MSRP: $23,295 - $31,695
Invoice: $21,939 - $29,667
MPG: 19 City / 27 Hwy
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Subaru Outback Recalls & Reliability

Scorecard

Overall: 2012 Subaru Outback U.S. News Best Cars 9.0
Critics' Rating: 9.4
Performance: 8.8
Interior: 9.0
Safety: 9.2
Reliability:
How we calculate scores
Research analyzed for this review

Awards

Pros & Cons

  • Car-like ride
  • SUV-like utility
  • All-wheel drive can handle slick road conditions
  • Strong safety record
  • Opting for the higher trims can get expensive
  • Steering could use a little more feedback

Research Other Years

Review Last Updated: 4/26/13

Recalls

There have been 2 safety recalls issued from NHTSA.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWRecall Date: 02/09/2012
  • Consequence: THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 12V047000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 381
  • Summary: 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.
  • Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OR BEFORE EARLY-APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
  • Notes: SUBARU'S RECALL NUMBER IS WVZ-36. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGESRecall Date: 11/28/2011
  • 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.
  • NHTSA Campaign ID: 11V562000
  • Potential Number of Units Affected: 31,959
  • Summary: 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.
  • 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.
  • Notes: SUBARU SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS WVY-35. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Reliability

Our reliability score is based on the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) rating or, if unavailable, the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability rating.

Predicted Reliability Score
  • Key:
  • Among The Best
  • Better Than Most
  • About Average
  • The Rest

J.D. Power and Associates Power Circle Ratings do not include all information used to determine J.D. Power and Associates awards. See JDPower.com for more information on Power Circle Ratings. Your experience may vary.

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Warranty

In addition to a three-year/36,000-mile new car limited warranty, Subaru also supports the Outback with five-year/60,000-mile drivetrain coverage and a three-year/36,000-mile roadside assistance plan.

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