2010 Subaru Outback problems and complaints
Owners have filed 360 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Subaru Outback. The most-reported areas: Power Train (94), Engine (44), Air Bags (44).
Key takeaways
- 360 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 12 involve a crash, 3 a fire, 8 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 94 | 26% |
| Engine | 44 | 12% |
| Air Bags | 44 | 12% |
| Steering | 41 | 11% |
| Service Brakes | 38 | 11% |
| Exterior Lighting | 35 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 33 | 9% |
| Suspension | 26 | 7% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 23 | 6% |
| Unknown Or Other | 19 | 5% |
| Structure | 14 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 4% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Subaru Outback 4-DR w/SAB | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Electrical System,structure,seats - filed 2026-07-28
I own a 2010 Subaru Outback. While parked at a college in Medford, Oregon, it suffered a spontaneous electrical fire that originated inside the driver's door. This is the exact failure described in Subaru Safety Recall Campaign WQE-41. The NHTSA website states the recall was completed on this VIN, meaning the recall re...
Electrical System,service Brakes,engine - filed 2026-03-12
This car is a very well-maintained, low-use vehicle with regular oil changes and routine maintenance performed on schedule. Early in this drive, I noticed an unusual hissing sound as I approached a stop. When I tried to brake, I realized my brakes didn't seem to be responding. I pressed the brake pedal harder and re...
Service Brakes - filed 2025-09-20
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, my brakes failed at highway speed. My vehicle's stopping distance was severely increased, forcing me to perform an emergency swerve into the leftmost lane to avoid rear-ending a truck. The maneuver was extremely hazardous, as it occurred in a construction zone with concrete barriers and no ...
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More for the 2010 Subaru Outback
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.