2012 Subaru Legacy: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
90 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
90 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Complaints per year on the road: 6.43
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Pienso que es la trasmision porque cuando meto belosidad da un golpe , y cuando doy bueltas serrada resbalan las ruedas traseras
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
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact parked and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was slow to accelerate. After refueling, the fuel dissipated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the throttle body and valve needed to be replaced. The vehicl…
What the community is saying right now.
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 13V078000 | Visibility/Wiper | Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. Components i… |
| 13V077000 | Visibility: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… |
| 18V012000 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza v… |
| 19V009000 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 20… |
| 19V008000 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2… |
| 19V007000 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza veh… |
| 12V047000 | Air Bags:Side/Window | SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 23, 2011. THE… |
| 17V014000 | Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tri… |
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Power Train (34 complaints in our indexed sample).
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 55/100, computed from 90 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for the 2012 Subaru Legacy, 9 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 05/03/2013. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorComplaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-08-20.