2012 Subaru Legacy Reliability
The 2012 Subaru Legacy has 90 owner complaints and 16 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and engine. Compared with nearby Legacy model years (2010–2014), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Legacy's typical year, while the 2014 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
90
NHTSA owner complaints
16
Recall campaigns
7
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Subaru Legacy complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2012 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 34 | 38% |
| Engine | 23 | 26% |
| Unknown or other | 12 | 13% |
| Air bags | 11 | 12% |
| Steering | 7 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 7% |
| Suspension | 4 | 4% |
| Speed control / throttle | 4 | 4% |
2012 Subaru Legacy recalls
16 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11V562000 | Nov 29, 2011 | Service brakes — pedals and linkages | Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 impreza sedans and wagons (except wrx/sti models), manufactured from April 21, 2011, through November 15, 2011, and Legacy and outback vehicles manufactured from October 17, 2011, through November 23, 2011. These… |
| 12V047000 | Feb 9, 2012 | Air bags — side/window | Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Legacy and outback vehicles, manufactured from December 1, 2011, through December 23, 2011. These vehicles may be equipped with side curtain air bags that contain an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator… |
| 13V061000 | Feb 25, 2013 | Electrical system | Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission… |
| 13V078000 | Mar 5, 2013 | Visibility / wipers | Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover may overheat. |
| 13V077000 | Mar 5, 2013 | Visibility / wipers — sun/moon roof assembly | Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately… |
| 16V694000 | Sep 27, 2016 | Visibility / wipers — windshield wiper/washer / motor | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within… |
| 17V014000 | Jan 10, 2017 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
| 18V012000 | Jan 9, 2018 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,… |
| 18V626000 | Sep 13, 2018 | Parking brake | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not… |
| 19V009000 | Jan 9, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine,… |
| 19V008000 | Jan 9, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of… |
| 19V007000 | Jan 9, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi,… |
| 19V297000 | Apr 11, 2019 | Electrical system — ignition / switch | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition… |
| 20V001000 | Jan 2, 2020 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
| 20V003000 | Jan 2, 2020 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
| 20V002000 | Jan 2, 2020 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of… |
How the 2012 compares with nearby Legacy years
Verdicts compare these Legacy model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 151 | 18 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2011 | 167 | 16 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2012 (this page) | 90 | 16 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2013 | 66 | 12 | Engine | Caution |
| 2014 | 53 | 10 | Air bags | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2012 Subaru Legacy
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 16 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2012 Subaru Legacy can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2012 Subaru Legacy reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Subaru Legacy reliable?
The 2012 Subaru Legacy has 90 owner complaints and 16 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and engine. Compared with nearby Legacy model years (2010–2014), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Legacy's typical year, while the 2014 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2012 Subaru Legacy problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Subaru Legacy are powertrain / transmission (34), engine (23), unknown or other (12), air bags (11). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Subaru Legacy have recalls?
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2012 Subaru Legacy, including 11V562000 (service brakes — pedals and linkages) and 12V047000 (air bags — side/window). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Subaru Legacy compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 167 complaints and 16 recalls (avoid); the 2013 has 66 complaints and 12 recalls (caution). The 2012 has 90 complaints and 16 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2012 Subaru Legacy?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Subaru Legacy research
Other Subaru Legacy model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2012 Legacy, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.