Subaru›Outback›2012›3.6L/subaru/outback/2012/3-6l/

2012 Subaru Outback — 3.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Outback 3.6L.

Body SUVEngine 3.6LTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2012 Subaru Outback 3.6L is a mid-size SUV pairing Subaru's 3.6-liter flat-six with a five-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA figures of 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway while requiring 6.9 quarts of 5W-30 API oil at service intervals. With 290 owner complaints logged against it — the bulk concentrated in the powertrain category — and 16 recalls to its name, this model year occupies a moderate position in the Outback's complaint history, which spans from 1995 through 2026 and peaks dramatically at 1,029 complaints for the 2019 model year. That positioning places the 2012 well below the model's worst trouble spots, suggesting a reasonably settled point in the platform's evolution, though the powertrain-focused complaints and double-digit recalls mean researchers should weigh those areas carefully.

Model year2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/24/20 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 (S5)

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	18 / 24 / 20 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.

7.1–7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2010 3.6R Limited

256 hpHorsepower (as tested)

247 lb-ftTorque (as tested)

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	3.6R Limited 3.6L F-6	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	256 hp	AWD
2010	3.6R Limited 3.6L F-6	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	256 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.9 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	6.9 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	35 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	145-185 psi. 7 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 9 stages

Prep Bolts 1-8:

1	14.8 ft. lbs.	14.8 ft. lbs
2	36.9 ft. lbs.	36.9 ft. lbs
3	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
4	Loosen 180 degrees.	180 degrees
5	14.8 ft. lbs.; Bolts 1-4:	14.8 ft. lbs
6	35.4 ft. lbs.; Bolts 5-8:	35.4 ft. lbs
6	32.5 ft. lbs.; All Bolts:	32.5 ft. lbs
7	90 degrees.; Bolts 1-4:	90 degrees
8	45 degrees.	45 degrees
9	Install seal bolt 9	4.7 ft. lbs

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)
At 3,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
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 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
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)

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 represents a sharp decline in federal complaints from the 2011 peak of 649 down to 290, though it retains a high recall count of 16, matching 2011 and trailing only 2010's 18. Within the generation's arc, 2012 marks the beginning of a stabilizing trend, as complaints continued to decrease to 295 in 2013 and 208 in 2014, while recalls also dropped to 12 and 10 in those subsequent years. For the 2012 model specifically, Power Train issues dominate the complaint landscape with 87 reports, followed by Air Bags (34), Service Brakes (25), and Engine (21), with 14 crash and 6 fire complaints recorded; however, the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Because 2012 sits at the transition from a problematic peak to a more reliable era, it is a fair but cautious purchase provided you verify the completion of all 16 recalls and closely inspect the powertrain, though opting for a 2014 model offers a statistically safer bet.

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 6.9 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 3.6L take?

6.9 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 3.6L get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.