2012 Subaru Outback Electrical System Problems
- 18
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 18 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- cruise control · 6 records
- check engine · 4 records
- brake light · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 6 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
| 100–150k mi | 3 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes
My car often gets stuck with the parking brake on and i cannot move the car forward or backward. Most times i have a carload of groceries and need to get them to the freezer or refrigerator. Computer engine analysis...... Abs c0054 brake switch on malfunction c0057 ecm control...... Epb c0252 motor malfunction detail code 50a0 ..... C0234 vdc failure detail code c111..... C0242 power supply voltage failure detail…
ODI 11288603
Electrical System
One day driving home i noticed that the cruise control light and the parking brake lights were flashing. Along with the stability control and check engine lights being on steady. The lights stay on while driving on any road or stationary. Unhooking battery terminals clears the lights from anywhere between a couple hours to several weeks. I have done research and seen that this is a common issue with these vehicles…
ODI 11220415
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru outback. While driving 35 mph, the cruise control, brake system, check engine, and oil temperature warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the failure only occurred when the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was…
ODI 11131892
Brake Lights · Electrical System · Engine · Power Train · Service Brakes
Tl* the contact was driving a 2012 subaru outback company vehicle. While driving various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to fitzgerald subaru (11407 rockville pike, rockville, md 20852, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the driver and passenger side knock sensors and the passenger…
ODI 11097761
Electrical System
While driving on the higway suddenly the check engine light was blinking as well as the abs light,,control light and brake light were also blinking. I looked to see if tere was a recall notice for this problem an currently there are none. However in looking at complaints listed someone else had the exact problem and it appears to involve the harness
ODI 11030292
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Service Brakes
The rear 3rd high brake light leaks every time it rains. This happens both when the car is stationary or moving. It has been doing this every time that it rains for about the last 6 months. I have seen numerous complaints on forums for the same problem.
ODI 11016060
Electrical System
The check engine light comes on along with the traction control light. Also, the cruise control and brake light are flashing. I was driving on the interstate in june, 2017 when this happened. This issue first happened in 4/2017. At that time, i was on a trip hours from home driving on the highway in the rain. Dealer repaired a wiring harness under the hood. This just happened again the other day. I have an…
ODI 11002725
Air Bags · Electrical System
Passenger airbag "not working" light came on. Took it to dealer where i purchased the vehicle, was informed that although 2012 subaru outbacks had been recalled in texas, they were not recalled in oklahoma due to lesser humidity conditions. Paid nearly $500 to have wires which had come unplugged under console plugged back together. This took around 7 hours to get accomplished. At least 1/2 of this time was shown as…
ODI 11016184
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
In less than a year of ownership, we've had to replace four different directional/running/head lights. This is excessive, expensive, and awkward to do. (the front headlights require removal of the front tires to reach the access panel!) i know there is a class action lawsuit for this exact issue with earlier year's of outbacks.
ODI 10957627
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
The low beam headlamps are constantly burning out on my 2012 subaru outback. I have replaced the bulbs several times in the past two years, approximately every 3-6 months or 3,000-6,000 miles. One side burns out right after the other. I cannot say if the headlight bulbs burn out while driving or stationary; i drive mostly in daylight then notice the outage at night. Replacing the bulb involves removing the tire and…
ODI 10925263
Electrical System
Driving on interstate 95 the engine caught on fire and very quickly engolfed the entire car - bumper to bumper.
Fire reported
ODI 10908655
Electrical System · Power Train
Car had fire at starter with lots of smoke coming from transmission and alternator .vehilce had been having shifting issues and traction from all wheel drive not working. I had vehicle taken to different dealers but no one was able to fix problem until the day car caught fire which told them which parts where at fault. My vehicle is truely a lemon, for it has been one problem after another for the past 3 years
Fire reported
ODI 10765172
Electrical System · Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru outback. When the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, the mechanic discovered that all four brakes were rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to three other mechanics who did not indicate that the brakes needed replacing. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic stated that someone…
ODI 10619005
Electrical System
I was driving into work on the morning of 3/3/14 when i notice a smoke/burning odor. I discounted it but kept alert waiting for a engine light to come on. It became evident that it was from my outback. I got the car parked. Shortly after flames erupted from underneath the hood. I was able to reach a fire extinguisher and put the fire out. Based on conversations with fire department and insurance investigators it…
Fire reported
ODI 10575368
Electrical System
Radio frequency interference is affecting the security system on the car. Imagine if the rfid interference could affect steering and braking controls, this is just the start. The key fab does not work in certain area, and you have to manually unlock the car which sets off the security system. We have tried two different key fabs and they work in many areas but when standing right next to the car in a certain area…
ODI 10506084
Electrical System
Update i took the 2012 subaru outback to the dealer, about the key fob not working in a certain area. Never had a problem with the key fob until recently. The key fob will not work in one particular area where it did work before with no problem. I took the car to the dealer for evaluation and this person said he was with subaru corporate and he informed on april 16 2013, that rfid interference does happen with these…
ODI 10508409
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
In early december of 2011 my wife and i purchased a 2012 subaru outback with a 4 cylinder engine, cvt transmission. We had to wait a day for our outback because it was being repaired do to a brake system recall. Ever since purchasing the outback we have had a serious issue when using the paddle shifters to slow down for a stop. When the tach slows to about 1100 rpm in first or second gear the engine then accelerates…
ODI 10467121
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Vehicle Speed Control
While driving with cruise control engaged, suddenly the cruise control disengaged, the brake warning light and the abs warning light came on. The required repair was only the forward oxygen sensor, a non-emergency repair. Yet cruise control and abs were disabled, abs being an important safety feature. I was told subaru has purposely programed the car this way. Not only was i unable to make a decision as to the…
ODI 10724478