2012 Subaru Legacy Powertrain (other) Problems

My 2012 Subaru Legacy experiences involuntary engine stalling when coming to a quick stop, such as in stop-and-go traffic or during sudden braking at intersections. When the engine shuts off without warning, power steering and braking assist are lost, creating a serious risk of collision. This is a known issue documented by Subaru of America in Technical Service Bulletin 16-90-13R, applicable to 2010–2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles with CVT transmissions. Subaru attributes the condition to excessive thrust washer wear inside the torque converter, which prevents proper release of lock-up clutch pressure. Subaru describes the condition as similar to stopping a manual transmission vehicle without depressing the clutch, which inherently results in engine stalling. Subaru later redesigned the torque converter as a countermeasure beginning in October 2013, indicating prior knowledge of a defect. However, Subaru never issued a recall or notified owners and addressed the issue only through a non-customer-facing service bulletin. I contacted Subaru Customer Advocacy to report this safety concern and request assistance with the repair (quoted over $4,000). Subaru acknowledged my concern but declined responsibility, citing the vehicle being out of warranty and stating that TSBs are not customer facing. Subaru did not confirm whether the vehicle is safe to drive with this condition. This issue represents a safety defect, not a warranty dispute. Vehicles that can stall unexpectedly during normal braking events pose a serious safety risk, and many affected vehicles remain on the road today.

NHTSA ID

11706789

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

Brakes malfunctioned and car spun out and hit deer

NHTSA ID

11705336

Incident

Dec 3, 2025

CVT transmission issues persist beyond the limited warranty extension that has now expired from Subaru. Vehicle RPMs regularly drop from 1000 to 500 when coming to a stop, causing engine to knock as it tries to stall. Vehicle then occasionally hesitates when attempting to move under power. Knocking and near stalling occasionally results in a sensation of vehicle being hit from behind while stopped with vehicle in drive and brakes applied.

NHTSA ID

11528026

Incident

Jun 20, 2023

Faulty torque converter. The car will unexpectedly turn off when coming to a fast, sudden stop. The 1st time it happened, I was in a left-hand turn lane and didn't realize my car had turned off and I had to quickly restart it to complete the turn. A transmission repair shop confirmed that the torque converter and valve body would need to be replaced. No warning lights, messages or other symptoms appeared before the incident. There is a safety bulletin from Subaru on this issue but because my car has a salvage title, it would need to escalate to a recall in order for Subaru to complete the repair free of charge

NHTSA ID

11513708

Incident

Oct 10, 2022

The vehicle will on occasion stall when coming to a complete stop. It is a known issue that has a service bulletin. Has something to do with the internals of the torque converter failing. Depending on where the vehicle stalls this could create a serious safety concern. Happens more when the vehicle is cold.

NHTSA ID

11501897

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

Please see ODI#11486236 & request # 562681 “ part 1” I wrote complaining about a 2012 Subaru Legacy Torque Converter issue. It was “ out of warranty 7/31/22 or 100k miles. At the time it started stalling it was at 103k miles in August 2022! I did not feel comfortable driving it. On 10/19/22 My mechanic drove my car & it shuddered & stalled at intersections for him also. I did not feel comfortable driving it 25 miles to a Subaru dealer to have them check it, diagnose it & repair it. My mechanic replaced the Torque Converter as well as the appropriate fluids. It cost about $1500 for parts & labor. Since this is a FAULTY part installed prior to purchase I feel Subaru needs to recall all these vehicles affected. I emailed you MULTIPLE emails online re: multiple complaints about this faulty part which causes a dangerous situation stalling at lights & intersections requiring one to stop & start. I was almost broadsided a few times. Subaru should do the right thing and recall all vehicles involved & your Agency should do the right thing & demand it for the safety of the public.

NHTSA ID

11490689

Incident

Aug 10, 2022

In August & September 2022 , 4 times I was stopping at stop signs & red lights and my car shuttered & stalled. No warning lights showed on the dashboard. I contacted my mechanic & he said he was aware of this issue on certain Subarus, possibly a Torque Converter defect but thought there was an extended warranty & I should look into it. My car was purchased 7/30/12 & had 103,000 miles on it when this issue started in August. I wrote to Subaru of America explaining the problem. They told me that my car was out of the “warranty” since it expired at 100,000 miles OR on 7/31/22. They said I’d need to take my car to a Dealer & have them diagnose the car, & if it was this issue then it would be reviewed to see if they would offer any “good will assistance”. After reading many blogs I’m noticing many Subaru owners complaining of similar dangerous stalls. Why hasn’t Subaru been forced to recall all these vehicles? This is a dangerous situation. I also read an article in FORBES MAGAZINE From 2017 by Chris Jensen that Subaru was allowed to offer extended warranty on this faulty transmission part instead of a recall being issued. I. Don’t understand how you can overlook this SAFETY issue. I would like to know what recourse I have since this started happening just outside my warranty limits. Subarus comment re: “ it would be reviewed to possibly offer some good will assistance” Is just not good enough. I would appreciate a response and some assistance in this dangerous situation. I have a date set in October to have my mechanic check it Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11486236

Incident

Aug 17, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and coming to a stop, the vehicle shuddered and shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact’s husband, an independent mechanic, replaced the spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel filter; however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving. Upon investigation, the contact became aware of Subaru Technical Service Bulletin Number: 16-90-13R for transmission failure. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not eligible for the Technical Service Bulletin repair due to the mileage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11480131

Incident

Jul 29, 2022

Mileage

145,000 mi

FIRST TIME CAR STALLED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. CAR (SUBARU LEGACY 2012) HAD 140K MILES ON IT. WENT TO A SUBARU DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT THERE FOR THIS MODEL WHICH CAPS THE MILEAGE FOR FREE REPAIR AT 100K MILES. AFTER 30 MILES WITH A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, CAR STARTED SHUDDERING AT 45MPH. MULTIPLE SENSOR LIGHTS CAME ON WITH STEERING BECOMING DIFFICULT. TURNED INTO A SMALL STREET WHERE THE CAR STALLED AT LOW SPEEDS. TOOK A COUPLE OF TRIES TO START THE CAR AND SENT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID

11413272

Incident

Apr 20, 2021

Mileage

140,000 mi

GOT MY SUBARU AT A CERTIFIED DEALER AND THEY DID ALL THE AIRBAG RECALLS GOOD 😁 AND THANK YOU BUT I BEEN DRIVING IT TO AND FROM WORK NO BIG DEAL 35 MILE ROUND TRIP BUT NOTICED IT WAS HARD STARTING LIKE NO FUEL OR SPARK SO WHEN IT WAS DUE FOR INSPECTION I TOLD THEM TO CHANGE THE PLUGS AT 59K MILES THEY DID AND DROVE IT FOR A MONTH OR TWO AND NOTICE A WINDING NOISE AND SHIMMY AND WHEN STOPED AT A RED LIGHT IT ALMOST STALLED OUT LIGHT WHEN VERY DIM AND CAME BACK ON AND I'VE NOTICE OVER A WEEK IT'S BEEN LOOSING POWER LIKE THE TAHOE I HAD THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS GOING SO I CALLED THE NEAREST DEALER AND ASKED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT PASSED ALL OF SUBARU TESTING AND JUST DRIVE IT AND ASKED WHAT ABOUT THE SHIMMY WHEN DRIVING AND SHIFTING GEARS THEY SAID ENGINE LOPE AND JUST DRIVE IT TILL IT SHOWS A LIGHT OR FAILS IT'S UNDER WARRANTY TILL 100K MILES BUT I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE IT IF I'M IN TRAFFIC AND IT STALLS AND CAUSE A RECK OR ENGINE BLOWS UP DUE TO ENGINE LOPE AND ASKED ABOUT THE ENGINE LOPE WHAT IS CAUSING IT THEY CAN'T TELL ME IT NOW HAS 61K MILES ON IT AND A YARD ORNAMENT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD

