RoadVitals

2010 Subaru Outback Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Jan 21, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 360 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Subaru Outback submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 21, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11389164
Incident
Jan 20, 2021
Mileage
121,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 22, 2020

11/21/2020 AT OIL TEMP LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AFTER AROUND 30 MINUTES ON A MAJOR ROUTE (NOT HIGHWAY) AFTER ALREADY BEING "FIXED" BY A DEALERSHIP. AT THE END OF AUGUST I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ALL 3 LIGHTS HAD COME ON AFTER I HAD ARRIVED NEAR MY PLACE OF WORK. I HAD DRIVEN FOR 35 MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY AND CRUISING LOCAL STREETS FOR A SPOT WHEN THEY CAME ON. WHEN I FIRST GOT BACK TO MY VEHICLE AFTER WORK (I HAD PARKED AND WAS WAITING UNTIL END OF DAY TO DEAL WITH IT) AND TURNED ON MY CAR - NO LIGHTS. I WAS NEARLY HOME WHEN ALL 3 CAME BACK ON (35 MINTUES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING). TOOK TO DEALER THAT WEEKEND WHERE THEY REPLACED ENGINE AIR FILTER, CABIN AIR FILTER, CVT- VALVE BODY AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FOR $1934.97 ON 9/21 THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING FOR AROUND 20 MINUTES ON A 2 LANE ROUTE. DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR 1 WEEK AND ALL THEY COULD FIND / DO WAS CHANGE A BRAKE LIGHT BULB.

NHTSA ID
11375796
Incident
Nov 21, 2020
Mileage
74,870 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 20, 2019

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROL, ABS, AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. I LATER LEARNED THAT A BAD O2 SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE. IT WAS RAINING AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES MODERATELY FIRMLY DUE TO ANOTHER CAR STOPPING HARD IN FRONT OF ME, MY CAR'S BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I SLID ON THE WET PAVEMENT. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER REPLACING THE 02 SENSOR, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF. WEEKS LATER THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN DUE TO WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A BAD GAS CAP. WHEN IT WAS REPLACED, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. NOW THE OTHER 02 SENSOR IS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT, AND IT TRIGGERS THE SAME LIGHTS. HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN VERY SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT WHEN THESE LIGHTS ARE ON, THOSE SYSTEMS ARE DISABLED. IT IS ASTOUNDING THAT SAFETY IS INTENTIONALLY REMOVED FROM A CAR DUE TO A LOOSE GAS CAP OR BAD 02 SENSOR.

NHTSA ID
11233607
Incident
Jul 12, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 12, 2018

GAS PEDAL GOES LIMP AND/OR WORKS INCONSISTENTLY/ERRATICALLY; THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO BECOME UNRESPONSIVE, CREATING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AT STOPLIGHTS/INTERSECTIONS, ON HIGHWAY, ISSUE MANIFESTS AS ACCELERATING IRREGULARLY AND LURCHING FORWARD UNPREDICTABLY; HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AT SPEED ON A HIGHWAY, WHILE STATIONARY AT STOPLIGHT, IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS, ETC.

NHTSA ID
11072226
Incident
Feb 9, 2018
Mileage
54,444 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Dec 7, 2017
Crash reported

CAR IN PARK , IGNITION OFF. ENTERED CAR AND STARTED TO MOVE CAR APPROXIMATELY 30-25' TO PARK IN FRONT OF GARAGE. STEEL GARAGE DOOR DOWN. PROCEEDED TO GARAGE DOOR 1-2 MPH WITH FOOT ON BREAK. CAR ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED AND COULD NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN CAR AND IT CRASHED THROUGH GARAGE DOOR AND WAS STOPED BY BOXES AT BACK OF GARAGE. ACCELERATION SUDDEN AND HIGH WITH NO INDICATION OF WHY. CAR DAMAGED DUE TO DEBRIS FROM FRAGMENTS OF STEEL DOOR MOSTLY ON TOP AND FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. MECHANIC UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. RECORDS AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11053357
Incident
Nov 27, 2017
Mileage
49,600 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 21, 2017
Crash reported

I WAS BACKING MY OUTBACK A SHORT DISTANCE (ABOUT 20 FT.) TO A PARKING SPACE ACROSS THE STREET WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I RAN INTO A PARKED TRUCK WITH GREAT IMPACT. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. IT WAS TERRIFYING.

