2010 Subaru Outback Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 77 engine complaints for the 2010 Subaru Outback, 21% of all complaints filed for the year. Owners most often described stalling at low speed and unintended acceleration, with a median failure mileage of 66,800 miles. A related recall covers a CVT cooler hose issue, not the stalling problem itself.
- Engine complaints
- 77
- 21% of 360 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 360
- Crashes reported
- 5
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 66,800 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine stalls or dies while decelerating, especially when the clutch is depressed or the car is shifted to neutral.
- Engine revs down toward idle and nearly stalls before catching itself, sometimes right after leaving the dealership.
- Sudden unintended acceleration reported at low speeds while parking or backing up, leading to collisions with objects or structures.
- Cruise control resume function reportedly caused the engine to surge from around 2,000 to 6,000 rpm.
- Engine shudders near a stop, with owners linking the issue to air conditioner use.
When 2010 Subaru Outback engine complaints were filed
First complaint May 31, 2010, latest Mar 12, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2010 Subaru Outback
- NHTSA 10V196000May 7, 2010Engine29,443 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from july 31 through december 1, 2009. A crack or split can occur in the CVT cooler hose resulting in a fluid leak.
Risk: If the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected cooler hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on june 8, 2010. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-subaru3 (1-800-782-2783).
Engine 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 engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA lists 77 engine complaints for the 2010 Outback, which is 21% of the 360 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2010 Subaru Outback engine?
- Yes, recall 10V196000 covers a cracked or split CVT cooler hose that can leak fluid. Subaru replaced affected hoses for free, but this recall does not address the stalling or acceleration complaints owners reported separately.
- At what mileage do 2010 Outback engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on this model year is 66,800 miles, though several owners reported stalling issues within the first few thousand miles.
- What is the most common engine complaint on the 2010 Outback?
- Owners most frequently described the engine stalling while decelerating or coming to a stop, along with reports of sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds.