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P0012 on a 2022 Subaru Forester

Intake Cam Over-Retarded (Bank 1, VVT)

P0012 on a 2022 Subaru Forester indicates intake cam over-retarded (bank 1, vvt). It usually stays drivable short-term but should be diagnosed promptly. The most common cause is stuck-closed vvt oil control valve (cannot direct oil to advance the cam) (typically $100–$450). Confirm the root cause before replacing parts.

Severity: high Safe to drive (short term) Compact SUV 2020-2024 Subaru Forester

Reviewed by MECH AI Editorial · Last verified

What does P0012 mean on a 2022 Subaru Forester?

P0012 is set when the engine control module commands the Bank 1 intake camshaft to a specific advance position and the actual cam position remains too retarded — the phaser is stuck in or near its base position instead of advancing as commanded. P0012 is the inverse of P0011; both point at the same family of failures but in the opposite direction.

This guide covers P0012 across the 2020-2024 Subaru Forester generation — the symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps below apply to every model year from 2020 through 2024.

Is it safe to drive a 2022 Subaru Forester with P0012?

In most cases a 2022 Subaru Forester stays drivable for short trips with P0012 active, but diagnose and repair it promptly. This is a high-severity code — ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test.

What are the symptoms of P0012 on a 2022 Subaru Forester?

What causes P0012 on a 2022 Subaru Forester?

Cause Likelihood Estimated repair (USD)
Stuck-closed VVT oil control valve (cannot direct oil to advance the cam) Most common $100–$450
Low engine oil level or pressure Most common $50–$200
Sludged oil galleries restricting flow to the phaser Common $100–$600
Failed cam phaser stuck at base (retarded) position Common $600–$1,800
Cam position sensor reporting offset position Occasional $100–$400
Wiring fault between PCM and the OCV Occasional $80–$350

How to diagnose this on a 2022 Subaru Forester

  1. Check oil level and condition

    Low oil starves the VVT phaser of working pressure. Confirm level is at full on a warm engine and oil is clean. Sludgy oil blocks the small passages that feed the phaser — change oil and filter with the correct viscosity before chasing further.

    Tools: Dipstick check, Replacement oil and filter (if needed)

  2. Measure oil pressure with a mechanical gauge

    Confirm pressure is in spec at idle (typically 15–25 psi) and at 2500 RPM (40–60 psi). Low pressure must be repaired (oil pump, worn bearings) before the VVT system can function.

    Tools: Mechanical oil pressure gauge

  3. Test the intake OCV electrically and mechanically

    Remove the OCV, inspect for sludge and metal at the inlet screen, and apply 12 V — the valve should click cleanly. Air should flow when energized and seal when de-energized. A stuck-closed valve cannot advance the cam, which sets P0012.

    Tools: Socket set, 12 V test source, Brake cleaner, Compressed air

  4. Command cam advance with a scan tool

    A bidirectional scan tool can command the intake cam to advance while watching cam position in live data. A healthy system responds within 1–2 degrees of command. No movement points at the actuator (phaser); slow movement points at the OCV.

    Tools: Bidirectional scan tool

  5. Verify the cam phaser mechanically

    If electrical and oil-side tests pass but the cam still does not advance, the phaser itself is stuck or worn internally. Replacement requires timing cover removal on most engines.

    Tools: Engine-specific timing tools

NHTSA complaints & recalls for the 2022 Subaru Forester

Owner-reported safety complaints and official recalls filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2022 Subaru Forester. Use these to gauge how common a problem is on your specific vehicle before you start chasing Subaru Forester diagnostics.

92 owner complaints
8 involved a crash
6 involved a fire
5 reported injuries
  • ENGINE 10
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9
  • VISIBILITY/WIPER 20
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17
  • FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 12

1 active recall

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH Nov 2023

    Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.…

    NHTSA campaign 23V755000

How do I fix P0012 on a 2022 Subaru Forester?

About the 2020-2024 Subaru Forester

The 2020-2024 Subaru Forester was commonly sold with the following powertrains: 2.5L H4, 2.0L Turbo H4. Common trims include Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, Touring, Wilderness.

P0012 vs P0011

These two codes describe opposite-direction failures of the same hardware:

In practice P0012 is more common than P0011 because the default “stuck” position for a failing phaser is the base (retarded) position. The phaser advances under oil pressure; lose oil pressure and the spring retracts it.

What “over-retarded” actually means

The intake cam at base position represents the engine at idle. When the ECM commands advance, oil is directed into the phaser to rotate the cam relative to the crank. A stuck-closed OCV (or insufficient oil pressure) leaves the phaser at base — the engine runs but without the mid-range advance that gives modern engines their torque and economy. The result: sluggish performance and worse fuel economy.

When the OCV is the only repair needed

A surprisingly high percentage of P0012 cases on engines under 100k miles resolve with OCV cleaning alone — no replacement. The sludge that builds up at the OCV inlet screen restricts oil to the phaser. Brake cleaner and a soft brush, plus a fresh oil change, can clear the code for thousands of miles.

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