2010 Subaru Outback Subaru Outback 2010

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2010 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area

Engine (25%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (17%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (15%)

Other (6%)

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Chart based on 346 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2010 Subaru Outback.

2010 Subaru Outback electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (5%)

$500 - $999 (5%)

$100 - $499 (26%)

< $100 (63%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 73 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2010 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 148hp 2.0L H4 Diesel 6-speed manual AWD

114700 mi Takata airbag recall work, general service and water leak 
11780 mi Key failed. Problem is circuit board disengages from buttons. Dealer reports at least 10 vehicles with same problem. 

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2010 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

256-horsepower 3.6L H6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

76340 mi

C $150
Changed the battery 
1860 mi Satellite radio will only tune a few stations 
3100 mi Replaced front module for Audio, CD, DVD Sat radio system 
105200 mi

US $80
One headlight out. because of difficulty, decided to have dealer replace both bulbs. 
64200 mi

US $275
Volume switch and radio mode switch on steering wheel failed. Required replacing BOTH sets of switches (an assembly with a single part number) and $275. 
132000 mi

US $48
Headlights replaced 
65000 mi Puddle lights went out and the entire unit was replaced at no charge. 
41800 mi

US $130
Passenger window stopped working - just after warranty! The dealership gave me 50% off parts and free labor to replace the window regulator. 
4000 mi The dealer had an after-market nav-audio system installed at time of purchase. The steering wheel volume control ceased to function and a private automobile company repaired it at the dealer's expense. 
7000 mi Oil light on despite normal oil level. Turned off by mechanic. Problem has not recurred in the ensuing week. 
15000 mi Cigarette lighter will not work. They repaired it, but it stopped working as soon as I drove off the lot. 
17600 mi lighter repaired again. Have not used it since, so I don't know if it is still working. 
45000 mi

US $1
A/C stopped working 
51000 mi

US $90
Remote keys stopped working. Still not resolved. 
72900 mi

US $110
New head light bulb 
87300 mi

US $85
AC Blowing warm air. Low on refrigerant. No leak was detected. Added dye and refilled. 
89000 mi

US $497
Slow Leak in condenser, located with dye. Replaced condenser, cleaned lines, recharged A/C. 
24000 mi Steering wheel buttons would not work or would work intermittently. 
37300 mi Key not working 
35000 mi No sound from speakers 
7000 mi Navigation system lockup 
26000 mi Navigation system locks up. 

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2010 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed shiftable CVT AWD

105000 mi

US $1800
Stereo logic not working with ipod 
55000 mi rear power window straining and int failure, motor replaced under extended warranty 
117800 mi

C $20
Passenger side headlight bulb replacement 
93000 mi

US $350
Also right front headlight. 
47900 mi

US $200
remote starter quit working. Nav quit working. Audio quit working. DIC quit working. Puddle lights quit working. 
50800 mi

US $1200
the nav audio headlights dome lights and puddle lights went out. Now the key receptacle ring flashes red. Claimed the computer went out. 
41580 mi

C $50
Headlight replacement 
54000 mi Passenger seat motor 
60000 mi

US $1000
Had to replace both Alternator and Battery. 
64900 mi

US $1000
battery drained, checked battery condition was perfect. Dealer said the output from the alternator is not consistent and recommended changing battery and alternator. Which I did. 
54000 mi Dealer replaced headlights 
130000 mi

US $600
Window motor dead 
97000 mi

US $107
2010 original equipment battery wore out. 
89000 mi Passenger seat airbag sensor 
90000 mi Passenger seat airbag sensor 
99760 mi

C $800
AC not cold. Pump cyclying on off. 
122760 mi

C $50
A/C sealant and recharge 
141000 mi Recall repair for passenger airbag 
39300 mi

US $100
Dash lights were out and electronic door opener were not working consistently 
39000 mi

US $15
In the past month, the low beam, brake light and tail light all burned out at different times. I am hoping that this is not going to be an ongoing issue, but wanted others to be aware. To replace head light, the inner fender must be removed 
50000 mi

US $34
Headlights again burned out. Was told to use less wattage bulbs. Lasted about 5000 miles. Had center section of dash lights and fans all go out until I started the car again and has been fine since. Steering wheel volume not always working. 
22000 mi Headlight bulb - replaced by Dealer under warranty 
28500 mi Rear tag lights - bulb replacement and/or connection repair. Rear Tag lights - bulb replacement and/or connection repair 
41200 mi

