2012 Subaru Legacy: engine stalls while driving

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · WA

My 2012 Subaru Legacy experiences involuntary engine stalling when coming to a quick stop, such as in stop-and-go traffic or during sudden braking at intersections. When the engine shuts off without warning, power steering and braking assist are lost, creating a serious risk of collision. This is a known issue documented by Subaru of America in Technical Service Bulletin 16-90-13R, applicable to 2010–2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles with CVT transmissions. Subaru attributes the condition to excessive thrust washer wear inside the torque converter, which prevents proper release of lock-up clutch pressure. Subaru describes the condition as similar to stopping a manual transmission vehicle without depressing the clutch, which inherently results in engine stalling. Subaru later redesigned the torque converter as a countermeasure beginning in October 2013, indicating prior knowledge of a defect. However, Subaru never issued a recall or notified owners and addressed the issue only through a non-customer-facing service bulletin. I contacted Subaru Customer Advocacy to report this safety concern and request assistance with the repair (quoted over $4,000). Subaru acknowledged my concern but declined responsibility, citing the vehicle being out of warranty and stating that TSBs are not customer facing. Subaru did not confirm whether the vehicle is safe to drive with this condition. This issue represents a safety defect, not a warranty dispute. Vehicles that can stall unexpectedly during normal braking events pose a serious safety risk, and many affected vehicles remain on the road today.

Filed Aug 7, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · 200,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact parked and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was slow to accelerate. After refueling, the fuel dissipated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the throttle body and valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Transmission · VA

CVT transmission issues persist beyond the limited warranty extension that has now expired from Subaru. Vehicle RPMs regularly drop from 1000 to 500 when coming to a stop, causing engine to knock as it tries to stall. Vehicle then occasionally hesitates when attempting to move under power. Knocking and near stalling occasionally results in a sensation of vehicle being hit from behind while stopped with vehicle in drive and brakes applied.

Filed Jan 15, 2023 · Transmission · NH

The vehicle will on occasion stall when coming to a complete stop. It is a known issue that has a service bulletin. Has something to do with the internals of the torque converter failing. Depending on where the vehicle stalls this could create a serious safety concern. Happens more when the vehicle is cold.

Filed Oct 24, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · DE

Please see ODI#11486236 & request # 562681 “ part 1” I wrote complaining about a 2012 Subaru Legacy Torque Converter issue. It was “ out of warranty 7/31/22 or 100k miles. At the time it started stalling it was at 103k miles in August 2022! I did not feel comfortable driving it. On 10/19/22 My mechanic drove my car & it shuddered & stalled at intersections for him also. I did not feel comfortable driving it 25 miles to a Subaru dealer to have them check it, diagnose it & repair it. My mechanic replaced the Torque Converter as well as the appropriate fluids. It cost about $1500 for parts & labor. Since this is a FAULTY part installed prior to purchase I feel Subaru needs to recall all these vehicles affected. I emailed you MULTIPLE emails online re: multiple complaints about this faulty part which causes a dangerous situation stalling at lights & intersections requiring one to stop & start. I was almost broadsided a few times. Subaru should do the right thing and recall all vehicles involved & your Agency should do the right thing & demand it for the safety of the public.

Filed Sep 24, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · DE

In August & September 2022 , 4 times I was stopping at stop signs & red lights and my car shuttered & stalled. No warning lights showed on the dashboard. I contacted my mechanic & he said he was aware of this issue on certain Subarus, possibly a Torque Converter defect but thought there was an extended warranty & I should look into it. My car was purchased 7/30/12 & had 103,000 miles on it when this issue started in August. I wrote to Subaru of America explaining the problem. They told me that my car was out of the “warranty” since it expired at 100,000 miles OR on 7/31/22. They said I’d need to take my car to a Dealer & have them diagnose the car, & if it was this issue then it would be reviewed to see if they would offer any “good will assistance”. After reading many blogs I’m noticing many Subaru owners complaining of similar dangerous stalls. Why hasn’t Subaru been forced to recall all these vehicles? This is a dangerous situation. I also read an article in FORBES MAGAZINE From 2017 by Chris Jensen that Subaru was allowed to offer extended warranty on this faulty transmission part instead of a recall being issued. I. Don’t understand how you can overlook this SAFETY issue. I would like to know what recourse I have since this started happening just outside my warranty limits. Subarus comment re: “ it would be reviewed to possibly offer some good will assistance” Is just not good enough. I would appreciate a response and some assistance in this dangerous situation. I have a date set in October to have my mechanic check it Thank you.

Filed Jul 6, 2022 · Engine · NJ

Car stalls when coming to a stop. This is a known problem with an active tsb but Subaru will not support repairs. This is dangerous when engine quits unexpectedly

Filed Apr 21, 2021 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · GA

First time car stalled when brakes were applied. Car (subaru legacy 2012) had 140k miles on it. Went to a subaru dealer and they replaced the torque converter. There is a service bulletin out there for this model which caps the mileage for free repair at 100k miles. After 30 miles with a new torque converter, car started shuddering at 45mph. Multiple sensor lights came on with steering becoming difficult. Turned into a small street where the car stalled at low speeds. Took a couple of tries to start the car and sent it back to the dealership for repairs.

Filed Aug 16, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 61,000 miles · PA

Got my subaru at a certified dealer and they did all the airbag recalls good 😁 and thank you but I been driving it to and from work no big deal 35 mile round trip but noticed it was hard starting like no fuel or spark so when it was due for inspection I told them to change the plugs at 59k miles they did and drove it for a month or two and notice a winding noise and shimmy and when stoped at a red light it almost stalled out light when very dim and came back on and I've notice over a week it's been loosing power like the tahoe I had that the torque converter was going so I called the nearest dealer and asked about the transmission and they looked at it and said it passed all of subaru testing and just drive it and asked what about the shimmy when driving and shifting gears they said engine lope and just drive it till it shows a light or fails it's under warranty till 100k miles but I don't want to drive it if I'm in traffic and it stalls and cause a reck or engine blows up due to engine lope and asked about the engine lope what is causing it they can't tell me it now has 61k miles on it and a yard ornament because I don't want to cause an accident on the road

Filed Apr 2, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 106,000 miles · CT

Engine stalls after abrupt stop. For example, I was on post road in westport connecticut and slowed down from 25mph+ very quickly with a hard brake. The engine immediately stalled and all lights on the dashboard were activated. Restarting the car allowed me to proceed. This issue also occurred on a highway (the meritt parkway) several weeks ago. This problem is consistently reproducible and has happened 10+ times. Subaru has acknowledged the issue (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jensen/2017/07/07/facing-complaints-subaru-offers-extended-warranties-on-1-5-million-vehicles/#6e78473e79dc) and "extended" my warranty up to 100k, but my car currently has 106k miles. I brought the car to hank may's in norwalk, but they were unable to find a cause for the issue. I have reached out to subaru concurrently with this report. They will be examining my car to determine what the issue is and whether it will be covered.

Filed Feb 29, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 166,000 miles · MD

2012 subaru legacy. When coming to a hard stop the engine will stall. Will happen any time you come to a hard stop. This is very dangerous and can cause an accident in dense traffic. Very scary.

Filed Jan 8, 2020 · Engine · 98,000 miles · NY

Car initially began to stall every time the car would come to a rest on an incline, then began to stall while turning (most often while turning right at low speeds) and then additionally began stalling when shifting from drive to reverse to back into parking spaces. This progression occurred over the period of less than a month. I called dealership to have it serviced. Before I could get an appointment from the dealer, the engine began causing the car to make a bucking motion on the highway to the point I had to pull off and drive it under 10 miles an hour to a safe location off the road. Since the initial dealer couldn't get me in (due to servicing numerous airbag and wiper recalls) I went to a different dealer who diagnosed the problem as misfiring cylinders 1,2, and 3. The engine had have these cylinders re-machined, the engine was rebuilt, and the car given a tune-up. This made the bucking stop, but the stalling persisted- but was more intermittent. A month later I brought it back to the dealer who said the stalling was due to the computer not communicating with the engine properly- and they performed a "re-learn to system" and said the car tested as designed. It is still intermittently stalling on inclines and when shifting into reverse. Total repairs have amounted to over $4000 between the tow, initial engine/cylinder repair attempt, engine rebuild, and subsequent repairs. It seems to be unfixable- and I am not the only subaru owner complaining of it. I have heard from legacy and outback owners with similar stall issues (but none have reported the bucking issue that happened on 7/5/19.