The service and repair manual for the 2012 Subaru Forester — 2.5L H4 and 2.5L H4 and 2.5L H4 engines, 10 trims. Matched to this exact model year, so the specifications and sequences are the ones Subaru published for your car, not figures carried over from a neighbouring year.
01 / FitmentWhat this manual covers
| Model year | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.5L H4 — 152 cu in, DOHC 2.5L H4 — 150 cu in, DOHC, turbocharged 2.5L H4 — 150 cu in, SOHC |
| Trims | X Sport Utility 4-Door · XT Sports Sport Utility 4-Door · X Limited Sport Utility 4-Door · XS Sport Utility 4-Door · X Touring Sport Utility 4-Door · XT Touring Sport Utility 4-Door +4 |
| Federal record | 7 recalls · 140 complaints · 317 technical service bulletins (refreshed 2026-08-21) |
02 / InsideSample pages from the 2012 Forester manual
03 / ContentsSections in the manual
- Quick Lookups 155
- General Information 1,985
- Accessories & Equipment 1,112
- Heating, Ventilation & A/C (HVAC) 160
- Body & Frame 479
- Maintenance 300
- Brakes 564
- Restraints 389
- Drivelines & Axles 194
- Steering 110
- Electrical 628
- Suspension 199
- Engine Mechanical 1,294
- Transmission 396
- Engine Performance 5,007
- Axle Shaft Nut (Front) 163
04 / Known issuesRecalls on federal record for the 2012 Forester
- Electrical System · 16V738000If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
- Seat Belts — rear/other · 12V099000An insecure installation of a child restraint can increase the risk of injury to a child during a cr.
- Electrical System — ignition › switch · 19V297000The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. if a crash occurs under this.
- Air Bags — frontal › passenger side › inflator module · 17V014000An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in seriou.
- Air Bags — frontal › passenger side › inflator module · 20V002000An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants res.
- Air Bags — frontal › passenger side › inflator module · 20V001000An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants res.
- Air Bags — frontal › passenger side › inflator module · 20V003000An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants res.
Owners have filed 140 complaints and Subaru has issued 317 technical service bulletins for the 2012 Forester. The manual carries the manufacturer's diagnostic and repair procedures behind these systems.
FAQQuestions about the 2012 Forester manual
Is this manual specific to the 2012 Forester?
Yes. It is the OEM manual matched to the 2012 model year, covering the 2.5L H4 and 2.5L H4 and 2.5L H4 across the X Sport Utility 4-Door, XT Sports Sport Utility 4-Door, X Limited Sport Utility 4-Door, XS Sport Utility 4-Door, X Touring Sport Utility 4-Door, XT Touring Sport Utility 4-Door, XT Limited Sport Utility 4-Door, XSL Sport Utility 4-Door, XT Premium Sport Utility 4-Door, X Premium Sport Utility 4-Door trims. Specifications and procedure sequences are the ones Subaru published for this year.
What 2012 Forester problems does it help with?
7 recalls are on federal record for the 2012 Forester, covering electrical system, seat belts, air bags. The manual carries the manufacturer's diagnostic and repair procedures for those systems; the recall repairs themselves are done free by Subaru dealers.
Does it include 2012 Forester wiring diagrams?
Yes — the complete wiring diagrams for the 2012 build, alongside repair procedures, specifications and diagnostics.
Is it a subscription?
No. $29.99 once and the manual is yours. It is a digital manual — nothing ships; access details arrive by email after checkout and it works on any device.
RelatedOther Forester years and 2012 Subaru models
2018 Forester · 2017 Forester · 2016 Forester · 2015 Forester · 2014 Forester · 2013 Forester · 2011 Forester · 2010 Forester · 2009 Forester · 2008 Forester · 2007 Forester · 2006 Forester · all 28 years
2012 Subaru Impreza · 2012 Subaru Legacy · 2012 Subaru Outback · 2012 Subaru Tribeca · 2012 Subaru WRX · every 2012 model