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

Recall 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

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 reports
2017 model year · 32,000 miles · May 11, 2021
Electrical System

SOMETIMES THE BATTERY GOES DEAD FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, WITH THE MOST RECENT EVENT OCCURRING TODAY (MAY 10, 2021). IT COULD OCCUR AFTER I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT FOR A DAY OR IN THE MIDST OF A ROAD TRIP AFTER I'VE STOPPED FOR LUNCH AND IT WON'T RESTART. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 2 TIMES…

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SOMETIMES THE BATTERY GOES DEAD FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, WITH THE MOST RECENT EVENT OCCURRING TODAY (MAY 10, 2021). IT COULD OCCUR AFTER I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT FOR A DAY OR IN THE MIDST OF A ROAD TRIP AFTER I'VE STOPPED FOR LUNCH AND IT WON'T RESTART. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 2 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR (USED) IN 2019.

NHTSA ODI #11416136

2017 model year · 52,000 miles · May 11, 2021
Electrical System

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE, ONGOING BATTERY DRAIN INCIDENTS, REPLACING THE BATTERY TWICE IN ONE YEAR (MOST RECENTLY). WE ARE LEFT STRANDED REPEATEDLY AND MUST JUMP THE CAR FOR IT TO START. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHERS. THE INCIDENTS HAPPEN SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY. IT IS WORKING FINE, THEN YOU GO…

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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE, ONGOING BATTERY DRAIN INCIDENTS, REPLACING THE BATTERY TWICE IN ONE YEAR (MOST RECENTLY). WE ARE LEFT STRANDED REPEATEDLY AND MUST JUMP THE CAR FOR IT TO START. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHERS. THE INCIDENTS HAPPEN SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY. IT IS WORKING FINE, THEN YOU GO BACK TO GET IN IT AND IT WON'T START. SOMETIMES, WHEN YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO START IT, THE BACK HATCH WILL MAKE A SOUND/MOTION. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT! AFTER 4 YEARS OF THIS, WE ARE BEYOND FRUSTRATED. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE ON THE ROAD BY MYSELF. MOST OWNERS HAVE TAKEN TO KEEPING A BATTERY JUMPER WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES. RIDICULOUS.

NHTSA ODI #11416120

2016 model year · 78,000 miles · May 11, 2021
Electrical System

REPEATED FAILURE TO START STEMMING FROM A DEAD BATTERY, DESPITE DAILY OR MORE OFTEN TRIPS. WHEN PARKED TEMPORARILY TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL, THE CAR FAILED TO START. RECEIVED A 'JUMP' TO RESTART. WILL MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE BATTERY (OR WHATEVER SERVICE THEY OFFER) FOR THE THIRD BATTERY IN LE…

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REPEATED FAILURE TO START STEMMING FROM A DEAD BATTERY, DESPITE DAILY OR MORE OFTEN TRIPS. WHEN PARKED TEMPORARILY TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL, THE CAR FAILED TO START. RECEIVED A 'JUMP' TO RESTART. WILL MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE BATTERY (OR WHATEVER SERVICE THEY OFFER) FOR THE THIRD BATTERY IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS. BATTERY IS DISCHARGING BEFORE MY EYES; VOLT METER ON THE BATTERY SHOWS A DECREASE OF 0.01VOLTS/PER 10 SECONDS.

NHTSA ODI #11416152

2017 model year · 47,000 miles · May 10, 2021
Electrical System

MY BATTERY HAS SEEMED WEAK FOR OVER A YEAR. ON A ROUTINE SERVICE, I HAD ASKED SUBARU OF SANTA FE TO INSPECT MY BATTERY. IT CHECKED OUT AS GOOD. YET, EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR, IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THE STARTER WAS LABORING WITH A DRAINED BATTERY. OF LATE I HAVE HAD TO JUMPSTART THE CAR A FEW TIMES, EVEN. I TOOK IT FOR INSPECTION…

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MY BATTERY HAS SEEMED WEAK FOR OVER A YEAR. ON A ROUTINE SERVICE, I HAD ASKED SUBARU OF SANTA FE TO INSPECT MY BATTERY. IT CHECKED OUT AS GOOD. YET, EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR, IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THE STARTER WAS LABORING WITH A DRAINED BATTERY. OF LATE I HAVE HAD TO JUMPSTART THE CAR A FEW TIMES, EVEN. I TOOK IT FOR INSPECTION TODAY TO AUTO ZONE, TO SEE IF I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND DID NOT NEED REPLACEMENT. I LOOKED UP THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. SURE ENOUGH, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A LEGAL SUITE REGARDING AN IDENTICAL ISSUE FOR THE SAME YEAR MSKE AND MODEL CAR AS MINE. THE BATTERY HAS NEVER DIED WHILE THE CAR IS IN OPERATION OR MOVING, BUT ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE VEHICLE IS STRANDED IN A REMOTE OR UNSAFE LOCATION. TO MY KNOWLEDGE,

NHTSA ODI #11416021

2017 model year · 60,000 miles · May 10, 2021
Electrical System

THE CAR DRAINS BATTERY RAPIDLY OVERNIGHT. THE IDLE CURRENT IS ABOUT 2 AMPS WHICH IS ABNORMAL

NHTSA ODI #11415980

2017 model year · 57,000 miles · May 10, 2021
Electrical System

THE BATTERY IS PREMATURELY DRAINING AND THIS HAS LEFT US STRANDED AND REQUIRING A JUMP START. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY. THE OEM BATTER FAILED AFTER 18 MONTHS. THE NEW BATTERY (WITH A 5 YEAR WARRANTY) HAS NOW FAILED AFTER ANOTHER 14 MONTHS. THIS IS NOT DUE TO LEAVING A LIGHT ON OR A DOOR OPEN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT …

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THE BATTERY IS PREMATURELY DRAINING AND THIS HAS LEFT US STRANDED AND REQUIRING A JUMP START. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY. THE OEM BATTER FAILED AFTER 18 MONTHS. THE NEW BATTERY (WITH A 5 YEAR WARRANTY) HAS NOW FAILED AFTER ANOTHER 14 MONTHS. THIS IS NOT DUE TO LEAVING A LIGHT ON OR A DOOR OPEN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING LEFT PARKED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THIS IS A DAILY DRIVER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11415945

2018 model year · 14,657 miles · May 9, 2021
Electrical System

BATTERY PREMATURELY DEAD. NO CRANK, NO START.10-03-2020 PARKED IN A LOT. JUMP STARTED. TOOK TO SUBARU DEALER , TECHNICIAN INSPECTED AND FOUND BATTERY FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED AND PASSED LOAD TEST. EXTREME AMOUNT OF CORROSION ON BATTERY TERMINAL REMOVED. A FEW DAYS LATER, DID NOT START, MORE CORROSION ON BATTERY TERMINAL. JU…

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BATTERY PREMATURELY DEAD. NO CRANK, NO START.10-03-2020 PARKED IN A LOT. JUMP STARTED. TOOK TO SUBARU DEALER , TECHNICIAN INSPECTED AND FOUND BATTERY FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED AND PASSED LOAD TEST. EXTREME AMOUNT OF CORROSION ON BATTERY TERMINAL REMOVED. A FEW DAYS LATER, DID NOT START, MORE CORROSION ON BATTERY TERMINAL. JUMP STARTED. TECHNICIAN INFORMED DRIVER TO TAKE ON LONG DRIVES TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. VEHICLE WITH 14,600 MILES. LONG DRIVES IN EXCESS OF 20 MINUTES TAKEN JUST TO CHARGE BATTERY. A FEW DAYS LATER BATTERY LEFT DRIVER AGAIN STRANDED , JUMP STARTED. NEW BATTERY PURCHASED FOR $178.04.

NHTSA ODI #11415731

2018 model year · 18,000 miles · May 9, 2021
Electrical System

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN NEW CONDITION IN 2018. FROM THERE ON FORWARD, I'VE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO SYSTEM NOT WANTING TO WORK. THERE WAS NO SOUND OUTPUT. WE THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE RADIO SATELLITE ITSELF, BUT OVERTIME THE REAL ISSUE WAS UNCOVERED. AFTER ONLY 6 MONTHS WITH A BRAND NEW BATTERY, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT …

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PURCHASED VEHICLE IN NEW CONDITION IN 2018. FROM THERE ON FORWARD, I'VE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO SYSTEM NOT WANTING TO WORK. THERE WAS NO SOUND OUTPUT. WE THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE RADIO SATELLITE ITSELF, BUT OVERTIME THE REAL ISSUE WAS UNCOVERED. AFTER ONLY 6 MONTHS WITH A BRAND NEW BATTERY, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I'D LATER LEARN THE BATTERY DEPLETED PREMATURELY, AND ALL THE DEALER AUTO SHOP WOULD RECOMMEND IS BUYING A NEW BATTERY. THE RADIO WORKED JUST FINE AFTER EACH TIME I'VE PURCHASED AND REPLACED MY CAR BATTERY. NOW HAVING REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE FOR $197 EACH TIME, I'VE LEARNED THIS IS ONLY A BAND AID FIX THAT WOULD LAST 6-12 MONTHS. I HAVE SAVED MY RECEIPTS BUT DID NOT ATTACH THOSE AS THEY CONTAIN PERSONAL INFO.

NHTSA ODI #11415727

2020 model year · 9,500 miles · May 9, 2021
Electrical System

PARKED THE CAR AT LAKESIDE PARK AND WENT FOR A HIKE. RETURNED 2 HOURS LATER AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. NO LIGHTS OR DOORS WERE LEFT OPEN. FINALLY CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO JUMP START THE CAR. THERE WAS NO REASON THE BATTERY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD

NHTSA ODI #11415753

2020 model year · 8,654 miles · May 9, 2021
Electrical System

THE 2020 OUTBACK HAS DIED 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 5 WEEKS (ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP). AFTER THE SECOND TIME (AT THE DEALERSHIP) THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THREE DAYS LATER THE NEW BATTERY IS DEAD.

NHTSA ODI #11415722

Related Official recalls

5

22V473000 · 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

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.