2010 Subaru Outback engine problems

The 2010 Subaru Outback has 67 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Engine complaints

14%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Outback engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

10V196000EngineMay 7, 2010 · 29,443 units

Defect

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 31 THROUGH DECEMBER 1, 2009. A CRACK OR SPLIT CAN OCCUR IN THE CVT COOLER HOSE RESULTING IN A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence

IF THE FLUID IS COMPLETELY LEAKED DURING DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL COME TO A STOP, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED COOLER HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783).

What owners report

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 21, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2010 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 67 complaints about the 2010 Subaru Outback engine — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2010 Subaru Outback engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 10V196000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.