Subaru Outback problems
359 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Headlights burn out in tandem. The first occurrence was in 2012. It happened again almost exactly one year later. Headlights shouldn't burn out after less than one year of regular use. There are few miles on this vehicle and it does not have excessive use (either night driving…
2010 Subaru outback 2.5. 9.5k at speeds above approximately 65mph sever vibration of steering wheel (steering wheel deflection about 1/8 inch back and forth). Speedometer hand seemed to vibrate - but could have been hands, arms, head, eyes absorbing the rapid wheel vibration).…
I lost the brakes going down our steep driveway into the private road. We discovered that the brake fluid reservoir was empty. When my husband removed the plastic fuel tank cover to check for a leak, he discovered that the hard brake lines were heavily corroded right around the…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Subaru outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…
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Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Subaru Outback reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 359 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Subaru Outback is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 Subaru Outback?
The 2010 Subaru Outback is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Subaru Outback?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 86 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 98,644 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 98,644 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Outback has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Subaru Outback?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 359 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.