2012 Subaru Outback Subaru Outback 2012

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2012 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area

Engine (21%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (9%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (28%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (20%)

Other (7%)

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Chart based on 194 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2012 Subaru Outback.

2012 Subaru Outback transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (21%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (14%)

< $100 (64%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 14 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2012 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

14000 mi low oil warning light- false alarm 
8000 mi low oil light- dealership cannot reproduce the problem. 
15000 mi low oil light- third time- car towed to dealer. could not duplicate. told there is no low oil level and oil light is normal. now working with subaru of america. 

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2012 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

58000 mi Drivers side front axle leaking, slinging grease. Replaced under warranty. 
86000 mi

US $1800
Car was jerky when starting from idle. Replaced Torque Converter and Valve Body. Subaru USA assisted with $1,500, which was less than half of repair cost. Update, July 2017: Have been notified that Subaru is extending the CVT warranty on my model and I will be able to claim my repair costs from this repair. 
64 mi Replaced Transmission and Drivetrain due to warranty. Warranty covered entirety of repairs/replacement. Particular symptoms were grinding during normal turns and stalling after stopping traffic lights. Stalling would occur upon acceleration from a stop and between 500-1000 RPM. 
57000 mi Transmission intermittently feels like it is binding. Dealer was unable to replicate the issue. 
69100 mi Third trip to the dealer for a "ratcheting" sensation after coming to a stop and turning left or right only. Previously, the driveline clutches and the transmission valve body was replaced. This trip, the transmission was replaced. 
40300 mi

C $400
Reverse Interrupt Switch failed. Car thought it was in reverse gear all the time and would not start. 

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2012 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD

29000 mi I found a gear tooth stuck to the magnetic drain plug in the rear diff. Subaru replaced the differential assy at 80k, still under extended warranty. 
82000 mi

US $1200
Clutch was slipping. Shop replaced clutch, pressure plate, and rear main seal. Check transmission oil 
141360 mi Clutch make squealing sound when depressed. Burnted smell coming out from the car. This is after the trip where the car overheated the second time. 
65000 mi

US $1000
Clutch/flywheel/throwout bearing early failure due to 1st gear/reverse ratio too high. Warranty covered throwout bearing only. 
64200 mi

US $300
Failure of 6 speed transmission clutch was OK 
1000 mi Excessive noise from engine between 2800 to 4000 rpm. on manual transmission. This is an additional rattling sound that is throaty and quite annoying. 
63240 mi Car was leaking oil, took to dealer and diagnosed as forward crank seal leak. Car had recently had timing belt replaced by same dealer, they used aftermarket seal originally which was the cause. Replaced seal with Subaru part this time 

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2012 Subaru Outback Transmission Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2012 Subaru Outback problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.