Is the 2010 Subaru OUTBACK reliable?

The 2010 Subaru OUTBACK has 466 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Subaru OUTBACK?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (94 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (67 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (45 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Subaru OUTBACK?

Yes, there are 18 recall(s): PARKING BRAKE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STEERING:COLUMN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Subaru OUTBACK?

The 2010 Subaru OUTBACK gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2010 Subaru OUTBACK often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru OUTBACK: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Subaru OUTBACK?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Subaru OUTBACK is approximately $1,270/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Subaru OUTBACK

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2010 Subaru OUTBACK has 466 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 539. The most common issue is transmission problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: 2010 subaru outback, 3750 miles. took to the dealer when rattling noise seem to come from instrument cluster. dealer had it for a week. dealer service isolated the noise as coming from subaru new transmission. they called the company rep in southern calif. who instructed the dealer to put the car ba. There are 18 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 9 crash reports 6 injuries

466

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

94 complaints

20%

• 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK, 3750 MILES. TOOK TO THE DEALER WHEN RATTLING NOISE SEEM TO COME FROM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DEALER HAD IT FOR A WEEK. DEALER SERVICE ISOLATED THE NOISE AS COMING FROM SUBARU NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY CALLED THE COMPANY REP IN SOUTHERN CALIF. WHO INSTRUCTED THE DEALER TO PUT THE CAR BA
• MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN LOYAL SUBARU OWNERS FOR OVER TEN YEARS, BUT WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED TWO TROUBLING PROBLEMS WITHIN THE SAME YEAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN CARE OF BY SUBARU OF AMERICA AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF GOING TO DIFFERENT DEALERS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE HAD A BAD TRANSMISSIO
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DOWNSHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND LOSE ALL POWER. THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED.THE VECHILE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“2010 SUBARU OUTBACK, 3750 MILES. TOOK TO THE DEALER WHEN RATTLING NOISE SEEM TO COME FROM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DEALER HAD IT FOR A WEEK. DEALER SERVICE ISOLATED THE NOISE AS COMING FROM SUBARU NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY CALLED THE COMPANY REP IN SOUTHERN CALIF. WHO INSTRUCTED THE DEALER TO PUT THE CAR BA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Subaru OUTBACK

Based on 363 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 67K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

145

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 67K mi · 59 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 1K mi · 40 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 29 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 15K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TIRES

In line with typicalmedian 175 mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (18)

PARKING BRAKE13/09/2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.

Risk: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Subaru OUTBACK

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Subaru OUTBACK

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,270

Full coverage / month

$106

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-24%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1270

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru OUTBACK Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2010 OUTBACK, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 466 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK, 3750 MILES. TOOK TO THE DEALER WHEN RATTLING NOISE SEEM TO COME FROM INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DEALER HAD IT FOR A WEEK. DEALER SERVICE ISOLATED THE NOISE AS COMING FROM SUBARU NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY CALLED THE COMPANY REP IN SOUTHERN CALIF. WHO INSTRUCTED THE DEALER TO PUT THE CAR BA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY PACE, THEN SLOWING DOWN, ENGAGING THE CLUTCH AND LETTING THE CAR IDLE AT A LIGHT. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS. ONCE WAS WHILE DOWNSHIFTING TO 2ND GEAR TO COMPLETE A LEFT TURN. HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO COMPLETE THE TURN, BUT DID NOT HAVE STEERING OR BRAKING ASSIST
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: I HAVE A NEW 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK THAT SEEMS TO BE A FINE AUTOMOBILE EXCEPT FOR ONE SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. WE NOTICED SOON AFTER STARTING TO DRIVE THE OUTBACK THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG STAYS OFF WHEN MY 140-POUND WIFE OR 135-POUND DAUGHTER RIDE IN THE PA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: MY 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS A SHAKING/VIBRATION ISSUE, THIS ISSUE ONLY HAPPENS AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. IT SEEMS EARLY BUILD MODELS OF THE OUTBACK HAS THIS ISSUE. CHECK OUT THIS FORUM, AND YOU CAN SEE.. HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=20843 SUBARU HAS PERFORMED THE FOLLOW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 18 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)