VehicleVerdict

2012 Subaru Outback brakes problems

The 2012 Subaru Outback has 38 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

38

Brakes complaints

10%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

18V626000BrakesSeptember 13, 2018 · 27,175 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.

Consequence

A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

11V562000BrakesNovember 29, 2011 · 32,685 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE DRIVER MIGHT MISJUDGE THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS COULD OCCUR UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

What owners report

VEHICLE REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT BECAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE/POTENTIAL ACCELERATION AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH. THIS HAPPENED IN RAINY CONDITIONS, WHICH MY WIFE HAD NOTICED MANY WEEKS BEFORE. SUBSEQUENTLY, WE FOUND THESE RECALLS: AND LAWSUIT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 20, 2020 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2012 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 38 complaints about the 2012 Subaru Outback brakes — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Subaru Outback brakes?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 11V562000, 18V626000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.