CarBrief

NHTSA has 243 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport[1]. The air bags group is the biggest, with 105 complaints[2].

243owner complaints[1]
6recalls[3]
19–30MPG combined (EPA)[4]
4★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints in these groups, biggest first. - Air Bags. 105 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the passenger air bag light switching to off while someone sits in the seat. Some say the warning light came on at the same time, and a restart sometimes brought it back. Dealers pointed to a wet seat or a phone on the seat. - Engine. 56 complaints[6]. Owners describe low oil warning lights and oil use that they felt was too high. They say dealers called it normal for a car at that age. One owner describes a knocking noise and an engine replacement. - Electrical System. 30 complaints[7]. Owners describe air bag icons turning off on the road, and a few link it to phones or other devices in the car. Others describe sudden loss of engine power and a throttle sensor fault. - Power Train. 26 complaints[8]. Owners describe the car acting as if it slipped into neutral on the highway, a lag when shifting from reverse to drive, and a gas pedal that feels too sensitive at low speed. - Brakes. 15 complaints[9]. - Seats. 15 complaints[10]. - Unknown Or Other. 12 complaints[11]. - Speed Control. 11 complaints[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Impreza/Outback Sport is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Impreza AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[19] 24 / 33 / 28 $2,400
Impreza AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[4] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
Impreza AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive[20] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,900
Impreza AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive[21] 17 / 23 / 19 $4,350
Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[22] 24 / 33 / 27 $2,500
Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[23] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive[24] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,900
Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive[25] 17 / 23 / 19 $4,350

Safety ratings

Version Overall Frontal Side Rollover Rollover risk
SW AWD[5] 4 4 4 5 9.9%
4 DR AWD[26] 4 4 4 5 9.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport with 2.0L 4-cylinder[27] 148 hp
2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport with 2.5L 4-cylinder[28] 265 to 305 hp

How 2012 compares with other years

1995: 46 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 20 complaints, 0 recalls1997: 30 complaints, 0 recalls19971998: 30 complaints, 0 recalls1999: 22 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 41 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 11 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 292 complaints, 6 recalls2003: 62 complaints, 6 recalls20032004: 96 complaints, 8 recalls2005: 75 complaints, 6 recalls20052006: 60 complaints, 10 recalls2007: 68 complaints, 9 recalls20072008: 213 complaints, 14 recalls2009: 119 complaints, 14 recalls20092010: 46 complaints, 15 recalls2011: 58 complaints, 14 recalls20112012: 243 complaints, 6 recalls24320122013: 251 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 108 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 79 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 75 complaints, 1 recalls2017: 125 complaints, 7 recalls2017
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Impreza/Outback Sport model year. The 2012 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995461
1996200
1997300
1998300
1999220
2000410
2001110
20022926
2003626
2004968
2005756
20066010
2007689
200821314
200911914
20104615
20115814
20122436
20132514
20141083
2015792
2016751
20171257

NHTSA's counts for the Impreza/Outback Sport show 243 complaints and 6 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 20 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 2 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2001 (11) and the most are for 2002 (292)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Impreza/Outback Sport?

The complaint record for this car leans toward the air bags group, which has 105 complaints[2]. The engine group comes next with 56 complaints[6]. The reports are owner submissions to NHTSA and have not been verified[1]. They are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Check the recalls section on this page and ask for service records before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport?
The air bags group has the most complaints at 105[2]. The engine group follows with 56[6]. The total on file is 243[1].
Does the 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport have recalls?
Yes. The by-year fact shows 6 recalls for 2012[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport?
See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport reliable?
The record shows 243 owner complaints[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them with that in mind. The by-year section and the safety section give more context.
Is 2012 a good year for the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport?
The by-year comparison on this page puts 2012 next to other years. It shows 243 complaints and 6 recalls for 2012[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport

Compare all model years of the Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport

Other Subaru models from 2012

All Subaru models

Similar cars from 2012: compact cars

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 243 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport (10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 105 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Impreza AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SW AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 56 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 30 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 26 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 15 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 15 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 11 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 19V149, filed February 28, 2019: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 18V772, filed November 1, 2018: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 16V738, filed October 13, 2016: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 15V419, filed July 1, 2015: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 13V061, filed February 25, 2013: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 11V562, filed November 29, 2011: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for Impreza AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Impreza AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Impreza AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for Impreza Wagon/Outback Sport AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 148 hp. www.epa.gov
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 265 to 305 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.