RoadVitals

2010 Subaru Outback Other / unspecified Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the other system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Other / unspecified 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.
8
Latest Aug 1, 2016
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.
2%
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.
0
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 whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above. 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. 8 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 other

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 1, 2016

LUG STUDS BREAK OFF WHEN REMOVING TO CHANGE TIRE. I HAD A FLAT AND 1 STUD BROKE OFF. I WAS LEFT DRIVING WITH ONLY 4 STUDS. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED ON 2 OF THE FOUR WHEELS. WHEN INQUIRING WITH THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THEY ACTUALLY SUGGESTED SELLING ME MORE REPAIR STUDS THAN I NEEDED AS THEY WERE SURE MORE WOULD BREAK OFF.

NHTSA ID
10892047
Incident
Jul 30, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Dec 17, 2013

CONTIPRO CONTACT 225/60R17 TIRES WERE MOUNTED AS REPLACEMENTS 11/17/13. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND MAINTAINED BY DEALER ON A REGULAR BASIS. PRIMARILY HIGHWAY/CITY DRIVING. I HAVE NOT HIT ANY FOD OR POTHOLES - THERE HAS BEEN NO UNUSUAL TRAUMA TO THE TIRES. AFTER 13 MONTHS, 18K MILES, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE'S INNER SIDEWALL SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. CONTINENTAL REFUSED TO PRO-RATE OR MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE PREMATURE DEMISE OF THIS TIRE. BECAUSE THE CAR IS AWD, I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES. I BELIEVE THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THIS BRAND/MODEL OF TIRE. LUCKILY, I WAS ONLY DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE TIRE FAILED. I HAVE NOW RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS TYPE OF TIRE FAILURE FOR CONTIPRO CONTACT 225/60R17. ONE REPORT INDICATES THAT CONTINENTAL REPLACED THE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY AT 18 MOS, HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT CONTINENTAL IS AWARE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND HAS NOW LIMITED THE WARRANTY PERIOD TO 12 MOS. THEY HAVE APPARENTLY CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE INNER SIDEWALL FAILURE BECAUSE THE TIRE IS NO LONGER OFFERED. I BELIEVE THIS TIRE SHOULD BE RECALLED IN THE INTEREST OF CONSUMER SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10556425
Incident
Dec 13, 2013
Mileage
64,030 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 16, 2012

THE FRONT END OF THE CAR SHAKES ON SMOOTH ROADS (RECENTLY REPAVED ROAD) AND IT TENDS TO PERSIST WHETHER YOU ARE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING. PREVIOUSLY TOOK CAR IN FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND THEY STATED IT WAS A WHEEL BALANCE ISSUE. THEY ROTATED MY WHEELS, STATED THEY BALANCED THE WHEELS AND ALSO STATED THAT I NEEDED NEW TIRES EVEN THOUGH THERE IS PLENTY OF WEAR LEFT ON THE TIRES. THE ISSUE NEVER WENT AWAY ON THE SHAKING FRONT END OF MY CAR AND CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10470862
Incident
Apr 1, 2011
Mileage
5,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 3, 2012

WE PURCHASED OUR 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK IN DECEMBER 2009. BY SPRING OF 2010 I HAVE NOTICED THAT AT RANDOM TIMES I WILL TURN THE CAR ON AND MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK, MY HEATING/AC WILL BE BLASTING HOT AIR AT ME FROM THE DASH VENTS WHEN IT IS IN THE OFF POSITION, RADIO WILL NOT TURN ON AND CAN NOT SEE MY MILEAGE DISPLAY. ALSO AT RANDOM TIMES MY GAUGES WILL NOT REGISTER. I HAVE TAKEN IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP. EACH TIME THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT, THEY CAN NOT RECREATE IT AND TO NEXT TIME DRIVE IT THERE WHEN IT DOES IT SO THEY CAN SEE IT IN ACTION. EACH TIME IF I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE ALSO HAD INSTANCES WHERE I HAVE FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO STALL. I MUST SAY I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. I WAS FINALLY IN A POSITION WHERE I COULD AFFORD ONE AND IT ENDS UP BEING WORSE THAT THE CRAPPY CAR I HAD IN COLLEGE. WE PURCHASED A SUBARU BECAUSE OF ITS REPUTATION FOR SERVICE AND SAFETY. I FELT MORE SAFE IN MY SATURN THAT I DO THIS CAR. IT DOES NOT HELP THAT THE DEALER SHIP LOOKS AT ME LIKE I'M NUTS WHEN I TAKE IT IN. I FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T WANT TO HONOR MY WARRANTY. NOW IT SUMMER 2012 AND IT IS DOING THIS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AND STILL I AM GETTING NO WHERE WITH THE COMPANY. WILL NEVER OWN ONE AGAIN. I SHOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT TRADING IN A 2 1/2 YEAR OLD $30000 CAR THIS SHOULD BE LASTING ME YEARS AND I AM AFRAID TO KEEP IT PAST THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD. *JS

NHTSA ID
10464053
Incident
Mar 17, 2010
Other / unspecified
Filed May 5, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEELS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS OR SNOW CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, SHE WOULD NEED TO WASH THE DEBRIS AWAY FROM THE WHEELS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ID
10399205
Incident
Nov 1, 2010
Mileage
8,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 1, 2011

2010 SUBARU OUTBACK (LEGACY) FLOOR MAT BUNCHED UP, STICKING BETWEEN FIREWALL/CONSOLE AND GAS PEDAL. MAT DOES NOT STAY "HOOKED" ON RETAINING HOOKS. SECOND OCCURRENCE (SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL/STOPPED/ SHUT OFF ENGINE BOTH TIMES), I THREW THE MAT IN THE BACK, HAVEN'T USED IT SINCE. THESE TYPES OF "HOOKS" SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED ON ALL VEHICLES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10384879
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
1,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed May 14, 2010

OUR 2010 3.6R OUTBACK ARRIVED IN APR. THE FIRST TIME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A PROMINENT HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS ALSO UNUSUAL FEEDBACK IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT SLOWER SPEEDS THAT FEELS UNLIKE ANYTHING RELATED TO ROAD NOISE. I RESEARCHED THE "PROBLEM" ON THE INTERNET AND SEEN THAT THERE WERE MANY FORUMS IDENTIFYING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 2010 OUTBACKS. I INFORMED OUR LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE DEPT. ABOUT THE VIBRATION AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT. A SUBARU SERVICE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE VIBRATION DURING A TEST DRIVE AND RECOMMENDED A SPIN BALANCE. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND PROPOSED "FIXES" ON THE INTERNET, I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS NOT CONFIDENT THAT A SPIN BALANCE WAS GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL. I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER IF THEY HAD BEEN INFORMED/AWARE OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS AND SHE DENIED HAVING ANY PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF STEERING VIBRATION ISSUES WITH ANY OUTBACKS. THE SPIN BALANCE ADDED A MULTITUDE OF STICK-ON WEIGHTS TO ALL FOUR WHEELS (SOME EXCEED 9 IN. IN LENGTH). THE INVOICE SAID THAT A FOLLOW-UP TEST DRIVE BY A TECHNICIAN PRODUCED NORMAL STEERING AS DESIGNED. A TEST DRIVE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN PRODUCED THE SAME HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION. I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPT. IMMEDIATELY AND THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN LEFT THERE THIS MORNING. I PRODUCED SEVERAL PAGES OF COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THE INTERNET IDENTIFYING THIS ISSUE. THEY MADE COPIES OF THEM AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO CONTACT SOA FACTORY ENGINEERS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS. THE VIBRATION IS PROMINENT ENOUGH TO CAUSE FATIGUE AND NUMBNESS IN THE HANDS ON EXTENDED DRIVES. THERE IS ALSO A CONCERN OF WHAT MAY FAIL AND CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING OR VEHICLE CONTROL. THE FAULTY COMPONENT NEEDS TO BE IDENTIFIED AND THE ISSUE FIXED BY SOA IMMEDIATELY. SOA HAS TRIED A NUMBER OF FIXES WITHOUT SUCCESS (SPIN-BALANCE, FORCED BALANCE, ALIGNMENT, BACKLASH SPRING, WHEEL BEARING, STEERING PUMP, REPLACE OUT-OF-ROUND TIRES). *TR

NHTSA ID
10330426
Incident
Apr 14, 2010
Mileage
100 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 28, 2009

NEW MODEL 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK ROOF RACK. THE MANUAL STATES IT IS UNSAFE TO TIE A LOAD DIRECTLY TO THE ROOF RACK AS IT MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF LOAD IF THIS IS TRUE -NOT EVERY ONE WILL BE AWARE OF THIS AND THERE WILL BE LOADS LOST. MORE SERIOUS - IT STATES ON PG 8-15 "DO NOT USE THE ROOF RAILS WHEN THE BARS ARE RESTORED". IN THE RESTORED POSITION THESE BARS LOOK LIKE MOST ROOF RACKS. THEY WILL BE USED TO CARRY LOADS. ONE END OF EACH BAR IS ONLY IN A PLASTIC HOLE WITH NO STRENGTH THERE IS NO DOUBT PEOPLE WILL BE UNAWARE AND LOADS WILL BE LOST ON THE HWY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10293771
Incident
Nov 28, 2009
Mileage
250 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .