2010 Subaru Outback Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 12%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 111,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Subaru Outback, 12% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 111,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Major safety issue - vehicle has started stalling when coming to a stop or slowing down while starting to turn. This has almost caused several accidents for my wife turning out onto the highway. I was told by a Subaru mechanic that Subaru issued a recall, but I can't find it. This has been going on for about 2 months now.”
NHTSA complaint #11244332, filed 2019-08, 154,000 miles“As I was pulling into a parking space with a foot to go, going less than 5 MPH, the engine surged and the car suddenly lunged forward, climbed a 6 inch curb and traveled about 4 feet and hit a wooden staircase of a building. The entire time my foot was on the brake. This entire event took less than a second.”
NHTSA complaint #10637349, filed 2014-09, 66,800 miles“When my I brake my vehicle to a complete stop at red lights, intersections, etc the engine stalls, which makes me have to put it back in park and restart the engine. This happens every time I stop my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11076419, filed 2018-03, 183,750 miles“My vehicle head lights have burnt out at least once a year since I have owned this car. The engine has began stalling when I come to a full stop. It is equipped with a CVT and it feels like coming to a stop in a manual transmission without depressing the clutch. If I let off the brake quickly it will continue idling but coming to a complete stop kills the engine. I guess Subaru has issued an extended warranty but I never recieved the notification and my vehicle is past the mileage for the warranty anyway.”
NHTSA complaint #11187256, filed 2019-03, 115,000 miles“My cooling system does not work correctly, we have changed the radiator twice and the thermostat twice. I have taken it to Subaru of cherry hill and also to Subaru of jax where my father in law is a senior master tech. My car has everyone baffled. Everything in my cooling system backs up into my overflow and than I lose all my coolant. I see there was a recall in 2010 for my year Outback manufactured between july 31 to dec 2009 and my car falls in those date ranges but was never including in this cooling system recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11241938, filed 2019-08, 190,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11027982Jan 12, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
- 11027083Dec 8, 2025This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11017452Apr 22, 2025This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
- 11016224Mar 24, 2025The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
- 11008282Sep 27, 2024This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 11008281Sep 26, 2024This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
- 11008267Sep 17, 2024This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter.
- 11006934Aug 5, 2024The purpose of this bulletin is to provide replacement key and immobilizer information along with an overview of the Subaru Lock Information web-site.
- 11005608Jul 11, 2024This thermo control valve video contains information on the replacement of thermo control valve.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 23 | 5% |
| 2021 | 21 | 7% |
| 2020 | 49 | 5% |
| 2019 | 39 | 4% |
| 2018 | 37 | 5% |
| 2017 | 44 | 5% |
| 2016 | 53 | 8% |
| 2015 | 47 | 9% |
| 2014 | 35 | 17% |
| 2013 | 67 | 23% |
| 2012 | 50 | 17% |
| 2011 | 85 | 13% |
| 2010 | 44 | 12% |
| 2009 | 15 | 14% |
| 2008 | 14 | 6% |
| 2007 | 15 | 12% |
| 2006 | 43 | 16% |
| 2005 | 10 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2010 Subaru Outback
94 complaintsAir bags
44 complaintsSteering
41 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsExterior lighting
35 complaintsElectrical system
33 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsTires
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology