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2010 Subaru Outback: engine overheating

5 of the 360 complaints about the 2010 Subaru Outback describe engine overheating.

owner complaints
5
of this car's complaints
1%
typical mileage
93,770
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 32 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

  • 2025
    2
  • 2024
    2
  • 2023
    2
  • 2022
    3
  • 2021
    2
  • 2020
    5
  • 2019
    1
  • 2018
    2
  • 2016
    2
  • 2015
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    6
  • 2012
    4
  • 2011
    16
  • 2010
    5
  • 2008
    1
  • 2007
    1
  • 2006
    2
  • 2005
    1
  • 2004
    3
  • 2003
    3
  • 2002
    2
  • 2001
    3
  • 2000
    8
  • 1999
    7
  • 1998
    16
  • 1997
    10
  • 1996
    3

What owners say

Filed Oct 26, 2020 · Engine · 112,000 miles · OH

Failed head gasket. This should not have failed at around 112k. This is a 2.5 litre 4 cylinder engine. Engine started to overheat. I believe this is a recurring problem with this car.

Filed Oct 25, 2018 · Engine · 93,770 miles · CA

From 2010 - 2014, subaru removed engine temp. Guage from dash so there is no way to monitor high normal temps of engine. At only 93,770 miles, my 2010 outback 2.5l dash coolant light flickered on a slight downhill. I had never had an engine or transmission issue with this car in over 8 years! Turns out coolant was low due to it overheating and boiling out. Turns out it was the beginning of a head gasket failure! I could have ended up stranded on the side of a hilly road, with a blown engine! Subaru has not fixed their chronic hg failure issue!!! To verify/replicate the overheating, I turned on the A/C and took a 20 mile out and back on a hilly portion of the 5 fwy in northern ca at thebend of summer, 2018.

Filed May 16, 2018 · Engine · 220,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 subaru outback. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle started to overheat and the coolant temperature warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that there was fuel leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to vic bailey mazda subaru (400 e daniel morgan ave, spartanburg, sc 29302, (864) 568-3338) where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2016 · Engine · 72,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 subaru outback. The contact stated that the vehicle's temperature gauge was abnormally high and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the temperature gauge needed to be replaced and more coolant needed to be added. The vehicle was repaired however the vehicle overheated while driving. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the both head gaskets had blown, the radiator was cracked, and the water pump had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2015 · Engine · 85,725 miles · CA

The head gaskets need to be replaced at 85,000. The car was being driven and the overheat light went on. I pulled over and turned off the engine. Took the car into service and was told that the head gaskets need to be replaced, short block replaced and other related engine parts. A head gasket issue should not be happening at 85k miles on any car, but especially a subaru whose representation is about dependability and ruggedness.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittingsReported May 7, 2010 · 29,443 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 outback and legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from july 31 through december 1, 2009. A crack or split can occur in the CVT cooler hose resulting in a fluid leak.
Risk
If the fluid is completely leaked during driving, the vehicle will come to a stop, possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy
Subaru will notify owners and dealers will replace any affected cooler hoses free of charge. The safety recall began on june 8, 2010. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-subaru3 (1‑800‑782‑2783).

Recall number 10V196000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2010 Subaru Outback overheating

Is engine overheating a common problem on the 2010 Subaru Outback?

5 of 360 owner complaints about the 2010 Subaru Outback (1%) mention engine overheating. The model year with the most reports is 1998.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2010 Subaru Outback?

There is 1 recall and 32 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2010 Subaru Outback

Stalling 94Headlights 37CVT failure 24Shudder 18Check engine light 15Adaptive cruise 11Hesitation 11Airbag light 10Brake failure 10Power steering loss 10Transmission failure 10Loss of power 8Jerking 6Sudden acceleration 6Grinding brakes 5Pulling 5Warning lights 5

All model years of the Subaru Outback

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