Subaru Outback 2010–2014
4th generation (BR)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20262,378 complaints, 1,698 with mileageMethod
On this generation, 24% of failures fall within the first 12,000 miles — a rate roughly 4 times higher than during the rest of the car's life.
- First 12,000 miles — 24% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 19 complaints (1.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,174
- 25%
- 13,725
- Median
- 66,600
- 75%
- 110,871
- 90%
- 142,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 289 | 17.0% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 86 | 5.1% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 56 | 3.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 32 | 1.9% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 48 | 2.8% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 37 | 2.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 48 | 2.8% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 37 | 2.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 46 | 2.7% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 43 | 2.5% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 44 | 2.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 26 | 1.5% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 44 | 2.6% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 41 | 2.4% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 57 | 3.4% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 42 | 2.5% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 53 | 3.1% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 40 | 2.4% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 64 | 3.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 33 | 1.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 49 | 2.9% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 45 | 2.7% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 57 | 3.4% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 47 | 2.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 57 | 3.4% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 33 | 1.9% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 45 | 2.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 15 | 0.9% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 24 | 1.4% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 27 | 1.6% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 32 | 1.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 20 | 1.2% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 12 | 0.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 12 | 0.7% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 8 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 10 | 0.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 7 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 19 | 1.1% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,378 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2014 Subaru Outback, and 1,698 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
24% of failures fall within the first 12,000 miles — a rate roughly 4 times higher than during the rest of the car's life. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (21.1% of complaints, typically around 106,000 miles), the engine (11.8% of complaints, typically around 88,000 miles), the airbag system (10.1% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
25 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Transmission and driveline106,000median 105,544 miles, middle half 70,000 to 128,000
- Engine88,000median 88,000 miles, middle half 43,000 to 120,000
- Airbag system40,000median 40,000 miles, middle half 9,000 to 67,000
- Electrical system64,000median 64,000 miles, middle half 24,000 to 97,000
- Exterior lighting55,000median 55,350 miles, middle half 24,000 to 84,000
- Brakes76,000median 76,275 miles, middle half 40,000 to 120,000
- Steering2,000median 1,800 miles, middle half 250 to 20,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 501 | 21.1% | 106,000 | 70,000–128,000 |
| Engine | 281 | 11.8% | 88,000 | 43,000–120,000 |
| Airbag system | 241 | 10.1% | 40,000 | 9,000–67,000 |
| Electrical system | 192 | 8.1% | 64,000 | 24,000–97,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 185 | 7.8% | 55,000 | 24,000–84,000 |
| Brakes | 181 | 7.6% | 76,000 | 40,000–120,000 |
| Steering | 139 | 5.8% | 2,000 | 250–20,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 127 | 5.3% | 90,000 | 53,000–130,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 86 | 3.6% | 31,000 | 8,000–73,000 |
| Suspension | 72 | 3.0% | 3,500 | 500–50,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 66,600 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 21.1% of complaints (501 reports, 412 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 105,544 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 70,000 and 128,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 11.8% of complaints (281 reports, 206 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 88,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 43,199 and 120,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 10.1% of complaints (241 reports, 97 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 40,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,832 and 67,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.1% of complaints (192 reports, 143 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 64,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 24,000 and 97,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 7.8% of complaints (185 reports, 141 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,350 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 24,000 and 84,000 miles.
The brakes account for 7.6% of complaints (181 reports, 116 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 76,275 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,356 and 120,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2011 model year drew the most — 857 complaints — while 2014 drew the fewest at 276. The median year sits at 408.
That makes 2011 an outlier: roughly 2.1 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 25 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (11), visibility equipment (3), the transmission and driveline (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 2,378 complaints filed against this generation, 137 reported a crash; 38 reported a fire; 84 reported an injury; 2 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 5.8% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 24% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 88,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Transmission 2010–2014
Lineartronic CVT (TR580) chain, valve body and torque converter lock-up faults producing shudder, judder and failure. Subaru extended CVT coverage to 10 years / 100,000 miles on MY2010-2015 Legacy and Outback (up from 5 years / 60,000 miles) with reimbursement for prior repairs, and issued TSB 16-90-13R revising the lock-up torque converter on 2010-2012 cars.
Engine 2013–2014
FB25 excessive oil consumption from the low-tension piston ring design; subject of a class-action settlement covering certain FB-engine vehicles.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 469 | 363 |
| 2011 | 857 | 606 |
| 2012 | 368 | 249 |
| 2013 | 408 | 279 |
| 2014 | 276 | 201 |
Recalls (25)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V003000 | 2020-01-07 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 20V002000 | 2020-01-07 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 20V001000 | 2020-01-07 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V626000 | 2019-07-19 | Parking Brake |
| 19V297000 | 2019-05-10 | Electrical System:ignition:switch |
| 19V009000 | 2019-01-25 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 19V008000 | 2019-01-25 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 19V007000 | 2019-01-25 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V013000 | 2018-02-09 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V012000 | 2018-02-09 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 17V014000 | 2017-03-06 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 16V694000 | 2016-10-25 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor |
| 16V358000 | 2016-07-22 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 13V336000 | 2013-08-13 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 13V194000 | 2013-05-14 | Steering:column |
| 13V061000 | 2013-04-22 | Equipment |
| 13V078000 | 2013-02-22 | Visibility/Wiper |
| 13V077000 | 2013-02-22 | Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly |
| 12V602000 | 2013-02-19 | Exterior Lighting |
| 12V047000 | 2012-02-21 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 11V562000 | 2011-12-05 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals and Linkages |
| 11V467000 | 2011-10-17 | Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly |
| 10V326000 | 2010-07-28 | Power Train:manual Transmission |
| 10V283000 | 2010-07-07 | Steering:column |
| 10V196000 | 2010-06-08 | Engine and Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings |
What owners reported
Purchased brand-new Subaru Outback-3.6 Limited in late march 2010. At time of delivery (prior to signing papers), i notified the dealer of steering vibration. The dealer assured me that this was due to the need for the tires to break-in and to call service if it continued. The vehicle only had 3 miles on delivery. The…
2010 · 3 miles · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The headlights fail while driving without warning. When the he headlights are operative, they poorly project light onto the road-way. As a consequence she cannot see signs, parked vehicles and pedestrians. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The technician…
2010 · 5 miles · Exterior lighting
Serious vibration problems in 2010 Subaru Outback. Upon delivery, would say it was dangerous at anything over 45mph. After multiple fixes, is now down to a much more moderate vibration, most notable at 65-70mph in the steering wheel. The steering wheel oscillates over approx a 1/8" range, with a period of around 3…
2010 · 5 miles · Steering
I purchased Subaru Outback 2.5I premium on 09/23/2009 and noticed a steering wheel vibration above 50 MPH speed 1st day. Called dealer and scheduled appointment for 09/25/2009. They rebalanced tires, and it did not have a vibration under 80mph. About month latter, i noticed vibration around 70 MPH, and i called a…
2010 · 10 miles · Steering
Built from 1,698 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page