiful nor is it elegant, but it does the job. I live at the end of a dirt road in Vermont with a daily round-trip commute of about 50 miles. It always starts and it makes it through the deep snow, better than our Toyota 4Runner. Even with my canoe on top, it handles okay--not as well as my old Morgan +4 but … that wouldn't have made the grade in Vermont. Runs much better with a little extra air in the tires. All in all, I find it practical, serviceable, and reliable. This is contrary to some of the other reviews but maybe I just got a good one--or they got bad ones.
Oil Consumption Issues
shalip, Rochester, NY, 06/18/2019
2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
Dealership never sent me a notification about oil consumption issue. Found out at another dealer.
2 Foresters in the garage
superblue, Trenton, NJ, 01/16/2012
2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
4yr ownership of 2008 version sold us. Its price is nice, not the most technically advanced in the segment.
Nice ride, spacious great, for a small family that requires wagon utility, that can handle rough weather, is reliable, and safe.
We got the alloy wheel-package.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X PZEV SUV
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Standard all-wheel drive
- Pro:roomy cabin with ample cargo space
- Pro:comfortable ride
- Pro:strong turbocharged engine on XT trims.
- Con:Outdated four-speed automatic transmission dulls fuel economy and acceleration
- Con:unimpressive fit and finish.
Full Edmunds Review: 2012 Subaru Forester SUV
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2012 Subaru Forester in Ohio is:
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