US $50
Condensor-to-Evaporator line leaking - replaced line 
92000 mi

US $50
Power Lock actuator failed - replaced. 
89300 mi

US $200
200 dollars to replace the headlight bulbs, Ouch. 
23000 mi Air bag light stayed on. Reset module and hasn't been on since. 
20000 mi The "low" setting on the driver's seat warmer did not always work. Looses wiring harness was corrected at no cost to us. 
6000 mi

US $180
Have a harmon Kardon system, no Navigation. Noticed front driver side door speaker sounded blown (i.e. intermittent sound, lots of static, no bass), possibly from loose connection. Dealer replaced speaker under warranty. 
32000 mi

US $45
Low bulb 
1000 mi When vehicle was purchased there was a slight popping noise coming from the rear speakers even with the radio off. The dealership tried new head unit and chasing wires. Still waiting to get fixed. 
7500 mi Tire pressure monitoring light came on and would not go off even after checking tire pressure. Took to dealer who checked tire pressure again and turned off light with computer. Will wait and see if the problem recurrs or not.  
47000 mi Passenger airbag fails to detect weight of person less than 120 lbs or less. Was not an issue for first 4 years of ownership yet dealership and SOA says that the airbag sensor is working as designed and fail to repair under extended warrant 
77000 mi Air bag replaced as part of major recall 
17100 mi Heater / AC fan bearing going. New one ordered, to be installed August 8. 
32000 mi Puddle light shorted out. Part of a string of 14 electrical components wired to a single fuse. The dealer removed the faulty light and ordered a replacement. Unfortunately, the replacement was the wrong bulb, and we are still awaiting the correct one.  
117180 mi power passenger seat works intermittently power passenger seat control worked intermittently cruise control switch on steering wheel worked intermittently 
64000 mi

US $100
Replace Low Beam Headlight.  
13000 mi intermittent GPS/audio system problems: screen "auto" dimming doesn't work so sometimes bright at night, too dim during day; also bluetooth works erratically 
15000 mi bluetooth controls not effective at answering or ending phone calls. dealer replaced steering wheel controls. Took three trips: first reported problem; second time reported problem and they ordered part; third trip was for install of part 
23500 mi Car wouldn't start or come out of park. Couldn't lock doors. Dealer says bad elec key code sensor. Had to be flatbed-towed to dealer. Subaru roadside assist covered tow, but I had to wait 25 mins on hold just for them to answer my call). July visit described above turned out to be bad battery. Battery replaced under warranty. 
43200 mi Bluetooth connectivity problems, steering wheel phone control problems. Wonky system. Solution tends to be non-intuitive commands. 
96100 mi

C $350
after noisy start, replace starter 
36580 mi

C $33
Fog light bulb replacement. $33 labor. 
40580 mi

C $50
Headlight bulb replacement. Didn't realize we were supposed to report these. This is probably the 4th time I've had to get a lightbulb replaced in my headlight. 
81840 mi drivers headlight bulb needed replacing 
84246 mi

C $97
Passenger headlight brake light 

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2010 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 6-speed manual AWD

10000 mi Electrical connector in steering column replaced. 
69440 mi

C $100
Had to change drivers side headlight bulb. Labourious process. 
76880 mi

C $500
Leak in AC pipe repaired + recharge/refill 
55700 mi

US $50
Headlights out 
16000 mi Brake light burned out and replaced. 
29760 mi

C $650
left headlight blew at about 46,000 km, was replaced during maintenance right headlight died in the week after routine maintenance, fixed the day the steering fluid hose was replaced. 
38020 mi

C $200
Headlights both burned out 
71300 mi

C $180
Both main headlights were blown (even though they were long-life, and replaced in 2015), so we just replaced with regular this time, and resigned ourselves to this car being mysteriously tough on light bulbs. 
51000 mi

US $67
center electronic board shorted out in the snow. AC and Radio and clock not working. 
3000 mi A/C not as cool as it should be. R-134 added. 
75000 mi

US $171
Steering wheel controls stopped working. They had to order a special under-dash module to correct the issue, $170 for the part and two hours of labor. Thankfully I still had the CPO extended warranty. Also needed an alignment. 

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2010 Subaru Outback Electrical Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2010 Subaru Outback problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.