2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,243 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2010 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Jul 012021

Outback

  • 100,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. Additionally, the vehicle would make abnormal sounds and the gear shift indicator light would disappear from the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to four independent mechanics. The last mechanic diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V297000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Winchester, OR, USA

problem #29

Sep 132021

Outback

  • miles
Total engine failure at just 75k miles. Barely driven, maintenance schedule always kept up to date, out of nowhere engine stopped and I was told the oil was completely empty. They were unable to resolve by adding oil. Also, transmission light has been on for 3+ years. Have been told by every repair shop who has checked this that it-€™s just a glitch in the electrical system and the transmission is fine. A few weeks prior to engine failure, the car began to have trouble accelerating and made a sort of -€œrace car-€ sound. Barely could go past 40 mph without slamming on gas. Finally, doors have randomly decided to stop locking and unlocking while using key fob. Batteries have been replaced. Some doors work, some do not (namely, the driver side door). Other misc electrical issues like USB failure.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #28

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 #27

Dec 122020

Outback

  • 105,000 miles

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

While driving all the warning lights on the dash lit up. Brake, skid control, cruise control and check engine. This happened during the summer and I stopped at a repair shop and they reset the computer and it worked fine until today. I googled this problem and seems many other Subaru owners are having the same problem. Seems dealers have many expensive repairs but even after repairs, owners are still having the same problems. I just returned my care twice for a recall on the airbags. This seems to be a reoccurring problem with Subaru.

- Forest City, PA, USA

problem #26

Nov 252020

Outback

  • 125,000 miles
Drove my car a few miles and then stopped at a stop light on a 4 lane road in the city. When the light turned green I stepped on the throttle and got no response. Put the transmission in park and back into drive and still nothing. Turned the car off and back on and engine responded to throttle.

- Camas, WA, USA

problem #25

Sep 202020

Outback

  • 168,775 miles
Cruise control, brake, check engine and vehicle dynamic control lights all come on while operating the vehicle.

- Prescott Valley, AZ, USA

problem #24

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 #23

Jul 192019

Outback

  • 190,000 miles
Upon starting car the center console didn't turn on - this included radio/cd player, ac, heater, mpg, clock, and charging station/usb, steering wheel electrical components. Seems to be a faulty electrical short

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #22

Nov 272018

Outback

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. When the contact attempted to disengage the parking brake, the check engine, ABS, traction control, parking brake, and cruise control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to landers mclarty Subaru (located at 5790 university dr nw, huntsville, al 35816, (256) 382-2425) where it was diagnosed that the parking brake failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 1-38208244231. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Athens, AL, USA

problem #21

Aug 172018

Outback

  • 100,000 miles
Dashboard warning lights going off. Starts as soon as the vehicle turns on. Very rarely does it turn of. Check engine light is flashing, anti-skid lights flashing, low tire pressure lights flashing, cruise control lights flashing. Have tried multiple fixes, but nothing works. This has been going on for over 1 year.

- Tyrone, PA, USA

problem #20

Oct 102017

Outback

  • miles

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

My husband took in my Subaru Outback for recall. It was vdc. Following the fix frequently the oil light will come on. Also the brake light will come on. Also the traction light will come on. I have had my car in numerous times and they can't fix it. They were especially nice when my husband came in. My husband died in April and I seem to get a run around. They say they don't have rentals for me and that they are losing money by giving me a loaner. The lights come on when I am driving and it can be on the highway, city streets, and I am not turning at the time. Some times the blinker sound comes on when I am sitting with the engine on. It is really fast and loud.

