10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,043 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Subaru Outback miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2012 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Mar 042022

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Exhaust pipe cracked - same issue as indicated in Recall WUJ-95. Exhaust fumes leaking could be harmful to those riding in the car. Problem has been confirmed by an independent repair shop. No - the car was loud and I took it in to be looked at my independent car repair shop. I am not sure how recalls get started, but it seems that it should be looked into for this model year as well since it is only one year from the recall model year and it is the same problem.

- Gloucester, MA, USA

problem #22

Nov 032021

Outback

  • miles
On October 27, 2021 while driving the car a number of vehicle light began flashing. We checked every thing we could and proceeded to drive it home, approximately 47 miles. First thing on 10/28/2021 it was examined by a Subaru dealer service department and they found no issues other than they replaced the serpentine belt and a few light bulbs. The car was driven again on 1o/29/21 and 11/1/21 with no incident. On the way home from work on 11/3/21 the same vehicle lights began flashing. We checked everything we could and found nothing wrong. We began travelling home and about 25 miles into the trip we heard what sounded like metal clanking. Shortly thereafter we began to lose power and the engine started smoking. The engine compartment was on fire by the time we were on the side of the road so we exited the car. In around 10-15 seconds the car was fully engulfed by flames and burned to the metal.

- Fostoria, OH, USA

problem #21

Aug 112021

Outback

  • miles
2012 Subaru Outback stalls when braking. It stalls going up hills, on flat roads, after high speeds and after city driving too. The vehicle has shut off at stop lights, on/off ramps, and stop signs putting me and my family at risk of being rear-ended. It also stalls when parallel parking, increasing risk of being hit on city streets. No warning or check engine light. Subaru issued a bulletin about the issue but the local dealer and local mechanic were unable to replicate stalling on test drives.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #20

Apr 162021

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this card at the end of March and only for one week it registered the car got fired and burned while driving last Friday around 10pm. When I checked the VIN#. this car has over 16 recalls

- Boston ( Hyde Park), MA, USA

problem #19

Dec 012020

Outback

  • miles
Car keeps overheating. Needed head gaskets - two times within 2 1/2 years! that part shouldn't have to be replaced once never mind twice.

- Manchester, CT, USA

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problem #18

Dec 282020

Outback

  • 166,000 miles
On 28 December while driving at approximately 50 mph with 3 people in 2012 Subaru Outback, the sunroof spontaneously shattered. No one was hurt during the incident. I took the car to the dealership who indicated no recall on the vehicle. Subaru customer service sent me a coupon for $200 towards repair. Thought this was a one-time anomaly, but on 07 January (10 days later) the window on driver's door spontaneously shattered with two of us in the car while on the highway at a speed of approximately 60mph. Neither of us were hurt. The vehicle is in the shop and Subaru has offered $150 towards repair costs. Once again no recalls are in effect.

- Vernon, AZ, USA

problem #17

Aug 302020

Outback

  • 189,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When approaching a stop, the engine dies. I'm afraid I will be rear ended. The dealership thought it might be a low battery so I replaced it and it still does a stutter then dies. If I let off of the break, sometimes that keeps it from stalling. Very concerning in traffic. Has been happening for 6 months.

- Trinidad, CO, USA

problem #16

Jul 282020

Outback

  • 160,000 miles
Lights on the dashboard are on all the time brakes traction ABS (anti brake system)about the same time my cruise control stopped working

- Hicksville, NY, USA

problem #15

Oct 192019

Outback

  • 150,000 miles
Key is stuck in ignition and will not come out. Vehicle has to be re-started, moved back and forth 3-4 times before key will come out. This appears to be a common problem with many Subaru, there are a variety of quick-fix videos online and countless complaints in automotive forums. Subaru is definitely aware of the problem.

- Sparta, NJ, USA

problem #14

Jun 012019

Outback

  • 106,000 miles
Cvt transmission / torque converter. My vehicle is just over 100K and Subaru won't cover the full repair. My car has stalled in very dangerous situations on the highway and intersections. Local dealer has confirmed that the torque converter / cvt needs repaired. It's terrible to know that NHTSA won't issue a formal recall waiting for fatalities to force the decision.

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #13

Jul 032019

Outback

  • 181,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have just been told today that will need a new cvt transmission for my 2012 Outback. This is a common problem for Subaru during this model year. Instead of issuing a recall, they have chosen to give a limited extended warranty on this issue. They have not owned up to the problem and are not helping customers out with this issue. What assurance do I have that a new Subaru won't have the same issue? I enjoyed by Outback and am very disappointed with this outcome. I have taken it for regular servicing and don't abuse a vehicle and it has been reliable to this point. Please advise as to why won't own up to this issue and issue a recall for this common problem. They currently have in place an extended warranty of 100,000 for this issue. I dare say very few Subaru are on the road after nine years with less than 100,000.

