2010 Subaru Outback: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2010 Subaru Outback: 18 recalls, 360 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
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Recalls
18 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #10V196000 · 2010 · 29,443 vehicles
What's wrong: A crack or split can occur in the cvt cooler hose resulting in a fluid leak.
Why it matters: If the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected cooler hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on June 8, 2010.
Steering Vehicle recall #10V283000 · 2010 · 73,698 vehicles
What's wrong: The wiring in the steering column electrical roll connector located behind the vehicle's steering wheel May develop stress cracks and eventually break. If this were to happen certain electrical components May not operate as intended.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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 will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on July 7, 2010.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #10V326000 · 2010 · 809 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a programming error, a lubrication hole within the 6-speed manual transmission was omitted.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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 on July 28, 2010.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #12V602000 · 2012 · 633,842 vehicles
What's wrong: Up to 78,650 of these vehicles May have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013.
Equipment, Electrical Vehicle recall #13V061000 · 2013 · 47,419 vehicles
What's wrong: Additionally included are certain model year 2013 legacy and outback vehicles that May have received replacement res fobs. If the res fob is dropped, the fob May malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Why it matters: 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. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which May cause…
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the res key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V358000 · 2016 · 302,127 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 legacy, outback, 2009-2011 legacy, outback, forester, 2006-2011 impreza, tribeca, 2003-2006 baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #16V694000 · 2016 · 592,647 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover May interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V014000 · 2017 · 53,480 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru baja, 2006-2011 impreza (including wrx and sti models), 2006-2012 tribeca, 2009-2012 forester, legacy, outback, and 2012 wrx vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V013000 · 2018 · 93,209 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 tribeca, impreza, forester, wrx, legacy, and outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia. These vehicles…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V012000 · 2018 · 64,179 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 legacy, forester, tribeca, wrx and outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018.
Parking brake Vehicle recall #18V626000 · 2018 · 27,175 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru legacy and outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (epb) May not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
Why it matters: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the epb actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V008000 · 2019 · 330,120 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 tribeca, wrx, outback, and legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee,…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V007000 · 2019 · 43,394 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 forester, 2010-2014 tribeca, wrx, outback, legacy, and 2010-2011 impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped with…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V009000 · 2019 · 452,630 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 tribeca, wrx, legacy and outback vehicles, 2010-2011 impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin,…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019.
Electrical Vehicle recall #19V297000 · 2019 · 511 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester vehicles, 2008-2011 impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 wrx vehicles, 2005-2014 legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 outback vehicles and 2006-2008 tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch May break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V002000 · 2020 · 127,547 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (including sti), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina,…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V001000 · 2020 · 258,813 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (sti included), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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. Subaru
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V003000 · 2020 · 111,562 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (including sti), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (94): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (60), hard / delayed shifting (28), noise or vibration (11).
- Airbags (44): the most common themes are warning light on (8), fails to deploy (2).
- Engine (44): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (24), warning light on (7), overheating (5).
- Steering (41): the most common themes are steering problems (38), noise or vibration (23).
The 2010 Subaru Outback has 360 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 32 Outback model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 305). Complaints peaked in 2010 (73 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 68,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (106 complaints, 13 recalls), 2011 (652 complaints, 16 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2010 Subaru Outback.
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FAQ
Does the 2010 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 18 vehicle recalls for the 2010 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2010 Subaru Outback problems?
Owners have filed 360 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (94), airbags (44), engine (44).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Subaru Outback get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2010 Subaru Outback repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.