2012 Subaru Outback Problems

When coming to a stop, the car shudders and often stalls just like if you didn't press in the clutch on a manual transmission. No warning lights or messages. See details in TSB- 16-90-13R. Subaru knows about this issue and it has been reported in many vehicles. My car was at a Subaru dealership at least half a dozen times during 2017-2018 when this issue came to light and no one notified us to have it checked. Fast forward to now and for the last year my car has been shuddering when coming to a stop, and about 2-3 months ago, it started stalling. This is an absolute safety issue and should be a recall. I've been in many situations where it stalls and I am vulnerable to getting rear-ended because it takes time to restart the car and get moving again. This is particularly true in traffic or situations where you need to stop suddenly and others behind you are not anticipating you being stopped in the roadway.

Vehicle stalls when stopping. This is a huge safety issue because stalling at intersections can cause accidents. Dealership diagnosed a faulty torque converter. This torque converter (it should be part number 31100AB170) issue is widely known in this production series of the Subaru outback. After hundreds of complaints were filed with the NHTSA, Subaru extended the warranty on all their automatic transmissions to avoid a recall around 2017, but closed the extended warranty in 2022. Subaru now tries to convince their customers that these vehicles are too old for the issue to be attributable to them, despite knowing that they equipped these vehicles with defective parts. See the following: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In addition, the contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that during rainy weather, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact scanned the vehicle with an OBD2 scanner and retrieved DTC codes: P0420 (Catalytic convertor) and P0057 (Ignition System). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were failures with the rear brake pads, rotors, PCV valve, valve cover gasket, engine air filter, catalytic converter heat shield; and a cylinder #4 misfire. The DTC codes P0304, and P0420 (Catalytic convertor) were also retrieved. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced first. The contact stated that several repairs were made prior; however, the failure persisted. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Subaru Service Program Bulletin: WQC-39, WVY-35, WUF-91r, TKC-19R, and NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V003000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,803.

Vehicle stalls when stopping. This is a huge safety issue because stalling at intersections can cause accidents. Dealership diagnosed a faulty torque converter. This torque converter (it should be part number 31100AB170) issue is widely known in this production series of the Subaru outback. After hundreds of complaints were filed with the NHTSA, Subaru extended the warranty on all their automatic transmissions to avoid a recall around 2017, but closed the extended warranty in 2022. Subaru now tries to convince their customers that these vehicles are too old for the issue to be attributable to them, despite knowing that they equipped these vehicles with defective parts. See the following: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In addition, the contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that during rainy weather, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact scanned the vehicle with an OBD2 scanner and retrieved DTC codes: P0420 (Catalytic convertor) and P0057 (Ignition System). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were failures with the rear brake pads, rotors, PCV valve, valve cover gasket, engine air filter, catalytic converter heat shield; and a cylinder #4 misfire. The DTC codes P0304, and P0420 (Catalytic convertor) were also retrieved. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced first. The contact stated that several repairs were made prior; however, the failure persisted. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Subaru Service Program Bulletin: WQC-39, WVY-35, WUF-91r, TKC-19R, and NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V003000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,803.

Car was involved in a head on collision [XXX] with a concrete exit barrier after being pushed into the lane by a driver trying to in front of them trying to make a last second dash for the exit. Not sure if the driver was in blind spot, but the vehicle trying to merge did use turn signal or respond to horn honking from myself. In order to avoid the hitting the other driver, who was unaware of my car while aggressively merging, I tried driving into the safety lane, but at 65 MPH could not stop in time from hitting the barrier My safety was put at risk because upon impact the driver airbag did not deploy. The entire front end of the car crumbled and the car was declared totaled by the driver's insurance. The airbag deployment could have prevented more serious injury to the driver, by did not deploy. The driver was wearing their seat belt and suffered a bruised sternum and PTSD. Driver called police who did not file a report due to no damage to another vehicle or property or several injury to any persons. Airbag was part of the takata airbag recall for Subaru. Airbags are on record of being replaced at a Subaru dealership Redwood City, California- driver verified post crash. There were no warning lamps indicated the airbag was disabled. Driver alerted Subaru's quality control hotline who inspected the car on [XXX]. No word has been returned on why the airbag did not deploy during the crash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The brake pedal suddenly went almost to the floor while attempting to stop. Researching I found there was a recall. NHTSA Recall No. 11V-562. My car was not apparently among the ones being recalled, yet this problem is exactly as described in the bulletin. The component in question is the master brake cylinder. It is available for inspection. It happened on Sat Sept 20 2025 returning from a trip approximately. 300 miles away. the symptom persists. There were no warning indicators.

