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moderate Owners of the 2010 Subaru Outback have filed 44 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Outback | 23 |
| 2007 Outback | 12 |
| 2008 Outback | 13 |
| 2009 Outback | 12 |
| 2010 Outback (this page) | 44 |
| 2011 Outback | 47 |
| 2012 Outback | 24 |
| 2013 Outback | 47 |
| 2014 Outback | 28 |
Among the 18 model years of Subaru Outback in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
If the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 2010 Outback stalls unexpectedly, most commonly when the driver depresses the clutch to downshift (manual) or applies brakes to stop (automatic/CVT). RPMs crater—sometimes to 400–500—then the engine either shuts down or recovers with a violent shudder. During a stall, power steering and power brakes vanish, creating collision risk at intersections and on highways. The problem worsens in hot weather and with A/C on, happens within the first few months of ownership in most cases, and restarts immediately after it occurs.
Dealers have run diagnostics and found nothing—or improve the issue temporarily by reprogramming the engine control module. One dealer acknowledged having multiple 2010 Outbacks in with the same stall complaint but said no factory fix was available. Owners report a loaner 2010 Outback exhibited identical stalling, suggesting a widespread design flaw rather than an isolated unit defect.
Separately, owners report head gaskets failing at 67k–112k miles, far below typical engine life. Overheating warning lights come on during normal driving; coolant boils out and mixes with oil. The 2010 removed the dashboard temperature gauge, so owners can't monitor engine heat until the warning light comes on—often too late. Repair costs run high: head gasket, radiator, water pump, and sometimes short-block replacement.
Same Subaru Outback engine reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Engine stalls or nearly stalls when clutch is depressed during downshift or approach to stop, especially in manual-transmission models. RPMs drop below safe idle, sometimes without shudder warning. Loss of power steering and brakes during stall event creates serious collision risk.
When: Primarily early ownership (reports within first 5 months to 2 years); worst in hot weather and with A/C running
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls or near-stalls when clutch depressed for downshift; RPM drop before stall, often to 400–500 RPM range; Engine shudder as warning (sometimes absent); Loss of power steering and power brakes during stall; A/C shuts off, fan continues running, dashboard warning lights illuminate (battery/alternator); Headlights dim; Problem worsens in hot weather and when A/C is on; Engine restarts immediately after stall
Codes mentioned: ECU/ECM programming issue
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have performed diagnostic scans with no fault codes found (or intermittent code reading). Some dealers erased vehicle memory; one owner reported ECM was reprogrammed and problem improved but not fully resolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru engineer confirmed problem at one dealership and stated fix would be available 'for a long time.' Dealers acknowledge multiple affected 2010 models but no fix available at time of complaints. One owner mentions manual-transmission models have ECU fix, but CVT/automatic owners told no fix exists.
Engine stalls or nearly stalls when vehicle comes to a complete stop or during hard braking, regardless of A/C status in most cases. Some owners describe feeling like the car is going to stall every time they approach a stop. Manifests as stumbling, shuddering idle, or sudden shutdown with loss of power assists.
When: Occurs throughout ownership; some started at 5,000 miles, others after years of normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls or nearly stalls when braking to a complete stop; RPM drop to near-stall range; Shuddering or stumbling at idle; Loss of power steering and brakes during stall; May happen every single stop (some owners); Intermittent, unpredictable occurrence (others); Rough idle before stall; Occurs with A/C on or off (inconsistent across reports)
Codes mentioned: No fault codes found on dealer scans
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate in most cases. One CVT owner mentions Subaru issued extended warranty but difficulty getting dealers to diagnose properly. One automatic owner had spark plugs replaced at 68,000 miles. Loaner vehicles with same mileage showed same problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: CVT owners report Subaru issued extended warranty for this known problem but dealers struggle to diagnose it. Manual-transmission models reportedly have ECU fix; CVT/automatic owners told no fix available.
Head gaskets fail prematurely, causing coolant leaks, engine overheating, and mixing of oil and coolant. Overheating can occur during normal highway driving, especially in hot weather or on inclines. Failures reported at mileages well below typical engine life expectancy (67,000–112,000 miles).
When: Various mileages: 67,597 miles; 72,000 miles; 85,000 miles; 93,770 miles; 112,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant temperature warning light illuminates; Engine overheats during normal driving; Coolant level drops (boils out); Fuel leaking from rear of vehicle (one report); Check engine light illuminates; Loss of engine temperature gauge visibility (2010–2014 models lack temp gauge); All instrument and warning lights illuminate; Engine shutdown while driving
Codes mentioned: No specific codes mentioned in narratives
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs included head gasket replacement, radiator replacement (one case cracked radiator), water pump replacement, short block replacement. High labor cost and extensive parts replacement required. One owner had ongoing dispute with dealership for repair authorization.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru has not issued a recall for head gasket failures. One complaint references chronic HG failure issue unresolved by manufacturer. One owner mentions Subaru knows head gasket material is incompatible with required coolant but has not issued fix.
Dash lights flicker intermittently, sometimes synchronized with stalling events. Battery/alternator warning light illuminates. Headlights dim during stall events. One owner's family member noted flickering was not normal behavior.
When: Early ownership; one report documented flickering over winter months
Symptoms owners cite: Dash lights flicker on and off; Battery/alternator warning light illuminates; Headlights dim during stall event; HVAC fan speed audibly slows during RPM drop
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer ran three different diagnostic tests; all came back normal. One owner suspected alternator based on family advice but dealer diagnostics found no alternator issue.
Synthesized from 44 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Over heating maybe head gasket problem
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 44 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.