2012 Subaru Legacy 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.

Brakes malfunctioned and car spun out and hit deer

Engine failed 3 cyclinders blew, car would not start, was able to drive car into parking lot (Einstein Bagels)before failure, otherwise could have been reared ended, as was in heavy traffic on westbound Dundee Road, in Palatine IL. Parking lot was near Dundee and Rand Road intersection

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.

Contacting Subaru going on 4 years to get airbag recall completed. Subaru has Persistently promised to call back to set appointment BUT NEVER CALLS. Just did 2 chats again today both MYSTERIOUSLY disconnected AS USUAL. Please record for legal purposes my absolute frustration at trying to get Subaru to fulfill this Critical RECALL for Deadly Airbag Repair

2012 LEGACY OUTBACK, CONSUMER WRITE SIN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

Brakes malfunctioned and car spun out and hit deer

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.

Brakes malfunctioned and car spun out and hit deer

The brake lines of my vehicle were corroded and started leaking brake fluid. The brakes no longer work and started failing when I was driving up a hill. Luckily there was no accident, however, not having functioning breaks is an obvious safety concern. An independent service center initially looked at the damage and suggested that the corrosion is unacceptable for the life of the vehicle. They provided me with the recall information I include below and instructed me to take the vehicle to a Subaru dealership. The dealership confirmed the issue and offered a quote of $5,000 for the repair. There is a recall for the same exact issue for similar vehicles (Subaru Recall Campaign WQK47: Brake Line Corrosion). The recall includes 2005‐2009 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008‐2014 model year Subaru Impreza WRX and STI vehicles, and others. However, it neglects to include 2012 model year Subaru Legacy vehicles. The issue is clearly the same.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V694000 (VISIBILITY) AND 17V014000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SUBARU OF KENNESAW (905 ERNEST BARRETT PKWY NW, KENNESAW, GA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (60) MPH MY SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWORDS. BY OUTWORDS I MEAN BUCKLED UP AND OUT. RAZOR SHARP PRICES OF GLASS FLEW EVERYWHERE ALL OVER MY HEAD AND FACE. EXTREMELY SCARY. THERE WAS NO OVER PASSES AND OR TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME. THE FORCE OF A ROCK AT THIS SPEED WOULD NOT COME CLOSE TO ANYTHING LIKE THIS. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE THE CABIN WAS UNDER PRESSURE.

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact parked and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was slow to accelerate. After refueling, the fuel dissipated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the throttle body and valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

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.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROL, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF DAYTON (995 MIAMISBURG CENTERVILLE RD, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, OH 45459) MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL FUEL CAP WAS LOOSE AND THE OXYGEN AND AN UNKNOWN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. *BF VIN IS INVALID. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND SUGGESTED BUYING A NEW CAR. CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP SAYS OXYGEN SENSORS ARE VENDING CORRECTLY FOLLOWING MONTH DEALERSHIP STATED SENSORS ARE BAD. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*JB

Vehicle: 2012 Subaru Legacy VIN: [XXX] Owner Location: Syracuse, NY (salt-belt state) Dealer: Romano Subaru (Syracuse, NY) Dealer Findings / Estimate: “Urgent Work — Subframe with sway links — $3,119.89” (front subframe replacement required), plus alignment and related items; total estimate $4,394.75. Summary of Safety Defect: The front subframe has corrosion holes near structural/mounting points. This compromises suspension/steering integrity and presents a risk of sudden loss of control while driving. Manufacturer Response (Subaru of America): I opened a case with Subaru Corporate. Subaru denied assistance on the basis of vehicle age (2012) and absence of a front-subframe recall, and instead offered a $500 coupon toward a new vehicle. This response does not address the current safety defect documented by a Subaru dealer. Why NHTSA Action Is Warranted: •Subaru has already recalled the rear subframe on these models in salt-belt states (NHTSA 19V-297) due to corrosion-related failure. •My vehicle exhibits the same corrosion failure on the front subframe, a critical load-bearing structure. •A safety defect should be addressed regardless of vehicle age. The manufacturer’s refusal leaves an unsafe vehicle on the road or forces the owner to pay for a safety-critical repair that appears systemic in salt-belt regions. Requested Action: I request NHTSA investigate front subframe corrosion on 2010–2014 Subaru Legacy/Outback vehicles in salt-belt states and determine whether the rear-subframe recall should be expanded to include front subframes. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The front subframe and engine cradle broke while driving (corrosion). Car began swaying and brakes were affected. Car pulled hard to the right when applying minor pressure to brakes on highway immediately after hearing the part break. The car only has 110,000 miles on it and according to the repair shop and dealership this is an increasingly common problem for the car make and model for this specific part.

KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULB EVERY FEW WEEKS. UNSAFE FOR MY TEENAGE DRIVER TO NOT HAVE THE CORRECT LIGHTING TO SEE THE ROAD.

VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT CAUSES THE DASH CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE, CRUISE AND OTHER LIGHTS TO ACTIVATE. WHILE DRIVING, THE FAILURE CAUSES: ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS TO SUDDENLY FAIL MAKING THE VEHICLE ILLEGAL AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL TO SUDDENLY FAIL, AND STABILITY CONTROL TO BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE MAIN FAILURE BEING THE HEADLIGHTS/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH DUE TO SUDDEN LACK OF VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. SUBARU WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE/FIX THE FAILURE ON 2 SERVICE OCCASIONS. THIS FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT BOTH HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CITY STREET SPEEDS. THE COMPONENT CAUSING THE FAILURE IS UNKNOWN.

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact parked and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was slow to accelerate. After refueling, the fuel dissipated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the throttle body and valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROL, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF DAYTON (995 MIAMISBURG CENTERVILLE RD, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, OH 45459) MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL FUEL CAP WAS LOOSE AND THE OXYGEN AND AN UNKNOWN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. *BF VIN IS INVALID. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND SUGGESTED BUYING A NEW CAR. CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP SAYS OXYGEN SENSORS ARE VENDING CORRECTLY FOLLOWING MONTH DEALERSHIP STATED SENSORS ARE BAD. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*JB

CPSC: OUR 2012 SUBARU LEGACY WHILE PARKED IN OUR GARAGE WAS FOUND WITH TWO FLAT TIRES AT SAME TIME. ONE TIRE ON PASSENGER FRONT WAS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AS 2 MAJOR HOLES WERE IN SIDEWALL FROM HUGE BLOWOUT AND REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD BULGE IN SIDEWALL LEAKING AIR. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAND OF TIRES WERE PIRELLI P4 SEASON P215/60R16 95T SL BSW. *JS *TR*JB

FOUR NEW CONTINENTAL PURE CONTACT 215-50 R17 95V TIRES WERE INSTALLED IN APRIL 2016. THE VEHICLE'S ORIGINAL TIRES (NOT CONTINENTAL) HAD LASTED 38,000 MILES. ONE MONTH LATER A SIDEWALL BLOWOUT OCCURRED IN ONE OF THE NEW CONTINENTAL TIRES AFTER BEING DRIVEN LESS THAN 500 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THEN, AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 7000 MILES, TWO OF FOUR TIRES WERE FOUND TO HAVE SIDE WALL BUBBLES. BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERN, ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF SMITH-CAIRNS (900 CENTRAL PARK AVE, YONKERS, NY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY AND STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,100.

WHILE DRIVING WITH ALL WINDOWS UP & MOONROOF CLOSED, I CAN HEAR THAT WIND/AIR IS COMING IN FROM SOMEWHERE. WHILE GETTING A CAR WASH WATER DRIPS IN THROUGH MOONROOF. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2012'S MANUFACTURED APRIL 6TH TO MAY 12, 2011 FOR NOT ENOUGH ADHESIVE APPLIED CAUSING MOONROOFS TO COME LOOSE AND DETACH. MY VIN # DOES NOT SHOW UP FOR THIS RECALL, BUT I BELIEVE IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROL, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF DAYTON (995 MIAMISBURG CENTERVILLE RD, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, OH 45459) MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL FUEL CAP WAS LOOSE AND THE OXYGEN AND AN UNKNOWN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. *BF VIN IS INVALID. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND SUGGESTED BUYING A NEW CAR. CONSUMER STATED DEALERSHIP SAYS OXYGEN SENSORS ARE VENDING CORRECTLY FOLLOWING MONTH DEALERSHIP STATED SENSORS ARE BAD. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*JB