2012 Subaru Outback: Best bet

Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Subaru Outback in its first five years on the road, about 51 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Outback year. That's among the fewest of any Outback year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (28% of complaints, median 13,000 miles).

Complaint index
0.4×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Outback year
Rank
2nd of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
58
first five years; 51 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
16
campaigns
4th generation, 2010–2014 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited

Photo: 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Powertrain28% · 16 complaints · median 13,000 miles
  2. Air bags7% · 4 complaints
  3. Brakes22% · 13 complaints · median 26,000 miles
  4. Electrical14% · 8 complaints · median 25,000 miles
  5. Engine9% · 5 complaints · median 28,000 miles
  6. Steering12% · 7 complaints · median 2,000 miles
  7. Speed control9% · 5 complaints · median 4,000 miles
  8. Lights10% · 6 complaints · median 27,000 miles
  9. Visibility7% · 4 complaints
  10. Seats and belts2% · 1 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Air bags

Owners of this Outback report airbag warning lights turning on due to occupant detection sensor or wiring problems, and some describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Many also describe long waits for Takata recall parts, during which dealers advised against using the front passenger seat.

Warning signs:
Owners commonly notice the air bag or passenger seat warning light illuminating, sometimes with a dinging seatbelt chime, even when the seat is occupied or unoccupied.
What shops did:
Dealers have recalibrated the occupant detection sensor, reconnected or replaced wiring, replaced the front seat, or told owners that Takata recall replacement parts were not yet available for months.
Mileage:
most between 35,000 and 100,000 miles, among 13 complaints that give it

Brakes

Owners describe brake pedals that sink toward the floor or feel spongy, sometimes tied to corroded brake lines or a failing master cylinder, occasionally leading to reduced stopping ability. Many say a related recall exists for other model years but not theirs, leaving repairs to be paid out of pocket.

Warning signs:
Many report the brake pedal traveling farther than normal, feeling spongy or going nearly to the floor, sometimes with warning lights, low fluid, or visible fluid leaks.
What shops did:
Owners report dealers replacing master cylinders, brake lines, or connectors, though some say dealers found no problem or said the vehicle was not covered by any recall.
Mileage:
most between 35,000 and 115,000 miles, among 28 complaints that give it

“The brake pedal suddenly went almost to the floor while attempting to stop.”

Powertrain

Owners widely report that the CVT transmission shudders, hesitates or stalls when coming to a stop, sometimes tied to a torque converter problem dealers address with a technical bulletin or extended warranty. Many describe the stalling as sudden and unnerving, especially in traffic or on the highway, and say repairs are costly once out of warranty.

Warning signs:
Many describe a shudder, lurch, clunk or bang felt through the car, dashboard warning lights flashing, or a whining noise before the engine dies or the transmission acts up.
What shops did:
Dealers frequently diagnosed a faulty torque converter or transmission, sometimes replacing it under an extended warranty, though several owners say the issue recurred or could not be duplicated.
Mileage:
most between 70,000 and 130,000 miles, among 88 complaints that give it

“Engine shudders and occasionally stalls when coming to a hard stop.”

“Very low engine RPM, or complete engine quit when coming to a stop.”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

  • NHTSA 20V001000January 2020258,813 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Subaru will notify their owners.

  • NHTSA 20V002000January 2020127,547 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Subaru will notify their owners.

  • NHTSA 20V003000January 2020111,562 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Subaru will notify their owners.

  • NHTSA 19V297000April 2019511 vehicles

    Electrical system: ignition: switch

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

    Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V007000January 201943,394 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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 equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V008000January 2019330,120 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. 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 equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V009000January 2019452,630 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 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 equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 18V626000September 201827,175 vehicles

    Parking brake

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. 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.

    Risk: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 18V012000January 201864,179 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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 equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V014000January 201753,480 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 16V694000September 2016592,647 vehicles

    Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

    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. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.

    Risk: If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 13V077000March 201314 vehicles

    Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

    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 the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately applied.

    Risk: The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: 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.

  • NHTSA 13V078000March 201316 vehicles

    Visibility/wiper

    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.

    Risk: If the components overheat, the wiper motor bottom cover may melt and potentially catch fire.

    Fix: Subaru has notified all affected owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge.

  • NHTSA 13V061000February 201347,419 vehicles

    Equipment · Electrical system

    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 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.

    Risk: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 12V047000February 2012381 vehicles

    Air bags: side/window

    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 contain an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator component used, resulting in insufficient output of compressed gas.

    Risk: The side curtain air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules, free of february 21, 2012.

  • NHTSA 11V562000November 201132,685 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

    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, 2011, through november 23, 2011. These vehicles may be equipped with a brake master cylinder that could malfunction and cause an increase in the amount of brake pedal travel distance required to slow or stop the vehicle.

    Risk: The driver might misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance. This could occur unexpectedly and without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder and if necessary, replace it, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Subaru sent NHTSA 320 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2012 Outback. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • SubaruNet Announcement (R · May 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
  • 03-97-26 · April 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
  • Subaru Service Technical · August 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
  • 16-103-16R · February 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
  • Subarunet Announcement · July 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
  • 06-90-24 · June 2024This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers.
  • TKA-20R, TKB-20R · December 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  • TKA-17R, TKB-17R · December 2023SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

All 2012 Outback bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2012 Subaru Outback reliable?
Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Subaru Outback in its first five years on the road, about 51 for every 100,000 sold: 0.4× the rate of a typical Outback year. That's among the fewest of any Outback year. Ratings compare Outback years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2012 Outback problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (28%), the air bags (7%) and the brakes (22%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2012 Subaru Outback been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2012 Subaru Outback, the most recent in January 2020 (air bags). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Subaru. The 2012 Subaru Outback on NHTSA.gov · How we rate