This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Subaru Legacy engine problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 13 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2012 Subaru Legacy report stalling that begins intermittently and escalates over time. Stalling occurs most often when coming to a stop, on inclines, turning (especially right turns at low speed), shifting into reverse, and during abrupt braking. Early incidents happen as low as 14,000 miles; some occur within five months of purchase. One owner documented repeated low-idle and bogging events starting at 14,989 miles.
Beyond stalling, owners describe highway bucking and shuddering severe enough to force pulling off the road, and vibration before engine shutdown. Check engine lights paired with flashing brake, traction, and cruise lights occur in some cases; dealership diagnostics fail to pinpoint causes even after multiple hours of inspection and test drives. One owner reported three engine cylinders failing; another cited blown head gasket with coolant venting affecting brake and power steering function while in motion.
Repair attempts include cylinder re-machining, engine rebuild, tune-ups, computer "re-learn" procedures, spark plug and coil replacements—yet stalling persists intermittently. One shop charged $2,200 for torque converter repair; another attempted 50% cost-sharing on an unnamed engine failure at 110,700 miles. Dealers acknowledge an active TSB on the stalling issue but have declined warranty coverage once mileage exceeded limits. Owners report this as a widespread pattern affecting multiple model years and variants (Legacy, Outback) with high safety concern.
Same Subaru Legacy engine reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling on inclines, at stops, and during gear shifts
Engine shuts off unexpectedly during low-speed maneuvers including holding vehicle on inclines, coming to complete stops, turning (especially right turns), shifting into reverse, and braking. Stalling begins intermittently and escalates in frequency and severity over weeks to months.
When: Begins as early as 14,000-18,000 miles; occurs throughout ownership at 25,500 miles, 61,000 miles, 110,700 miles, and beyond 100,000 miles in separate cases. One owner experienced onset within five months of new purchase (March 2012 on October 2011 model).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls when vehicle comes to complete stop; Stalling while turning, especially right turns at low speed; Stalling while on inclines; Stalling when shifting from drive to reverse; Stalling during abrupt braking; Low idle and bogging before stall; Intermittent and unpredictable stalling pattern
Codes mentioned: Misfiring cylinders 1, 2, 3 (owner report from dealer diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted cylinder re-machining, full engine rebuild, and tune-up on one vehicle ($4,000+ total repairs including tow); another dealer performed computer 're-learn to system' procedure; spark plugs and ignition coils replaced in other cases. Stalling persisted after all attempted repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Active TSB acknowledged by one owner but Subaru declined warranty support once mileage exceeded coverage limit (10,000 miles over extended warranty). Dealership contacted via website per one complaint; no response recorded. Warranty void on vehicles over 100,000 miles.
Highway bucking and engine shuddering
Engine produces violent bucking motion and abnormal vibration/shuddering while driving on highways at normal speeds, severe enough to force operator to reduce speed to under 10 mph and pull off road for safety.
When: Escalated stage occurring within one month of initial stalling onset in one documented case; one vehicle vibrated and shuttered abnormally while approaching intersection at 61,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Bucking motion on highway at normal speed; Abnormal vibration and shuddering; All early computer warning lights illuminated before engine shutdown; Requires pulling vehicle off roadway to safe location
Repairs/costs cited: Engine rebuild and cylinder re-machining stopped bucking but did not resolve underlying stalling. One case; uncommon manifestation per owner observation.
Check engine light with cascading warning lights
Check engine light illuminates and triggers simultaneous flashing of brake, traction control, and cruise control warning lights. Lights extinguish after variable time period but reoccur inconsistently.
When: Occurs sporadically; dealership unable to reproduce or diagnose events even during test drives.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on; Brake warning light flashing; Traction control light flashing; Cruise control light flashing; Lights turn off without owner intervention after variable duration; No consistent pattern to reoccurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs replaced; two ignition coils replaced. No resolution achieved.
Blown head gasket with coolant venting
Head gasket failure allowing coolant to back up and vent while vehicle in motion on highway. Coolant loss occurred before temperature gauge indicated overheating, and liquid splash affected brake and power steering function while driving.
When: Occurred three times before diagnosis; failure happened while vehicle was moving on highway.
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant backing up inside engine; Coolant venting/leaking while in motion; Temperature gauge did not warn of overheating before coolant loss; Coolant splash affected brake function; Coolant splash affected power steering function; Recurrent failures (three episodes before diagnosis)
Engine cylinder failure
Multiple engine cylinders fail catastrophically. One owner reported three cylinders blew, leaving vehicle unable to start; owner was able to coast into parking lot before total loss of propulsion occurred while in heavy traffic.
When: Occurred while vehicle was in motion on westbound highway in heavy traffic; timing relative to mileage not documented.
Symptoms owners cite: Three cylinders failed/blew; Vehicle would not start after failure; Loss of engine power while in heavy traffic
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Contact owns a 2012 Subaru legacy 2.5. While driving at lower speed and approaching a turning lane at a heavy traffic intersection from the highway during rush hour the vehicle vibrated and shuttered abnormally, then stalled with all early computer warning lights going off before engine cut. Owner able to restart vehicle, but cautiously taken to dealer to diagnose with safety concerns while…
Car stalls when braking abruptly. This has happened three times. It shudders and dies.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Subaru legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled when attempting to come to a stop. The dealer (my auto import center, 1860 e sternberg rd, muskegon, mi 49444, (231) 799-2886) stated that there was a failure with the engine and offered to assistant with 50% of the costs. The parts that needed replacement were unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Had engine trouble with your 2012 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 45,000 and 110,700 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 110,700. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Subaru/Legacy.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.