MYRModel Year Report

2010 Subaru Outback

◆ Worse than typical
2010 Subaru Outback
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Outback Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2010 highlighted. 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2006: 276 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 360 complaints 2010 2011: 651 complaints 2011 2012: 292 complaints 2013: 296 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 509 complaints 2015 2016: 642 complaints 2017: 917 complaints 2018: 807 complaints 2019: 1032 complaints 2019 2020: 896 complaints 2021: 296 complaints 2022: 461 complaints 2023: 88 complaints 2023 2024: 96 complaints 2025: 75 complaints 2026: 13 complaints 2026
2010: 360 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
199646
199779
1998127
1999111
2000207
2001171
2002143
200393
200490
2005273
2006276
2007129
2008226
2009106
2010360
2011651
2012292
2013296
2014208
2015509
2016642
2017917
2018807
20191032
2020896
2021296
2022461
202388
202496
202575
202613

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 26%

26% of complaints: power train — 94 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE PLACED IN PARK AND IGNITION TURNED OFF. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC RESTARTED AFTER SENSING LOOSE IGNITION CONNECTION AND NOTED NO OTHER PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120502

Vehicle has an automatic transmission and it stalls when stopping. There is no warning light on the dash. This happens more frequently when the vehicle is warm, in early operation it may only hesitate or run rough while stopping.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240203

Also filed under ENGINE

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle hesitated. No warning light was illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230907

AIR BAGS 13%

13% of complaints: air bags — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130105

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION, TRAVELING AT 40 MPH AND THE VEHICLES AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120908

ENGINE 12%

12% of complaints: engine — 44 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
STEERING 12%

12% of complaints: steering — 42 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing column.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 38 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2010 — complaint volume: 360
R 20100608 — engine and engine cooling

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 31 THROUGH DECEMBER 1, 2009. A CRACK OR SPLIT CAN OCCUR IN THE CVT COOLER HOSE RESULTING IN A

Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED COOLER HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783).

Campaign 10V196000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100707 — steering

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 12, 2010. THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRICAL ROLL CONNECT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK LOT NUMBER OF THE STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR. THE ROLL CONNECTOR WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE IF THE LOT NUMBER SHOWED ANY AFFECTED RANGE OF THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE. THIS SERVICE WI

Campaign 10V283000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100728 — power train

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2010. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, A LUBRICATION HOLE WITHIN THE

Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY DRILLING AN OIL LUBRICATION HOLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERNAL PARTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN

Campaign 10V326000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130219 — exterior lighting

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 20

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Campaign 12V602000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130422 — electrical system, equipment

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 20

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Campaign 13V061000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160722 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.

Campaign 16V358000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161025 — visibility

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

Campaign 16V694000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170306 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

Campaign 17V014000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180209 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

Campaign 18V012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180209 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

Campaign 18V013000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190125 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

Campaign 19V008000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190125 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

Campaign 19V007000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190125 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Campaign 19V009000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190510 — electrical system

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Campaign 19V297000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190719 — parking brake

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

Campaign 18V626000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2010 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (94 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V196000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V283000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V326000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V602000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V061000 (electrical system, equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V358000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V694000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V014000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V012000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V013000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V007000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V009000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V297000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V626000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1996 ▲ 2025 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 2020

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2010 Subaru Outback reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Subaru Outback is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Subaru Outback?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2010 Subaru Outback have?

18 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.