Severe Issues

2012 SUBARU OUTBACK Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Subaru Outback. This model year has 290 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.

290
Complaints
14
Crashes
6
Fires
10
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
16
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2012 Subaru Outback Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
107
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Crash-related:4
Fires:1
Injuries:2
#2
52
complaints

Engine Problems

Fires:3
#3
39
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:6
Injuries:6

Considering a 2012 Subaru Outback?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Subaru Outback. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Transmission / Drivetrain10741β€”
Engine Problems52β€”3β€”
Airbag Malfunctions396β€”β€”
Electrical Faults3715β€”
Brake System373β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues24β€”2β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures18β€”β€”β€”
Steering Defects9β€”β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration8β€”β€”β€”
Structural Problems52β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper5β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System4β€”β€”β€”
Suspension Failures4β€”β€”β€”
Visibility4β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)41β€”β€”
Hydraulic3β€”β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues31β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB1β€”β€”β€”
Parking-Brake Issues1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 290 most recent complaints

Electrical FaultsMar 2, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 89,000. It was later discovered, when the title arrived, that the mileage on the …

Brake SystemSep 21, 2025

The brake pedal suddenly went almost to the floor while attempting to stop. Researching I found there was a recall. NHTSA Recall No. 11V-562. My car was not apparently among the ones being recalled, yet this problem is exactly as described in the bulletin. The component in questi…

Brake SystemAug 26, 2025

I took my Outback to my local highly respectable mechanic on August 20, 2025 as I needed the oil changed and the concern I had about having to add brake fluid twice in the past 4 months. He inspected my car immediately and he refused to let me drive it out of his shop as there is…

Engine ProblemsMar 4, 2025

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In addition, the contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The…

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 19, 2024

When coming to a stop, the car shudders and often stalls just like if you didn't press in the clutch on a manual transmission. No warning lights or messages. See details in TSB- 16-90-13R. Subaru knows about this issue and it has been reported in many vehicles. My car was at a Su…

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 2, 2024

Vehicle stalls when stopping. This is a huge safety issue because stalling at intersections can cause accidents. Dealership diagnosed a faulty torque converter. This torque converter (it should be part number 31100AB170) issue is widely known in this production series of the Suba…

Unintended AccelerationNov 14, 2024

The last incident? I couldn't recover my intentions. (Incidents of random acceleration seem to only happen when I am turning). The last incident occurred in my mall parking lot.. I was about to turn and suddenly the car shot forward. I could have fought to maintain my turn but th…

Headlight/Taillight FailuresOct 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that vehicle was consistently burning out the headlight bulbs. The contact stated that within 3-years he had replaced the driver's and the passenger’s side headlight bulbs 7 times, and following one failure the passenger’…

Transmission / DrivetrainOct 15, 2024

While driving on the highway, we were forced to brake swiftly. As a result, the known issue of the torque converter in this model of car caused the engine to stall in the middle lane of the highway and almost causing our deaths as multiple tractor-trailers had to swerve to avoid…

Electrical FaultsJun 3, 2024

The warning lights stay on constantly. I have changed the mass flow air sensor, O2 sensors, serpentine belt, gas cap, treated the fuel system and the lights are still on. This is a common problem with Subaru Outback Owners.

Brake SystemMay 19, 2024

Rear four way brake junction is completely corroded and leaking fluid causing a complete loss of braking. This appears to be the exact same issue as referenced in this recall [XXX] ) that affects previous model years. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION …

Engine ProblemsMar 22, 2024

Just after 100k mile service, car began to shutter when slowing and then stalls at stops. Eventually after I leave it in neutral for up to 2-20 min it will finally restart. First time it happened it wouldn’t start. I had to push vehicle out of major intersection to avoid being hi…

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashMar 16, 2024

Car was involved in a head on collision [XXX] with a concrete exit barrier after being pushed into the lane by a driver trying to in front of them trying to make a last second dash for the exit. Not sure if the driver was in blind spot, but the vehicle trying to merge did use tu…

Steering DefectsFeb 23, 2024

Subframe is rusted out and causing control arm wobble which I cannot control the steering correctly

Transmission / DrivetrainFeb 9, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated, prompting the contact to quickly exit the roadway, where the failure persisted. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken t…

Transmission / DrivetrainFeb 2, 2024

The car stalls out at stops. It shutters and them stalls like a 5 speed car. I have almost been rear-ended on a couple occasions. It is now in the shop for a torque converter replacement

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 10, 2024

Couple weeks back while driving on the highway my check engine light came on along with different lights and transmission oil warning and car immediately lost power. I was able to pull over without incident. Then I took it to my local mechanic, they changed the transmission fluid…

Transmission / DrivetrainDec 26, 2023

When coming to a quick or hard stop, car will rumble then stall out. To confirm that the issue is transmission based I shift the car into neutral then brake quickly and the issue does not arise.

Wheel IssuesOct 30, 2023

Odd noise arising from Front driver side wheel while driving on the interstate at 70mph. No indicator/warning lights/messages. Noise became much louder prompting us to stop driving and inspect. One of the 5 lug studs had broken off. Two of the 5 lug nuts were loose enough to …

Engine ProblemsOct 25, 2023

No issues with the car since I bought it new and was dedicated to regular Maintenance. Less than a week after a regular scheduled oil change and driving on the main interstate highway cruising at 65mph, the car just suddenly jerked. I thought I had blown a tire but the Brake ligh…

Page 1 of 15

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Subaru Outback.

Recalls for 2012 Subaru Outback

16 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Subaru Outback. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

19V008000Sep 1, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V626000Invalid Date
PARKING BRAKE

19V007000Sep 1, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V009000Sep 1, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V002000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V003000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V001000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V297000Nov 4, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

16V694000Invalid Date
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

18V012000Sep 1, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

17V014000Oct 1, 2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

13V078000May 3, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER

13V077000May 3, 2013
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

12V047000Sep 2, 2012
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

13V061000Invalid Date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11V562000Invalid Date
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

2012 Subaru Outback β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Subaru Outback reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2012 Subaru Outback has 290 NHTSA owner complaints, 14 crash-related, and 16 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (107 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Outback?β–Ύ

#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (107 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (52 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (39 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Subaru Outback?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2012 Subaru Outback?β–Ύ

The 2012 Subaru Outback has 14 crash-related complaints and 6 fire reports out of 290 total NHTSA complaints. 10 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2012 Subaru Outback have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 16 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2012 Subaru Outback. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2012 Subaru Outback?β–Ύ

The 2012 Subaru Outback has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2012 Subaru Outback

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.