2012 Subaru Outback Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 13%of 294 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Subaru Outback, 13% of the 294 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Subaru Outback (2012), when stopped for 1-2 minutes, with the engine and ignition off, and the gear shift in park, on a slight incline (to check a potential safety hazard) suddenly rolled backwards as I was leaning in to retrieve my bag. I was dragged across the normally busy road, barely able to hang on (by both hands grabbing anything I could inside the car). My legs scraped on the ground violently burning though my sneaker then ankle flesh and grazed the bone badly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11405138, filed 2021-03, 47,000 miles“One day driving home I noticed that the cruise control light and the parking brake lights were flashing. Along with the stability control and check engine lights being on steady. The lights stay on while driving on any road or stationary. Unhooking battery terminals clears the lights from anywhere between a couple hours to several weeks. I have done research and seen that this is a common issue with these vehicles and nothing that is done fixes it.”
NHTSA complaint #11220415, filed 2019-06, 90,000 miles“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“The check engine light comes on along with the traction control light. Also, the cruise control and brake light are flashing. I was driving on the interstate in june, 2017 when this happened. This issue first happened in 4/2017. At that time, I was on a trip hours from home driving on the highway in the rain. Dealer repaired a wiring harness under the hood. This just happened again the other day. I have an appointment on 7/5/17. The stored codes are different than in 4/2017.”
NHTSA complaint #11002725, filed 2017-07, 70,000 miles“I was driving into work on the morning of 3/3/14 when I notice a smoke/burning odor. I discounted it but kept alert waiting for a engine light to come on. It became evident that it was from my Outback. I got the car parked. Shortly after flames erupted from underneath the hood. I was able to reach a fire extinguisher and put the fire out. Based on conversations with fire department and insurance investigators it appears that the source was from wind shield wiper motor.”
NHTSA complaint #10575368, filed 2014-03, 29,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V297000Apr 11, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Outback 2005–2014, Legacy 2005–2014, WRX 2008–2014 +3 more
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 29% |
| 2025 | 13 | 16% |
| 2024 | 16 | 15% |
| 2023 | 17 | 19% |
| 2022 | 52 | 11% |
| 2021 | 76 | 26% |
| 2020 | 259 | 29% |
| 2019 | 364 | 35% |
| 2018 | 267 | 33% |
| 2017 | 392 | 43% |
| 2016 | 309 | 48% |
| 2015 | 127 | 25% |
| 2014 | 32 | 15% |
| 2013 | 23 | 8% |
| 2012 | 37 | 13% |
| 2011 | 67 | 10% |
| 2010 | 33 | 9% |
| 2009 | 23 | 22% |
| 2008 | 34 | 15% |
| 2007 | 20 | 15% |
| 2006 | 42 | 15% |
| 2005 | 28 | 10% |
| 2004 | 8 | 9% |
| 2003 | 7 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 8 | 4% |
| 1999 | 8 | 7% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Outback
108 complaintsEngine
50 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsAir bags
39 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 27, 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