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
2016 model year · 72,000 miles · May 5, 2021
Electrical System

MOONROOF WILL NOT CLOSE ONCE OPENED. DEALER QUOTED $1400 REPAIR COST. DEALER SUGGESTED DISABLING THE MOON ROOF AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO REPAIR. WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENS TO MOONROOFS OVER TIME. I HAVE OWNED CARS WITH MOON ROOFS FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY CAR. IS THIS A SUBARU DEFE…

Read full complaint

MOONROOF WILL NOT CLOSE ONCE OPENED. DEALER QUOTED $1400 REPAIR COST. DEALER SUGGESTED DISABLING THE MOON ROOF AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO REPAIR. WAS TOLD THIS HAPPENS TO MOONROOFS OVER TIME. I HAVE OWNED CARS WITH MOON ROOFS FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY CAR. IS THIS A SUBARU DEFECT?

NHTSA ODI #11415234

2017 model year · Mileage unknown · May 3, 2021
Electrical System

SOMETHING (ELECTRICAL ISSUE?) IS DRAINING THE CAR BATTERY AND NEEDS A JUMP IF NOT DRIVEN WITHIN A DAY OR TWO. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE WITHIN A YEAR THINKING WE HAD A DEFECTIVE BATTERY, BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC THINKING IT COULD BE THE ALTERNATOR, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11414966

2017 model year · 38,300 miles · May 3, 2021
Electrical System

BATTERY FAILURE AFTER 6 MONTHS UNDER NORMAL USE. NO PERIODS OF LEAVING HEADLIGHTS ON OVERNIGHT, ETC. HAD JUST DRIVEN ABOUT 90 MINUTES, TURNED CAR OFF TO RUN INTO A SHOP, RETURNED AND CAR WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK. AAA TESTED IT AND THE ALTERNATOR. ALTERNATOR WAS 'GOOD' BUT BATTERY REPORTED 'FAIL'.

NHTSA ODI #11414912

2021 model year · 5,000 miles · May 3, 2021
Electrical System

AFTER 5000 MILES MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED AND IS CURRENTLY DEAD. I WAS TOLD I MUST LOCK IT EVERY TIME I AM NOT DRIVING TO ENSURE BATTERY LIFE IS EXTENDED. EVEN WITH DOING THIS BATTERY IS STILL DEAD AFTER BARELY 5000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11414938

2017 model year · 10,000 miles · May 2, 2021
Electrical System

WITH ALL ITEMS OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE DRAINS THE BATTERY IN A SHORT TIME. I HAVE INSTALLED A SWITCH ON THE BATTERY TO OPEN CIRCUIT SO THE BATTERY DOESN'T DRAIN WHILE PARKED. THIS PREVENTS ME FROM BEING STRANDED AGAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.WHEN I RETURN TO THE VEHICLE I SWITCH BACK TO CLOSED BATTERY CIRCU…

Read full complaint

WITH ALL ITEMS OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE DRAINS THE BATTERY IN A SHORT TIME. I HAVE INSTALLED A SWITCH ON THE BATTERY TO OPEN CIRCUIT SO THE BATTERY DOESN'T DRAIN WHILE PARKED. THIS PREVENTS ME FROM BEING STRANDED AGAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.WHEN I RETURN TO THE VEHICLE I SWITCH BACK TO CLOSED BATTERY CIRCUIT. I NOW CAN START THE CAR AND I AM NOT STRANDED. THIS PROVES TO ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DRAWING TOO MUCH CURRENT WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED WITH NO ITEMS ON IN THE VEHICLE. IF YOU WANT I WILL PROVIDE THE CURRENT FLOW WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF AND PARKED. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AND I WILL PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU WANT. I APPRECIATE YOUR ACTION ON THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11414869

2017 model year · 37,500 miles · May 2, 2021
Electrical System

BATTERY DRAINS PREMATURELY? I'VE HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS. HAD IT CHECKED OUT & BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER ARE FINE. BATTERY JUST DEAD IN THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING. ROADSIDE ASSIST GUY RECOMMENDED FILING A REPORT BECAUSE HE'D HEARD OTHERS HAD HAD PROBLEMS, TOO, POSSIBLY WITH BACK HATCH…

Read full complaint

BATTERY DRAINS PREMATURELY? I'VE HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS. HAD IT CHECKED OUT & BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER ARE FINE. BATTERY JUST DEAD IN THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING. ROADSIDE ASSIST GUY RECOMMENDED FILING A REPORT BECAUSE HE'D HEARD OTHERS HAD HAD PROBLEMS, TOO, POSSIBLY WITH BACK HATCH NOT CLOSING PROPERLY CAUSING DOME LIGHTS TO STAY ON AND DRAIN BATTERY. DID FIND BACK DOME LIGHT ON 1 NIGHT, TURNED OFF LIGHT, AND RECLOSED HATCH. I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN DILIGENT SINCE BUT IT WAS DEAD AGAIN THIS MORNING ANYWAY. DATE LISTED BELOW IS MOST RECENT INCIDENT. PREVIOUS 2 INCIDENTS WERE ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND ABOUT 2-3 DAYS APART.

