NHTSA Complaint #10509732 — 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK
SEATS issue reported to NHTSA
1 Injury
Complaint Details
| ODI Number | 10509732 |
| Vehicle | 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK |
| Component | SEATS |
| Date of Incident | |
| Date Filed | |
| Mileage | 250 miles |
| Crash | No |
| Fire | No |
| Injuries | 1 |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Vehicle Towed | No |
| State | WA |
Consumer Description
WE OWNED THE CAR ONLY 2 DAYS AND WAS OUT FOR OUR FIRST DRIVE OWNING OUR FIRST BRAND NEW CAR. THINGS SEEMED ALL GOOD UNTIL WE STOPPED AT A BANK AND I PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE FOOT REST AND PRESSED MY BACK INTO THE SEAT TO RELEASE THE TENSION IN MY PANTS SO I COULD PULL OUT MY WALLET WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN CATCHING ME BY TOTAL SURPRISE THE SEAT GAVE WAY. A SHOCK WENT UP AND DOWN MY SPINE AS I GOT OUT OF THE CAR IN AWE OF WHAT JUST HAPPENED AN THE CONDITION I WAS IN I HAD TO SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TO SEE IF IT WAS JUST A FLUKE OR IS THIS A REAL PROBLEM AND I JUST GOT THE WORST OF IT. WITH A LITTLE PRESSURE LEANING BACK IN THE SEAT FOR A FEW MOMENTS AND SNAP ALL THESE SEATS CAN BE BROKEN. I WAS DOING GREAT AND NOW EVERYDAY I HAVE NERVE PROBLEMS AND BACK ISSUES I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED IN MY LIFE. I AM HEIGHT WEIGHT PROPORTIONAL AND ACTUALLY A LITTLE ON THE THIN SIDE. THE DEALERSHIP AND SUBARU OF AMERICA SWORE THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. GOOGLE AND YOUTUBE "SUBARU OUTBACK LUMBAR SUPPORT BROKE" I FOUND PROBLEMS GOING BACK TO 2008!! I ASKED THEM TO BUY THE CAR BACK BUT THEY "BENT THE CLIP A LITTLE EXTRA" AS A FIX AND INSISTED I TAKE IT HOME. IT BROKE AGAIN WHILE JUST DRIVING 40MPH DOWN THE ROAD NORMALLY SO I CONVINCED THEM BY TALKING TO THE OWNER TO GIVE ME A TRADE UP TO THE ELECTRIC SEAT. LITTLE TO KNOW THE PASSENGER SEAT IS THE SAME SEAT AS IN THE BASIC MODEL. I OWN THE PREMIUM NOW AND I WILL DO A REPORT ON IT AS WELL AS I HAVE OWNED MANY FOREIGN CARS AND NOT ONE SEAT HAS EVER BROKE ON ME. TOYOTA SEAT HOLDS UP TO ANYTHING I PUT IT THROUGH AND I HAVE 300K MILES ON IT!!! SAME WITH MY HONDA CIVIC. BOTH BOUGHT USED... PLEASE MAKE THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM! I BEG YOU. I HOPE NO ONE ELSE EVER HAS TO DEAL WITH THE PAINS I HAVE HAD FROM THIS ALONG WITH STRESS EXPLAINING THE SITUATION TO THE DEALER AND DUE TO SUCH A SIMPLE LITTLE CLIP AND STUPIDITY. *TR
Related Complaints for the 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK
Other SEATS Complaints
Recent Complaints for the 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK
#11688694
SERVICE BRAKES
The brake pedal suddenly went almost to the floor while attempting to stop. Researching I found there was a recall. N...
#11683186
SERVICE BRAKES
I took my Outback to my local highly respectable mechanic on August 20, 2025 as I needed the oil changed and the conc...
#11646326
AIR BAGS
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In...
#11646326
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In...
#11646326
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In...