When all else fails, consult your owner's manual. Page 7-23 of the 2012 owner's manual states:
Also, I'm trying to do the math. You say that this is your third winter with your 2012 Subie. Three years ago would be the winter of 2009/2010. Was your car sold to you by Doc Brown with a flux capacitor option and a power source for 1.21 gigawatts?
Power steering pump noise is very common during cold temperature starts to almost all vehicles. You can reduce the noise by changing the power steering fluid but it will still make noise if it gets cold enough.
Also, I'm trying to do the math. You say that this is your third winter with your 2012 Subie. Three years ago would be the winter of 2009/2010. Was your car sold to you by Doc Brown with a flux capacitor option and a power source for 1.21 gigawatts?
