10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
107,048 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Subaru Outback brakes problems

brakes problem

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2010 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Jul 262022

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2010 Subaru Outback that has significant corrosion on the rear four-way brake joint connector that can lead to a serious accident. There was a campaign that addressed this very issue (NHTSA ID: 14V-311) but it did not include 2010 Outback even though it had the same design. This issue is very serious.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #25

Nov 162021

Outback

  • miles
Failure of rear hydraulic braking system (brake lines) due to corrosion. Steady loss of fluid due to corrosion around the double brake line union underneath rear passenger side. Plastic cover prevents corrosion issues from being spotted prior to it becoming a catastrophic failure. Vehicle has been inspected by a service center. The "brake" warning lamp illuminated in the dash to alert the drivers of a possible problem, but a significant amount of fluid was lost.

- Ajax, Ontario Canada, NY, USA

problem #24

Jul 192021

Outback

  • miles
The abs system failed at 117K miles and rendered the ABS inoperative. The Electronic parking brake recall could not be completed because of this. We were quoted $1600 to replace the abs pump and computer so that the recall could be completed. The vehicle was dangerously difficult to stop and almost caused a crash.

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #23

Feb 222021

Outback

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Code C0251 electronic parking brake malfunction/inoperative; sometimes epb will engage when driving at a slow pace <10mph no accidents associated

- Starkville, MS, USA

problem #22

Feb 152021

Outback

  • 150,000 miles
2010 Subaru Outback. When my wife was entering a 4-way stop, the brake pedal went to the floor. Was able to get home without incident. Upon inspection, found the brake lines at a junction block near the gas tank severely corroded and leaking. Why was this not part of the recall which went from 2005-2009. Car was mfg'd in 2009, about 150000 miles

- Marion, NY, USA

problem #21

Jan 202021

Outback

  • 121,000 miles
Multiple times over the past 6 years I will be driving and if using my cruise it stops working and I have flashing lights, brake and cruise light flashes on and off, check engine and traction control light stay on. These lights stay on from 1 day to almost 2 weeks before they go out. I have had them checked many times by Subaru dealer and other mechanic shops with no resolution except to clear the codes

- Menomonie, WI, USA

problem #20

Dec 272020

Outback

  • 143,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I lost the brakes going down our steep driveway into the private road. We discovered that the brake fluid reservoir was empty. When my husband removed the plastic fuel tank cover to check for a leak, he discovered that the hard brake lines were heavily corroded right around the brake line junction box, similar to the 2005-2009 Outbacks. The car had one owner before us, in Massachusetts. We are in Maine..

- Acton, ME, USA

problem #19

Oct 292020

Outback

  • 265,000 miles
I went out to start my car and let it warm up. I got in set the electronic parking brake started the car and put the manual transmission in neutral. I went in the house to finish getting ready, when I looked out the window the car was in the ditch at the bottom of the driveway. I had the parking brake recall done in March at the local Subaru dealer

- Bucksport, ME, USA

problem #18

Nov 212020

Outback

  • 74,870 miles
11/21/2020 at oil temp light, brake light, and vehicle dynamics control lights come on while driving after around 30 minutes on a major route (not highway) after already being "fixed" by a dealership. At the end of August I brought the car to the dealer because all 3 lights had come on after I had arrived near my place of work. I had driven for 35 minutes on the highway and cruising local streets for a spot when they came on. When I first got back to my vehicle after work (I had parked and was waiting until end of day to deal with it) and turned on my car - no lights. I was nearly home when all 3 came back on (35 mintues of highway driving). Took to dealer that weekend where they replaced engine air filter, cabin air filter, cvt- valve body and brake light switch for $1934.97 on 9/21 the lights came back on after driving for around 20 minutes on a 2 lane route. Dealer had the car for 1 week and all they could find / do was change a brake light bulb.

- Bedford Hills, NY, USA

problem #17

Jul 062020

Outback 4-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
Rear brake lines are rusted and one off the pipes has busted I now have no brakes. Happened on Monday 7/6/2020.

- Reardan, WA, USA

problem #16

Mar 132020

Outback

  • 70,715 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving the following warning lights have come on: Brake, vehicle dynamics control, and at oil temp. It has happened twice now and lights go away once car is turned off and back on again.

- Bedford Hills, NY, USA

problem #15

Oct 312019

Outback

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. While driving 5 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal traveled to the floorboard without warning. The contact called white river Subaru (429 sykes mountain ave, white river junction, vt 05001, (802) 526-9810). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1-50024654201. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign number: 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was 190,000.

