2012 Subaru Legacy Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 8%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Subaru Legacy, 8% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The electronic parking brake has failed as determined by the modesto Subaru dealership diagnostic. They recommend replacing the epb. I paid $157.50 for the diagnostic and they want another $1250 to repair. This problem is already part of a recall for 2012 Subaru Legacy but my specific VIN is not covered. If this is a known problem they should repair regardless of VIN. How do I get my VIN on the list? This is the only problem with my Subaru which started one day after turning on the vehicle and releasing the parking brake.”
NHTSA complaint #11195485, filed 2019-04, 87,000 miles“Brake pedal travel suddenly increased while driving on residential street. Brake pedal must be depressed almost to floor for car to begin braking. Braking is not very effective. No brake fluid loss experienced and brake fluid appears clear. Fluid level near maximum level in reservoir. A recall (11v562000) for similar issue on certain 2012 Legacy was issued but my VIN does not indicate a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11139453, filed 2018-10, 62,000 miles“Vehicle vibrates and pulsates every time you apply the brakes while driving at speeds above 50 MPH- vibrations are felt throughout the vehicle and the steering wheel. On march 11th; Subaru dealership technicians took a look at the problem and drove the vehicle and confirmed the steering wheel vibrations while braking on speeds above 50 MPH, they also found all brakes at 7mm and front rotors with added material to it measuring above 0.0008 - technicians recommended a simple resurface of rotors (charged at owners expense) or to wait until the condition worsen ??? …”
NHTSA complaint #10583494, filed 2014-04, 21,500 miles“The brake lines of my vehicle were corroded and started leaking brake fluid. The brakes no longer work and started failing when I was driving up a hill. Luckily there was no accident, however, not having functioning breaks is an obvious safety concern. An independent service center initially looked at the damage and suggested that the corrosion is unacceptable for the life of the vehicle. They provided me with the recall information I include below and instructed me to take the vehicle to a Subaru dealership. The dealership confirmed the issue and offered a quote of $5,000 for the repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #11593722, filed 2024-06Related recalls
- 18V626000Sep 13, 2018Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2010–2014, Outback 2010–2014
- 11V562000Nov 29, 2011Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 impreza sedans and wagons (except wrx/sti models), manufactured from april 21, 2011, through november 15, 2011…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2012, Impreza 2012, Outback 2012
Related service bulletins
- 11002725Jun 25, 2024This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been…
- 10171107Jan 31, 2020This Service Information Bulletin provides the most recent part number and interchangeability information for the EPB assembly.
- 10166898Oct 4, 2019In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) assembly used in…
- 10165517Sep 16, 2019As part of Subaruâs dedication to customer satisfaction, SOA is announcing an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) Warranty Extension program, which extends the New Car Basic Limited…
- 10165515Sep 16, 2019Subaru owner letter. As part of Subaru of Americaâs dedication to customer satisfaction, this letter is to inform you of an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for…
- 10165505Sep 16, 2019In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) assembly used in…
- 10164443Aug 26, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling all 2010-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission (M/T), to replace the electronic parking…
- 10164185Aug 8, 2019This bulletin announces availability of a new front disc brake pad, shim, grease and clip kit designed to reduce customer concerns of excessive brake squeal. This new kit…
- 10162886Jul 17, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling all 2010-2014 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission (M/T), to replace the electronic parking…
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 2% |
| 2018 | 6 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 8 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 8% |
| 2014 | 2 | 4% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 7 | 8% |
| 2011 | 18 | 11% |
| 2010 | 13 | 9% |
| 2009 | 9 | 14% |
| 2008 | 13 | 20% |
| 2007 | 3 | 9% |
| 2006 | 10 | 11% |
| 2005 | 31 | 17% |
| 2004 | 3 | 6% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 7 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 7% |
| 1999 | 12 | 13% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 27 | 19% |
| 1996 | 18 | 15% |
| 1995 | 29 | 16% |
| 1994 | 6 | 10% |
| 1993 | 7 | 9% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 10 | 13% |
| 1990 | 4 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Legacy
34 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology