2012 Subaru Outback Engine Problems
- 26
- 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 26 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- extended warranty · 4 records
- very dangerous · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 60–100k mi | 9 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
The vehicle stalls and abruptly stops. This is apparently a known problem with this car, but the dealership is demanding $1300 to fix it since i'm out of the warranty period. This should not be just a extended warranty - this is a safety issue: the vehicle stalls in traffic. It cannot be driven in this condition. Today it stalled in the middle of a highway intersection where i was turning. I had a semi truck…
ODI 11183298
Engine
While on a 200 mile trip on rural interstate the thermostat failed causing head gasket to blow and engine to overheat. No check engine warning light was displayed. Suddenly all control panel warning lights began to flash. All coolant was expelled from radiator. Vehicle has less than 100k miles. By shear luck i was at an exit with a subaru dealer near by. Have attached repair report from subaru dealer.
ODI 11183680
Engine
Engine shudders then shuts off when stopping. Frequently occurs when coming to a stop on a curved road near my home. Very concerned about being rear-ended. I have to throw the car in park, restart and throw it back in drive. Dealer replaced oil solenoid valve for $350 and it didn't fix the problem. Now they want over $1500 to replace the torque converter. They say it is a known problem and i had until july 2018…
ODI 11182426
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru outback. While the vehicle was idling at a red light or an intersection, it would stall intermittently without warning. When the vehicle was powered off and restarted, it operated normally. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to tacoma subaru (located at 3838 s tacoma way, tacoma, wa 98409, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed…
ODI 11184575
Engine · Power Train
Vehicle shudders and stalls when braking/decelerating. Engine shuts off completely and abruptly with little time to react. I have 128,000 miles on the vehicle. Mechanics do not know what exaclt is causing the problem.
ODI 11172731
Engine · Unknown Or Other
Stalled when coming to a stop at an intersection. Believe to be transmission issue. Purchased a 2012 subaru outback on 8 jan 2019. The car was sole as is. While driving home, i came up to the busy intersection of russell parkway and moody road (warner robins ga) as i began to slow, the car started to buck then stalled. I was almost rear-ended by the car following me. The car on the same day stalled again while…
ODI 11166101
Engine
My car shudders and dies when braking. It doesn't even have to be a hard brake. It's very dangerous. This problem has been occurring in the last few months. It happens while i am slowing for a stop. My mechanic tells me it is related to the torque converter, which is expensive to fix. I am afraid that i will be rear-ended. With highway driving this is unbelievably dangerous. I know that subaru extended the warranty…
ODI 11162038
Engine · Power Train
I was taking it for an oil change and lube. After driving on the freeway at 60-70 mph, i came off the freeway, went 2 blocks to a stoplight. As soon as i stopped, many warning lights started flashing, and became alarmed, went 3 blocks to the lube service center and some steam started coming from under the hood. The service men immediately took it in to check it out. They replaced some coolant, completed the service…
ODI 11164315
Engine
When braking to come to a stop at a light on a secondary road or stop sign on my back street in a straight line the engine stalls, this has even happened when i had to brake to stop for backed up traffic on the highway. This has happened at least four times in the past and again this morning. I told my dealership several times after the purchase of this vehicle i noticed idle would drop out and come back while at a…
ODI 11122890
Engine
5 days after 120k mile dealer service (all work is done by subaru dealer where we purchased) more dash lights than what sully sullenbeger had to content with. Occurred while sitting in traffic in 90 degree heat (with a 6 month old in the car). Drove it 35 miles to get it to the dealer. $2200 estimate to replace 2 head gaskets. Dealer is taking $350 off. Worth talking to subaru corp about added compensation for a…
ODI 11102597
Engine
My well-maintained subaru outback limited with 102,773 miles overheated and blew a head gasket out of the blue. Just had the major 100k mile preventive maintenance done too. The extended warranty just expired at 100k and the dealer says it will be over $3k to repair. Apparently this is a common problem with subarus that they have faulty head gaskets that fail between 80-120k miles. Very disappointed with subaru…
ODI 11099254
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
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru outback. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shuttered and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to mastria subaru (1255 new state hwy, raynham, ma 02767) where it was diagnosed that the engine was burning oil. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,459.
ODI 11057039
Engine
Engine locked up travelling 80 mph on the highway. The engine had 90,000 miles on it and it was fully serviced at 88,000 miles by a dealership. Notes from the dealership service department: 'motor came apart at high rev speed, 1 piston cracked, 1 piston gone. Excessive metal scattered through complete engine and intake manifold' "the entire motor (block, heads, valves, camshafts, intake manifold, etc.) will need to…
ODI 11062839
Engine
Engine shudders, or completely stalls at a sudden brake to stop completely. Driver must put vehicle in neutral or park to re-start the engine. **** the problem described began a year ago. Driver noticed vehicle would shudder occasionally at a complete stop. The first time that the engine completely died, driver thought it may have been due to weather. This shuddering and stalling began occurring more and more…
ODI 11044828
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
Engine
3.6 engine uses 1/2 quart oil after 3000 mile oil change. Car has alway had 5w30 mobile 1 oil used in it since we had the car. Had some minor oil consumption at first but now it is becoming more common. Dealership said it cause the oil manufactures are making the oil thinner so that is causing the problem? Sorry i was no not born yesterday. 2 reasons for oil consumption that i know is a oil leak or defective piston…
ODI 11024914
Engine
Car is stalling when brakes are applied at stops. Engine hesitates when accelerating from a stop.
ODI 10992054
Engine
Engine unexpectedly stalls when stopping. Very dangerous situation caused at stoplight because of stalling.
ODI 10984338
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
Engine
My subaru outback (2012) is stalling when i normally or a little harder use the brake.i have to roll in and stop very slowly. Sometimes it's even stall when i'm going out of my driveway in reverse or just starting up at a green light. It's stalling every day for the las 3 weeks. (today is, february 23, 2017).
ODI 10956635
Engine · Service Brakes
I purchased vehicle brand new, over the course of 4 years have had no problems until brake master went bad after 2 and a half years, oil not lasting until the next oil change and finally the head gasket. The vehicle's a/c died and was taken to the mechanic, he found the compressor had gone. We ordered a new one. Took the vehicle out the next day to return it to mechanic and in route, the vehicle began smoking…
ODI 10876864
Engine · Power Train · Service Brakes
When the brakes are applied and the car comes to a stop light or stop sign, the engine shuts off ('stalls when idling or slowing down'). The vehicle then must be put into 'park' mode in order to re-start. This occurs nearly everyday of the week, and has created many, many dangerous situations for us and the drivers around us. We took the vehicle to the dealership in may concerning this issue, and they stated that…
ODI 10903398
Engine · Unknown Or Other
For almost 1.5 years, my 2012 subaru outback is experiencing shuddering and stalls when coming to a stop resulting in the engine shutting off. It occurs randomly and i nearly got in accidents with drivers behind me having to react to the sudden, full stops.
ODI 11184750
Engine · Unknown Or Other
Coolant light then check engine light on. After driving 2 1/2 hours coolant appeared to be leaking so filled coolant to top with water.. 12 minutes later, while driving, lights back on/engine rev/engine dies/ smoke. Lifted hood/many flames from center /slammed hood shut and ran far away. Several small explosions as car burned. Voluntary fire dept. Finally arrived but car almost totally gone. Only back tires left…
Fire reported
ODI 10608750