2010 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 41 brake complaints for the 2010 Subaru Outback, 11% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 120,500. A related recall (18V626000) covers manual-transmission models whose electronic parking brake may not engage as intended.
- Brakes complaints
- 41
- 11% of 360 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 360
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 120,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Electronic parking brake fails to engage or engages unexpectedly while driving, sometimes bringing the vehicle to a sudden stop.
- Parking brake warning light illuminates or flashes along with ABS, check engine, and traction control lights, often tied to a faulty actuator or brake switch.
- Rear brake pads and rotors wear out or rust prematurely, sometimes wearing metal-on-metal before the front brakes show wear.
- Brake pedal goes soft or sticks to the floor when slowing from moderate speed, requiring light pressure to stop.
- Brake pipes corrode at the connection coupling where the center pipe meets the rear pipe sections.
- Burning odor and smoke from the hood accompanied by a stuck gear shifter and illuminated parking brake warning light.
When 2010 Subaru Outback brake complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 3, 2009, latest Mar 12, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2010 Subaru Outback
- NHTSA 18V626000Sep 13, 2018Brakes27,175 vehicles
Parking brake
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.
Remedy: 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.
Brakes complaints by Outback model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA lists 41 brake complaints for the 2010 Outback, making up 11% of the 360 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2010 Subaru Outback?
- Yes. Recall 18V626000 covers 2010-2014 Legacy and Outback vehicles with manual transmissions where the electronic parking brake may not engage as intended. Subaru replaces the EPB actuator assembly free of charge.
- At what mileage do brake problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2010 Outback is 120,500 miles, though some owners reported issues much earlier.
- Did the brake problems cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 1 fire linked to brake complaints for the 2010 Outback, with no reported injuries.
- How does 2010 compare to other Outback years for brake complaints?
- The 2010 Outback's 41 brake complaints and 11% share are roughly in the middle of the range; earlier years like 2005 and 2008 saw higher shares (15%), while 2011 had more total complaints (84) at 13%.