2012 Subaru Outback Power Train Problems
- 71
- 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 71 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- coming stop · 19 records
- torque converter · 16 records
- extended warranty · 10 records
- slowing down · 7 records
- like someone · 7 records
- stalls coming · 6 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 20 |
| 60–100k mi | 20 |
| 1–30k mi | 13 |
| 150–400k mi | 8 |
| 30–60k mi | 6 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train
Driver started car to cool it off before running errands. It was parked on the flat portion of the driveway. It was in park & i did not touch the gear shifter. I left the door open to assist in cooling the interior off more quickly and went to retrieve an item needed for the errands. When i heard a strang noice i turned around to find my car missing. It had reversed itself 180+ down the driveway, across our lawn &…
Crash reported
ODI 11133318
Power Train
I've been experiencing intermittent issues with the transmission where the vehicle would shudder like it was about to shut off when braking. I've also experienced issues where after starting the vehicle and placing the vehicle into gear, the vehicle would lock up. I took my vehicle to a certified mechanic back in september 2018 who pointed me to a technical service bulletin addressing the same issues i was having:…
ODI 11279924
Power Train
2012 subaru outback cvt issue car will shudder while braking from highway speeds (40 mph+) down to 10-20 mph. Car lurches, similar to a manual car dumping the clutch. In the case of a hard stop this has caused the engine to stall twice, and come close to stalling many more times. Car starts up and runs fine once placed in neutral or park. I have to be extremely conscious of how quickly i brake, as you can feel when…
ODI 11132467
Power Train
In august 2018 the car began stalling randomly when coming to a stop. When we brought it to the dealer it was diagnosed with the cvt problem that prompted the extended warranty. However, the extended warranty for our 200,000 mile car had expired 7/31. The fix is almost $5,000 and subaru will not apply the extended warranty. Even through they admit it is a safety concern and that the extended warranty would have…
ODI 11194275
Power Train
While slowing down the vehicle has pulled (feeling like it is not shifting down , for years, thought it was the nature of the beast) so had to brake harder. Since the summer of 2018 the car pulls and sometimes stalls or almost stalls when decelerating fast. This happens on highway and also city (between streetlights). I looked online and see that subaru has had a bulletin since 2014 knowing about a thrust washer…
ODI 11183068
Power Train
Engine stalls while pressing break pedal rapidly. Was told by the dealer that torque converter is a problem and extended warranty is available to fix this issue. My car has salvage title related to minor flooding and is not covered by this warranty. Manufacturer faulty design should result i recall so all the cars are covered( like faulty air bags). Thyis is potentially more danger problem then faulty air bags and i…
ODI 11124304
Power Train
Vehicle stalls unexpectedly when stopping. Local mechanic states it is a transmission issue and has been reported by many owners of this model. I am just outside the extended warranty and over 110,000 miles. It started earlier when my warranty would have covered it but subaru did not make us aware of the potential problem and we didn't know what was causing this. It has caused some close calls when we suddenly have…
ODI 11150037
Engine · Power Train
At times, i have been experiencing the engine shutting off when i come to a complete stop. It kind of shudders first and then just dies. If i'm able to roll through the stop, it doesn't die, but when i come to a complete stop, sometimes it just dies. I have to quickly put it in park or neutral and start it again. This could be very dangerous with people behind me not expecting that long of a stop! I do a lot of…
ODI 11099584
Power Train
Coming to a stop at stop sign, car stalled. No warning. Very dangerous in busy city. Vehicle was breaking from 20mph to stop when stalled.
