3.3

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,881 miles

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problem #21

Aug 262023

Outback

  • miles
2010 Outback Subframe or cradle Subaru OEM # 50527AJ01A is a vital safety component and as designed and installed completely supports the weight of the engine and transmission - I have excessive rust and Corrosion of sub frame. This should be a recall. A google search shows this is a common issue for this model. Please review my complaint

- West Milton, OH, USA

problem #20

Sep 152022

Outback

  • miles
My daughter was concerned with the car making strange squeaking sounds on turning and braking and so I met her where her car was parked in a lot and drove it for less than 1 minute and could tell something was very wrong and that it didn't seem safe to drive home. My husband came to check as well and zeroed in on the problem being the front driver's side tire/suspension. Fortunately the Subaru dealership was less than.5 away and my husband drove it there (with flashers on). It was determined by the dealership that the subframe had rusted through (we have photos uploaded below) and a new one was ordered and replaced within the week. The materials and labor for that alone cost $1944.37. Control arm bushings, rear toe arms, and alignment were also completed. The total cost of the repair was $3281.14.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #19

Sep 152022

Outback

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his daughter was reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle was making an abnormal clicking sound. The contact's daughter was able to continue driving; however, the suspension was not stable. The contact and his wife test drove the vehicle and noticed that the suspension was unstable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front subframe was severely corroded. The dealer diagnosed that the subframe, bushings, and the rear toe links needed to be replaced; and an alignment needed to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #18

Mar 182022

Outback

  • miles
I-??m driving down the road and I hit a bump, then I go to brake and veers left, I take to my mechanic he says the my subframe cracked, car is not safe to drive, he says it happens a lot

- Hopewell Jct, NY, USA

problem #17

Aug 262021

Outback

  • miles
Subframe or cradle Subaru OEM # 50527AJ01A is a vital safety component (see dealer's written comments below) and as designed and installed completely supports the weight of the engine and transmission - rust and corrosion per mechanics at 3 different garages (Mickey's, Weber, Ganley Subaru) advised vehicle is unsafe to drive due to subframe corrosion and imminent failure. Corrosion of sub frame and its welds are very extreme for low mileage 102,000 Quoting Ganley Subaru dealer in North Olmsted, Ohio in writing (vehicle originally purchase there by me the current owner): "A damaged sub frame puts everyone in the vehicle at risk. During a collision the subframe is responsible for absorbing and evenly distributing the forces from impact. If damaged the sub frame cannot distribute the impact causing a complete collapse of the vehicle." I called Subaru customer service/advocacy department on October 22, 2021 and was told there were no recalls or warranty on this part and I would bear the complete cost of repair and replacement almost $5,000 for subframe and steering rack and pinion. I have pictures and video's I also have requested the dealer return the subframe to me after repair and replacement. Picture attached is just one small length of the subframe the entire length of which on both the driver and passenger sides and on both sides of the frame show complete failure due to corrosion

- North Olmsted, OH, USA

problem #16

Jan 262021

Outback

  • 268,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the passenger's side control arm and ECM had malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing a control arm and ECM to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 268,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #15

Jul 232020

Outback

  • miles
This 2010 Subaru Outback has only 69000 miles on it and it has several rusted rot spots on the sub frame, the axles and other front end components also have layers of rust suggesting the stability of those parts is also compromised. It is disappointing that this has happened to this vehicle with so few miles on the odometer.

- Buxton, ME, USA

problem #14

Feb 042019

Outback

  • 150,000 miles
Extreme shimmy / vibration in front end cause steering wheel to shimmy aggressively. This experience started about 2 months ago, the car has aprpoximately 150K miles. When driving car over 40 miles an hour the entire front end shakes like a very out of balance tire or the feeling of a warped rotor when braking. The shimmy can be seen in the steering wheel bouncing, and felt through the floor and seats.tires and brakes have been inspected and there is no problem. Upon searching the internet I see this is common problem. Why is this no a recall? I am fearful of driving this vehicle.

- Wittenberg, WI, USA

problem #13

Apr 102019

Outback

  • 142,000 miles
My 2010 Subaru Outback K-frame and A-frame rotted out, affecting my steering, my breaking and my ability to control my steering. This caused a very dangerous safety issue. I notified Subaru and they informed me there were no recalls on the K-frame of this year's vehicle, although there had been for the rear sub-frame on this vehicle. Also, Subaru wanted $1400 to repair the sub-frame, so I went to a salvage yard and discovered that all but two of the sub-frames in the salvage yard were all rotted in the same areas. This leads me to believe that the sub-frame should be reported as a safety issue; as if the sub-frame fails at the A-frame, you will lose steering and braking ability. My father was the first and only other owner of this vehicle and it was undercoated by the manufacturer when it was bought--yet it still rotted out.

