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#BS-2012-SUBLEG-25172012 Subaru Legacy
Based on reports from 117 owners and 16 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Proceed with Caution
Based on 117 complaints, 9 crashes, 0 fires, and 16 recalls.
Top reported problems
stalling
2 complaints • Severity 10/10
blueconnect does not work when vehicle is in motion
1 complaints • Severity 8/10
transmission failed
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
32 owners reported drivetrain issues — failures commonly reported around 93K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 90–120K miles (24 reports) • Median: 93K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Drivetrain (32 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2012 Subaru Legacy: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 27% of all reports filed for the 2012 Subaru Legacy, with 32 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 93,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 93K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 19% of all reports filed for the 2012 Subaru Legacy, with 22 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2012 Subaru Legacy, with 11 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2012 Subaru Legacy, with 7 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2012 Subaru Legacy. Recent trend: increasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (16 recalls)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS (EXCEPT WRX/STI MODELS), MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 21, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011, AND LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 23, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER THAT COULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE REQUIRED TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 LEGACY AND OUTBACK VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 23, 2011. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.
EQUIPMENT
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. The moonroof glass may come loose or detach. The amount and position of the adhesive between the glass and retainer was inadequately applied.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover may overheat.
+ 11 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Subaru Legacy is the 2013 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 117 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 16 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Subaru Legacy Model Years
2012 Subaru Legacy: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2012 Subaru Legacy Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 117 owner reports. Know before you buy.