- Happy Valley,, OR, USA

problem #19

Apr 142018

Outback 16-cyl

  • 134,794 miles
My headlights both low beam and high go out on a monthly basis. I have a 2 year old daughter and live in the mountains of lake Tahoe. This is a nuisance as well as a considerable safety hazard and the dealership seems to think there is no issue other than continual bad bulbs. I am considering filing a law suit against suba [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Incline Village, NV, USA

problem #18

Dec 202017

Outback 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
In March 2013 an authorized Subaru service department noted there was a recall (49 cfr part 573.6) for puddle lights on my car and ordered the parts. This is noted in my file at the service department. They were going to call me when the parts came in. That did not happen. Now my puddle lights have failed and the short makes it so many more features in my car do not work (interior lights, gauges and key fob (currently use the same fuse). For some reason my VIN does not show on the recall look up, but it fits the VIN range as well as make, model and year. Is it possible that Subaru can skirt the recall, if the puddle lights were installed at the dealership at time of purchase and not at the factory (same part, authorized service department, new car)? this appears to be the case.to date, Subaru usa has offered to pay half the cost the repair ($881) in the interest of 'customer satisfaction' and not per the recall (SR1-30211430901). My local michael's Subaru in bellevue Washington (service advisor [xxx]) has not offered anything and had made few efforts, if any, to contact me with status. I feel the bellevue service department dropped the ball 5 years ago when it would gave been easier to address (new recall and newer car - 67,000 miles). The problem was first noted in December 2017 when the key fob stopped working. That was tracked to a short in one of the puddle lights. I am trying to understand if this part should be covered by a recall and if this might also be related to the magnuson-moss warranty act even though thus a a recall. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- North Bend, WA, USA

problem #17

Jun 062017

Outback

  • 80,000 miles
Software update required that is not cover by recall. If not updated, the check engine light, brake light, traction control, and cruse light blink.

- Centennial, CO, USA

problem #16

Apr 012017

Outback

  • miles
Paddle shifters on steering wheel are not working. When downshift is applied with paddle, nothing happens or vehicle upshifts (vehicle in motion.) sporadic loss of radio, horn, compass and other electrical functions when starting car and continuing while driving. Refer to NHTSA campaign # 10V283000 dated 6/24/2010. Mfr campaign wvr-28.

- Bass Lake, CA, USA

problem #15

Feb 272017

Outback

  • 101,000 miles
Took 2010 Subaru Outback in for oil change and tire rotation and was told left brake light was out and left front marker light bulb was out. This is the ?? time lights have gone out with this vehicle.

- Pleasant Valley, NY, USA

problem #14

Jun 092010

Outback

  • 3,000 miles
Center console completely shuts down. Ongoing- still as of 6/15/15 repeated servicing and contacts with dealer and Subaru national have failed to resolve problem concerned whether other problems will occur

- New Preston, CT, USA

problem #13

Mar 302015

Outback

  • 108,108 miles
I recently purchased this car used and noticed the steering wheel radio controls did not work. After doing some research I discovered there was already a recall on this car and this car has already had the recall work performed on it in December of 2010. The affected part is the steering wheel roll connector. This part also allows for the contact of other electrical signals from the airbag, cruise control and paddle shifters to the car's computer. I called Subaru and they said the recall work was done. I purchased the part from the Subaru dealer and installed it per the service manual instructions. Upon installation of the roll connector and completion of the total repair the steering wheel radio controls functioned as they were intended. I think this is a concern because Subaru has replaced a known defective part with one that after a little over 4.5 years has failed again. According to the information on the initial recall the steering wheel radio controls were only the first symptom of the eventual total failure of all the connections of the steering wheel roll connector. Which could also lead to the airbag not performing as it should during a crash.

- Willoughby, OH, USA

problem #12

Nov 182011

Outback

  • 27,290 miles
The outside bulbs constantly burn out, it can be a headlight, (high beam, low beam) license plate light, brake lite, running lights....the inside lights have been ok this bulb issue started at 27,000 miles and has been a constant problem since. Out of 24 service orders, nine of those orders have needed to have one or more bulbs replaced. I live in the foothills of calaveras county, California and the excuse the dealership gives me is that we have rough roads in these hills. Well, I say, what a line of poop, I drive a Subaru, it's made for our area. Either I have an electrical problem that obviously started when the car was under warranty or that the bulbs that are being used are totally of bad quality.

- Murphys, CA, USA

problem #11

Oct 072014

Outback

  • 103,500 miles
Headlight went out after replacement a year and 3wks ago. This is the 3rd headlight replacement on a 2010 vehicle since purchase 3yrs ago at 29,500mi as a certified used Subaru from the dealer.

- Janesville, WI, USA

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