ODI 11075400
Power Train
As many other owners have reported, i have been told that the torque converter on my 2012 subaru outback has to be replaced (at a cost of nearly $1800). This is because of the shuddering and/or stalling of the car when coming to a stop. This issue is, and has been, very inconsistent which is why i never brought it to the attention of the service department before the end of the revised warranty option provided by…
ODI 11187490
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru outback. While the vehicle was placed in park on an incline, the contact suddenly heard a scraping noise and noticed that the vehicle independently rolled away. The contact's wife was leaning into the vehicle and was pulled in reverse along with the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a curb and the front driver's door struck the hedge, which slowed the vehicle down. The vehicle then…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 11065700
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
Power Train
My transmission failed at 120k miles. Subaru reimbursed me for a replacement which failed 9k miles later. I replaced that one out of my own pocket with a used transmission with only 35k miles on it. The third transmission failed while my wife and i were in the fast lane on a major freeway. We had to navigate across traffic with absolutely zero acceleration. Subaru claims that their transmissions do not put their…
ODI 11030252
Power Train
Vehicle in motion traveling 65 mph on the highway, vehicle appeared to lose power, all dash lights flash, gas pedal unresponsive, coast to side of road, wait 20 minutes, car starts back up, called subaru dealership, mechanic states it is okay to try and drive, all dash lights flashing, no cruise control, drove 75 + miles before lights stop flashing, scenario repeats itself x 3 more times, lights flashing, no cruise…
ODI 11119667
Power Train
Vehicle stalling while stopping or attempting to accelerate from a stop. There is a warranty extension on the cvt transmission, but only to 100,000 miles from subaru. This problem should be a recall, not only a warranty extension. It is a significant safety problem that could easily result in collision with injury or death. Vehicle stalling when slowing down or accelerating from a stop.
ODI 11030731
Power Train
Very low engine rpm, or complete engine quit when coming to a stop. The condition is similar to coming to a stop in a manual transmission equipped vehicle without depressing the clutch pedal. Has happened many times and is more of an annoyance until it happens when i might need to accelerate suddenly again. Subaru service bulletin # 16-90-13 design change to lock-up type torque converter pertains, but subaru has not…
ODI 10995033
Power Train
Purchased used with 150,000 miles on it. It started stalling and cutting off when braking at intersections or sudden stops but does not do it all the time. Has stalled out in traffic when stopped suddenly and have to quickly put it in park, start the engine again, put in drive and go before being rear ended. It has stalled at stop signs on inclines or declines, on a gravel drive way that goes uphill, behind cars…
ODI 10992305
Power Train
My car would stall with a hard stop at an intersection or going uphill subaru reported that it was a bad torque converte, a bulletin notice was done for this by subaru.i feel this is a big safety issue any recalls should be done, due to a the car stalling with a drop in rpm and a potential accident could occur while trying to restart the car. This occurred numerous times between the months of march and may when i…
ODI 10992631
Engine · Power Train
Vehicle stalls at red lights or stop signs. It also hesitates on acceleration. This is a very dangerous situation when having to restart the vehicle in heavy traffic.
ODI 10980222
Power Train
In april of 2017, the transmission completely and suddenly failed while traveling on i 35 southbound in iowa. (we were traveling around 60 miles an hour when the transmission failed) we had it towed to closest subaru dealer, who then denied the warranty. We were at approximately 59,000 miles and 2 months shy of the original transmission warranty. Even after they sent out letters less than 2 months later extending…
ODI 11075381
Power Train
The vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly stalls when coming to a rapid stop, such as approaching a stop sign or braking to avoid hitting the car ahead. When my cars stalls, i lose control which could very well lead to an accident.
ODI 10980016
Power Train
Letter from senator klobuchar on behalf of constituent regarding subaru warranty complaint. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle failed catastrophically while away on vacation. *js
ODI 11084089
Power Train
Subaru outback 2012 has been stalling out when coming to a stop, especially when on an incline or at a fast stop, does not do it every time vehicle stops but does it enough to be a safety hazard. Dealership said it is due to a faulty torque converter and also told me i have to have the valve body replaced due to metal shards falling into it from the torque converter.
ODI 10972139
Power Train
Torque converter needing replaced after engine stall and/or dying at stop.
ODI 10967242
Power Train
The vehicle stalls when the driver comes to a quick/hard stop. The rpm's drop, the vehicle makes a shuttering sound/motion, then the engine stops causing the driver to put the car back in park and restart the engine. This has the potential to happen anywhere but is most dangerous if it happens on a highway or in heavy traffic.
ODI 10993714