2010 Subaru Outback Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 94about this part
- Share
- 26%of 360 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 94 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Subaru Outback, 26% of the 360 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Slowing down to under 10mph the car will drop to around 500rpm and will shudder as though it is going to stall. On a few occasions it has actually stalled. I am aware there was an extended warranty to fix the torque converter since Subaru has changed them, but I did not have a warranty on my vehicle and even if I did it is still over 100,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11132174, filed 2018-09, 177,000 miles“When driving on interstate roads and local roads: with braking, car shutters as if not using clutch in a manual transmission. Most recently (today 9/25/17), I was braking to turn off local road into parking lot, car shuttered and stalled. I was able to shift to p and restart before care behind me hit me. Braking-shutter-stall next time a serious accident could occur.”
NHTSA complaint #11025350, filed 2017-09, 126,171 miles“Driving on highway or city streets and car stalls and engine turns off during hard braking. Must come to a complete stop and shift to neutral or park to restart engine. 120,000 miles. Subaru dealer said I needed to replace torque converter and would cost me $1750.00 dollars. This problem has happened many times.”
NHTSA complaint #10929808, filed 2016-12, 120,000 miles“Coming to a sudden stop the vehicle shutters and stalls. Similar to driving a manual transmission and not depressing the clutch, but mine is an automatic. The RPM drops lower than 500. It is always when the car is in motion and trying to come to a stop. The last time it happened I almost ran into a school bus. This made me realize that is a serious safety issue. It has happened at least ten times in the last six months.”
NHTSA complaint #11145081, filed 2018-11, 163,000 miles“Car has been stalling when I come to a stop. Ususally a quick stop. We thought it might be bad gas, clogged fuel injectors which we have addressed. Still stalling. Afraid someone is going to hit me. This has been going on for a couple months now. Also stalls on inclines when I come to stop not going down hill.”
NHTSA complaint #10914003, filed 2016-10, 106,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V326000Jul 20, 2010Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from april 28 through june 23, 2010. Due to a…Covers: Subaru Outback 2010–2011, Legacy 2010–2011
Related service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11014872Feb 18, 2025This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10243369Sep 11, 2023This bulletin announces the availability of a countermeasure torque converter assembly to address a customer concern of very low engine RPM when coming to a stop.
- 10232240Feb 28, 2023This Service Information Bulletin provides an updated diagnostic flow along with an IMPORTANT caution to follow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs as listed.
- 10202815Oct 27, 2021This bulletin has been developed in response to a small number of customer concerns regarding fluid seepage found coming from the CVT assembly.
- 10198765Jun 23, 2021This bulletin provides corrected diagnostics containing a revised flow for certain CVT solenoid related DTCs.
- 10187317Feb 1, 2021In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Powertrain Warranty coverage for the Continuously Variable Transmission…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 | 5 | 6% |
| 2022 | 18 | 4% |
| 2021 | 12 | 4% |
| 2020 | 48 | 5% |
| 2019 | 16 | 2% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 47 | 5% |
| 2016 | 45 | 7% |
| 2015 | 37 | 7% |
| 2014 | 25 | 12% |
| 2013 | 60 | 20% |
| 2012 | 108 | 37% |
| 2011 | 216 | 33% |
| 2010 | 94 | 26% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 9 | 7% |
| 2006 | 17 | 6% |
| 2005 | 17 | 6% |
| 2004 | 10 | 11% |
| 2003 | 13 | 14% |
| 2002 | 20 | 14% |
| 2001 | 23 | 13% |
| 2000 | 42 | 20% |
| 1999 | 29 | 26% |
| 1998 | 19 | 15% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2010 Subaru Outback
44 complaintsEngine
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 30, 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