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Used 2012 Subaru Forester Consumer Reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars
44 reviews

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Pros
Cons
1 out of 5 stars

very expensive oil leaks

B. Wilder, 08/07/2021
updated 02/09/2022
2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

With 80k miles, I was told I needed head gasket and valve cover gaskets replaced to the tune of $4,500.00. This car was only serviced by Subaru technicians. I fixed the problem with a 20 dollar bottle of valve reconditionner.I will never buy a Subaru product again!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Best SUV I’ve owned

Walt, 01/09/2021
2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Kept waiting for the oil consumption I keep hearing about. Never happened. At 80K+ miles, it’s as dependable as the day we bought it. Other than oil changes and tires, the only repair was rear brake pads at 65K. Note: Our Forester is vehicle of choice in snow over our 4x4 Dodge Ram, no comparison, the Forester plows through like a boss.

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3 out of 5 stars

4 year owner

Mike, 02/14/2018
2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful

I meant to write a review an year back but I guess now that I have more experience. Pros: Good visibility, simple radio with volume knobs and features that were easy to accustom to after a 97 Honda, generally reliable aside from a cracked rubber bearing that was causing vibrations, blue background light around speedometer and tachometer is cool. I hate when they put red needles in the steering column display. Cons: plastic vibrates in colder weather in dash, ride is smoother compared to my old Honda but new ones have better ride. Seats have bad clothing which started to show threads right after a month of use unlike my Honda. The volume label below the knob also disappeared within a month. Doors are hollow and NVH is high. I had to get the dealer to install more insulation in the body as even gas smell git in at my first gas station trip. Doors are hollow. Finally, the dealer gave crap but I finally paid to get the alignment done so I am not afraid to fishtail in winter. Subaru also needs to put better tires for a well known AWD company. Resale is down but then it isn’t a Toyota.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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4.88 out of 5 stars

Bought a Premium and it's PREMIUM

worldbfree, 02/28/2012
2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
18 of 58 people found this review helpful

We love it. I checked out Santa Fe and Tuscon but chose this. Comfortable, smooth, plenty of pep. What do you need? First Subaru. I drove it two days on my over 100 mile commute round trip and got 27 mpg while it is new not broke in yet. I just bought it for my wife. $24,800 premium, added remote start, fog lights, all-weather mats, cargo tray, dog divider and bumper cover.

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2.13 out of 5 stars

Dont carry your family in this SUV

rpanek, 01/04/2013
2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 38 people found this review helpful

Very unstable SUV when you carry more than two people including yourself. Sways on every turn with speed over 50mph like is ready to overturn. Looks like Corporate Subaru of America don't care about safety of car owners and passengers by dismissing open cases about car safety and works with World Government and Banks on decreasing population. Downshift on sudden acceleration (when you try to pass other car on the freeway) goes a way to low making engine reaching 5K rpm. Has very low quality sound system. Interior finishing quality - less than any other car or SUV, need a lot of improvements.

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