Is the 2012 Subaru LEGACY reliable?

The 2012 Subaru LEGACY has 119 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Subaru LEGACY?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (34 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (23 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (14 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Subaru LEGACY?

Yes, there are 16 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, PARKING BRAKE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, VISIBILITY/WIPER, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Subaru LEGACY?

The 2012 Subaru LEGACY gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Subaru LEGACY?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Subaru LEGACY is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Subaru LEGACY

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Subaru LEGACY has 119 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 140. The most common issue is transmission problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru legacy. while driving approximately 75 mph, the contact heard a whining sound coming from the engine. the vehicle would also stall when driving at low speeds or idling. the dealer stated that the transmission was faulty. the transmission was replaced and the failur. There are 16 recalls issued for this model year.

9 crash reports 7 injuries

119

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

34 complaints

29%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR IDLING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILUR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
• MY SUBARU LEGACY HAS BEEN RECENTLY STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT SHUDDERS AND IF YOU DO NOT GIVE IT GAS OR PLACE IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE WILL DIE. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS CAUSED FROM A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER THAT SUBARU IS AWARE OF BUT HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL. I'M NOT SURE I WOULD BUY

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR IDLING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILUR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Subaru LEGACY

Based on 87 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 93K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 48K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 53K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 93K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 57K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 109K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (16)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE09/01/2019

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. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Subaru LEGACY

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Subaru LEGACY

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru LEGACY Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2012 LEGACY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 119 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR IDLING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILUR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: PURCHASED BRAND NEW SUBARU LEGACY OCTOBER 31ST OF 2011. AFTER ONLY FIVE MONTHS AND 14,000 MILES BEGINNING IN MARCH OF 2012 I WAS SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM(S) WITH MY LEGACY: LOW IDLING, BOGGING DOWN, AT OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND NEARLY STALLING OUT. THIS ISSUE IS STILL CONTINUING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON ONE TIRE FAILED BEFORE 5 TO 7 YEAR EXPECTED LIFE SPAN THUS MAKING THE FAIL-SAFE SYSTEM INOPERABLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: ON 2/19/14 I WAS DRIVING S ON INTER 99 IN LINDLEY, NY IN R LANE WHEN TOYOTA PASSED ME IN L LANE, LOST CONTROL, CRASHED INTO CONCRETE BARRIER ON L AND SLID ACROSS L AND R LANES CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO HIS PASSENGER SIDE. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WAS INJURED INCLUDING PERMANENTLY TO HAND. FR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 16 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)