Subaru›Legacy›2012›2.5L/subaru/legacy/2012/2-5l/

2012 Subaru Legacy — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Legacy 2.5L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2012 Subaru Legacy 2.5L is a passenger car built around a 2.5-liter engine and an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios, returning EPA ratings of 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined while running on 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil. Within the Legacy's reliability record spanning 1990 to 2025, the 2012 model year draws 90 owner complaints and 16 recalls, with the power train cited as the leading problem area. That total places 2012 between the nameplate's high-water mark of 216 complaints in 1995 and a low of just six in 2025, situating it as a mid-point in a generation that predates the model's sharpest gains in reported reliability.

Model year2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 490 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 25 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	186.2 in
Overall width	71.7 in
Overall height	59.4 in
Wheelbase	108.3 in
Curb weight	3538 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	22 / 30 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	103 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

No 2012 road test on record; the results below are same-engine tests from nearby model years, each shown under its own year.

5.3–9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2010 2.5GT Limited

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2011	2.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	5.40 sec	14.10 sec	265 hp	AWD
2010	2.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	5.30 sec	13.90 sec	265 hp	AWD
2010	2.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	5.60 sec	14.10 sec	265 hp	AWD
2010	2.5GT Limited 2.5L Turbo F-4	5.90 sec	14.20 sec	265 hp	AWD
2010	2.5i Premium 2.5L F-4	8.80 sec	16.90 sec	170 hp	AWD
2010	2.5i Premium 2.5L F-4	9.10 sec	16.90 sec	170 hp	AWD
2010	2.5i Limited 2.5L F-4	9.30 sec	17.10 sec	170 hp	AWD
2014	2.5i Sport PZEV 2.5L F-4	8.80 sec	16.80 sec	173 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-3-2-5-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Subaru Lienartronic CVT fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	13.2
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.4 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	75W-90 · GL-5
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.0-9.0

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings	44.3 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	44 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	66.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	29.5 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	177 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-3-2-5-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	MT: 650, AT: 675, TURBO: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	.88-1.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	490 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	189-196 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	12.0 ohms
Engine Compression	152-203 psi. 14 variance psi.
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ 600 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000
Intake Valve Lash	0.0079-0.0080 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.010-0.0138 in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs / 88.5 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	48.7 ft-lbs / 88.5 ft-lbs
Other	STANDARD WHEELS
Wheel Application	17 inch WHEELS
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.059; Rear: 0.059 in
Brake Application	WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

1	21.4 ft. lbs.	21.4 ft. lbs
2	73.8 ft. lbs.	73.8 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
5	31 ft. lbs.	31 ft. lbs
6	78-82 degrees.	78–82 degrees
7	Bolts 1, 2	73–77 degrees
8	6, 5, 4, 3	28–32 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages

Prep MFI and SFI

1	21.4 ft. lbs.	21.4 ft. lbs
2	73.8 ft. lbs.	73.8 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.	180 degrees
5	31 ft. lbs.	31 ft. lbs
6	78-82 degrees.	78–82 degrees
7	Bolts 1, 2	73–77 degrees
8	6, 5, 4, 3	28–32 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

9 ft. lbs., Step 2: 13 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90

9 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 1,200 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 1,200 mi	Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 6,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 12,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Fuel Line (inspect) · Timing Belt Tensioner (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 36,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Injector (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Timing Belt (replace)
At 105,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt Tensioner (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 model sits near the peak of Subaru’s recall activity for the generation, with 16 recalls—only two fewer than the 2011 high of 16 and well above the post‑2013 decline to single‑digit recalls. Complaints dropped sharply in 2012 to 90, a notable fall from the 150‑167 range seen in 2010‑2011, indicating fewer owner‑reported issues despite the still‑elevated recall count. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) remained high at 324, slightly below the 2011 peak (341) but far above the pre‑2010 levels, showing ongoing service‑department attention to the model. The top complaint categories in 2012 were Power Train (26), Engine (13), and Air Bags (10), with only seven crash‑related complaints and no fire complaints reported. Overall, 2012 reflects a year where Subaru was actively addressing problems through recalls and TSBs while owner‑perceived issues were relatively low, making it a reasonably solid year to consider for a used purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

324

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

7 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Frontal★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11’12’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 90 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train26

Engine13

Air Bags10

Unknown Or Other8

Steering4

Service Brakes3

Power Train,Engine2

Suspension2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V009000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska… Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…

18V626000Parking BrakeReported 13/09/2018

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 324 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E	2026-06-11	Unknown Or Other	This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R	2026-05-04	Power Train	This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R	2026-04-30	Unknown Or Other	This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-26	2026-04-24	Power Train	This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Legacy. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 25 battery Vehicles taking 4.4 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Legacy 2.5L take?

4.4 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Legacy have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.