CarModelProblems.com

2012 Subaru Outback Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 4.1× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
290Complaints
16Recalls
14Crashes
6Fires
10Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (35.2% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Power Train complaints here are 4.1× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train102 · 35.2%not available
Engine50 · 17.2%not available
Air Bags39 · 13.4%RecalledRecall 19V008000 · Recall 19V007000 · Recall 19V009000 · Recall 20V002000 · Recall 20V003000 · Recall 20V001000 · Recall 18V012000 · Recall 17V014000 · Recall 12V047000
Electrical System35 · 12.1%RecalledRecall 19V297000 · Recall 13V061000
Service Brakes34 · 11.7%RecalledRecall 11V562000
Exterior Lighting16 · 5.5%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN102 · 35.2%
ENGINE50 · 17.2%
AIR BAGS39 · 13.4%
SERVICE BRAKES34 · 11.7%
Unspecified / other24 · 8.3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING16 · 5.5%
STEERING9 · 3.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7 · 2.4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER5 · 1.7%

Percentages are the share of the 290 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 16 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V008000 · 2019 · reported 01/09/2019

An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Parking Brake

NHTSA campaign 18V626000 · 2018 · reported 09/13/2018

A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V007000 · 2019 · reported 01/09/2019

An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V009000 · 2019 · reported 01/09/2019

An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V002000 · 2020 · reported 01/02/2020

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V003000 · 2020 · reported 01/02/2020

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V001000 · 2020 · reported 01/02/2020

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition:switch

NHTSA campaign 19V297000 · 2019 · reported 04/11/2019

The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

NHTSA campaign 16V694000 · 2016 · reported 09/27/2016

If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 18V012000 · 2018 · reported 01/09/2018

An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 17V014000 · 2017 · reported 01/10/2017

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility/wiper

NHTSA campaign 13V078000 · 2013 · reported 03/05/2013

If the components overheat, the wiper motor bottom cover may melt and potentially catch fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

NHTSA campaign 13V077000 · 2013 · reported 03/05/2013

The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:side/window

NHTSA campaign 12V047000 · 2012 · reported 02/09/2012

THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 13V061000 · 2013 · reported 02/25/2013

The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

NHTSA campaign 11V562000 · 2011 · reported 11/29/2011

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“ENGINE STALLS WHILE PRESSING BREAK PEDAL RAPIDLY. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT TORQUE CONVERTER IS A PROBLEM AND EXTENDED WARRANTY IS AVAILABLE TO FIX…”NHTSA complaint 11124304 — filed 09/04/2018 · POWER TRAIN
“VEHICLE IN MOTION TRAVELING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE APPEARED TO LOSE POWER, ALL DASH LIGHTS FLASH, GAS PEDAL UNRESPONSIVE, COAST TO SIDE OF…”NHTSA complaint 11119667 — filed 08/13/2018 · POWER TRAIN
“AT TIMES, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT KIND OF SHUDDERS FIRST AND THEN JUST…”NHTSA complaint 11099584 — filed 06/04/2018 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

202012201220141120201655322018664120203512202218182024512026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Subaru Outback?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 102 of 290 NHTSA complaints (35.2%), followed by engine (50), air bags (39), electrical system (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2012 Subaru Outback have?

290 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2012 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes — 16 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V008000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2012 Subaru Outback's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.