2012 Subaru Legacy: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Subaru Legacy: 16 recalls, 90 owner complaints and up to 25 mpg combined.
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Recalls
16 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #11V562000 · 2011 · 32,685 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles May be equipped with a brake master cylinder that could malfunction and cause an increase in the amount of brake pedal travel distance required to slow or stop the vehicle.
Why it matters: The driver might misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance. This could occur unexpectedly and without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during December 2011.
Airbags Vehicle recall #12V047000 · 2012 · 381 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles May be equipped with side curtain air bags that contain an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator component used, resulting in insufficient output of compressed gas.
Why it matters: The side curtain air bags May not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules, free of February 21, 2012.
Equipment, Electrical Vehicle recall #13V061000 · 2013 · 47,419 vehicles
What's wrong: Additionally included are certain model year 2013 legacy and outback vehicles that May have received replacement res fobs. If the res fob is dropped, the fob May malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Why it matters: The engine May inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine May continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which May cause…
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the res key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #13V077000 · 2013 · 14 vehicles
What's wrong: The moonroof glass May come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately applied.
Why it matters: The moonroof glass can loosen and detach from the vehicle during driving, resulting in a potential road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru has notified the affected owners, and dealers will inspect the glass adhesion condition and either apply additional adhesive or replace the moonroof glass, free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013.
Visibility/Wiper Vehicle recall #13V078000 · 2013 · 16 vehicles
What's wrong: Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover May overheat.
Why it matters: If the components overheat, the wiper motor bottom cover May melt and potentially catch fire.
The fix: Subaru has notified all affected owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #16V694000 · 2016 · 592,647 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 the windshield wiper motor bottom cover May interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able…
Why it matters: If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers May fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover May melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V014000 · 2017 · 53,480 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V012000 · 2018 · 64,179 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped…
Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018.
Parking brake Vehicle recall #18V626000 · 2018 · 27,175 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 in the proper gear when parked.
Why it matters: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the epb actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V008000 · 2019 · 330,120 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee,…
Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V007000 · 2019 · 43,394 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped with…
Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V009000 · 2019 · 452,630 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin,…
Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019.
Electrical Vehicle recall #19V297000 · 2019 · 511 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch May break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight…
Why it matters: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag May not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V002000 · 2020 · 127,547 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V001000 · 2020 · 258,813 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V003000 · 2020 · 111,562 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (34): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (27), hard / delayed shifting (7), warning light on (5).
- Engine (23): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (17), warning light on (7).
- Other / unknown (12): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5).
- Airbags (11): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3).
The 2012 Subaru Legacy has 90 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 36 Legacy model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 88). Complaints peaked in 2019 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 87,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (167 complaints, 16 recalls), 2013 (66 complaints, 12 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Subaru Legacy.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 16 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Subaru Legacy. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Subaru Legacy problems?
Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (34), engine (23), other / unknown (12).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Subaru Legacy get?
EPA ratings run up to 25 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Subaru Legacy repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.