| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
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 (19%)
Other (7%)
Chart based on 195 repairs.
2012 Subaru Outback engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (3%)
$1000 - $2499 (5%)
$500 - $999 (8%)
$100 - $499 (26%)
< $100 (58%)
Chart based on 38 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2012 Subaru Outback
Engine not specified
| 86000 mi US $3500 |
Dropped a valve into the cylinder with only 86K miles and past the powertrain warranty. |
2012 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 3000 mi | Was having a harsh downshift issue with the 3.6R engine. Found that there was a TSB issued for this. A new software was avaialble, went to the dealer, and they installed new software, problem fixed. |
| 46000 mi US $1600 |
Found oil leaks from timing chain cover and both side valve covers. Also determined that oil filter was damaged/leaky. |
| 70000 mi | Oil leak. It turned out to be a leak in the head gasket near the front cover and the upper oil pan in the back. |
| 73000 mi US $25 |
Idler pulley failed taking out the alternator and power steering. Limped to the nearest town and was towed to the dealer. Idler pulley replaced. In my opinion this failure was due to damage or improper reassembly of the engine that occurred during the Oct '17 oil leak repair. |
| 120000 mi US $150 |
Ideal pulley |
| 41000 mi US $200 |
Drive belt replacement |
| 19000 mi | Bad connection for engine fan; fan was not engaging; engine would start to heat up in stop and go traffic only; part cleaned up and connection made; problem fixed. |
2012 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD
| 38000 mi | Engine leaking oil. Turned out to be a cracked crush washer. Washer replaced as part of oil change. |
| 69000 mi US $70 |
Engine was stalling. Cleaned throttle body. |
| 12000 mi | check engine light due to improper fit of gas cap |
| check engine light periodically would come on. Turned out the be spider web in vent line. Found after two unsuccessful trips to dealer. |
| 99000 mi US $2 |
Oil leaking. Replaced oil drain plug. |
| 91300 mi US $100 |
Guide to the Gasket head moved 100/of an inch. Gasket head had to be repaired. |
| 81000 mi US $100 |
Serpentine belt replacement |
| 118000 mi US $900 |
Catalytic converter P0420 code came up. The catalytic converter is very expensive part to replace. |
| 49000 mi | Oxygen sensor replaced |
| 90500 mi US $100 |
Head gasket failure requiring new engine. Related problems continue. Head gasket failure requiring new intake. |
| 91000 mi | Oil sensor |
| 40000 mi | Belt making squeaking noises on cold engine start |
| 85000 mi US $173 |
check engine light cruise control light and traction light came on. They suspected gas cap but still did code check then replaced gas cap and charged me $173 |
| 53000 mi US $265 |
Various warning lights on intermittently. Dealer claimed that two oil pressure sensors were bad. I doubt both. Also did a recall on the wipers. |
| 8000 mi | Check engine light, brake, traction control, and cruise lights all stayed on. Dealer told me was a false emissions leak code. |
| 4700 mi | Leaking seal on the gas cap tripped a check engine light. Gas cap needed replaced. 30 minute visit. |
| 55000 mi US $100 |
Air flow sensor needed to be replaced |
| 15000 mi | Oil pan change bolt gasket replaced, was leaking. |
| 2000 mi | check engine code p0456. dealer reset code. |
| 54300 mi US $99 |
Flashing BRAKE and CRUISE lights, check engine light on, stability control off |
2012 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon
170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD
| 79360 mi C $1700 |
Replaced clutch. Wore out after 128,000 km. |
| 115000 mi US $400 |
Routine timing belt, pulleys, water pump and serpentine belt. Replaced a rusty muffler. |
| 62620 mi | Car overheated and check engine light came on. Towed to dealer for warranty work, they found the fuses for the cooling fans were blown but replaced the fans and regulater switch as well. Was in the shop for a while as they had to order Subaru parts |
| 59520 mi C $275 |
Replace right side spark plug tube seal, new valve cover gasket as the plug boots are wet with oil. |
| 141360 mi C $700 |
Radiator fluid overflow through the overflow reservoir resulting in low fluid and the car overheat light lit. This happened during the pro-long steep hill climb through the mountains with the engine under heavy load (not owing anything though; just 2 passengers and A/C on). Mechanic replaced thermostat, fuse for the radiator fan and one of the two radiator fans. Mechanic also did a pressure test to see if there is a leak on the head gasket. No issues with the pressure test. After the repair, the car overheated again while climbing up steep hills. |
| 59500 mi US $50 |
Check Engine light came on and cruise control disconnected while on a long trip. Repair shop suspected loose gas cap or leak in evaoporative control system. Codes cleared, CE lite reset. No problems on return trip of over 550 miles. |
| 72000 mi | Driver reported that engine was leaking oil. I examined it and it seemed that there was a crack in the oil filter causing the leak. I took it to Jiffy Lube where the previous oil change had been performed. They agreed the oil filter was cracked. They replaced the filter and topped up the oil and did not charge me. |
| 22320 mi | Oil seal leaking. Dealer changed seal and replaced timing belt. Update: a week later oil pan still leaking a little.. |
| 26040 mi | Engine oil seal and oil pcv valve |
| 29220 mi | Returning Oil leak |
| 48100 mi | There was an ongoing oil leak from the block somewhere. This has been ongoing for the last four years. They think its fixed and it starts leaking. This time they finally did a dye test, and found a a hairline crack in the casting of the oil filter holder. |
| 52080 mi C $526 |
Engine light fault indication. Scan code P0031, PO134. Problem faulty A/F sensor. |
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