2012 Subaru Outback
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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 | 276 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 226 |
| 2009 | 105 |
| 2010 | 359 |
| 2011 | 649 |
| 2012 | 290 |
| 2013 | 295 |
| 2014 | 208 |
| 2015 | 505 |
| 2016 | 639 |
| 2017 | 917 |
| 2018 | 803 |
| 2019 | 1029 |
| 2020 | 890 |
| 2021 | 291 |
| 2022 | 453 |
| 2023 | 85 |
| 2024 | 89 |
| 2025 | 65 |
| 2026 | 8 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
35% of complaints: power train — 102 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20181004
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, 20180129
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, 20120312
17% of complaints: engine — 50 distinct reports on file.
FIRE13% of complaints: air bags — 39 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20240316
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, 20121205
12% of complaints: electrical system — 35 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY12% of complaints: service brakes — 34 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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 MANUFACTURED
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 CON
Campaign 11V562000 — check if this car was fixed
Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
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 THAT
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.
Campaign 12V047000 — check if this car was fixed
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 of
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 be
Campaign 13V077000 — check if this car was fixed
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 at
Campaign 13V078000 — check if this car was fixed
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 20
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.
Campaign 13V061000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 16V694000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V014000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V012000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V008000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V007000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V009000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V297000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V626000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (102 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (50 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (39 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11V562000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V047000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V077000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V078000 (visibility/wiper) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V061000 (electrical system, equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V694000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V014000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V012000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V007000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V009000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V297000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V626000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Outback have?
16 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.