2010 Subaru Forester vs 2010 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2010 Subaru Forester | 2010 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 262 | 360 |
| Recall campaigns | 17 | 18 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 229 | 310 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 21 | 12 |
| Fire reports | 6 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–22 | 20–24 |
| Median reported mileage | 68,000 mi | 80,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Forester | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 7 | 94 |
| Air Bags | 42 | 44 |
| Seats | 76 | 6 |
| Engine | 34 | 44 |
| Service Brakes | 28 | 35 |
| Electrical System | 13 | 33 |
| Steering | 5 | 41 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 35 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 18 | 29 |
| Check engine light | 14 | 13 |
| Stalling | 9 | 106 |
| Brake problems | 7 | 8 |
| Oil consumption | 6 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 5 | 15 |
| Overheating | 5 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 53 |
2010 Subaru Forester
2010 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Forester vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.