2012 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 40about this part
- Share
- 14%of 294 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,882miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Subaru Outback, 14% of the 294 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,882 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My car often gets stuck with the parking brake on and I cannot move the car forward or backward. Most times I have a carload of groceries and need to get them to the freezer or refrigerator. Computer engine analysis...... Abs c0054 brake switch on malfunction c0057 ECM control...... Epb c0252 motor malfunction detail code 50a0 ..... C0234 vdc failure detail code c111..... C0242 power supply voltage failure detail code. I have replaced brakes, replaced tires, checked fluid, checked fuses, etc.”
NHTSA complaint #11288603, filed 2019-12, 115,405 miles“I purchased vehicle brand new, over the course of 4 years have had no problems until brake master went bad after 2 and a half years, oil not lasting until the next oil change and finally the head gasket. The vehicle's A/C died and was taken to the mechanic, he found the compressor had gone. We ordered a new one. Took the vehicle out the next day to return it to mechanic and in route, the vehicle began smoking profusely and died on the road 2 minutes after it began smoking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10876864, filed 2016-06, 87,000 miles“I was driving the car when the brake pedal travel distance suddenly changed on me, which required me to apply more pressure to stop the car. Very alarming at the time and if I were not an experienced driver may have caused an issue. The issue resolved itself briefly but has now remained in it current state, making it difficult to judge what brake pressure to apply -- a definite safety concern. Until I can get this issue fixed, I had to keep the car parked. I took the car in for an immediate diagnosis. Shop said the brake master cylinder appears to be failing. …”
NHTSA complaint #11327076, filed 2020-06, 114,000 miles“While driving with cruise control engaged, suddenly the cruise control disengaged, the brake warning light and the ABS warning light came on. The required repair was only the forward oxygen sensor, a non-emergency repair. Yet cruise control and ABS were disabled, ABS being an important safety feature. I was told Subaru has purposely programed the car this way. Not only was I unable to make a decision as to the critical nature of the actual repair but had an important safety feature disabled unnecessarily.”
NHTSA complaint #10724478, filed 2015-06, 91,982 miles“Recall wvy-35 applies to some 2012 Subaru outbacks. My 2012 Subaru Outback has this difficulty yet is not part of the recall. Since I purchased the car the brake pedal has been soft and mushy. I need to press the pedal very hard for a long distance almost to the floor of the car to stop the vehicle. The stopping distance as a result is often much longer than expected. This is the exact problem identified in the recall below. I have brought this into my Subaru dealer service center and I am told the brakes are operating normally, but they are not. …”
NHTSA complaint #10679384, filed 2015-01, 12 milesRelated 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 Outback 2010–2014, Legacy 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 Outback 2012, Impreza 2012, Legacy 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 8% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 7 | 8% |
| 2022 | 11 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 3% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 18 | 2% |
| 2017 | 25 | 3% |
| 2016 | 19 | 3% |
| 2015 | 28 | 5% |
| 2014 | 22 | 11% |
| 2013 | 31 | 10% |
| 2012 | 40 | 14% |
| 2011 | 78 | 12% |
| 2010 | 40 | 11% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 31 | 14% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 19 | 7% |
| 2005 | 31 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 7 | 8% |
| 2002 | 31 | 22% |
| 2001 | 30 | 18% |
| 2000 | 12 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 8% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 9 | 11% |
| 1996 | 7 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Outback
108 complaintsEngine
50 complaintsAir bags
39 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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