2012 Subaru Outback Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 290 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Subaru Outback overview page.
What owners report
“ENGINE STALLS WHILE PRESSING BREAK PEDAL RAPIDLY. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT TORQUE CONVERTER IS A PROBLEM AND EXTENDED WARRANTY IS AVAILABLE TO FIX…”NHTSA complaint 11124304 — filed 09/04/2018
“VEHICLE IN MOTION TRAVELING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE APPEARED TO LOSE POWER, ALL DASH LIGHTS FLASH, GAS PEDAL UNRESPONSIVE, COAST TO SIDE OF…”NHTSA complaint 11119667 — filed 08/13/2018
“AT TIMES, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT KIND OF SHUDDERS FIRST AND THEN JUST…”NHTSA complaint 11099584 — filed 06/04/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Subaru Outback have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Subaru Outback: 102 of 290 complaints on file (35.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2012 Subaru Outback have in total?
290 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 14 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 10 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