- Union City, PA, USA

problem #12

Sep 072017

Outback

  • 100,000 miles
Vehicle has vibrations increasing with speed. Most noticeable at 60mph and above and they have been getting worse. The car will also occasionally veer off to the right during braking. Took car to dealership for an inspection and was told that Subaru had issues with the suspension that year and that the suspension was upgraded in subsequent years. I was told that it would cost me $2000 if I wanted to upgrade the suspension, but that it wasn't a safety issue if I continued to drive the car.

- Kirkland, WA, USA

problem #11

Dec 242016

Outback

  • miles
2015 Subaru Outback. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement for vehicle repairs. The consumer stated the rear bearings were gone at 65,000 miles. The purchased tired wer bald at 25,000 miles. The consumer believes this should be covered under warranty.

- Somers, NY, USA

problem #10

Mar 042014

Outback

  • miles
Model year has under sized brakes for the vehicle weight, ( rotors quickly warp ) #2 in the absence of surface rust, front sub frame rotting away. Got rid of car after just installing new set michellin tires, brakes, rotors and detailing. Had I known!!! how discovered; stationary, looking for source of strange noise under neath upon stoping and starting in traffic.

- Flagler Beach, FL, USA

problem #9

Apr 012013

Outback

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, a warning message illuminated, advising the contact to move the vehicle off the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that all four struts would need replacing. The contact stated that all four struts had been previously repairs prior to the failure occurring. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 11/29/13 the consumer stated the above description is wrong. At 58,00 miles the vehicle had a 60,00 mile service, and it was determined all of the struts needed Subaru reimbursed the consumer for the repairs. Updated 12/2/13

- Norwalk, CT, USA

problem #8

Apr 012011

Outback 6-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
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.

- Sandy, UT, USA

problem #7

Sep 022011

Outback 4-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
While driving downhill in the summer on a dry road at around 60 mph the steering wheel excessively begin to vibrate/shake around 55mph and higher speeds left to right and right to left excessively. The vibration/shaking was almost uncontrollable as if it were on black ice. The vibration only became controllable if I slowed down. This shaking/vibration only seems to occur at higher speeds and occurs quite often.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 052010

Outback

  • 2,000 miles
About two months after purchasing my 2010 2.5I Outback with the cvt I noticed a sway on the highway when traveling around 80 mph. The car feels to drift from side to side (almost snake like) when driving straight. I asked the local service department if they were aware of any issues and they said no, but would take a look. They found nothing to be incorrect yet the car continues to sway at higher speeds. It feels as if it would benefit from an upgraded front and rear sway bar to tie the lengthier vehicle together a bit more. I would purchase these myself but don't want to void the lease warranty and really feel that Subaru should provide and install these for free since multiple people seem to have the same or similar issue.

- Throop, PA, USA

problem #5

Mar 042010

Outback

  • 50 miles
1. no events leading up to the failure as it is a brand new car and has been evident from the very beginning. 2. steering wheel vibrates at highway speeds between 70 and 75 mph. It occurs all the time at those speeds. Consequences are that it is very distracting and also causes numbness in hand and arm on long trips. 3. tires were balanced and rotated by dealer, but problem was not resolved.

- Beechville, Nova Scotia, 00, USA

problem #4

Apr 142010

Outback

  • 100 miles
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).

- The Dalles, OR, USA

problem #3

Mar 282010

Outback

  • 1,700 miles
Starting from 1,700 miles, this car started developing the vibration on the steering wheel. This vibration/shimmy is more pronounced on highway (>70mph) but noticeable in other speeds. I have owned a couple of vehicles and this kind of shimmy/vibration has never happened on any cars that I owned/drove. I am 100% sure it is not normal road feel and it didn't happen during the first 1,700 miles. Also, the car doesn't track straight and drifts on highway. Two alignments, tire balancing and rotation have been done but the vibration and drifting persist. I definitely consider the steering wheel vibration and drifting a safety issue since it totally isolated the road feel on highway. Also, I just can't seem to have a confident control on the car during highway driving. Recently I came across the following forum for Subaru Outback owners and found this is a widespread issue for quite a few 2010 Outbacks. Please refer to the following thread. www.subaruoutback.org/forums/showthread.php?S=&threadid=20843&perpage=20&pagenumber=1.

- Richmond Hill, 00, USA

problem #2

Dec 152009

Outback

  • 250 miles
Brand new 2010 Subaru Outback has a shimmy problem. The steering wheel shimmies and when making a wide turn, often the steering feels like you hit an ice patch, even tho the road is dry. Subaru is and was aware of these problems before production, and sold them anyway.

- Erie, PA, USA

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