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 · 70,238 miles · Apr 28, 2021
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE BATTERY FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BATTERY CHARGER WAS CARRIED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE RECURRING FAILURE. COLONIAL SUBARU (89 NEWTOWN RD, DANBURY, CT 06810) WAS MADE AWARE OF TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BATTERY WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE BATTERY FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BATTERY CHARGER WAS CARRIED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE RECURRING FAILURE. COLONIAL SUBARU (89 NEWTOWN RD, DANBURY, CT 06810) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WERE TWO CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FOR THE BATTERY FAILURE FROM A NEWS ARTICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,238. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STATED THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11414277

2018 model year · 28,000 miles · Apr 27, 2021
Electrical System

THIS CAR IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD, 28000 MILES AND THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND THE ALTERNATOR ONCE. THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN ON 4/26/21 AND WON'T HOLD A CHARGE AND SO I WILL BE TAKING IT IN AGAIN AND THEY WILL PROBABLY JUST REPLACE THE BATTERY AGAIN. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING ELSE WRONG.

NHTSA ODI #11414078

2020 model year · 3,700 miles · Apr 27, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP 4/21/21, THEY REMOVED BATTERY CHARGED IT AND TESTED IT, STATED BATTERY WAS GOOD. TODAY, 4/27/21, TRIED TO TAKE CAR OUT AND IT WON'T START.

NHTSA ODI #11414123

2020 model year · 18,000 miles · Apr 27, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

HAD THE CAR 18 MONTHS BATTERY WENT DEAD; UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS SOME KIND OF NATIONAL ISSUE WITH SUBARU BATTERIES DRAINING PREMATURELY

NHTSA ODI #11414111

2017 model year · 15,000 miles · Apr 25, 2021
Electrical System

BATTERY DIED AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD NOT CHARGE VEHICLE. CAR WAS TOWED TO SUBARU IN SAVANAH WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM FIXED. THIS IS AN APPARENT SYSTEM PROBLEM WITH OUTBACKS

NHTSA ODI #11413747

2017 model year · 41,000 miles · Apr 25, 2021
Electrical SystemSeatsUnknown Or Other

THE BATTERY KEEPS FAILING. IT'S MY 4TH BATTERY CHANGE AND I CAN FEEL THAT I WILL NEED TO CHANGE THE 4TH ONE SOON.

NHTSA ODI #11413738

2016 model year · 35,000 miles · Apr 25, 2021
Electrical System

BATTERY WILL NOT KEEP CHARGE WHILE PARKED. FULLY DEPLETES WITHOUT WARNING. WILL NOT START. WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH FOB. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY, BUT PROBLEM CAME BACK SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. MULTIPLE CHARGINGS WERE TEMPORARY ONLY

NHTSA ODI #11413834

2019 model year · 6,000 miles · Apr 24, 2021
Electrical System

THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS MY BATTERY DIED AND REQUIRED EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, THE CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON IT, I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE THEN THE NEW BATTERY HAS DIED TWICE. ONLINE SEARCHES RECENTLY HAVE REVEALED WIDE SPREAD PROBLEMS WITH T…

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THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS MY BATTERY DIED AND REQUIRED EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, THE CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON IT, I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE THEN THE NEW BATTERY HAS DIED TWICE. ONLINE SEARCHES RECENTLY HAVE REVEALED WIDE SPREAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACK'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESULTING IN REPEATED BATTERY FAILURE. AT THIS TIME THE ONLY OUTCOME FROM THIS HAS BEEN THE BATTERY FAILURE, BUT IF THERE ARE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS I'M CONCERNED THAT MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS, LIKE A FIRE, COULD ARISE. FORTUNATELY EACH TIME THE BATTERY DIED THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AT HOME. THE CAR IS DRIVEN REGULARLY, AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, FOR NOT LESS THAN THIRTY MINUTES, SO I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS, INDEED, A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING THE BATTERY TO NOT RECHARGE, OR CREATING A DRAIN ON THE BATTERY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLE.

NHTSA ODI #11413683

2018 model year · 29,000 miles · Apr 24, 2021
Electrical System

I PURCHASED THIS 2018 OUTBACK IN LATE NOVEMBER OF 2020 WITH 27000 MILES ON IT. AFTER ONLY DRIVING IT ABOUT 1500 MILES THE BATTERY SUDDENLY DIED (MARCH 2021). AAA JUMPED IT BUT SAID IT WAS DEAD. I REPLACED IT IMMEDIATELY (WENT 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD) AND THE SHOP SAID THAT IT WAS DEAD AS WELL. NO WARNING AT ALL. WAS WORKING FINE, P…

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I PURCHASED THIS 2018 OUTBACK IN LATE NOVEMBER OF 2020 WITH 27000 MILES ON IT. AFTER ONLY DRIVING IT ABOUT 1500 MILES THE BATTERY SUDDENLY DIED (MARCH 2021). AAA JUMPED IT BUT SAID IT WAS DEAD. I REPLACED IT IMMEDIATELY (WENT 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD) AND THE SHOP SAID THAT IT WAS DEAD AS WELL. NO WARNING AT ALL. WAS WORKING FINE, PARKED AT A STORE, TEN MINUTES LATER WENT TO START IT AND THERE WAS NOTHING. I SPENT $170 GETTING A NEW BATTERY/INSTALLATION.

NHTSA ODI #11413671

2020 model year · 10,200 miles · Apr 24, 2021
Electrical System

MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK IS LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DEAD TWO TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS GARAGED AND NOTHING WAS LEFT ON TO DRAIN THE BATTERY

NHTSA ODI #11413719

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.