Is the 2012 Subaru Outback reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Subaru Outback is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Outback?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Outback have?

16 recalls on file for this model year.

2012 Subaru Outback

◆ Worse than typical

2012 Subaru Outback
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 292
Recalls: 16
Investigations: 1
Top problem: Power train

Complaints per year

2012: 292 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	2
1996	46
1997	79
1998	127
1999	111
2000	207
2001	171
2002	143
2003	93
2004	90
2005	273
2006	277
2007	129
2008	226
2009	106
2010	360
2011	652
2012	292
2013	297
2014	208
2015	509
2016	642
2017	918
2018	813
2019	1,034
2020	899
2021	296
2022	465
2023	89
2024	103
2025	81
2026	16

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

37% · 107 reports

Most commonly citing torque converter and automatic transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Driver started car to cool it off before running errands. It was parked on the flat portion of the driveway. It was in park & I did not touch the gear shifter.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-04

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. While the vehicle was placed in park on an incline, the contact suddenly heard a scraping noise and noticed that the vehicle independently rolled away.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-29

I was setting the homelink mirror on my car to recognize a particular garage door opener. The mirror is powered so I needed to leave the car idling. I put the car in neutral and began the programming process.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-12

Engine

17% · 50 reports

FIRE

Air bags

13% · 39 reports

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-16

Tl*the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-05

Service brakes

13% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Brakes failed completely due to excessive rust / corrosion on brake line junction area. Brake pedal suddenly went to floor and fluid leaked out near right rear quarter of vehicle in-front of right rear tire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-17

Electrical system

13% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

16 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

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2011-12-05Service brakes, hydraulic11V562000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Impreza sedans and wagons (Except wrx/sti models), manufactured from April 21, 2011, through November 15, 2011, and legacy and Outback vehicles…

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during December 2011. Owners may…

Check if this car was fixed →
▮
2012Complaint volume 292 complaints filed for this model year.
I
2012-02-14EQClosed 2012-05-08 Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
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2012-02-21Air bags12V047000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles, manufactured from December 1, 2011, through December 23, 2011. These vehicles may be equipped with side curtain air bags…

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules, free of February 21, 2012. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2013-02-22Visibility13V077000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position…

Remedy: Subaru has notified the affected owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2013-02-22Visibility/wiper13V078000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover may overheat.

Remedy: Subaru has notified all affected owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2013-04-22Electrical system, equipment13V061000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year…

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2016-10-25Visibility16V694000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2017-03-06Air bags17V014000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-02-09Air bags18V012000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-01-25Air bags19V008000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-01-25Air bags19V007000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-01-25Air bags19V009000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-07-19Parking brake18V626000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Power train: 107 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 50 reports on file for this year.
Air bags: 39 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 11V562000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 12V047000 · Air bags
Recall 13V077000 · Visibility
Recall 13V078000 · Visibility/wiper
Recall 13V061000 · Electrical system, equipment
Recall 16V694000 · Visibility
Recall 17V014000 · Air bags
Recall 18V012000 · Air bags
Recall 19V008000 · Air bags
Recall 19V007000 · Air bags
Recall 19V009000 · Air bags
Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
Recall 18V626000 · Parking brake
Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
Recall 20V003000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Subaru Outback reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Subaru Outback is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Outback?: The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Outback have?: 16 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2012 Subaru Outback

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Power train

Engine

Air bags

Service brakes

Electrical system

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years