2010 Subaru Outback Electrical Problems

I own a 2010 Subaru Outback. While parked at a college in Medford, Oregon, it suffered a spontaneous electrical fire that originated inside the driver's door. This is the exact failure described in Subaru Safety Recall Campaign WQE-41. The NHTSA website states the recall was completed on this VIN, meaning the recall repair itself has failed and caused a total loss of the vehicle at this time as we are unsure if it’s fixable or even worth fixing. Fire dept did come out and confirm fire was out completely and instructed me not to drive car at all until it could get looked at.

NHTSA ID

11753313

Incident

Jul 21, 2026

This car is a very well-maintained, low-use vehicle with regular oil changes and routine maintenance performed on schedule. Early in this drive, I noticed an unusual hissing sound as I approached a stop. When I tried to brake, I realized my brakes didn't seem to be responding. I pressed the brake pedal harder and realized that with 50-100 pounds of pressure (guess), I could slow the car down. As I came to a stop, the engine died. I restarted the car, and it died again immediately. After the following restart, I realized I could manually keep the RPM up in neutral while at stops, and press with significant force to get the car to stop. Had I not been comfortable two foot driving or understood the issue, this surely would have resulted in a crash of some sort. The car indicated a check engine light, loss of traction control, a flashing BRAKE light, and a flashing cruise control light. I took the car immediately to a local shop where they identified the problem as a vacuum leak at the brake booster. The plastic piece that the hose clamps onto had cracked off, leading to this problem. This make and model does not seem to have a check valve downstream of this component.

NHTSA ID

11723980

Incident

Mar 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. Additionally, the vehicle would make abnormal sounds and the gear shift indicator light would disappear from the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to four independent mechanics. The last mechanic diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V297000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11447082

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

Total engine failure at just 75k miles. Barely driven, maintenance schedule always kept up to date, out of nowhere engine stopped and I was told the oil was completely empty. They were unable to resolve by adding oil. Also, transmission light has been on for 3+ years. Have been told by every repair shop who has checked this that it’s just a glitch in the electrical system and the transmission is fine. A few weeks prior to engine failure, the car began to have trouble accelerating and made a sort of “race car” sound. Barely could go past 40 mph without slamming on gas. Finally, doors have randomly decided to stop locking and unlocking while using key fob. Batteries have been replaced. Some doors work, some do not (namely, the driver side door). Other misc electrical issues like USB failure.

NHTSA ID

11435616

Incident

Sep 13, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE HORN MADE NO SOUND WHEN DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED MINIMAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT WITH OFFERING A PARTIAL PAYMENT FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SHE SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.*DT*DT*DT*JB VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER.*JB

NHTSA ID

11398102

Incident

Feb 10, 2021

Mileage

129,000 mi

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

WHILE DRIVING ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP. BRAKE, SKID CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED DURING THE SUMMER AND I STOPPED AT A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT WORKED FINE UNTIL TODAY. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SEEMS MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS DEALERS HAVE MANY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS BUT EVEN AFTER REPAIRS, OWNERS ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I JUST RETURNED MY CARE TWICE FOR A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS.

NHTSA ID

11383179

Incident

Dec 12, 2020

Mileage

105,000 mi

DROVE MY CAR A FEW MILES AND THEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT ON A 4 LANE ROAD IN THE CITY. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I STEPPED ON THE THROTTLE AND GOT NO RESPONSE. PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE AND STILL NOTHING. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND ENGINE RESPONDED TO THROTTLE.

NHTSA ID

11377213

Incident

Nov 25, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

CRUISE CONTROL, BRAKE, CHECK ENGINE AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL LIGHTS ALL COME ON WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11360358

Incident

Sep 20, 2020

Mileage

168,775 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON: BRAKE, VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL, AND AT OIL TEMP. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW AND LIGHTS GO AWAY ONCE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11317822

Incident

Mar 13, 2020

Mileage

70,715 mi

UPON STARTING CAR THE CENTER CONSOLE DIDN'T TURN ON - THIS INCLUDED RADIO/CD PLAYER, AC, HEATER, MPG, CLOCK, AND CHARGING STATION/USB, STEERING WHEEL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SHORT

NHTSA ID

11233291

Incident

Jul 19, 2019

Mileage

190,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, PARKING BRAKE, AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDERS MCLARTY SUBARU (LOCATED AT 5790 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35816, (256) 382-2425) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-38208244231. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11154801

Incident

Nov 27, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS GOING OFF. STARTS AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE TURNS ON. VERY RARELY DOES IT TURN OF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING, ANTI-SKID LIGHTS FLASHING, LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS FLASHING, CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS FLASHING. HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE FIXES, BUT NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 1 YEAR.

