2012 Subaru Legacy Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 38%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,802miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Subaru Legacy, 38% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,802 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought this care a few years ago and from day one if ever in traffic or on highway and have to stop really quickly, it will cause the car to stall,, I had no idea what was wrong I loved the car and just avoided stoping abruptly , but as I have learned over the years this is impossible, a car must be able to stop, its life or death serious... …”
NHTSA complaint #11119402, filed 2018-08, 85,000 miles“Car shakes then stalls when coming to a stop. Stalling began at approximately 75,000 miles(november 2018) but happened only twice in 4 months so I didn't think much of it, but today 3/5/19 it happened twice(I now have 79,000 miles). Have an appointment at Subaru to have car serviced on 3/11/19. However, from reading the complaints, I don't think I am going to be happen with the outcome.”
NHTSA complaint #11184263, filed 2019-03, 75,000 miles“Engine stalls after abrupt stop. For example, I was on post road in westport connecticut and slowed down from 25mph+ very quickly with a hard brake. The engine immediately stalled and all lights on the dashboard were activated. Restarting the car allowed me to proceed. This issue also occurred on a highway (the meritt parkway) several weeks ago. This problem is consistently reproducible and has happened 10+ times. …”
NHTSA complaint #11320068, filed 2020-04, 106,000 miles“My Subaru Legacy has been recently stalling when coming to a stop. It shudders and if you do not give it gas or place in neutral, the engine will die. I have read that this is caused from a faulty torque converter that Subaru is aware of but has failed to issue a recall. I'm not sure I would buy another product that isn't fully backed and supported by the manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #10938619, filed 2016-12, 125,208 miles“Takara recall my transmission slips from 5th to 6th gear I have spoken with manufacturer about but because my car is past their extended warranty that did for the issue and did not inform me I found out after the deadline for it Subaru just informed me that if I want it done I have to $5000 dollars to get it replaced because I should have known about the deadline beforehand but could not confirm if a letter got sent out for that VIN number”
NHTSA complaint #11142946, filed 2018-10, 162,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10243369Sep 11, 2023This bulletin announces the availability of a countermeasure torque converter assembly to address a customer concern of very low engine RPM when coming to a stop.
- 10232240Feb 28, 2023This Service Information Bulletin provides an updated diagnostic flow along with an IMPORTANT caution to follow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs as listed.
- 10202815Oct 27, 2021This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 10198765Jun 23, 2021This bulletin provides corrected diagnostics containing a revised flow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs.
- 10187317Feb 1, 2021In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Powertrain Warranty coverage for the Continuously Variable Transmission…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 7 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 9% |
| 2015 | 15 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 11% |
| 2013 | 12 | 18% |
| 2012 | 34 | 38% |
| 2011 | 47 | 28% |
| 2010 | 50 | 33% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 9% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 9% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 5 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 15% |
| 1999 | 18 | 19% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 9 | 12% |
| 1992 | 5 | 9% |
| 1991 | 16 | 21% |
| 1990 | 14 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Legacy
23 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsBrakes
7 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 29, 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