2010 Subaru Outback: check engine light

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 Aug 23, 2022 · Transmission · CA

Recently, while driving home in traffic, with the car in drive while braking, my car stalled in the middle of the road. Since then, it has happened 4 times. Upon breaking while the car is in Drive, the car stalls and Check Engine Light, Battery, Engine Oil, Oil Temp, AWD, and Traction Control Warning Light come on. When I shift the car into Park, turn off the car, and restart, the lights go away and the car runs smoothly. This is a huge safety concern when the car fails while I am actively driving and has almost caused accidents. I took the car to the dealership and they said that it needs a new torque converter (see Subaru Service Bulletin 16-90-13R . This is a huge safety liability and this issue should be recalled as the car stalling in the middle of traffic is dangerous.

Filed Jan 21, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · 121,000 miles · WI

Multiple times over the past 6 years I will be driving and if using my cruise it stops working and I have flashing lights , brake and cruise light flashes on and off, check engine and traction control light stay on. These lights stay on from 1 day to almost 2 weeks before they go out. I have had them checked many times by subaru dealer and other mechanic shops with no resolution except to clear the codes

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 Jan 8, 2018 · Transmission · 53,000 miles · CA

Complaint: subaru powertrain extended warranty is meaningless because my southern california dealer will not even look at my car to determine whether or not my frequent engine stall problem upon braking is due to a defective torque converter. Or some other cause. My 2010 subaru outback has had all recommended services and has only 53k miles. No check engine or other warning lights have turned on. Yesterday, the engine stalled at ten stops in a row and then every other stop til I got home. So far it has restarted but because the problem began only one week ago and is rapidly worsening, I am afraid the engine will soon fail to restart or will die while moving in traffic. My local mechanic will not look at the car because of the subaru extended warranty since they cannot fix it if it is the powertrain. I don't want to be the first fatality that eventually leads to a recall. Is there any way to have subaru recall for inspection cars experiencing frequent engine stall problems or other symptoms of bad torque converters to at least confirm or rule out a powertrain defect as the cause?

Filed Jul 17, 2017 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · ND

While driving at high way speeds engine warning lights began to flash on the dash board. Power loss occured. Pulled over and checked vehicle, waited 10 minutes, restarted vehicle and continued at reduced speed. Vehicle continued to flash lights and lose power with no warning but particularly on hills. Subaru delership in rapid city, south dakota advised us to continue home to saskatoon. Total failure on CVT with replacement cost estimated at $6000+ tax and labor. Wondering if this is the beginning of many such experiences as our year is one of the earliest models with this sealed CVT. No way to check any parts or service it as the unit is sealed.

Filed Jun 7, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 80,000 miles · CO

Software update required that is not cover by recall. If not updated, the check engine light, brake light, traction control, and cruse light blink.

Filed Jan 3, 2017 · Engine · 92,000 miles · CA

Driving and coming to a stop. At stop and engine idling, the engine misfires (stumbles) on occasion. It feels as though the engine will die, but then idles normally. This is intermittent and no engine light or fault code comes up. Dealer unable to correct because this has not happened when the car is taken in for service. I am afraid the car will stall in traffic. This has occurred over the last 3-4 years