How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Subaru Outback?

NHTSA lists 61 electrical system complaints for the 2010 Outback, which is 17% of the 356 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2010 Subaru Outback?

Yes. Recall 19V297000 covers ignition switch inspection/replacement, and recall 12V602000 covers installation of an additional fused wiring harness on 2010-2011 Outback and Legacy vehicles.

What is the most common electrical complaint on the 2010 Outback?

Owners most often report low-beam headlights burning out repeatedly, sometimes needing replacement every few months.

At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure across electrical complaints for the 2010 Outback is 70,357.5 miles.

Did the electrical issues cause any crashes or injuries?

NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 injuries tied to these electrical complaints, though one complaint reports a fire.

2010 Subaru Outback Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 61 electrical system complaints for the 2010 Subaru Outback, 17% of all complaints filed for the year. The most common pattern is rapid low-beam headlight burnout, with two related recalls covering ignition switch and wiring harness fixes.

Electrical System complaints: 61; 17% of 356
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 70,358 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

Low-beam headlights burn out repeatedly, sometimes every few months, with owners reporting multiple bulb replacements.
Dashboard warning lights (brake, check engine, cruise, oil) illuminate and flash simultaneously along with a sudden stall.
Interior electronics behave erratically at random times, including interior lights not working, HVAC blasting hot air with the system off, and the radio and mileage display failing to turn on.
A driver's door area suffered a spontaneous electrical fire despite a completed recall repair.
Cruise control and other stalk-mounted functions (paddle shifter, volume, mute) become intermittent.

When 2010 Subaru Outback electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 17, 2010, latest Jul 28, 2026.

61 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2013 Q3 (3).

Electrical System recalls for the 2010 Subaru Outback

NHTSA 19V297000Apr 11, 2019Electrical System511 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
NHTSA 12V602000Dec 26, 2012Electrical System633,842 vehicles
Exterior lighting
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Risk: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Electrical System complaints by Outback model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201061 (17%)
2011165 (25%)
201251 (17%)
201329 (10%)
201437 (18%)
2015130 (25%)
2016311 (48%)
2017396 (43%)
2018270 (33%)
2019367 (35%)
2020267 (30%)
202177 (26%)
202254 (12%)
202323 (26%)
202419 (19%)
202516 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Subaru Outback?: NHTSA lists 61 electrical system complaints for the 2010 Outback, which is 17% of the 356 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for electrical problems on the 2010 Subaru Outback?: Yes. Recall 19V297000 covers ignition switch inspection/replacement, and recall 12V602000 covers installation of an additional fused wiring harness on 2010-2011 Outback and Legacy vehicles.
What is the most common electrical complaint on the 2010 Outback?: Owners most often report low-beam headlights burning out repeatedly, sometimes needing replacement every few months.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure across electrical complaints for the 2010 Outback is 70,357.5 miles.
Did the electrical issues cause any crashes or injuries?: NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 injuries tied to these electrical complaints, though one complaint reports a fire.