2012 Jeep Wrangler vs 2012 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2012 Jeep Wrangler | 2012 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 831 | 291 |
| Recall campaigns | 9 | 16 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 244 | 316 |
| Investigations | 6 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 22 | 15 |
| Fire reports | 19 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | 4/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18 | 20–24 |
| Median reported mileage | 44,000 mi | 90,991 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Jeep Wrangler | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 282 | 107 |
| Engine | 172 | 50 |
| Steering | 204 | 9 |
| Electrical System | 147 | 37 |
| Air Bags | 128 | 39 |
| Service Brakes | 43 | 34 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 42 | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 21 | 18 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 60 | 7 |
| Stalling | 58 | 83 |
| Check engine light | 44 | 21 |
| Vibration / shaking | 32 | 32 |
| Misfire / rough idle | 26 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 19 | 5 |
| Hesitation / surging | 9 | 11 |
| Rust / corrosion | 7 | 12 |
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2012 Subaru Outback
Compare all Jeep Wrangler vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.