NHTSA ID
11018730
Incident
Aug 18, 2017
Mileage
48,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 7, 2017

SOFTWARE UPDATE REQUIRED THAT IS NOT COVER BY RECALL. IF NOT UPDATED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CRUSE LIGHT BLINK.

NHTSA ID
10993841
Incident
Jun 6, 2017
Mileage
80,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 8, 2016

CAR SHUDDERS AND SOUNDS LIKE ENGINE WILL DIE WHEN COMING TO COMPLETE STOP. IF THIS WERE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, FEELS AS IF CLUTCH SHOULD BE PUSHED IN. PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. COLD OR HOT ENGINE. PROBLEM BECAME NOTICEABLE AROUND 58,000-60,000 MILE.

NHTSA ID
10924989
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 18, 2014
Crash reported

AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH A FOOT TO GO, GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD, CLIMBED A 6 INCH CURB AND TRAVELED ABOUT 4 FEET AND HIT A WOODEN STAIRCASE OF A BUILDING. THE ENTIRE TIME MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THIS ENTIRE EVENT TOOK LESS THAN A SECOND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10637349
Incident
Aug 21, 2014
Mileage
66,800 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 5, 2014
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED IT INTO A UTILITY POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE ACCELERATION FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ID
10619003
Incident
Jul 26, 2014
Mileage
38,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 16, 2014

ON APPROXIMATELY 04/13/2014 APPROXIMATELY AT 6:00 PM ET, MY SUBURU OUTBACK 2010 RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WHEN MY FOOT WAS CENTERED ON THE BRAKE PETAL AND I MOVED THE GEAR FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, ENGINE HIGHLY REVVED. I PUSHED HARD AS POSSIBLE ON THE BRAKE AND SHOVED THE GEAR BACK INTO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND I SWITCHED OFF THE POWER. I POWERED BACK UP AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, GAS MILEAGE CALCULATOR, ETC. WAS OUT. THE AC/HEAT TEMPERATURE AND CONTROL SCREEN WAS OUT. THE FAN CONTROL ONLY WOULD WORK AND PUT OUT EXTREME HEAT. THE OUTSIDE MIRROR MOTORS WOULD NOT WORK. FOR THE NEXT 30 MINUTES ON THE WAY HOME I STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS UPON RESTART. ON APRIL 14, 2014, ALL SYSTEMS WERE NORMAL WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SWITCH (KEYS) BUT HAD NO INFORMATION ON RAPID ACCELERATION OUT OF CONTROL. I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND RESULT IN WRECK AND/OR INJURY TO MYSELF AND/OR OTHERS. NO MATS WERE IN THE CAR AT TIME OF INCIDENT. *TT

NHTSA ID
10583058
Incident
Apr 13, 2014
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 6, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE RAPID ACCELERATION BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,386.

NHTSA ID
10487604
Incident
Jun 7, 2012
Mileage
73,386 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 24, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE GEARS WOULD SHIFT INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10472372
Incident
Aug 3, 2010
Mileage
10,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 13, 2010

SUDDEN ACCELERATION DISABLING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SLOW DOWN AND THEN HITTING THE RESUME BUTTON CAUSED THE CAR TO SURGE . THE RPM INCREASED FROM 2000 TO 6000 RPM. THIS OCCURS WHENEVER THE SET SPEED IS 20MPH GREATER THAN THE CURRENT SPEED. THE DEALER COULD NOT CORRECT THIS, CLAIMING THAT THE FULL ACCELERATION IS BY DESIGN. WIDE OPEN THROTTLE IS NOT A GOOD PRACTICE SINCE IT MAKES THE CAR HARD TO CONTROL. WHAT BELONGS ON A RACE TRACK NOT ON A HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10343010
Incident
Jun 23, 2010
Mileage
4,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .