2012 Subaru Outback Engine Problems
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2012 Subaru Outback, 17% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 114,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “torque converter” (18% of reports).
- 50engine complaints
- 114,500median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Torque converter: mentioned in 9 of 50 complaints (18%)
- Stop signs: mentioned in 5 of 50 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 32 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 50 complaints, 3 a fire.
Subaru Outback engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 5 | 6% | 13,000 |
| 2024 Outback | 7 | 7% | 7,000 |
| 2023 Outback | 1 | 1% | 12,800 |
| 2022 Outback | 23 | 5% | 20,000 |
| 2021 Outback | 21 | 7% | 18,250 |
| 2020 Outback | 49 | 5% | 7,250 |
| 2019 Outback | 39 | 4% | 9,300 |
| 2018 Outback | 37 | 5% | 6,000 |
| 2017 Outback | 43 | 5% | 31,952 |
| 2016 Outback | 53 | 8% | 40,000 |
| 2015 Outback | 47 | 9% | 44,000 |
| 2014 Outback | 35 | 17% | 31,733 |
| 2013 Outback | 67 | 23% | 48,000 |
| 2012 Outback | 50 | 17% | 114,500 |
| 2011 Outback | 85 | 13% | 104,000 |
| 2010 Outback | 44 | 12% | 112,000 |
| 2009 Outback | 15 | 14% | 112,500 |
| 2008 Outback | 14 | 6% | 100,450 |
| 2007 Outback | 15 | 12% | 90,000 |
| 2006 Outback | 43 | 16% | 104,000 |
| 2005 Outback | 10 | 4% | 117,000 |
| 2004 Outback | 2 | 2% | 137,000 |
| 2003 Outback | 5 | 5% | 123,400 |
| 2002 Outback | 5 | 3% | 135,000 |
| 2000 Outback | 3 | 1% | 120,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine for the 2012 Subaru Outback. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
Just after 100k mile service, car began to shutter when slowing and then stalls at stops. Eventually after I leave it in neutral for up to 2-20 min it will finally restart. First time it happened it wouldnât start. I had to push vehicle out of major intersection to avoid being hit then pay to tow…
The car stalls out at stops. It shutters and them stalls like a 5 speed car. I have almost been rear-ended on a couple occasions. It is now in the shop for a torque converter replacement
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2012 Subaru Outbacks have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 50 owner complaints about engine for the 2012 Subaru Outback (17% of the 293 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Subaru Outback engine?
No recall currently lists engine for this vehicle.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 114,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2012 Subaru Outback?
The most frequent phrase is “torque converter”, in 9 of 50 complaints, followed by “stop signs” (5).
Other 2012 Subaru Outback problems
- Power Train problems (107)
See all 2012 Subaru Outback problems or engine problems across all Outback years.