NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 14 recalls, 290 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Subaru Outback.
20–24 mpg combined
9.8–11.8 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
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 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2012 Subaru Outback centers on the powertrain, which accounts for the largest share of owner reports by a wide margin. Owners frequently describe transmission shuddering, hesitation, and stalling behavior, particularly at low speeds or when coming to a stop, often without any warning lights appearing on the dash. The sensation is commonly compared to releasing a clutch too early on a manual transmission. The second most-reported area is airbags, where owners raise concerns about warning light behavior and system readiness, though specific symptom descriptions in this category vary. Engine-related complaints round out the top three, with owners noting rough running, starting difficulty, and intermittent check engine light activation, sometimes tied to damp or rainy conditions. The low-speed shudder and stall pattern in the powertrain category is the most consistent thread across multiple reports for this model year.
290
Total Complaints
14
Crash-Related
6
Fire-Related
10
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Subaru Outback has 14 recalls, the most serious being a defective front passenger airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Multiple recalls cover this same airbag inflator issue, filed across different campaigns and in some cases scoped to vehicles in high-humidity states and territories. On the electrical side, vehicles that had a replacement mechanical key ignition switch installed may have a broken spring inside the switch that lets the engine shut off unexpectedly while driving, and in that condition the airbags may not deploy in a crash. The windshield wiper motor can overheat due to internal component interference and fail entirely, leaving the driver without wipers in wet conditions.
Brake-related recalls cover two separate concerns: a deformed seal in the brake master cylinder can cause the pedal to travel further than normal before braking takes effect, increasing stopping distance, and on manual transmission models the electronic parking brake may fail to engage fully, allowing the vehicle to roll away when parked. Vehicles equipped with an Audiovox remote engine starter can start the engine unintentionally and cycle it repeatedly without the driver present. There is also a recall for side curtain airbags that may have been assembled incorrectly and could fail to deploy in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 remote engine starter fob may malfunction if dropped, causing it to randomly send an engine start signal without the button being pressed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the remote engine starter fob at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some side curtain airbags may have been made incorrectly and might not inflate when needed during a crash, increasing injury risk to occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will check both side curtain airbags and replace them if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A seal inside the brake master cylinder may have deformed during assembly, causing the brake pedal to require more travel and reducing braking power.
What the fix does
Your dealer will inspect the brake master cylinder and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
