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

Owners filed the most complaints about the power train and the engine. Air bags and brakes follow. See the problems section above.

Does the 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback have recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 16 recalls for this model year. They are all listed in the recalls section of this page.

What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback reliable?

Owners filed 384 complaints with NHTSA. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read them with the recall and safety sections.

2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback Problems, Recalls and MPG

Owners have filed 384 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback^[1]. The biggest group is the power train, with 142 complaints^[2].

384owner complaints^[1]

16recalls^[3]

20–25MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car. Here are the groups, biggest first.

Power Train. 142 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car dropping into a low gear on its own, stopping hard at road speed, or revving without moving. Some also report a high squeal at low speeds.
Engine. 75 complaints^[6]. Owners describe stumbling, low idle and near stalls, plus warning lights that dealers could not trace. One story tells of an engine fire.
Air Bags. 50 complaints^[7]. Owners describe warning lights that stay on. Several stories involve crashes where the air bags did not go off.
Brakes. 47 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a pedal that feels weak on cold starts, clicking after a repair, shaking when stopping, and an anti-lock system that did not help on ice. One owner says the parking brake locked the car in place.
Electrical System. 41 complaints^[9].
Unknown Or Other. 36 complaints^[10].
Exterior Lighting. 21 complaints^[11].
Steering. 16 complaints^[12].

Recalls

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

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V001), January 2020. About 258,813 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V003), January 2020. About 111,562 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V002), January 2020. About 127,547 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch (19V297), April 2019. About 511 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V008), January 2019. About 330,120 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V007), January 2019. About 43,394 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V009), January 2019. About 452,630 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]
Parking Brake (18V626), September 2018. About 27,175 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[20]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V012), January 2018. About 64,179 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[21]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V014), January 2017. About 53,480 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[22]
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor (16V694), September 2016. About 592,647 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[23]
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly (13V077), March 2013. About 14 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[24]
Visibility/Wiper (13V078), March 2013. About 16 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[25]
Equipment (13V061), February 2013. About 47,419 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[26]
Air Bags › Side/Window (12V047), February 2012. About 381 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[27]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages (11V562), November 2011. About 32,685 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[28]

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
Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[29]	19 / 26 / 22	$3,050
Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[4]	22 / 30 / 25	$2,700
Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[30]	18 / 25 / 21	$3,900
Legacy AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[31]	18 / 24 / 20	$3,350
Outback Wagon AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[32]	19 / 26 / 22	$3,050
Outback Wagon AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[33]	21 / 28 / 24	$2,800
Outback Wagon AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[34]	18 / 24 / 20	$3,350

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD^[35]	n/a	4	n/a	5	10.1%
SUV AWD^[5]	4	4	4	4	17.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 2.5L 4-cylinder^[36]	170 hp
2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 3.6L 6-cylinder^[37]	256 hp

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Legacy/Outback model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	184	2
1996	169	3
1997	218	5
1998	241	4
1999	205	3
2000	301	3
2001	248	7
2002	197	4
2003	153	14
2004	139	10
2005	457	9
2006	364	7
2007	162	9
2008	291	9
2009	171	13
2010	510	18
2011	819	16
2012	384	16
2013	363	12
2014	261	10
2015	670	5
2016	790	4
2017	1,038	4

NHTSA's counts for the Legacy/Outback show 384 complaints and 16 recalls for 2012^[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 16 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 6 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2004 (139) and the most are for 2017 (1,038)^[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 Legacy/Outback?

NHTSA lists 384 complaints for this model year^[1]. These are unverified owner reports, so they show what people raised rather than how often a part fails. The power train and engine groups are the two biggest in the stories we read^[2]^[6]. Air bags and brakes also matter because some stories involve crashes^[7]^[8]. If you shop for one, check the recall section on this page and have the brakes and shifting looked at on a test drive.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback?: Owners filed the most complaints about the power train^[2] and the engine^[6]. Air bags^[7] and brakes^[8] follow. See the problems section above.
Does the 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback have recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 16 recalls for this model year^[3]. They are all listed in the recalls section of this page.
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback reliable?: Owners filed 384 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read them with the recall and safety sections.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Subaru Legacy/Outback

2011 819 complaints, 16 recalls
2012 this page
2013 363 complaints, 12 recalls
2014 261 complaints, 10 recalls
2015 670 complaints, 5 recalls
2016 790 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 1,038 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Subaru Legacy/Outback

Other Subaru models from 2012

2012 Subaru Forester 105 complaints, 15 recalls
2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport 243 complaints, 6 recalls

All Subaru models

Similar cars from 2012: midsize cars

2012 Acura TL 130 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 Audi A6 60 complaints, 8 recalls
2012 Buick Regal 92 complaints, 7 recalls
2012 Chevrolet Cruze 865 complaints, 7 recalls
2012 Chevrolet Malibu 907 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 Dodge Avenger 554 complaints, 3 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 384 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback (22 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 18 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
142 complaints name the power train component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Legacy/Outback model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
75 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
50 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,600). NHTSA vehicle records
47 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,881). NHTSA vehicle records
41 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,763). NHTSA vehicle records
36 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,500). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,100). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 20V001, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V003, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V002, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V297, filed April 11, 2019: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V008, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V007, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V009, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V626, filed September 13, 2018: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V012, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V014, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V694, filed September 27, 2016: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V077, filed March 5, 2013: Visibility › Sun / Moon Roof Assembly. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V078, filed March 5, 2013: Visibility / Wiper. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V061, filed February 25, 2013: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V047, filed February 9, 2012: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V562, filed November 29, 2011: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Outback Wagon AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Outback Wagon AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Outback Wagon AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: frontal 4 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 256 hp. 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.

2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback: problems, recalls and fuel economy