Subaru Outback problems
290 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Powertrain: 107 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 70,000–130,000 mi
- Electrical system: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–125,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was taking it for an oil change and lube. After driving on the freeway at 60-70 MPH, I came off the freeway, went 2 blocks to a stoplight. As soon as I stopped, many warning lights started flashing, and became alarmed, went 3 blocks to the lube service center and some steam…
My headlights on my outback are constantly going out. I purchased this vehicle in october of 2015 and I have replaced my headlights 9 times. I live in alaska with very little day light and it is important to always have my headlights on, regardless of where I live. I have been…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Subaru outback. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shuttered and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to mastria Subaru (1255 new state hwy, raynham, ma 02767) where it was diagnosed that the engine was burning oil. The engine…
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Subaru Outback reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 290 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Subaru Outback is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Subaru Outback?
The 2012 Subaru Outback is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 107 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 70,000–130,000 mi; Electrical system: 32 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–125,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. 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 Outback?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 107 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 98,370 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 98,370 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Outback 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 Outback?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 290 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.