M MILEMARK Brands Repair costs Guides

Subaru Outback

2012 only

358 classified complaints 16 recalls

120,264 sold in the US for 2012.

30 complaints on file
per 10,000 sold

2012 Subaru Outback have 358 classified complaints on record for that year specifically, plus 16 recalls. The most common issue in this year is Torque converter and shudder, typically surfacing around 112,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2012 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Subaru Outback report for every year combined.

Where this year fits

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Complaints filed per individual model year — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2012 only

Torque converter and shudder · Transmission 64 complaints · 5.3/10k sold

Median onset: 112,000 miles.

Typical repair: $730–$2,200 nationally.

Harsh, delayed or erratic shifting · Transmission 48 complaints · 4.0/10k sold

Median onset: 75,000 miles.

Airbags, seatbelts and restraints · Body and interior 44 complaints · 3.7/10k sold

Median onset: 75,513 miles. 13.6% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in newer model years.

Body control and other modules · Electrical 28 complaints · 2.3/10k sold

Median onset: 48,500 miles. 10.7% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

Wiring harness, grounds and connectors · Electrical 25 complaints · 2.1/10k sold

Median onset: 70,000 miles.

More common in newer model years.

Stalling and no-start · Engine 18 complaints · 1.5/10k sold

Median onset: 107,540 miles.

More common in older model years.

CVT belt, pulleys and unit failure · Transmission 18 complaints · 1.5/10k sold

Median onset: 122,000 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · Typical repair: $2,170–$6,500 nationally.

Calipers, hoses and lines · Brakes 13 complaints · 1.1/10k sold

Median onset: 150,000 miles. 7.7% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $230–$880 nationally.

From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.

Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?

Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2012 model year. See the full Subaru Outback report for every year and full specs/safety data.