- Orford, NH, USA

problem #14

Jul 122019

Outback

  • 120,000 miles
While driving the check engine, cruise control, ABS, and vehicle dynamics control lights all came on. I later learned that a bad O2 sensor was the cause. It was raining and when I applied the brakes moderately firmly due to another car stopping hard in front of me, my car's brakes locked up and I slid on the wet pavement. Fortunately no accident occurred. After replacing the 02 sensor, the lights went off. Weeks later the same lights came on again due to what turned out to be a bad gas cap. When it was replaced, the lights went out. Now the other 02 sensor is intermittently going out, and it triggers the same lights. However I have been very surprised to learn that when these lights are on, those systems are disabled. It is astounding that safety is intentionally removed from a car due to a loose gas cap or bad 02 sensor.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #13

Mar 292019

Outback

  • 157,000 miles
When coming to a stop on any road the vehicle stalls, uphill or downhill. The car then needs to be restarted after putting the vehicle in park then turning the key to restart, as vehicles are coming quickly from behind. This could be a potentially deadly vehicle failure and needs to be addressed and recalled. It started about a week ago and continues to happen.

- Burnsville, NC, USA

problem #12

Sep 182018

Outback 4-cyl

  • 129,204 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. While driving various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart and drive normally, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact called heritage Subaru catonsville at (844) 224-1954 (located at 6624 baltimore national pike, catonsville, md 21228) and was informed to schedule a diagnostic appointment. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 129,204. Consumer stated dealer fixed the transmission.

- Catonsville, MD, USA

problem #11

Nov 132018

Outback

  • 145,000 miles
Electric parking brake closed during repair of vehicle and would not respond to reprogramming or any attempt to repair. Car was stationary, but unable to release brake resulted in necessary replacement of faulty component. Subaru unwilling to reimburse for part.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #10

Oct 222018

Outback

  • 83,000 miles
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 emergency brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer muller Subaru (1350 park ave w, highland park, il 60035 (888) 285-8152) where diagnosed that the clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact declined to pay for the $1800 fee. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1-373-484-69104 however no further assistance was provided. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 18V626000 (parking brake) was not received. The failure mileage was 83,000.

- Lake Forest, IL, USA

problem #9

Aug 302018

Outback

  • 215,647 miles
I was driving about 30 mph on a country road, attempted to stop, and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I was able to use my paddle shifters to slow the car down to a safer speed. After the pedal went to the floor, I noticed that the brake warning light had come on. Luckily I was close to home and was able to limp the car back home where the car has sat unable to be driven. There is an outstanding recall (Subaru #214790, NHTSA# 14V311000) for 05-09 Outback models. Although my VIN says it's a 2010, it takes 2009 brake pads (2010 pads weren't even close) so I suspect it's an early 2010 model with some 2009 parts- specifically the braking system. Our household has had this problem fixed on 5 different Subaru (92 Outback, 95 Outback, 98 Outback, 02 Outback, 09 legacy) so we are well aware of the problem. This failed in exactly the same spot photos attached of the blown brake lines. I contacted my dealer the day it happened and they said there are no open recalls for this for my model year- even after I explained the different size brake pads. They suggested I contact Subaru America- which I did on Sept 4. they said the same thing as the dealer, suggested I call Subaru corporate (they were closed) but cautioned me that they wouldn't be able to help. I think the recall should be extended to include at least the 2010 model. I'm trying the NHTSA because it's a major safety problem that occurs without warning. The next person this happens to may not be so lucky. Is there anything you can do to help? I'm looking for this to be fixed on my car and the recall to be extended to other cars with this design flaw. The 3 photos attached show: Img_2145.jpg- brake fluid leaking from fuel tank protector in right rear img_2152.jpg- inside of panel- with a puddle of brake fluid img_2151.jpg- rear brake lines themselves- notice to corrosion

- Honeoye Falls, NY, USA

problem #8

Aug 082018

Outback

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. While driving 35 to 40 mph and attempting to slow down, the brake pedal became soft and stuck to the floorboard. The contact was able to come to a complete stop by depressing the brake pedal lightly. The contact also mentioned that when attempting to engage the emergency brake, it only emitted a beeping sound and failed to engage. The vehicle was taken to european car sales and service (201 West cloverland drive, ironwood, Michigan 49938, (906) 932-5720) where it was diagnosed that the brake lines were rusted and the rear and front brake junctions were corroded. The manufacturer provided the contact with case number 1-35365382991. The manufacturer stated that the brake failure repair ended in March of 2009. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 148,000.

- Saxon, WI, USA

problem #7

Aug 042017

Outback

  • 74,500 miles
While driving at low speed on local roads the parking brake lights starts flashing, the transmission oil temperature light went on and there was a high pitched squealing sound. We could not get the brake light to go off by pulling the brake release lever. It cleared itself the next day. The dealer couldn't reproduce the problem but found a brake switch failure. There were also 2 software updates that were related to the brake and transmission safety and operation. We were charged for all 3 even though it should have been a safety recall.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

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