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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2012 Subaru Outback

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

9

8 current

Combined

10.6L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$3,286

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2020001 · manufacturer campaign TKC-20

2 January 2020

Transport Canada lists: Baja 2003–2006 · Forester 2009 · Impreza 2004–2014 · Legacy 2003–2014 · and 1 more

What is wrong

This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.

Why it matters

If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the passenger-front airbag inflator. The passenger-front airbag module or inflator will be replaced as necessary. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

23,159 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Electrical

Transport Canada recall 2019191 · manufacturer campaign WUF-91

18 April 2019

Transport Canada lists: Forester 2009–2013 · Impreza 2008–2014 · Legacy 2004–2014 · Outback 2004–2014 · and 1 more

What is wrong

A problem with certain replacement ignition switches may allow the key turn out of the “ON” position while driving. This could cause the engine to turn off suddenly. It could also cause the airbag system not to work properly in a crash. Note: This is a voluntary service campaign that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This problem only affects certain parts used for replacement of original parts.

Why it matters

A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. An airbag system that does not work properly in a crash could cause an increased risk of injuries.

What the dealer will do

The company will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary.

100 vehicles affected in CanadaCarService Campaign Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2019013 · manufacturer campaign TKC-19

10 January 2019

Transport Canada lists: Forester 2010–2013 · Impreza 2010–2014 · Legacy 2010–2014 · Outback 2010–2014 · and 1 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.

Why it matters

If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the passenger-front airbag inflator replaced. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

102,110 vehicles affected in CanadaSUVSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2018502 · manufacturer campaign WTV-81

14 September 2018

Transport Canada lists: Legacy 2010–2014 · Outback 2010–2014

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with manual transmissions, components within the control unit for the electronic parking brake (EPB) may crack with vehicle use over time. If this were to occur, the brake warning lamp would illuminate and the EPB may not apply as intended. This could result in the unintended movement of a parked vehicle, increasing the risk of crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the Parking Brake Actuator with a more durable one.

3,486 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Visual System

Transport Canada recall 2016471 · manufacturer campaign WTK-71

26 September 2016

Transport Canada lists: Legacy 2010–2013 · Outback 2010–2013

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, a manufacturing defect could cause the windshield wipers to become inoperable. If an obstruction (such as snow or ice in the cowl area of the windshield) prevents the wipers from returning to the “park” position when wipers are turned off, the wiper arms would be forced to "park" at a higher than intended position on the windshield. The wiper arms will continuously attempt to return to the normal park position, generating an excessive amount of electrical current in the wiper motor bottom cover, possibly resulting in overheating. This could result in the windshield wipers becoming inoperable, or a possible fire in the bottom cover area of the wiper motor. These issues could impair the driver’s visibility and increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly with a countermeasure one.

38,629 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Accessories

Transport Canada recall 2013063 · manufacturer campaign WQF-42

25 February 2013

Transport Canada lists: Impreza 2012–2013 · Legacy 2010–2013 · Outback 2010–2013 · XV 2013

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with a dealer-installed accessory remote engine starter, if the fob is dropped, movement of the internal battery retaining clip may occur and cause damage to a component on the printed circuit board. Under this condition, the fob may transmit an engine start (or stop) request without the user pressing the button. If the vehicle is in range and receives the request, the engine may start and run for up to 15 minutes (or until a stop request is received). The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If that occurs when the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, such as a garage, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up, which could result in asphyxiation or carbon monoxide poisoning.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the remote engine starter fob.

2,813 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2012048 · manufacturer campaign WVZ-36

9 February 2012

Transport Canada lists: Legacy 2012 · Outback 2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the side curtain airbag inflators may have been incorrectly manufactured and, as a result, one or both airbags may not deploy as intended. Failure of a side curtain airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted), could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace one or both side curtain airbag assemblies.

6 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Brakes

Transport Canada recall 2011414 · manufacturer campaign WVY-35

29 November 2011

Transport Canada lists: Impreza 2012 · Legacy 2012 · Outback 2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, a seal within the brake master cylinder may have deformed during vehicle assembly. As such, the driver may experience extended brake pedal travel and increased stopping distance, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake master cylinder assembly.

4,145 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Sport utility vehicle
In its class
More efficient than 73% of 239 2012 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
244 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2012 Subaru Outback and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2012 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 9 recalls on record for the 2012 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2012 Subaru Outback get?
NRCan rates the 2012 Subaru Outback at 10.6 L/100 km combined, emitting 244 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 3 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2012 Subaru Outback for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $3,286 in fuel, producing roughly 4,897 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.