2010 Subaru Outback: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Mar 12, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

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.

Filed Dec 12, 2020 · Electrical · 105,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Electrical · 168,775 miles · AZ

Cruise control, brake, check engine and vehicle dynamic control lights all come on while operating the vehicle.

Filed Jul 20, 2019 · Acceleration, Brakes · 120,000 miles · GA

While driving the check engine, cruise control, ABS, and vehicle dynamics control lights all came on. I later learned that a bad o2 sensor was the cause. It was raining and when I applied the brakes moderately firmly due to another car stopping hard in front of me, my car's brakes locked up and I slid on the wet pavement. Fortunately no accident occurred. After replacing the 02 sensor, the lights went off. Weeks later the same lights came on again due to what turned out to be a bad gas cap. When it was replaced, the lights went out. Now the other 02 sensor is intermittently going out, and it triggers the same lights. However I have been very surprised to learn that when these lights are on, those systems are disabled. It is astounding that safety is intentionally removed from a car due to a loose gas cap or bad 02 sensor.

Filed Nov 29, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 150,000 miles · AL

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.

Filed Aug 17, 2018 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Apr 6, 2015 · Electrical · 108,108 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jul 22, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 28,000 miles · WA

Followup to the federal safety agency id number: 10525592 the effected lot number is 0423sd (year 2010, april 23, location sd) this is different from the original effected location of 9x13a or earlier (oct 13, 2009, location a and earlier). Exhibits the same symptoms. Original complaint: vehicle paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control are intermittent and vol up and mute radio functions do not work on the steering column. This is very similar to the federal safety agency campaign number 10v283000. I will have the dealer provide the steering roll connector lot number to determine if my VIN has an older steering column on tues. My VIN is outside of the effected range of a*310001 to a*377827.

Filed Jul 18, 2013 · Steering · 27,000 miles · WA

Vehicle paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control are intermittent and vol up and mute radio functions do not work on the steering column. This is very similar to the federal safety agency campaign number 10v283000. I will have the dealer provide the steering roll connector lot number to determine if my VIN has an older steering column on tues. My VIN is outside of the effected range of a*310001 to a*377827.

Filed Jul 13, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 4,000 miles · CO

Sudden acceleration disabling the cruise control to slow down and then hitting the resume button caused the car to surge . The RPM increased from 2000 to 6000 RPM. This occurs whenever the set speed is 20mph greater than the current speed. The dealer could not correct this, claiming that the full acceleration is by design. Wide open throttle is not a good practice since it makes the car hard to control. What belongs on a race track not on a highway.

Filed Sep 3, 2009 · Brakes · 475 miles · NY

Abs, check engine, brake, vehicle stability and cruise control warning lights all came on and stayed on, as well as tapping noise. Dealer says it is defective ABS sensor. Vehicle has been in shop since august 25, 2009.