2012 Subaru Outback engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Mar 4, 202597,803 miCTAirbagsElectrical SystemEngine

   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)…

   NHTSA complaint #11646326 · source
2. Filed Dec 2, 2024OHEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11628345 · source
3. Filed Mar 22, 2024AZEngine

   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 wouldn’t start. I had to push vehicle out of major intersection to avoid being hit then pay to tow it to nearest mechanic. Once there, it restarted and problem couldn’t be replicated nor did it relay any codes. Happened again the next two occasions I drove it so I immediately…

   NHTSA complaint #11578936 · source
4. Filed Feb 2, 2024NMEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11569490 · source
5. Filed Dec 26, 2023VTEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   When coming to a quick or hard stop, car will rumble then stall out. To confirm that the issue is transmission based I shift the car into neutral then brake quickly and the issue does not arise.

   NHTSA complaint #11561859 · source
6. Filed Oct 25, 2023VAEngine

   No issues with the car since I bought it new and was dedicated to regular Maintenance. Less than a week after a regular scheduled oil change and driving on the main interstate highway cruising at 65mph, the car just suddenly jerked. I thought I had blown a tire but the Brake light came on and then soon after the engine light came on. I was able to get off the highway but the acceleration decreased to a slow crawl. I had it towed to the nearest Subaru dealership that morning…

   NHTSA complaint #11551816 · source
7. Filed Oct 9, 2023CAElectrical SystemEngine

   The engine shuts off while driving, especially when switching gears or when braking too hard (such as when traffic ahead suddenly stops). I had the engine shut off while I was making a left turn at an intersection and lost control abilities of the steering wheel.

   NHTSA complaint #11549022 · source
8. Filed Jul 29, 2023TNElectrical SystemEngine

   When driving normally on the road the car begins to flash the following lights in the dash( Engine check, Oil Temp Light, Brakes, ABS, Traction control light, airbag light, passenger airbag light indicator) the car continues to drive normally but I cannot know that for certain when almost every indicator light is flashing, I have had the car inspected at a Subaru dealer 4 times since last year for other repairs in which they indicated a detailed inspection of all components…

   NHTSA complaint #11535193 · source
9. Filed Mar 15, 2023FLElectrical SystemEngine

   Coming to a stop, not super hard at a turn light. the engine just died! all the lights started flashing so I put the car in park and tried to not freak out. Turned the key off and tried to restart right away and it didn't work, gave it another minute then it started up again, no light on or flashing what the heck. Like nothing just happened, omg my heart was beating and I was shaken up. They need to fix this! this is very dangerous and nerve racking I'm afraid to drive it…

   NHTSA complaint #11511927 · source
10. Filed Sep 27, 2022CAElectrical SystemEngine

    1. Over the past months at different times the dashboard lights all start flashing the check engine cruise control breaks Flash on and off 2. Our safety's at risk because we don't know if the engine is needing repair or if it's an electrical problem or if the car's just gonna stop dead 3. We took the car in and they charged me $1500 for a new fan coil and it's still doing it 4. Yes there were many warning lights it has been happening for the past year and I've taken it in…

    NHTSA complaint #11486737 · source
11. Filed Dec 16, 2021ILEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    I own a 2012 Outback 2.5 Limited, which I purchased new from a Subaru dealer in Evanston IL in June 2012. It currently has about 76000 miles on it. In the last 6 months my car started to shudder when coming to a stop at a traffic signal, or sometimes while being stopped at the signal. The shudder is significant but typically momentary and happens randomly. From the last 2-3 weeks, the car has started to stall and the engine shuts down abruptly when coming to a stop. This is…

    NHTSA complaint #11443965 · source
12. Filed Nov 8, 2021OHFireElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

    On October 27, 2021 while driving the car a number of vehicle light began flashing. We checked every thing we could and proceeded to drive it home, approximately 47 miles. First thing on 10/28/2021 it was examined by a Subaru dealer service department and they found no issues other than they replaced the serpentine belt and a few light bulbs. The car was driven again on 1o/29/21 and 11/1/21 with no incident. On the way home from work on 11/3/21 the same vehicle lights began…

    NHTSA complaint #11439746 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology