2010 Subaru Outback problems
The 2010 Subaru Outback has 469 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (17%) concerns drivetrain & axles. Next are engine (14%) and air bags (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 469 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 20 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 12 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 67,000 miles 363 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 127 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 26 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 22 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 24 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 39 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 43 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 32 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 26 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 11 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 8 |
| 200k+ miles | 5 |
What the data shows
Of the 363 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 67,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 106,000 miles (67 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 20 complaints mention a crash; 6 complaints mention a fire; 12 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2010 ranks 12th most-complained-about out of 31 model years of the Subaru Outback with enough data (214 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 18 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the contact owns a 2010 subaru outback. While driving approximately 65 MPH and slowing down a vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The vehicle crashed into the left rear side causing the left rear tire to lose contact with the road. The contact was able to drive onto the emergency lane, and then she continued to drive to her destination per the police officer's instructions. A police report was filed. The driver experienced whiplash and the passenger had a neck injury.
Traveling on icy road approx. 20MPH or less in 2010 outback 3.6 ltd. Very accustomed to driving severe mountain winter conditions & 8th subaru among family members. Seatbelt, shoulder restraint in place on driver. Oncoming driver in mid-size to large truck lost control at high speed, crossed center line and impacted subaru head-on, offset to left side of outback & 2010 outback was totaled. Subaru airbags did not deploy. Impact into front left side, crumpled hood up to windshield, which shattered.
Headlight went out after replacement a year and 3wks ago. This is the 3rd headlight replacement on a 2010 vehicle since purchase 3yrs ago at 29,500mi as a certified used subaru from the dealer.
Car engine stops unexpectedly for no reason while operating the vehicle, causing the steering to lock up. This has happened three times in the last five days. One time nearly causing an accident.