Parking Brake
NHTSA campaign 18V626000 · 2018 · reported 09/13/2018
A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2010 Subaru Outback Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 2.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
359Complaints
18Recalls
12Crashes
2Fires
8Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train (22% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Power Train complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 79 · 22% | Recalled | Recall 10V326000 |
| Engine | 44 · 12.3% | Recalled | Recall 10V196000 |
| Steering | 41 · 11.4% | Recalled | Recall 10V283000 |
| Air Bags | 37 · 10.3% | Recalled | Recall 19V007000 · Recall 19V009000 · Recall 19V008000 · Recall 20V001000 · Recall 20V003000 · Recall 20V002000 · Recall 18V013000 · Recall 18V012000 · Recall 17V014000 · Recall 16V358000 |
| Service Brakes | 35 · 9.7% | not available | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 34 · 9.5% | Recalled | Recall 12V602000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 359 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 18 campaigns
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
NHTSA campaign 19V007000 · 2019 · reported 01/09/2019
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
NHTSA campaign 19V009000 · 2019 · reported 01/09/2019
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
NHTSA campaign 19V008000 · 2019 · reported 01/09/2019
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
NHTSA campaign 20V001000 · 2020 · reported 01/02/2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
NHTSA campaign 20V003000 · 2020 · reported 01/02/2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
NHTSA campaign 20V002000 · 2020 · reported 01/02/2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System:ignition:switch
NHTSA campaign 19V297000 · 2019 · reported 04/11/2019
The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
NHTSA campaign 18V013000 · 2018 · reported 01/09/2018
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
NHTSA campaign 16V694000 · 2016 · reported 09/27/2016
If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
NHTSA campaign 18V012000 · 2018 · reported 01/09/2018
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
NHTSA campaign 17V014000 · 2017 · reported 01/10/2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
NHTSA campaign 16V358000 · 2016 · reported 05/25/2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System
NHTSA campaign 13V061000 · 2013 · reported 02/25/2013
The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 12V602000 · 2012 · reported 12/26/2012
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:manual Transmission
NHTSA campaign 10V326000 · 2010 · reported 07/20/2010
IF THE TRANSMISSION GEARS ARE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED, A GROANING SOUND MAY BEGIN TO DEVELOP ALERTING THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM. IF THE SOUND IS IGNORED AND NO ACTION IS TAKEN, THE GEARS WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK AND THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO VEHICLE POWER LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Steering:column
NHTSA campaign 10V283000 · 2010 · reported 06/24/2010
POSSIBLE CIRCUITS AFFECTED ARE THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG, PADDLE SHIFTER FUNCTION, CRUISE CONTROL, HORN CONTROL AND RADIO FUNCTIONS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
NHTSA campaign 10V196000 · 2010 · reported 05/07/2010
IF THE FLUID IS COMPLETELY LEAKED DURING DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL COME TO A STOP, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“2010 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6R LIMITED, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. UPON LEAVING FREEWAY FROM 50-60 MPH AND DECELERATING ON THE OFF RAMP TO APPROXIMATELY 5-15 MPH, THERE IS…”NHTSA complaint 10551650 — filed 11/09/2013 · POWER TRAIN
“AFTER DECELERATING TO APPROXIMATED 5-15 MPH AND THEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR THERE IS A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. WHEN IT…”NHTSA complaint 10505368 — filed 04/02/2013 · POWER TRAIN
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10457331 — filed 05/02/2012 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Subaru Outback?
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 79 of 359 NHTSA complaints (22%), followed by engine (44), steering (41), air bags (37). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2010 Subaru Outback have?
359 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2010 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes — 18 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V626000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2010 Subaru Outback's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
