Subaru›Outback›2012›2.5L/subaru/outback/2012/2-5l/

2012 Subaru Outback — 2.5L

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

Body SUVEngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2012 Subaru Outback 2.5L is an SUV equipped with a 2.5L engine and an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios. This configuration delivers an EPA fuel economy rating of 21/28/24 mpg and requires 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. With 290 total owner complaints and 16 recalls, this model year sits between the 1995 low of 2 complaints and the 2019 peak of 1,029, with the power train identified as the top area of complaint.

Model year2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006

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 economy21/28/24 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	187.8 in
Overall width	71.7 in
Overall height	65.7 in
Wheelbase	107.9 in
Curb weight	3633 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 28 / 24 mpg
Drivetrain	All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	105 cu ft
Cargo volume	35 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.

9.7–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.70 sec — 2010 2.5i Limited

170 hpHorsepower (as tested)

170 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	2.5i Limited 2.5L F-4	9.70 sec	17.40 sec	170 hp	AWD
2010	2.5i Limited 2.5L F-4	10.10 sec	17.80 sec	170 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
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	10 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 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
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 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	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

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 Subaru Outback arrives following a sharp escalation in federal complaints, which peaked at 649 in 2011 before dropping significantly to 290 for this target year. Despite the reduction in consumer grievances, recall activity remained consistent at 16, matching the 2011 figure and trailing only the 18 recalls issued for the 2010 model. Technical Service Bulletins remained high at 316, aligning with the elevated levels seen in 2010 and 2011, while top complaint categories were led by Power Train issues with 87 reports. Looking forward, complaint volumes stabilize further in 2013 and 2014 before rising again in 2015, placing the 2012 model at a downward inflection point within this specific production window. Consequently, the 2012 Outback presents a statistically improved option over the 2011 model regarding complaint frequency, making it a viable used purchase provided recall compliance is verified.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

316

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

290

Owner complaints

14 involved a crash · 6 a fire

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

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’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 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 290 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train87

Air Bags34

Service Brakes25

Engine21

Unknown Or Other15

Electrical System14

Exterior Lighting14

Power Train,Engine12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V008000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 09/01/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona… Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began 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 316 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 Outback. 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 Outback 2.5L take?

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

Does the 2012 Outback 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 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.