NHTSA ID

11120675

Incident

Aug 17, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

MY HUSBAND TOOK IN MY SUBARU OUTBACK FOR RECALL. IT WAS VDC. FOLLOWING THE FIX FREQUENTLY THE OIL LIGHT WILL COME ON. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON. ALSO THE TRACTION LIGHT WILL COME ON. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THEY WERE ESPECIALLY NICE WHEN MY HUSBAND CAME IN. MY HUSBAND DIED IN APRIL AND I SEEM TO GET A RUN AROUND. THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE RENTALS FOR ME AND THAT THEY ARE LOSING MONEY BY GIVING ME A LOANER. THE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I AM DRIVING AND IT CAN BE ON THE HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS, AND I AM NOT TURNING AT THE TIME. SOME TIMES THE BLINKER SOUND COMES ON WHEN I AM SITTING WITH THE ENGINE ON. IT IS REALLY FAST AND LOUD.

NHTSA ID

11114261

Incident

Oct 10, 2017

MY HEADLIGHTS BOTH LOW BEAM AND HIGH GO OUT ON A MONTHLY BASIS. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF LAKE TAHOE. THIS IS A NUISANCE AS WELL AS A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY HAZARD AND THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO THINK THERE IS NO ISSUE OTHER THAN CONTINUAL BAD BULBS. I AM CONSIDERING FILING A LAW SUIT AGAINST SUBA [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

NHTSA ID

11098504

Incident

Apr 14, 2018

Mileage

134,794 mi

IN MARCH 2013 AN AUTHORIZED SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTED THERE WAS A RECALL (49 CFR PART 573.6) FOR PUDDLE LIGHTS ON MY CAR AND ORDERED THE PARTS. THIS IS NOTED IN MY FILE AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE GOING TO CALL ME WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. NOW MY PUDDLE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED AND THE SHORT MAKES IT SO MANY MORE FEATURES IN MY CAR DO NOT WORK (INTERIOR LIGHTS, GAUGES AND KEY FOB (CURRENTLY USE THE SAME FUSE). FOR SOME REASON MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW ON THE RECALL LOOK UP, BUT IT FITS THE VIN RANGE AS WELL AS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SUBARU CAN SKIRT THE RECALL, IF THE PUDDLE LIGHTS WERE INSTALLED AT THE DEALERSHIP AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND NOT AT THE FACTORY (SAME PART, AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEPARTMENT, NEW CAR)? THIS APPEARS TO BE THE CASE.TO DATE, SUBARU USA HAS OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST THE REPAIR ($881) IN THE INTEREST OF 'CUSTOMER SATISFACTION' AND NOT PER THE RECALL (SR1-30211430901). MY LOCAL MICHAEL'S SUBARU IN BELLEVUE WASHINGTON (SERVICE ADVISOR [XXX]) HAS NOT OFFERED ANYTHING AND HAD MADE FEW EFFORTS, IF ANY, TO CONTACT ME WITH STATUS. I FEEL THE BELLEVUE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DROPPED THE BALL 5 YEARS AGO WHEN IT WOULD GAVE BEEN EASIER TO ADDRESS (NEW RECALL AND NEWER CAR - 67,000 MILES). THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTED IN DECEMBER 2017 WHEN THE KEY FOB STOPPED WORKING. THAT WAS TRACKED TO A SHORT IN ONE OF THE PUDDLE LIGHTS. I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF THIS PART SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL AND IF THIS MIGHT ALSO BE RELATED TO THE MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT EVEN THOUGH THUS A A RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11075509

Incident

Dec 20, 2017

Mileage

67,000 mi

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

PADDLE SHIFTERS ON STEERING WHEEL ARE NOT WORKING. WHEN DOWNSHIFT IS APPLIED WITH PADDLE, NOTHING HAPPENS OR VEHICLE UPSHIFTS (VEHICLE IN MOTION.) SPORADIC LOSS OF RADIO, HORN, COMPASS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WHEN STARTING CAR AND CONTINUING WHILE DRIVING. REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 10V283000 DATED 6/24/2010. MFR CAMPAIGN WVR-28.