NHTSA ODI #11414807

2018 model year · 30,850 miles · May 2, 2021
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or OtherCrash

I WAS PARKING MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK PREMIUM NEXT TO MY HOUSE ON MY PARKING SPOT, MY FOOT WAS ON A BRAKE PEDAL, IT LEFT AROUND 50'' TO COMPLETE A PARKING, LIKE SUDDENLY MY CAR START MOVING FORWARD EVEN THAT I WAS STRONGLY PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, CAR WENT OVER CURB AND HIT A PALM TREE THAT IS NEXT TO MY PARKING SPOT. CAR SUDDENLY A…

Read full complaint

I WAS PARKING MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK PREMIUM NEXT TO MY HOUSE ON MY PARKING SPOT, MY FOOT WAS ON A BRAKE PEDAL, IT LEFT AROUND 50'' TO COMPLETE A PARKING, LIKE SUDDENLY MY CAR START MOVING FORWARD EVEN THAT I WAS STRONGLY PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, CAR WENT OVER CURB AND HIT A PALM TREE THAT IS NEXT TO MY PARKING SPOT. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. CAR FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED. TODAY, MY CAR IS IN BODY SHOP. IT WAS VERY SCARE EXPERIENCE. FROM MY BACKGROUND I AM DRIVING 12 YEARS WITHOUT ANY CAR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11414800

2017 model year · 32,000 miles · May 1, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

IN 2018 THE BATTERY KEPT DYING AND HAD GO BE REPLACED. NOW, IN 2012, THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. IT HAD TO BE JUMPED OFF YESTERDAY MORNING, AGAIN THIS MORNING AND NOW THIS EVENING IS DEAD AGAIN. THE CAR ONLY HAS A VERY LITTLE OVER 32,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE IS KEOPT IN THE GARAGE ALL THE TIME AND THIS IS WHERE…

Read full complaint

IN 2018 THE BATTERY KEPT DYING AND HAD GO BE REPLACED. NOW, IN 2012, THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. IT HAD TO BE JUMPED OFF YESTERDAY MORNING, AGAIN THIS MORNING AND NOW THIS EVENING IS DEAD AGAIN. THE CAR ONLY HAS A VERY LITTLE OVER 32,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE IS KEOPT IN THE GARAGE ALL THE TIME AND THIS IS WHERE IT IS AS IT IS DYING.

NHTSA ODI #11414752

2017 model year · Mileage unknown · May 1, 2021
Electrical System

THE BATTERY LIFE WAS TERRIBLE AND IT FINALLY DIED ON A TRIP EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. THERE SEEMS TO BE A BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE ON THESE CARS THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11414703

2019 model year · 29,650 miles · May 1, 2021
Electrical System

BATTERY DRAIN. PURCHASED 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK IN NOVEMBER 2018. IN OCTOBER 2020 (23 MONTHS) IT FAILED TO START AFTER STAYING OVERNIGHT AT REST STOP IN MIDDLE OF LONG DRIVE. CHECKED BY DEALER AFTER TRIP --"BATTERY OK. NO PROBLEMS." OVER NEXT 5 MONTHS OF INFREQUENT SHORT TRIPS, OUTBACK FAILED TO START MULTIPLE TIMES. MEASURED CURR…

Read full complaint

BATTERY DRAIN. PURCHASED 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK IN NOVEMBER 2018. IN OCTOBER 2020 (23 MONTHS) IT FAILED TO START AFTER STAYING OVERNIGHT AT REST STOP IN MIDDLE OF LONG DRIVE. CHECKED BY DEALER AFTER TRIP --"BATTERY OK. NO PROBLEMS." OVER NEXT 5 MONTHS OF INFREQUENT SHORT TRIPS, OUTBACK FAILED TO START MULTIPLE TIMES. MEASURED CURRENT DRAIN WHEN VEHICLE OFF WAS FOUND TO BE WITHIN SUBARU ALLOWABLE (<70 MILLIAMPS) BUT ONLY AFTER 15-20 MINUTES AFTER EVERYTHING HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. CURRENT DRAIN DURING THE 15-20 MINUTES WAS AS HIGH AS 2 AMPS. ANY ACTIVITY (E.G., OPENING A DOOR, SETTING ALARM) RE-INITIATED THE 15-20 MINUTES OF HIGH CURRENT DRAIN. PHONED DEALER: ONLY SOLUTION (WITHIN WARRANTY PERIOD) WAS REPLACEMENT WITH SAME OEM BATTERY. DECIDED TO REPLACE WITH MORE ROBUST, NON-SUBARU BATTERY, SINCE MY EXPERIENCE AND REPORTS OF OTHERS INDICATED OEM BATTERY WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT TO HANDLE AMOUNT OF DRAIN. PURCHASED OPTIMA RED25 BATTERY FROM AUTO PARTS STORE ON 6 APRIL 2021 FOR $199.99. I BELIEVE THAT SUBARU NEEDS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE OF CURRENT DRAIN (PREFERABLY) AND/OR EQUIP THE OUTBACK WITH AN ADEQUATE BATTERY WITH MORE RESERVE POWER. SINCE MY ORIGINAL BATTERY FAILED UNDER WARRANTY, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY EXPENSE OF $199.99.

NHTSA ODI #11414729

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.