VehicleVerdict

2010 Subaru Outback transmission problems

The 2010 Subaru Outback has 94 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 20% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

94

Transmission complaints

20%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

10V326000TransmissionJuly 20, 2010 · 809 units

Defect

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 OUTBACK AND LEGACY PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2010. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, A LUBRICATION HOLE WITHIN THE 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS OMITTED.

Consequence

IF THE TRANSMISSION GEARS ARE NOT PROPERLY LUBRICATED, A GROANING SOUND MAY BEGIN TO DEVELOP ALERTING THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM. IF THE SOUND IS IGNORED AND NO ACTION IS TAKEN, THE GEARS WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK AND THIS CONDITION WILL LEAD TO VEHICLE POWER LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy

SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES BY DRILLING AN OIL LUBRICATION HOLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE INTERNAL PARTS WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10-15 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE HOOD AND INTO THE VEHICLE. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS STUCK AND FAILED TO ENGAGE INTO FIRST GEAR. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 22, 2018 · fire

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2010 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 94 complaints about the 2010 Subaru Outback transmission — 20% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2010 Subaru Outback transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 10V326000.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.