NHTSA ID

10990474

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

TOOK 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AND WAS TOLD LEFT BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT AND LEFT FRONT MARKER LIGHT BULB WAS OUT. THIS IS THE ?? TIME LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10957443

Incident

Feb 27, 2017

Mileage

101,000 mi

CENTER CONSOLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. ONGOING- STILL AS OF 6/15/15 REPEATED SERVICING AND CONTACTS WITH DEALER AND SUBARU NATIONAL HAVE FAILED TO RESOLVE PROBLEM CONCERNED WHETHER OTHER PROBLEMS WILL OCCUR

NHTSA ID

10725283

Incident

Jun 9, 2010

Mileage

3,000 mi

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR USED AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROLS DID NOT WORK. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL ON THIS CAR AND THIS CAR HAS ALREADY HAD THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON IT IN DECEMBER OF 2010. THE AFFECTED PART IS THE STEERING WHEEL ROLL CONNECTOR. THIS PART ALSO ALLOWS FOR THE CONTACT OF OTHER ELECTRICAL SIGNALS FROM THE AIRBAG, CRUISE CONTROL AND PADDLE SHIFTERS TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER. I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. I PURCHASED THE PART FROM THE SUBARU DEALER AND INSTALLED IT PER THE SERVICE MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS. UPON INSTALLATION OF THE ROLL CONNECTOR AND COMPLETION OF THE TOTAL REPAIR THE STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROLS FUNCTIONED AS THEY WERE INTENDED. I THINK THIS IS A CONCERN BECAUSE SUBARU HAS REPLACED A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART WITH ONE THAT AFTER A LITTLE OVER 4.5 YEARS HAS FAILED AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION ON THE INITIAL RECALL THE STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROLS WERE ONLY THE FIRST SYMPTOM OF THE EVENTUAL TOTAL FAILURE OF ALL THE CONNECTIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL ROLL CONNECTOR. WHICH COULD ALSO LEAD TO THE AIRBAG NOT PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD DURING A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10704017

Incident

Mar 30, 2015

Mileage

108,108 mi

THE OUTSIDE BULBS CONSTANTLY BURN OUT, IT CAN BE A HEADLIGHT, (HIGH BEAM, LOW BEAM) LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, BRAKE LITE, RUNNING LIGHTS....THE INSIDE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN OK THIS BULB ISSUE STARTED AT 27,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM SINCE. OUT OF 24 SERVICE ORDERS, NINE OF THOSE ORDERS HAVE NEEDED TO HAVE ONE OR MORE BULBS REPLACED. I LIVE IN THE FOOTHILLS OF CALAVERAS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA AND THE EXCUSE THE DEALERSHIP GIVES ME IS THAT WE HAVE ROUGH ROADS IN THESE HILLS. WELL, I SAY, WHAT A LINE OF POOP, I DRIVE A SUBARU, IT'S MADE FOR OUR AREA. EITHER I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT OBVIOUSLY STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY OR THAT THE BULBS THAT ARE BEING USED ARE TOTALLY OF BAD QUALITY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10648479

Incident

Nov 18, 2011

Mileage

27,290 mi

HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AFTER REPLACEMENT A YEAR AND 3WKS AGO. THIS IS THE 3RD HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT ON A 2010 VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE 3YRS AGO AT 29,500MI AS A CERTIFIED USED SUBARU FROM THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10643245

Incident

Oct 7, 2014

Mileage

103,500 mi

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

HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT IN TANDEM. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN 2012. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ALMOST EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER. HEADLIGHTS SHOULDN'T BURN OUT AFTER LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF REGULAR USE. THERE ARE FEW MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT DOES NOT HAVE EXCESSIVE USE (EITHER NIGHT DRIVING OR LEAVING THE HEADLIGHTS ON DURING REGULAR USE). MY MECHANIC FEELS THIS IS A SIGN OF A LARGER ISSUE AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S FAIRLY WIDESPREAD. MY MECHANIC ALSO VERIFIED WITH A SUBARU MECHANIC THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BULBS SUPPLIED BY HIS SHOP AND A SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE BOTH PHILLIPS BULBS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10558002

Incident

Dec 24, 2012

Mileage

30,000 mi