2012 Ford Explorer vs 2012 Subaru Outback
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2012 Ford Explorer
2012 Subaru Outback
Stories from the shop
The 2012 Subaru Outback edges this comparison on reliability data (3.6 versus 3.3). These aren't a typical head-to-head, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.
If you lean 2012 Ford Explorer, know what you're getting into on steering and body. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2012 Subaru Outback sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Going with the 2012 Subaru Outback? Watch the powertrain and airbags. The 2012 Ford Explorer has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.
On the dollars-and-cents side, total repair exposure across the top problem areas runs 1.5x higher on the 2012 Ford Explorer. That's the number to keep in mind when you're pricing the deal — a $2,000 difference in purchase price disappears the first time you're staring at a transmission rebuild.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2012 Ford Explorer or the 2012 Subaru Outback?
Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2012 Subaru Outback comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.6 versus 3.3. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.
What goes wrong more often on the 2012 Ford Explorer?
Compared to the 2012 Subaru Outback, the 2012 Ford Explorer sees more reported issues in steering and body. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2012 Subaru Outback?
Compared to the 2012 Ford Explorer, the 2012 Subaru Outback has more complaints in powertrain and airbags. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.
Which has more recalls?
The 2012 Ford Explorer has more active recalls (1 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $14,400 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.