NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 14 recalls, 89 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Subaru Legacy.
20–25 mpg combined
9.4–11.8 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
The 2012 Subaru Legacy draws the most owner complaints around the powertrain and engine. On the powertrain side, owners frequently describe stalling, the engine cutting out unexpectedly during normal driving, in stop-and-go traffic, or when coming to a quick stop. Several owners note that when stalling occurs, power steering and brake assist are lost simultaneously. Slow or hesitant acceleration after a restart comes up in multiple reports as well. Engine complaints include cylinder failures and hard or no-start conditions. Airbag complaints round out the top three reported systems, though the specific symptoms described there are less consistent across reports. A recurring theme in brake-related reports is corroded brake lines leading to fluid leaks and reduced stopping ability, a pattern owners associate with the vehicle's age and regional road conditions.
89
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Subaru Legacy has 14 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side front airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
This airbag defect is the subject of multiple filings covering different production periods and regional registrations, but all share the same consequence. A separate airbag concern affects certain vehicles built in a narrow window in late 2011: the side curtain airbags may not deploy in a crash due to an incorrect propellant mixture, reducing protection for occupants in a side impact. On the ignition side, vehicles where a replacement ignition switch was installed may experience the engine shutting off unexpectedly, and if a crash follows, the airbags may not fire.
The wiper system also appears twice. On some vehicles, the wiper motor can overheat and fail, reducing visibility in wet conditions. On a narrower group built in spring 2011, overheating inside the wiper motor cover can go further and cause the housing to melt or catch fire. That same spring 2011 build window also has a moonroof recall: the glass panel can work loose and detach at speed, becoming a hazard for following traffic. On manual-transmission models, the electronic parking brake may fail to engage, allowing the vehicle to roll away if left in the wrong gear.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breaking down after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the propellant inside degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic parking brake may fail to engage properly, which could allow the vehicle to roll away if the transmission is not in the correct gear when parked.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the electronic parking brake actuator assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Contaminated components in the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If snow or ice buildup prevents the wiper arms from stopping in the parked position, the motor can overheat and the cover may melt.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The adhesive bonding the moonroof glass to its retainer was applied inadequately, which may cause the glass to loosen or detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the moonroof glass adhesion and either apply additional adhesive or replace the glass at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover may overheat in certain 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Side curtain air bags may contain an incorrect propellant mixture in the initiator, causing insufficient gas output during deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.