I took my Outback to my local highly respectable mechanic on August 20, 2025 as I needed the oil changed and the concern I had about having to add brake fluid twice in the past 4 months. He inspected my car immediately and he refused to let me drive it out of his shop as there is a dangerous brake line leaking issue that could result in brake failure. He told me that my Outback is not the first that he had to repair this “Subaru manufacturing defect”. I had to get it repaired. I checked to see if there was a NHTSA recall on my Outback year and there was none, only prior years. Yet when I went online searching more, I found an article that stated that Subaru was going to recall the 2012 Subaru as well? The repair shop owner said to us that my wife is a "gentle driver" and that was good, because, if she had to apply the brakes very hard to avoid a collision, they probably would have failed. Please understand that I read the recall for previous years of Outbacks and other Subaru models, and my Subaru Outback had the exact same defect. I did contact Subaru of America and they responded that my Outback does not have a recall, only prior years. Unbelievable!!! The exact same make and model with the exact same defect and they just blow me off! I was lucky that we did not reach the point of a serious accident. I hope that NHTSA will evaluate my, and I am sure other safety issues with Subaru brakes, and take some action to give other owners the opportunity to make this very serious safety matter right, and avoid an accident. In a related question, can NHTSA somehow require auto manufacturers to inspect their vehicles that are still on the road after say 12 years to helpfully provide some safety assurance to the drivers of their vehicles?

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 89,000. It was later discovered, when the title arrived, that the mileage on the title was 134,000.

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In addition, the contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that during rainy weather, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact scanned the vehicle with an OBD2 scanner and retrieved DTC codes: P0420 (Catalytic convertor) and P0057 (Ignition System). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were failures with the rear brake pads, rotors, PCV valve, valve cover gasket, engine air filter, catalytic converter heat shield; and a cylinder #4 misfire. The DTC codes P0304, and P0420 (Catalytic convertor) were also retrieved. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced first. The contact stated that several repairs were made prior; however, the failure persisted. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Subaru Service Program Bulletin: WQC-39, WVY-35, WUF-91r, TKC-19R, and NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V003000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,803.

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that vehicle was consistently burning out the headlight bulbs. The contact stated that within 3-years he had replaced the driver's and the passenger’s side headlight bulbs 7 times, and following one failure the passenger’s side headlight housing was replaced. The contact stated that the bulb in the new housing was blown. The contact stated that a headlight bulb had blown while driving at night at an undisclosed speed. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who determined that the wiring and electrical system was working as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Headlights keep burning out in less than a year.

The last incident? I couldn't recover my intentions. (Incidents of random acceleration seem to only happen when I am turning). The last incident occurred in my mall parking lot.. I was about to turn and suddenly the car shot forward. I could have fought to maintain my turn but that would have been aggressive maneuvering. Nothing, thankfully, was in front of me, so this was the first time I was deviated off course. 1 - random acceleration 2 - if my reflexes were not quick enough, there would have been vehicular accident and/or pedestrian being struck 3 - no... not able to duplicate. 4 - no check engine lights prior. One instance, as I avoided a collision, that threw a code (CEL) but scanner didn't see any codes. CEL went away 3 days later. NOTE: I am in North Bay, Ontario, Canada

Have been driving my car on the interstate for 6 hours and when this problem happened I was in cruise control. Out of no where a bunch of dash lights come on, (E brake and cruise control lights start blinking, traction control light comes on, and my check engine light comes on). I tried turning my car off for a few minutes and turning it back on but the lights still are blinking. I Googled my problem and found other people that have posted the same issue. I have also copied the found ID number for this issue: 10465487

Subframe is rusted out and causing control arm wobble which I cannot control the steering correctly

WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY, THE CAR LOST POWER STEERING SUDDENLY

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, it was discovered that rainwater had leaked into the vehicle from the sunroof. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on six separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the cause of the failure was due to the sunroof drainage tubes being clogged with debris. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that an unknown TSB addressing the failure had been issued by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 16,781.

WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY, 5/12/19, IN LIGHT RAIN/MIST WITH MILD TEMPS AROUND 50 DEGREES F., I HEARD A SUDDEN "BAM!" AND THOUGHT MY WINDSHIELD WAS SHOT AT BY A SHOTGUN BUT IT WASN'T. KEPT DRIVING BUT HEARD A SWOOSHING OF AIR SOUND. ALL WINDOWS WERE UP SO I SLID THE SHADE PANEL OPEN TO SEE THE SUNROOF AND SAW A HOLE THE SHAPE OF TENNESSEE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUNROOF WITH THE GLASS AROUND THE HOLE POINTING UPWARD....AS THOUGH IT WAS A FORCED EXPLOSION FROM THE INSIDE OUT. NO BROKEN GLASS OR FOREIGN OBJECT WAS FOUND LAYING INSIDE THE SHADE PANEL. NO ROCK OR METEORITE WAS SEEN FLYING MY WAY WHILE DRIVING. EITHER AN OBJECT FELL FROM THE SKY DIRECTLY INTO THE CENTER OF MY SUNROOF OR THE SUNROOF EXPLODED ON ITS OWN.

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, it was discovered that rainwater had leaked into the vehicle from the sunroof. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on six separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the cause of the failure was due to the sunroof drainage tubes being clogged with debris. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that an unknown TSB addressing the failure had been issued by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 16,781.

