I AM ON MY 4TH BATTERY IN 4 YEARS. THE BATTERY GOES DEAD VERY QUICKLY AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANT TELL ME WHY. THERE ALSO SEEM TO BE OTHER RANDOM ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT GO CRAZY AT RANDOM TIMES. THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN TRYING TO SET THE SPEED HIGHER WILL GO LOWER. THE WINDOWS WILL OCCASIONALLY NOT ROLL ALL THE WAY UP.
COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT
Subaru Outback electrical problems
2,277 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.
Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.
26 crash reports35 fire reports7 injury reports
Reports by model year
YearTopic reportsRecallsInvestigations
20265
00202512
00202416
00202317
20202251
40202175
402020258
602019363
302018265
302017391
412016309
412015127
51201432
100201323
120201237
161201167
160201033
180200923
130200834
80200720
80200642
70200528
9220048
10220037
14220024
4020013
3020008
1019998
1019986
2019974
4019961
20Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
4830–25K
23925–50K
14350–75K
8275–100K
83100–150K
41150K+
1,071 reports with mileage · 1,206 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What owners actually said
2,277 reportsTHE BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED AFTER ONLY 30 MINUTES OF TURNING CAR OFF. WE HAD TO HAVE A SERVICE CALL.
CONTINUED DRAIN ON THE BATTERY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. BATTERY DEAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS OLD.
CAR WOULDN'T START, DEAD BATTERY REQUIRING 4 JUMPS BY 9-10 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING NEW. RESULTED IN MULTIPLE STRANDINGS. NO KNOWN REASON FOR RECURRENT DEAD BATTERY.
MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO-START-STOP FEATURE. FROM THE BEGINNING THIS FEATURE WOULD ROUTINELY NOT FUNCTION, DISPLAYING THE ICON INDICATING AUTO START STOP WAS DISENGAGED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UTILIZE THIS FEATURE I LEARN TWO MORE DELIBERATELY HOLD DOWN FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND I COULD ENGAGE THIS FEAT…
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MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO-START-STOP FEATURE. FROM THE BEGINNING THIS FEATURE WOULD ROUTINELY NOT FUNCTION, DISPLAYING THE ICON INDICATING AUTO START STOP WAS DISENGAGED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UTILIZE THIS FEATURE I LEARN TWO MORE DELIBERATELY HOLD DOWN FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND I COULD ENGAGE THIS FEATURE AT TIMES. NINE TIMES OUT OF 10 THE AUTO START STOP FEATURE DOES NOT ENGAGE WHEN I STOP IN DRIVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR AT A STOP SIGN. VERY OFTEN, THE FEATURE TURNS OFF MY ENGINE AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTS WITH A RUMBLING OF THE ENGINE AND AN ABRUPT KICK TO THE STEERING WHEEL. EVEN WHEN THE FEATURE ENGAGES AND SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE AS EXPECTED, THE DURATION OF STOP MODE IS A LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN 20 SECONDS WHICH DEFEATS THE ORIGINAL INTENDED PURPOSE OF FUEL CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION. OCCASIONALLY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SUCH AS WHEN WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THE FEATURE DOES NOT ENGAGE AT FIRST STOP AND AFTER INCHING FORWARD AND READY TO MAKE THE TURN THIS FEATURE WELL ABRUPTLY STALL THE ENGINE AND STRAND ME MOMENTARILY IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OF MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK, I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY GLITCHES IN THE OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONICA SAFETY DEVICES. THE LATEST HAS BEEN RETURNING TO THE CAR AND FINDING THE BATTERY FULLY DISCHARGED DESPITE NOTHING BEING LEFT IN THE ON POSITION. YESTERDAY, AFTER FULLY CHARGING THE BATTERY, FOUR HOURS …
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IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OF MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK, I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY GLITCHES IN THE OPERATION OF THE ELECTRONICA SAFETY DEVICES. THE LATEST HAS BEEN RETURNING TO THE CAR AND FINDING THE BATTERY FULLY DISCHARGED DESPITE NOTHING BEING LEFT IN THE ON POSITION. YESTERDAY, AFTER FULLY CHARGING THE BATTERY, FOUR HOURS LATER THE BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE FULLY DRAINED. I BOOSTED THE CAR AND BEGAN TO DRIVE IT WHEN AT THE FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHT THE AUTO-START-STOP FEATURE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND I COULD NOT RE-START IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.
MY BATTERY HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE IT DRAINS EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS USED REGULARLY AND NOTHING IS LEFT ON. I HAVE HAD TO BE JUMPED SIX OR SEVEN TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND TOWED ONCE TO THE DEALERSHIP.
I HAVE A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. I BOUGHT IT 2019. I HAD THE CAR 2 WEEKS 7/2019 AND I DROVE IT 25 MINUTES TO TRAIN STATION. TURNED IT OFF AND TRIED TO START IT AND IT WAS DEAD. TOOK IT IN AND DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. ON SATURDAY 4/3/21 WENT TO START MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND IT WAS DEAD. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID I DONT …
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I HAVE A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. I BOUGHT IT 2019. I HAD THE CAR 2 WEEKS 7/2019 AND I DROVE IT 25 MINUTES TO TRAIN STATION. TURNED IT OFF AND TRIED TO START IT AND IT WAS DEAD. TOOK IT IN AND DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. ON SATURDAY 4/3/21 WENT TO START MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND IT WAS DEAD. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID I DONT DRIVE IT ENOUGH.
BATTERY IS DRAINED WHILE PARKED.
BATTERY DRAINS MUCH MORE QUICKLY THAN NORMAL. I HAVE REPLACED IT 3 TIMES IN 5 YEARS.
Related Official recalls
522V473000 · Electrical System:wiring; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm)
Jul 1, 2022
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Consequence: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
Electrical System:wiring
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Consequence: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
19V297000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Apr 11, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
18V773000 · Electrical System:software; Fuel System, Gasoline
Nov 1, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTW-82.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
Consequence: The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTW-82.
Fuel System, Gasoline
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. Due to a software error, the low fuel warning light may not illuminate at the intended remaining fuel level and the miles-to-empty display may incorrectly indicate a positive number despite the tank being empty.
Consequence: The inaccurate fuel display may cause a driver to unexpectedly run out of fuel and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the combination meter software, free of charge. The recall began February 20, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTW-82.
16V738000 · Electrical System
Oct 13, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
13V061000 · Electrical System; Equipment
Feb 25, 2013
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Equipment
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Electrical System
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Related NHTSA investigations
0No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.