NHTSA ID

11349693

Incident

Aug 16, 2020

Mileage

61,000 mi

ENGINE STALLS AFTER ABRUPT STOP. FOR EXAMPLE, I WAS ON POST ROAD IN WESTPORT CONNECTICUT AND SLOWED DOWN FROM 25MPH+ VERY QUICKLY WITH A HARD BRAKE. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STALLED AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE ACTIVATED. RESTARTING THE CAR ALLOWED ME TO PROCEED. THIS ISSUE ALSO OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY (THE MERITT PARKWAY) SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. THIS PROBLEM IS CONSISTENTLY REPRODUCIBLE AND HAS HAPPENED 10+ TIMES. SUBARU HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE (HTTPS://WWW.FORBES.COM/SITES/JENSEN/2017/07/07/FACING-COMPLAINTS-SUBARU-OFFERS-EXTENDED-WARRANTIES-ON-1-5-MILLION-VEHICLES/#6E78473E79DC) AND "EXTENDED" MY WARRANTY UP TO 100K, BUT MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 106K MILES. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO HANK MAY'S IN NORWALK, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A CAUSE FOR THE ISSUE. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO SUBARU CONCURRENTLY WITH THIS REPORT. THEY WILL BE EXAMINING MY CAR TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND WHETHER IT WILL BE COVERED.

NHTSA ID

11320068

Incident

Apr 2, 2020

Mileage

106,000 mi

2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHEN COMING TO A HARD STOP THE ENGINE WILL STALL. WILL HAPPEN ANY TIME YOU COME TO A HARD STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN DENSE TRAFFIC. VERY SCARY.

NHTSA ID

11312267

Incident

Feb 27, 2020

Mileage

166,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHEN APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED. MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE CONTACT CALLED GARAVEL SUBARU (LOCATED AT 10 TINDALL AVE, NORWALK, CT 06851, (203) 642-0620) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT A LATER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11267687

Incident

Sep 23, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

THE CAR IS STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. AS YOU SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE SHUTTERS, AND THEN STOPS. THE AWD, CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION, BATTERY, OIL, AT OIL TEMP ALL LIGHT UP. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE DAY.

NHTSA ID

11258640

Incident

Sep 27, 2019

Mileage

111,504 mi

THE TRANSMISSION SHAKES/SHUDDERS WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR TRAVELING SLOWLY. IT HAS HAPPENED WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. SOMETIMES, WHEN THE SHUDDER OCCURS, THE CAR WILL DIE, REQUIRING A SHIFT INTO A PARK AND A RESTART.

NHTSA ID

11245482

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

TRANSMISSION SHAKES OR RUMBLES BETWEEN GEARS WHILE ACCELERATING. OCCASIONALLY CAR WILL COMPLETELY LOSE POWER AND STALL. THIS STARTED HAPPENING WITH MILEAGE AT ABOUT 97,000 IN FEBRUARY OF 2018. SUBARU DEALER IN DANBURY, CT SAID IT WAS A PROPELLER SHAFT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM. THEN BROUGHT CAR TO SUBARU DEALER IN BREWSTER, NY WHO RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. SERVICE BULLETINS ONLINE DESCRIBE THE EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENING ON THE LEGACY 3.6 TRANSMISSION. CAR NOW HAS 121,000 MILES ON IT. CAR FUNCTIONS, BUT VIBRATION BETWEEN GEARS CONTINUES. ALSO OCCASIONALLY COMPLETELY LOSES POWER MOMENTARILY - VERY DANGEROUS. DEALERS SAY BLUE BOOK VALUE OF MY CAR IS LESS THAN COST OF A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO OFFERED ME A $100 GOODWILL PARTS & SERVICE COUPON.

NHTSA ID

11229868

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

Mileage

97,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUSTIN SUBARU (LOCATED AT 8100 BURNET RD, AUSTIN, TX 78757, (512) 220-0930) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11220753

Incident

Apr 18, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

WHEN BRAKING, THE CAR OFTEN STALLS AND ALL REQUIRES A SHIFT INTO PARK, AND A RESTART OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE BEFORE BEING ABLE TO PROCEED. WHEN IT STALLS, STEERING IS ALSO AFFECTED. THIS FREQUENTLY HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS, BUT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES AND WHEN SLOWING FOR TURNING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY.

