2012 Subaru Outback problems
The 2012 Subaru Outback has 371 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (28%) concerns drivetrain & axles. Next are engine (14%) and brakes (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 371 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 28% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 19 and 11
- Injuries and deaths
- 13 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 87,000 miles 249 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 45 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 14 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 21 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 37 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 29 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 34 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 32 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 16 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 17 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 249 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 87,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 97,000 miles (85 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 19 complaints mention a crash; 11 complaints mention a fire; 13 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2012 ranks 14th most-complained-about out of 31 model years of the Subaru Outback with enough data (160 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 16 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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. The entire front end of the vehicle sustained extensive damage, causing injuries to the contact's chest. The contact was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The police were notified and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop.
My subaru was hit head on driver's side by another car going 35-40 MPH. My subaru's airbags did not deploy. Extensive damage in 13k range to frame and left front of car. I had extensive damage to right hand and shoulder in attempt to brace myself. Other car's airbags deployed. Other driver fled scene. Other car's insured, called car in, as stolen to police. Other party's insurance is denying coverage for accident to me, as driver/insured lied to police. Bodily injury of 50k requiring surgery and on-going pt.....
Traffic stopped abruptly and my car (subaru outback) came to a stop. I was rear-ended by a semi (speed unknown but did significant damage to my vehicle) that pushed me into the vehicle in front of me. The vehicle in front of me was then pushed into another vehicle. The vehicle directly in front of me (ford free star)had its air bag deploy. My air bag did not deploy and my head ended up hitting the steering wheel. I was diagnosed with a concussion.
The low beam headlights both burned out. Subaru said the issue only affected some of the outbacks but obviously it affects mine and was not covered.
Vehicle shudders and stalls when braking hard. It will not stall on a gradual stop but will stall in any situation when stopping quickly. Does not have to be a panic stop to stall, just hard braking. Resulting stall means loss of power brakes and steering. Have to shift into park and restart vehicle. Has no issues when running or driving. Engine runs vey smooth and has been well maintained as I am the original owner. It is an ongoing issue and repeatable in every circumstance. No computer codes set for this issue.