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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-SUBARU-LEGACYNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2012 · Subaru
Subaru Legacy problems
1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 90 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
Reliability score
6.4 / 10
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
1
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Legacy?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average
5 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 Legacy· powertrain
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…
When coming to a stop, the car shudders and may stall. This is especially problematic if I'm turning left and the car stalls at an intersection. This has occurred on a busy city street in the northern virginia area. This has happened on multiple occasions.
My 2012 Subaru Legacy experiences involuntary engine stalling when coming to a quick stop, such as in stop-and-go traffic or during sudden braking at intersections. When the engine shuts off without warning, power steering and braking assist are lost, creating a serious risk of…
Squeel and jerkking. See service bulletin and extended warranties. Tsb 16-90-13r; car is outside extended warranty but this is a vehicle defect that should covered and recalled.
Had a problem with your 2012 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
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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. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
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
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. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 legacy and outback vehicles, manufactured from december 1, 2011, through december 23, 2011
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. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 90 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Subaru Legacy has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2012 Subaru Legacy?
The 2012 Subaru Legacy is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Subaru Legacy?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 32 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 114,017 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 114,017 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Legacy has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Subaru Legacy?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 90 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Subaru/Legacy.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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