NHTSA ID

11206445

Incident

Mar 31, 2019

Mileage

93,000 mi

115000 MILES , SUDDEN STOPS KILLS THE ENGINE RENDERING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. CVT TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER ACTS AS IS LOCKS UP TAKING ENGINE RPM DOWN TO A STALL CONDITION . HAPPENS ANYTIME ONE HAS TO APPLY THE BRAKES SUDDENLY. NORMAL BRAKING CAR FUNCTIONS OK.

NHTSA ID

11204426

Incident

Apr 5, 2019

Mileage

115,000 mi

CAR SHUTTERS AND ENGINE DIES WHEN COMING TO A STOP. DEALERSHIP SAID IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER. COMMON FOR SUBARU LEGACY 2012. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT.

NHTSA ID

11191494

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

Mileage

166,000 mi

CAR SHAKES THEN STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. STALLING BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES(NOVEMBER 2018) BUT HAPPENED ONLY TWICE IN 4 MONTHS SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT, BUT TODAY 3/5/19 IT HAPPENED TWICE(I NOW HAVE 79,000 MILES). HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT SUBARU TO HAVE CAR SERVICED ON 3/11/19. HOWEVER, FROM READING THE COMPLAINTS, I DON'T THINK I AM GOING TO BE HAPPEN WITH THE OUTCOME.

NHTSA ID

11184263

Incident

Mar 5, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

THE TORQUE CONVERTER OF MY VEHICLE IS NOT SHUTTING OFF PROPERLY!!! THIS BEGAN HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2019. AS I CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP, MY CAR STARTED SHAKING, THE WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND MY ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED OUT AND DIED AT A STOPLIGHT. I NEARLY GOT REAR ENDED AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN TOTAL TWICE! MY CAR IS NOW AT 118K MILES WHICH PUTS IT OVER SUBARU'S 100K WARRANTY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AS IT HAS AFFECTED MANY SUBARU OWNERS WORLD WIDE. SUBARU MUST OFFER A RECALL ON THIS PART!!!!!

NHTSA ID

11180669

Incident

Feb 5, 2019

STARTED TO STALL OUT WHILE STOPPING AT LIGHTS, PARKING LOTS, WRY BAD WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY NEEDING TO STOP. ALMOST REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD STALL APPROACHING LIGHTS. I FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT I NEED TO PUT IT IN NUETRAL FOR IT NOT TO DIE. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT SUBARU HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES TO FIX THIS ISSUE I AM AT 100,500. THEY ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO FIX IT. BUT IF I DIDN'T KNOW THEY WOULD'VE NEVER FIXED IT . MY CONCERN IS THE NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS I WAS ALMOST IN ON A DAILY BASIS. IT HAPPENS WHEN I BRAKE AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, ANYWHERE I NEED TO STOP.

NHTSA ID

11174645

Incident

Jan 31, 2019

Mileage

100,100 mi

WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR WITH NEWBORN SON WHEN SHE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP BECAUSE SOMEONE SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES IN FRONT OF HER SO SHE DID AND THE CAR STALLED AND STOPPED ON HER NEARLY AVOIDING BEING REAR ENDED. ON OTHER OCCASIONS SHE WOULD STOP ON A HILL AND THE CAR WOULD SHUDDER AND COME TO A STOP AND DIE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANY OF THESE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THIS CVT TRANSMISSION. ESPECIALLY WHEN SUBARU BOASTS ABOUT HOW THIS TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY MAINTENANCE FREE FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR WHAT A JOKE RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEBODY DIES

NHTSA ID

11172165

Incident

Jan 2, 2019

Mileage

100,500 mi

WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR SHUDDERS AND MAY STALL. THIS IS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC IF I'M TURNING LEFT AND THE CAR STALLS AT AN INTERSECTION. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON A BUSY CITY STREET IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ID

11163341

Incident

Dec 22, 2018

Mileage

105,000 mi