Recall 10V283 affects 73,698 2010 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles for steering roll connector wiring cracks. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 73,698 2010 Outback and Legacy vehicles because wiring in the steering column electrical roll connector behind the steering wheel can crack and break. If that happens, the driver's frontal airbag, horn, cruise control, paddle shifter, or radio controls can fail to operate as intended, increasing crash risk; the Subaru dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The steering column electrical roll connector on the 2010 Subaru Outback and Legacy sits behind the steering wheel. Its job is to keep steering wheel wiring connected while the wheel turns, so electrical signals still pass between the wheel and the vehicle.
On affected vehicles, the wiring inside that connector is exposed to repeated movement as the steering wheel is turned during normal driving. That movement creates stress in the wires. Over time, the wiring develops stress cracks and eventually breaks, which stops some connected electrical components from operating as intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first clue is an electrical feature tied to the steering wheel no longer working correctly, even though the vehicle has not shown an earlier symptom.
Who's affected?
Both models are tied to the steering column issue; the VIN decides whether a specific vehicle is included.
| 2010 Subaru Outback | steering column |
|---|---|
| 2010 Subaru Legacy | steering column |
| Units affected | 73,698 |
A matching 2010 Subaru Outback or Legacy does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
A steering roll connector fault can interrupt the driver's frontal airbag, paddle shifters, cruise control, horn, or radio controls. Loss of those controls increases crash risk, especially if the horn or airbag is not available when needed. Schedule the recall inspection soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Subaru dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010 Subaru Outback or Legacy is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to ask for the steering roll connector inspection that addresses cracked wiring behind the steering wheel.
- Ask the dealer whether the roll connector needs replacement after the lot-number check. The recall service is free.
- Call Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 with questions and reference recall number 10V283.
- Drive with extra caution until the inspection is complete, since the driver air bag, horn, cruise control, paddle shifter, or radio controls can stop working as intended.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician checks the lot number on the steering roll connector behind the steering wheel. If the lot number falls within the affected range, the technician replaces the roll connector with a new one. The recall service is free, and Subaru began the safety recall on July 7, 2010. Ask the Subaru service desk to confirm the repair status for your VIN before the appointment.
Timeline
| June 24, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 7, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V283?
Recall 10V283 covers 73,698 2010 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles with a steering column roll connector wiring defect. The wiring can develop stress cracks and break, affecting the driver frontal airbag, paddle shifter, cruise control, horn, or radio functions and increasing crash risk. Subaru dealers inspect the roll connector and replace it for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2010 Subaru Outback or Legacy is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 10V283. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the steering roll connector inspection. The dealer will replace the connector for free if its lot number is in the affected range.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. Subaru dealers will inspect the steering roll connector and replace it free of charge if the connector lot number falls within the affected range.
What is the safety risk in recall 10V283?
The safety risk is that steering column wiring can crack and break. If that happens, the driver frontal airbag, paddle shifter, cruise control, horn, or radio functions can fail to operate as intended, increasing crash risk. The dealer inspection and needed replacement are free.
What if I bought my 2010 Subaru Outback or Legacy used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor open safety recalls regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Subaru is included, then reference recall 10V283 when you call a franchised Subaru dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V283000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-800-782-2783 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V283 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V283000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →