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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-SUBARU-LEGACYNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Subaru
2012 Subaru Legacy problems
The 2012 Subaru Legacy has 8 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 90 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2012 Subaru Legacy has 90 NHTSA owner complaints and 16 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 32 complaints, typically surfacing around 114,017 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
8
Critical
7
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Legacy?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Reliability score 2.0/10 — below the segment average
16 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Rollover★★★★★5/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Subaru Legacy? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 32 owner reports
· tends to show around 114,017 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 13 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,042 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
airbags — 11 owner reports
· tends to show around 81,260 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
steering — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 55,452 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 81,260 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 16 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 2.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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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.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 2.0 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 a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Reliability score 2.0/10 — below the segment average; 16 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Subaru Legacy?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 32 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 114,017 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Subaru Legacy a good used car to buy?
It scores 2.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 90 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 114,017 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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 1 day 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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