CVT TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS & STALLS AFTER BRAKING WHILE IN MOTION DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. UPON STOPPING AT STOP SIGN, SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE TURN, OR STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS THEN DRIFTS INTO INTERSECTION AND STALLS WHILE FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FAILURE OF TORQUE CONVERTER WHILE AT INTERSECTIONS IS DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING. SUBARU REFUSES TO ASSIST IN COST OF…
2010 subaru Outback powertrain problems
moderate 86 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
86
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
2010 SUBARU OUTBACK, 3750 MILES. TOOK TO THE DEALER WHEN RATTLING NOISE SEEM TO COME FROM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DEALER HAD IT FOR A WEEK. DEALER SERVICE ISOLATED THE NOISE AS COMING FROM SUBARU NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY CALLED THE COMPANY REP IN SOUTHERN CALIF. WHO INSTRUCTED THE DEALER TO PUT THE CAR BACK TOGETHER AND STATED THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN, AND NO FIX IS AVAILABLE. SINCE THAN I ALSO NOTICED THAT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND REVERSE OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (JOHN HOWARD SUBARU, 1730 MILEGROUND RD, MORGANTOWN, WV 26505) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAI…
CAR HAS STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS, 4 TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. IT SHUDDERS, THEN STALLS COMPLETELY. RESTARTING IMMEDIATELY HAS CAUSED ANOTHER STALL WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES HAS ALLOWED A NORMAL START, ALTHOUGH TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED IN DANGEROUS, HIGH-TRAFFIC SPOTS WITHOUT AN EASY SHOULDER TO PULL ON TO.
CVT was given a warranty extension. Subaru is aware that this is a KNOWN issue, otherwise they would not have given a warranty extension. A loud squealing occurs and a the RPMs increase when driving. This occurs in slower speed areas as well as on the highway. This is a dangerous problem as the transmission could give out while driving on the highway or interstate. The driver would then be forced …
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2010 subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 86 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
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.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.