2012 Subaru Outback: Engine failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 Outback report: engine failure. CarComplaints.com lists 3 owner complaints, average mileage 99,150 miles.
NHTSA has 52 owner complaints for the 2012 Outback in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11646326 (filed 03/04/2025): “The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 subaru outback. the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. in addition, the contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. the check engine warning light was intermitten…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11628345 (filed 12/02/2024): “Vehicle stalls when stopping. this is a huge safety issue because stalling at intersections can cause accidents. dealership diagnosed a faulty torque converter. this torque converter (it should be part number 31100ab170) issue is widely known in this productio…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: rebuild head and valves (2 reports) get a used engine (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $5,570 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .