Used 2012 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
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Beware Audio Issues
dardanel, 11/29/2011
2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
61 of 72 people found this review helpful
I have purchased the vehicle based on excellent reviews and positive feedback from the owners that I have talked to who had the previous versions of this model. I have driven it only for 120 miles. I went for 2.5 engine for better gas mileage. I think 170hp is plenty. Breaking performance is good. Acceleration on hwy from 60 to 80 was good enough for this size engine. Acceleration from 0-60 could be better IMHO. Takes corners and curves very well. It sticks to the road. My only problem is the Audio Set. If you think audio in a car is important this model is not for you. Read more on suggested improvements.
Another Boxer Blown Head Gasket
Bill Dignon, 09/08/2018
2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
22 of 25 people found this review helpful
I am (now was) an owner of a 2012 Subaru Outback with the 2.5 L Boxer engine that we bought new in 2012. I was a very loyal and enthusiastic owner and meticulously maintained the vehicle. My wife drove it, all highway miles and approx. 20K mi/year. When the Outback hit around 80K mi. I started noticing oil burning, at first around 1 Qt per oil change. Although I switched to synthetic oil and changed it at 5K vs 7.5K mi per the owners manual, it got worse- to the point where I was checking the oil almost daily. When it hit 120K mi., when you started it, it sounded like a box of rocks rolling around inside the hood for at least several minutes, and sometimes when you hit the gas pedal going up a hill. At 125K miles it blew a head gasket. I was so disillusioned not only for the thousands in repair costs, but all of those advertisements talking about reliability, passing the vehicle down to the grown kids, etc., etc, etc. (I really drank the Kool-Aid on those!) The more people i talked to and the more research i did, i found at least 4 other friends/friends of friends that had the same head gasket experience. In reviewing some blogs i also found folks with newer models, like 2018’s, having the same oil burning issues. I don’t know what Subaru did or changed on their Boxer engines, but they have a serious problem with these engines that they do not appear to be addressing. I have since traded mine in on a new Honda CR-V and so far i’m Very happy with it. SUBARU- GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER OR STOP ALL YOUR ADs ABOUT SUPPOSED RELIABILITY!!!
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2012 Subaru Outback for sale near you
Showing 3 of 91 listings
- 2.5i PZEV 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,980190 mi away
- 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUVMSRP: $10,999125 mi away
- 2.5i Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $9,698175 mi away
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Highly Recommend the 2012 Subaru Outback
rdp4, 03/03/2012
2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
17 of 19 people found this review helpful
Purchased a 2012 Premium 2.5i mid-January replaced 2002 Subaru Forester. Test drove ten vehicles before deciding. Absolutely LOVE it and have no regrets. I drive 100 miles a day & was looking for comfort, safety & good mpg. Seats are comfortable, nice all weather package, heated seats get nice & toasty, lumbar support great for back, drivers side power seat is nice, love heated side mirrors. Other vehicles I drove had blind spots, this has good visibility. Averaging 28+ mpg. AWD great in bad weather. Roomy, high ground clearance, handles well, ride nice & quiet, rear hatch holds a lot, like pull out screen for privacy. If need large item can store screen, flatten rear seats, love that.
Engine and Tranny are garbage
Eric Pino, 08/17/2020
2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl 6M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
My wife purchased her outback brand new in 2012 for long distance driving to work. First problem we had, at about 5k miles, were the wheels be constantly shaking. This lasted the whole time we owned it and the dealer had no solution except change your tires. The second problem was the head gasket at 108k miles. It blew and the dealer charged us $2700 to fix it. At 148k miles the car kept shutting off at stops. The dealer diagnosed it with a bad transmission, and quoted us "at least $2800". We called it quits with Subaru, the newer ones are clearly cheaply built and subaru wont recall any of these issues. Do a lil research on this car before you buy one. You will find there are millions of subarus with these same problems.
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Nice Car, Poor Gas Mileage
suboutback12, 12/11/2011
2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited PZEV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
24 of 28 people found this review helpful
I purchased my new Outback a few days ago. It drives nicely and has decent acceleration. I have noticed that the car has a shudder when shifting from park to drive or reverse to drive. I hope it goes away. I also have been getting about 18-19 mpg combined under normal driving conditions. I do not gun the pedal and do not have a lead foot. Why am I getting such poor gas mileage? I hope it improves, but so far it sucks.