The 2012 Outback lasts over 250,000 miles with only few electrical and rare transmission issues. At $8,816 – 13,075, it’s a good value for a dependable crossover.
Is the 2012 Subaru Outback a Good Used SUV?
- Yes, 2012 is a good year. Owners praise the all-wheel-drive system, spacious cabin, and fuel economy.
- Reliability ratings are great for 2012. Avoid models from 2013–2016 which have more mechanical problems.
- Performance is weak from the base four-cylinder but good with the V6.
- The Outback is a safe wagon getting four out of five stars in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick Award.
- Fuel economy is good at up to 24 mpg combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Outback?
- Consumer Reports says the Outback has a spacious cabin and high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Outback a 3.7/5 and likes the comfortable ride, but says performance is weak.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Outback 4.3/5 and enjoy the safety ratings, but dislike the lack of a third row.
What Common Problems Does the 2012 Subaru Outback Have?
The problems found in the 2012 Outback are relatively minor and include fog lights burning out quickly, transmission shuddering, and stereo connectivity issues.
Fog lights burning out fast is the most common complaint from owners, happening about every 10,000 miles. The bulbs are difficult to replace, making the problem more annoying. New bulbs cost roughly $70 for a pair.
Transmission shuddering is rare, but mentioned by some owners at roughly 100,000 miles. Some people have replaced transmissions costing over $3,000, and others have rebuilt it for under $2,000.
Bluetooth connectivity issues are also brought up by owners in the first 30,000 miles. There’s a software update dealerships can install for free, improving the reliability.
There are 16 recalls, with the most serious being for the ignition switch turning off suddenly while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Most of the other recalls are for airbags, which are common across many brands.
How Long Will the 2012 Subaru Outback Last?
A properly maintained 2012 Outback will last over 250,000 miles, similar to other midsize SUVs including the Honda Pilot. Regular annual maintenance costs are reasonable at $664 per year, according to Repair Pal.
A used 2012 Outback will likely have over 100,000 miles so prospective buyers should prepare to replace items including control arms for $600, air pressure sensors costing $400, and the ignition coil which costs $550.
Yes it is very reliable. I feel that it uses oil up faster than other vehicles but as long as I check the oil often and refill as needed, this does not pose an issue.
Yes, it is very reliable. The only problem I can think of is that it could have better gas mileage. I think that there should be more storage spaces to hold stuff. Also, the trunk could have been utilised better by adding hooks to hold on to things.
Yes, it gets me to where I need to go. I have 190,000 on the car. I have had some repairs over the years. They do burn a lot of oil so I did have to replace my catalytic converter which was a bummer.
Yes no problems. It is reliable. That is why it's my primary vehicle. I have no complaints and has not had any problems.
I do think it is a reliable car and no I have not have any problems with it we have had such a good experience with it that we would purchase another one
Yes, this Outback has been very reliable. I have had it for 6 months and I have not had any problems with this car.
The vehicle is very reliable. It is AWD. Long lasting engine. There are currently no known problems with the vehicle.
Subaru Outback is a very reliable vehicle with the only downside being that it is quite expensive. It does, however, hold its value which is a definite plus.
How Much is the 2012 Subaru Outback Worth?
Blue book prices range from $8,816 – 13,075, making the Outback $5,000 cheaper than a Highlander or Grand Cherokee. When new, the price range was $23,295 to $31,695. Depreciation is better than average, losing only about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Outback?
There are three primary models for the Outback which are available with two engine choices. Technology is good and last updated in 2011, but there’s a redesign in 2014 adding a new infotainment system.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 16-inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- Four-speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Input
Premium is a step up adding:
- 17-inch Alloy Wheels
- Body-Colored Meals
- Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Premium six-speaker Stereo System With Bluetooth And USB
Limited is the flagship model and has:
- Leather Seating
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Nine Speaker Harmon Kardon Stereo System
- Eight-inch Infotainment Screen With Navigation
- Rearview Camera
What Engines Come In the Outback?
- The base engine is a fairly weak 2.5L four-cylinder with 170 horsepower getting up to 24 mpg combined.
- An available upgrade is the more powerful 3.6L V6, which has 256 horsepower, gets 20 mpg combined, and takes only 7.3 seconds to go from 0-60 miles per hour.
What Colors Does the Outback Come in?
How Big is the Outback?
The Outback is smaller than other midsize SUVs like the 4-Runner and Tribeca. Passenger room is excellent throughout the cabin with plenty of room for adults in the backseats.
Cargo space is lower than rivals with only 34.3 cu. ft. of room behind the seats, increasing up to 71.3 cu. ft. with the seats folded flat.
How Does the Outback Compare to the Competition?
The Subaru Forester is one of the top competitors in the same price range. Where the Forester stands out is with its nimble handling, but the Outback offers more room for passengers. We recommend the Outback since the prices are the same and you get more SUV for your money.
The Toyota Highlander is another rival costing about $5,000 more. Passenger and cargo space are both better in the Highlander, but the Outback’s interior is higher quality. We recommend the Highlander for people looking for an SUV since it fits more people.
Do Owners Recommend the Subaru Outback?
Yes, the AWD is a must for me and the extra engine power in this vehicle means I can load it down with people and cargo as well as a bike hitch for family vacations and it still drives well without any difficulty.
Yes, it is reliable and I have not yet needed to make any repairs or take it to the mechanic for repairs.
Yes, I like how it handles in the snow and the space I have for road trips. We use the car often for road trips but also for daily commutes. I feel safe driving my car in any conditions.
Yes! It is a great vehicle. Great gas mileage, drives great in the snow. It is comfortable and has GPS.
Yes it’s a great car and has been a good choice for my family this is the second Subaru we have purchased
Yes, it has been a very reliable vehicle. It gets good gas mileage and I am pleased with its performance.
It is a great vehicle. Smooth to drive. Extremely roomy. It has great gas mileage. Many great extra features.
Subaru Outback is an Excellent vehicle as it is very dependable and comfortable with lots of room. It is also a great vehicle in stormy weather as handling is exceptional due to the all wheel drive.
