Is the 2012 Subaru OUTBACK reliable?

The 2012 Subaru OUTBACK has 367 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Subaru OUTBACK?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (107 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (52 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (39 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Subaru OUTBACK?

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, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, 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. 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 OUTBACK?

The 2012 Subaru OUTBACK 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.

Is the 2012 Subaru OUTBACK often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru OUTBACK: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

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

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Subaru OUTBACK is approximately $1,375/year (suv-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 OUTBACK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Subaru OUTBACK has 367 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 539. The most common issue is transmission problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: i was setting the homelink mirror on my car to recognize a particular garage door opener. the mirror is powered so i needed to leave the car idling. i put the car in neutral and began the programming process. the last step in the process is to engage the garage door opener from the motor head. t. There are 16 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 11 fire reports filed.

11 fire reports 14 crash reports 10 injuries

367

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

107 complaints

29%

• I WAS SETTING THE HOMELINK MIRROR ON MY CAR TO RECOGNIZE A PARTICULAR GARAGE DOOR OPENER. THE MIRROR IS POWERED SO I NEEDED TO LEAVE THE CAR IDLING. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BEGAN THE PROGRAMMING PROCESS. THE LAST STEP IN THE PROCESS IS TO ENGAGE THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER FROM THE MOTOR HEAD. T
• IN EARLY DECEMBER OF 2011 MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, CVT TRANSMISSION. WE HAD TO WAIT A DAY FOR OUR OUTBACK BECAUSE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED DO TO A BRAKE SYSTEM RECALL. EVER SINCE PURCHASING THE OUTBACK WE HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ISSUE WHEN USING THE PADDLE
• SITUATION: TRAVELING AT 60MPH UP A STEEP HILL ON I70 WEST BOUND IN LEFT PASSING LANE. CARS FOLLOWING CLOSE, AND CARS IN THE RIGHT LANE. FOR THE FIRST TIME (NEW CAR) I USED THE DOWNSHIFT PADDLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO DOWNSHIFT TO ACCELERATE. I TAPPED IT TO DOWNSHIFT ONE GEAR. IT I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 4 crashes

“I WAS SETTING THE HOMELINK MIRROR ON MY CAR TO RECOGNIZE A PARTICULAR GARAGE DOOR OPENER. THE MIRROR IS POWERED SO I NEEDED TO LEAVE THE CAR IDLING. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BEGAN THE PROGRAMMING PROCESS. THE LAST STEP IN THE PROCESS IS TO ENGAGE THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER FROM THE MOTOR HEAD. T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Subaru OUTBACK

Based on 249 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 87K 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+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 78K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 2K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 4K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 111K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 70K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Reported earliermedian 64K mi · 15 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, 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. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Subaru OUTBACK

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)

$1,715/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 OUTBACK

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

$1,375

Full coverage / month

$115

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1375

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru OUTBACK 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 OUTBACK, 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

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 367 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: I WAS SETTING THE HOMELINK MIRROR ON MY CAR TO RECOGNIZE A PARTICULAR GARAGE DOOR OPENER. THE MIRROR IS POWERED SO I NEEDED TO LEAVE THE CAR IDLING. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND BEGAN THE PROGRAMMING PROCESS. THE LAST STEP IN THE PROCESS IS TO ENGAGE THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER FROM THE MOTOR HEAD. T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: IN EARLY DECEMBER OF 2011 MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, CVT TRANSMISSION. WE HAD TO WAIT A DAY FOR OUR OUTBACK BECAUSE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED DO TO A BRAKE SYSTEM RECALL. EVER SINCE PURCHASING THE OUTBACK WE HAVE HAD A SERIOUS ISSUE WHEN USING THE PADDLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: DROVE THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES, MADE A QUICK STOP WITH CAR TURN OFF, WHEN RESTARTING CAR, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT SAID IT WAS OFF EVEN THOUGHT THEIR WAS AN ADULT PASSENGER ON THAT SIDE OF THE CAR. LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN AFTER RESTARTING CAR,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V562000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES) AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WHEN AP
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)