Two problems related to engine clicking and tapping noises have been reported for the 2012 Subaru Forester. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the 2012 Forester.
At 102k miles, engine developed loud tapping sound. Vehicle has always used a quart of oil approximately every 1000 miles since new. This problem appears to be oil related due to engine design/part defect. Problem appeared after 4 hour drive at highway speed (70-75mph). Mechanic checking for valve or rocker damage.
My car suffered a catastrophic oil event without an indicator light or any other warning that is nesitating a new engine. The car had less than 70,000 miles on it and was in service several times recently without anyone noticing the oil problem? on the day of the event I was driving to work and was hearing a ticking noise like when you put a baseball card on your bicycle spokes with a clothespin. When I was a mile from my workplace an oil light illuminated and I immediately pulled off the expressway into a gas station. I put synthetic oil into the car, restarted it and drove less than a mile to an open service station where I left the car for service. The service station informed me that I needed a new engine. I spoke to Subaru after discovering that this event was not mine alone and in 2015 Subaru was sued for the problem. I was never made aware of the potential for this or dreamed it was possible.