The Lemon Index2012 Subaru Outback.
The 2012 Subaru Outback is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 48 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 38, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 16 recalls, and it gets 20 to 24 mpg combined. It's the best Subaru Outback year we track.
One of the most reliable. 2.6× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2020
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 294 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Outback year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 125K miles on the car (199 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 66K–129K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 85K–143K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 44K–115K miles
Recalls 16
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 16 recalls
- electrical 2019
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or rep.
- airbags 2019
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipm.
- parking brake 2018
The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
- airbags 2018
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- visibility 2016
Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other.
- wipers & visibility 2013
Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover may overheat.
- visibility 2013
The moonroof glass may come loose or detach.
- electrical 2013
Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs.
- airbags 2012
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 23, 2011.
- brakes 2011
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 FROM OCTOBER 17, 20…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 325 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If you encounter a vehicle that has the oil temperature warning lamp flashing with p0751,…
- This bulletin provides an inspection and diagnosis method for the cvts secondary pressure…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedAutoliv air bag propellant mixture2012
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Stiff/tight steering without much feel, and lane wandering, and trouble keeping the car centered in the lane due to bad center feel.
2012 Subaru Outback owner · NHTSA complaint 10543040
More owner reports
Wanders, very difficult to hold straight line at highway speeds. Dangerous, very touchy stering.
NHTSA complaint 10458083
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Subaru Outback reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 38; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2012 Subaru Outback problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (29%), steering (15%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Outback have?
16 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Subaru Outback get?
20 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Subaru Outback safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Subaru Outback problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,000 and 125,000 miles. The middle report was at 90,000 miles, from 199 complaints.
Does the 2012 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 29% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Subaru Outback cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Subaru Outback have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works