- Abingdon, VA, USA

problem #12

Jun 252019

Outback

  • miles
My key will not come out of the ignition properly. Takes 30 minutes sometimes. I cannot leave my car with the key in the ignition. Maintenance rep says there is a tsb addressing this known issue, but will not be fixed unless I pay $700+ to replace the entire shift assembly. Something about the park indicator is known to not engage properly. How can they charge customers this outrageous amount, when they know there is a defect in the shift assembly and has been since 2010. This has been occurring for over six months in my vehicle and is getting worse each time. The internet is filled with Subaru owners of all makes, models, and years with the same problem.

- Parkville, MD, USA

problem #11

Jun 162019

Outback

  • 162,000 miles
Our vehicle has 162,000 miles. The valve body transmission has to be replaced due to known defect of this make, model, and year vehicle. This has been and continues to be a problem for these vehicles with no recall made.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #10

May 082019

Outback

  • 50,000 miles
The earliest date for schedule of recall is August. Does that seem sensible if the problem is serious? the solution to solve the large number of people needing remediation is requiring addition staff to keep the service department open, around the clock, if necessary.

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #9

Jul 182018

Outback

  • miles
I bought my car used at the end of 2015. In 2017 my Subaru Outback began make a whistling sound when the brakes were applied and also began to shake at a low idle before stopping the car. I took it to a Subaru dealership and had it inspected but they just determined it was the brakes and changed them out. In 2018 my Subaru began to shake even more violently, almost as if another vehicle behind me had bumped into me, and then would stall out. This appeared more so on hills at first and then started happening on flat surface roads. I went back to my Subaru dealership who again ran my VIN and inspected the vehicle but determined "could not duplicate the issue". $900+ later I went on my way only to have it continuously happen more and more. I was at 90,490 miles at the time I got my 90K mile servicing done. I had asked the servicing department if there was anything reported on my vehicle that I needed to be aware of. They stated that nothing popped up in their system. I never received a recall or safety warning letting me know that there is a huge concern for cvt to the point of extending the coverage automatically. I am not a mechanic. I dont know what codes to look for or what lingo to give them other than my exact problem and trust that they did the research and performed the correct protocol. I just did the research and had they read the bulletin for 16-90-13R they would have seen for my specific make model and year of car that it states "customer may experience sensation like coming to a stop in a manual transmission equipped vehicle and failing to depress the clutch". in other words, stalling. I would also say 16-104-17 applies as well but the year does not add up with my vehicle. I have a special needs son who needs therapy daily and this is my daily driver. I'd like that to be highlighted in the event of our death due to not being able to have this remedied.

- Penn Valley, CA, USA

problem #8

Feb 122016

Outback

  • miles
For almost 1.5 years, my 2012 Subaru Outback is experiencing shuddering and stalls when coming to a stop resulting in the engine shutting off. It occurs randomly and I nearly got in accidents with drivers behind me having to react to the sudden, full stops.

- Newhall, CA, USA

problem #7

Jan 082019

Outback

  • 115,000 miles
Stalled when coming to a stop at an intersection. Believe to be transmission issue. Purchased a 2012 Subaru Outback on 8 Jan 2019. The car was sole as is. While driving home, I came up to the busy intersection of russell parkway and moody road (warner robins ga) as I began to slow, the car started to buck then stalled. I was almost rear-ended by the car following me. The car on the same day stalled again while slowing down and turning right on feagan mill road. The car following me swerved to the left to avoid a rear end impact. The car is currently parked until I can get it serviced. After research, I founded out many customers are having the same issues of driving an unsafe vehicle. I currently have 115,000 miles

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

problem #6

Aug 232017

Outback

  • miles
This happens randomly, not just once but several times I lost count already. Driving on a city street, I always get nervous when I would slow down due to a stop sign or red light because the car would stall by the time I come to a full stop. The engine would first feel like it's gonna die, then would jerk a little and then finally die. Starting the car back on has no issues -- the car turns on normally. I taken to the dealer and they connat replicate the issue.

- Southport, NC, USA

problem #5

Jan 062017

Outback

  • miles
This happens randomly, not just once but several times I lost count already. Driving on a city street, I always get nervous when I would slow down due to a stop sign or red light because the car would stall by the time I come to a full stop. The engine would first feel like it's gonna die, then would jerk a little and then finally die. Starting the car back on has no issues -- the car turns on normally. Already brought it to the dealership for servicing and was told may just be idling issue. They said they fixed it but still experiencing it randomly. Hesitant to bring it back for I was told that the next time, it might cost me a thousand or more to fix it.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #4

Aug 012016

Outback

  • 75,000 miles
When I slow and stop at a stop sign or stop light my car randomly stops. It will restart but this has caused dangerous situations for me and my family as this is usually unexpected. I have noticed it getting worse and thus far I can't isolate the issue other then reading bulletins ( bulletin number 16-90-13R ). my local fix it shop and Subaru don't seem to give us a reason.

- Henrico, VA, USA

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