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Model Year Problem Record

Subaru Outback 2012 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2012 Subaru Outback: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

295Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
16Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
30Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Power Train108 complaints

108 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine52 complaints

52 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes40 complaints

40 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 11V562000, 18V626000.

Air Bags39 complaints

39 complaints; 9 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 12V047000, 17V014000, 18V012000, 19V007000, 19V008000, 19V009000, 20V001000, 20V002000, 20V003000.

Electrical System37 complaints

37 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 19V297000.

Unknown Or Other24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility9 complaints

9 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 13V077000, 13V078000, 16V694000.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

11V562000Reported November 29, 2011 - 32,685 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on November 29, 2011. The campaign covers an estimated 32,685 vehicles across all affected models.

12V047000Reported February 9, 2012 - 381 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on February 9, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 381 vehicles across all affected models.

13V061000Reported February 25, 2013 - 47,419 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on February 25, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 47,419 vehicles across all affected models.

13V077000Reported March 5, 2013 - 14 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on March 5, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 14 vehicles across all affected models.

13V078000Reported March 5, 2013 - 16 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on March 5, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 16 vehicles across all affected models.

16V694000Reported September 27, 2016 - 592,647 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on September 27, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 592,647 vehicles across all affected models.

17V014000Reported January 10, 2017 - 53,480 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 10, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 53,480 vehicles across all affected models.

18V012000Reported January 9, 2018 - 64,179 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 9, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 64,179 vehicles across all affected models.

18V626000Reported September 13, 2018 - 27,175 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on September 13, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 27,175 vehicles across all affected models.

19V007000Reported January 9, 2019 - 43,394 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 9, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 43,394 vehicles across all affected models.

19V008000Reported January 9, 2019 - 330,120 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 9, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 330,120 vehicles across all affected models.

19V009000Reported January 9, 2019 - 452,630 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 9, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 452,630 vehicles across all affected models.

19V297000Reported April 11, 2019 - 511 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on April 11, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 511 vehicles across all affected models.

20V001000Reported January 2, 2020 - 258,813 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 258,813 vehicles across all affected models.

20V002000Reported January 2, 2020 - 127,547 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 127,547 vehicles across all affected models.

20V003000Reported January 2, 2020 - 111,562 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 2, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 111,562 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EQ12002Opened February 14, 2012 - Closed May 8, 2012

Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20111
201212
201317
201410
20158
201616
201748
201825
201960
202030
202123
202210
202313
202413
20253
20266
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.