Research · Midsize Cars

2012 Subaru LegacyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 16 safety recalls and 90 owner complaints for the 2012 Subaru Legacy. Most complaints involve power train (34) and engine (23). The EPA rates it 20–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
16campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
90
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

16 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V001000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V003000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V002000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

90 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2012 – Jun 2026
  1. Power train34
  2. Engine23
  3. Air bags11
  4. Steering7
  5. Service brakes6
  6. Suspension4
  7. Vehicle speed control4
  8. Electrical system4
  9. Exterior lighting3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Legacy model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996129
1997143
1998116
199997
200094
200180
200258
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010150
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

34 reports1 crash
“My 2012 Subaru Legacy experiences involuntary engine stalling when coming to a quick stop, such as in stop-and-go traffic or during sudden braking at intersections. When the engine shuts off without warning, power steering and braking assist are lost, creating a serious risk of collision. This is a known issue documented by Subaru of America in Technical Service Bulletin 16-90-13R, applicable to 2010–2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles with CVT transmissions. Subaru attributes the condition to excessive thrust washer wear inside the torque converter, which prevents proper release of lock-up clutch pressure. Subaru describes the condition as similar to stopping a manual transmission vehicle without depressing the clutch, which inherently results in engine stalling. Subaru later redesigned the torque converter as a countermeasure beginning in October 2013, indicating prior knowledge of a defect. However, Subaru never issued a recall or notified owners and addressed the issue only through a non-customer-facing service bulletin. I contacted Subaru Customer Advocacy to report this safety concern and request assistance with the repair (quoted over $4,000). Subaru…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11706789

Engine

23 reports
“Engine failed 3 cyclinders blew, car would not start, was able to drive car into parking lot (Einstein Bagels)before failure, otherwise could have been reared ended, as was in heavy traffic on westbound Dundee Road, in Palatine IL. Parking lot was near Dundee and Rand Road intersection”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2026EngineODI 11731765

Air bags

11 reports4 crashes
“Contacting Subaru going on 4 years to get airbag recall completed. Subaru has Persistently promised to call back to set appointment BUT NEVER CALLS. Just did 2 chats again today both MYSTERIOUSLY disconnected AS USUAL. Please record for legal purposes my absolute frustration at trying to get Subaru to fulfill this Critical RECALL for Deadly Airbag Repair”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 16, 2022Air bagsODI 11452291
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S5)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Legacy AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550355
Legacy AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900404
Legacy AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
182521$3,800423
Legacy AWD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
  • Legacy AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Subaru Legacy as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 6235
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Legacy questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Subaru Legacy have?

16 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Subaru Legacy problems?

Owners filed 90 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (34), engine (23), air bags (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Subaru Legacy get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Subaru Legacy at 20–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026