It was looked at by a subaru dealer but claims fault isnt on subaru. The paint is chipping around the trunk and other areas and has been getting progressively worse over the last several years. Paint ahould not chip at all unless its damaged and due to this now rust is starting to form i continually have to touch up new spots and try to slow the spread of paint flaking off for no reason at all. My 06 impreza never had this issue ir my 2012 town and country. The paint used is subpar needs to be repainted. ,

The warning lights stay on constantly. I have changed the mass flow air sensor, O2 sensors, serpentine belt, gas cap, treated the fuel system and the lights are still on. This is a common problem with Subaru Outback Owners.

2012 Subaru Outback stalls when braking. It stalls going up hills, on flat roads, after high speeds and after city driving too. The vehicle has shut off at stop lights, on/off ramps, and stop signs putting me and my family at risk of being rear-ended. It also stalls when parallel parking, increasing risk of being hit on city streets. No warning or check engine light. Subaru issued a bulletin about the issue but the local dealer and local mechanic were unable to replicate stalling on test drives.

Driving on the highway was side swiped then rearended at high speed causing my driver seat to fly backwards. So the locking mechanism on the manual seat adjuster either failed or never locked

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON (A02) FAULTY OCCUPANCY DETECTION SENSORS IN RIGHT FRONT SEAT. BOTTOM SEAT FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO RESOLVE ISSUES

Subframe is rusted out and causing control arm wobble which I cannot control the steering correctly

I WAS DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE REAR OF THE CAR STARTED TO WANDER FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS FLOATING ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK THE NEXT EXIT TO CHECK FOR A TIRE LOSING AIR PRESSURE OR LOOSE LUG NUTS. THEY WERE FINE. I SLOWED DOWN TO 50 -55 MPH FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. EVERY BRIDGE AND OVERPASS I SLOWED DOWN TO 50 MPH AND YET THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP SIDE WAYS. THE HIGHWAY WAS WET FROM A RECENT SNOWFALL, APPARENTLY THERE WAS SOME ICE ON THE ROAD. OTHER CARS/TRUCKS WERE GOING AT 65 MPH+. . I HAVE NEVER FELT THAT "FLOATING" IN MY 45 YEARS OF DRIVING THRU SNOW AND ICE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND REDUCING THE SPEED TO 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF GLENDALE (1308 S. BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING AND STALLED. THANK GOD THE CARS AROUND HER AVOIDED HITTING HER. SHE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. WE TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 117 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I HAVE LOOKED AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITH THIS VEHICLE. BECAUSE OF THIS THEY OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 100000 MILES BUT NOTHING OVER THIS.AND NO RECALL.THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO A RECALL. THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY. IT IS ALSO VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX WE ARE BEING TOLD IT WILL COST 10000 DOLLARS WHICH WE CAN NOT DO. WE ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS OVER 100000 MILES.

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON (A02) FAULTY OCCUPANCY DETECTION SENSORS IN RIGHT FRONT SEAT. BOTTOM SEAT FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO RESOLVE ISSUES

VEHICLE REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT BECAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE/POTENTIAL ACCELERATION AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH. THIS HAPPENED IN RAINY CONDITIONS, WHICH MY WIFE HAD NOTICED MANY WEEKS BEFORE. SUBSEQUENTLY, WE FOUND THESE RECALLS: AND LAWSUIT HTTPS://CARS.USNEWS.COM/CARS-TRUCKS/SUBARU/OUTBACK/2012/RELIABILITY HTTPS://WWW.CLASSACTION.ORG/NEWS/CLASS-ACTION-CLAIMS-SUBARU-CONCEALED-SUDDEN-ACCELERATION-DEFECT-IN-FORESTER-LEGACY-OUTBACK-MODELS#:~:TEXT=NEW%20JERSEY-,SUBARU%20OF%20AMERICA%2C%20INC.,FROM%20A%20SUDDEN%20ACCELERATION%20DEFECT.

Odd noise arising from Front driver side wheel while driving on the interstate at 70mph. No indicator/warning lights/messages. Noise became much louder prompting us to stop driving and inspect. One of the 5 lug studs had broken off. Two of the 5 lug nuts were loose enough to hand rotate. Once diagnosed, we tightened all 4 remaining lug nuts. After driving 15min on the interstate at reduced speed, the noise from the front driver side wheel returned. The car was slowly driven off the interstate and re-inspected. The lug nuts were loose again. At this point, I felt the car was unsafe to drive, so I and my two passengers had to find an alternative ride given our safety was at risk. We were about 200miles away from home. The car was towed to the Subaru dealership in Midlothian, Virginia (Hyman Bros) for further inspection/repair. The Subaru dealership repair team told me that the lug stud was corroded and snapped off. The same Subaru dealership had recently (2,500miles prior) serviced the car including tire rotation and inspection in which they report they inspect the lug studs and they were sufficient for driving.

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS VERY POOR STRAIGHT LINE STABILITY. VEHICLE WANDERS WITHIN THE LANE AND REQUIRES EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL CORRECTION TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT DIRECTION. VEHICLE 500 MILES ON IT (350 DRIVEN BY OWNER) BUT IS NOW SITTING IN DRIVEWAY FOR FEAR OF PERSONAL SAFETY IF EMERGENCY MANEUVER IS NECESSARY ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR