THE FOURTH BATTERY HAS DIED SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2015. IT WILL NOT TAKE A CHARGE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME BATTERY EACH TIME AND SAID NOTHING ABOUT THE CAR HAVING ANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES.
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 reportsBATTERY DIES..HAD NEW ONE INSTALLED THIS WEEK, SAME PROBLEM. NO RECALL? CANT USE CAR
APX APR 25, 2021 NOTICED CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN AM WHEN STARTING CAR FOR WORK. CRACK WAS IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. NOTIFIED INSURANCE COMPANY, TOLD ME TO HAVE IT FIXED AT SAFELITE AUTO GLASS WO# 388826. ALSO NOTICED MY ACCESSORY POWER OUTLET WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL, (INSTRUMENT PANEL)CALLED DEALER, MAD…
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APX APR 25, 2021 NOTICED CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN AM WHEN STARTING CAR FOR WORK. CRACK WAS IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. NOTIFIED INSURANCE COMPANY, TOLD ME TO HAVE IT FIXED AT SAFELITE AUTO GLASS WO# 388826. ALSO NOTICED MY ACCESSORY POWER OUTLET WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL, (INSTRUMENT PANEL)CALLED DEALER, MADE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. ALSO NOTICED MY
I HAVE A FAIRLY NEW OEM SUBARU BATTERY IN MY 2018 OUTBACK. IT CONTINUES TO DRAIN UNEXPECTEDLY. I KNOW ABOUT THE TAILGATE PROBLEM. ALSO, I TURN EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL (THAT'S POSSIBLE) OFF IN THE CAR WHEN IT'S GARAGED. THE BATTERY OFTEN FAILS TO START THE CAR WHEN IT'S UNUSED FOR A FEW DAYS ' EVEN AFTER PREVIOUSLY DRIVING LONG DIS…
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I HAVE A FAIRLY NEW OEM SUBARU BATTERY IN MY 2018 OUTBACK. IT CONTINUES TO DRAIN UNEXPECTEDLY. I KNOW ABOUT THE TAILGATE PROBLEM. ALSO, I TURN EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL (THAT'S POSSIBLE) OFF IN THE CAR WHEN IT'S GARAGED. THE BATTERY OFTEN FAILS TO START THE CAR WHEN IT'S UNUSED FOR A FEW DAYS ' EVEN AFTER PREVIOUSLY DRIVING LONG DISTANCES.
KEY STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN PULL OUT THE KEY AFTER PARK THE CAR.
THE CAR REPEATEDLY DRAINS THE BATTERY FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON, LEAVING US STRANDED WITH A VEHICLE THAT CANNOT EVEN BE JUMPED TO START. THE BATTERY IS SO DEAD I CAN'T EVEN GET THE DOORS OPEN. IT HAS STRANDED ME AT HOME, AND VARIOUS TIMES WHEN I'VE BEEN OUT DOING ERRANDS. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU'RE A SINGLE WOMAN STRANDED SOMEW…
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THE CAR REPEATEDLY DRAINS THE BATTERY FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON, LEAVING US STRANDED WITH A VEHICLE THAT CANNOT EVEN BE JUMPED TO START. THE BATTERY IS SO DEAD I CAN'T EVEN GET THE DOORS OPEN. IT HAS STRANDED ME AT HOME, AND VARIOUS TIMES WHEN I'VE BEEN OUT DOING ERRANDS. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU'RE A SINGLE WOMAN STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN THE DARK. I'VE HAD TO CALL SUBARU SERVICE TO JUMP THE CAR ONCE, HAVE JUMPED IT THREE TIMES MYSELF AT HOME, ONCE AT THE GROCERY STORE, AND HAVE HAD TO PLACE A TOTALLY DEAD BATTERY ON THE CHARGER AT HOME SIX TIMES. IT WAS ALREADY TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR TWICE TO THE DEALER IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA,AND THEY "FOUND NOTHING WRONG". BUT, NOW IT'S COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY DEAD IN MY DRIVEWAY AGAIN, AFTER JUST DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY FOR TWO HOURS FOUR DAYS AGO.
FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 4 TIMES BECAUSE IT KEPT DYING ON ME. I ALWAYS THOUGHT I HAD FAULTY BATTERIES UNTIL I READ AN ARTICLE ON THE PROBLEM WITH THE OUTBACK.
FREQUENT BATTERY DRAINING AND SOMETIMES NOT RECHARGING WHEN DRIVING. WHILE TURNED OFF IN THE GARAGE BATTERY WILL DRAIN IN AS LITTLE AS 9 DAYS. HAVE TO KEEP IT ON A TRICKLE CHARGE WHEN NOT IN USE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO START IT. NO MODERN CAR SHOULD LEAVE YOU STRANDED. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE PURCHASE IN 2016.
>>>THIS INFORMATION IS IN ADDITION TO THE PREVIOUSLY FILED NHTSA SAFETY ISSUE ID 11415232 <<< IN MY PREVIOUS FILING, I DID FORGET TO INCLUDE ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2017 OUTBACK 2.5I TOURING VEHICLE. SO, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE FAILURES EXPERIENC…
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>>>THIS INFORMATION IS IN ADDITION TO THE PREVIOUSLY FILED NHTSA SAFETY ISSUE ID 11415232 <<< IN MY PREVIOUS FILING, I DID FORGET TO INCLUDE ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2017 OUTBACK 2.5I TOURING VEHICLE. SO, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE FAILURES EXPERIENCED AND DISCUSSED IN FILING #11415232, A HANDFUL OF TIMES, I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT WORK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT FROM THE DRIVER-SIDE CONTROL. BUT I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE WINDOW WOULD OPEN AND CLOSE WHEN I USED THE WINDOW CONTROLLER LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO ADD-ON TO MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT.
I BELIEVE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES TO BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: DEC.31, 2020: CAR HESITATES TO START. IT NEVER TURNS OVER SO IT DOES NOT EVER START. WE INSTALL NEW BATTERY & CAR STARTS. MID-JAN.2021: CAR WON'T START FROM PUSH START, BUT DOES START WHEN I USE MY REMOTE START KEY FOB. AFTER THAT, CAR STAR…
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I BELIEVE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES TO BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM: DEC.31, 2020: CAR HESITATES TO START. IT NEVER TURNS OVER SO IT DOES NOT EVER START. WE INSTALL NEW BATTERY & CAR STARTS. MID-JAN.2021: CAR WON'T START FROM PUSH START, BUT DOES START WHEN I USE MY REMOTE START KEY FOB. AFTER THAT, CAR STARTS WITH PUSH START. FEB.-APRIL 2021: CAR HAS A SEVERAL TIMES WHEN IT HESTITATES TO START, BUT ULTIMATELY IT DOES START. MAY 1-3 2021: CAR HESITATES TO START, BUT ULTIMATELY STARTS. MAY 4-5 2021: CAR NOT ONLY HESITATES TO START, BUT NOW I HAVE ALL KINDS OF LIGHTS LIT UP ON MY DASH, INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE, EYESIGHT, X-MODE LIGHT IS FLASHING, AND SEVERAL OTHERS THAT I CANNOT GET TO TURN OFF. IN ALL INSTANCES, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND TURNED OFF. I HAVE PHOTOS & VIDEO BUT CAN'T SEEM TO REDUCE FILE SIZE TO REQUIRED 5MB. SIDE NOTE: UNLESS I AM AT WORK OR RUNNING ERRANDS, MY CAR IS ALWAYS IN THE GARAGE.
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.