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 · 40,000 miles · Apr 21, 2021
Electrical System

SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE IN AUG 2020, THE BATTERY HAS DRAINED, AND THUS STALLED THE CAR, THREE TIMES. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED, FUNCTIONS NORMALLY, AND IS AT FULL CAPACITY. THE ONLY OBVIOUS CONNECTION BETWEEN EACH OCCURRENCE SEEMS TO BE RAISING THE BACK TAILGATE. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED WHILE CAMPING. THE TAILGATE WAS …

Read full complaint

SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE IN AUG 2020, THE BATTERY HAS DRAINED, AND THUS STALLED THE CAR, THREE TIMES. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED, FUNCTIONS NORMALLY, AND IS AT FULL CAPACITY. THE ONLY OBVIOUS CONNECTION BETWEEN EACH OCCURRENCE SEEMS TO BE RAISING THE BACK TAILGATE. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED WHILE CAMPING. THE TAILGATE WAS OPEN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHILE REMOVING CAMPING GEAR. THE SECOND TIME HAPPENED WHILE IN TOWN (BOISE, ID) AND THE BACK WAS OPEN FOR ROUGHLY TWENTY MINUTES. THE THIRD TIME HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE TAILGATE WAS OPEN FOR LESS THAN TEN MINUTES. THE BATTERY IS QUICK TO JUMP AND, AGAIN, HAS BEEN CHECKED.

NHTSA ODI #11413167

2017 model year · 22,000 miles · Apr 21, 2021
Electrical System

THE BATTERY DOES NOT KEEP A CHARGE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES . SUBARU REPLACED THE BATTERY ONCE. PROBLEM PERSISTS. CAR IS STATIONERY WHEN IT OCCURS.

NHTSA ODI #11413165

2018 model year · 31,000 miles · Apr 21, 2021
Electrical System

I AM ON MY 3RD CAR BATTERY. ONE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, ONE WAS PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET UNDER 31,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11413158

2020 model year · 3,600 miles · Apr 21, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE BATTERY KEEPS DYING. SUBARU TESTED THE BATTERY IT'S FINE. TOLD ME TO GET A BATTERY TENDER OR TO DRIVE FOR AN HOUR OR SO EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS FOR THE ALTERNATOR TO CHARGE UP. IN LESS THAN A WEEK THE CAR BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED 5 TIMES. STARTED 4/15/2021 THRU TODAY 4/21/2021.

NHTSA ODI #11413305

2020 model year · 11,850 miles · Apr 21, 2021
Electrical SystemLane Departure

THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE ELECTRONICS THE DEALER HAS REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS 4 TIMES IN THE YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE LAST REPROGRAMMING WAS DUE TO A NHTSA RECALL. THE SYSTEM WAS BETTER FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS SINCE THE LAST REPROGRAMMING BUT ON MONDAY 4/19/21 AT 5:58 PM THE SAME PROBL…

Read full complaint

THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE ELECTRONICS THE DEALER HAS REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS 4 TIMES IN THE YEAR SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE LAST REPROGRAMMING WAS DUE TO A NHTSA RECALL. THE SYSTEM WAS BETTER FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS SINCE THE LAST REPROGRAMMING BUT ON MONDAY 4/19/21 AT 5:58 PM THE SAME PROBLEM REOCCURRED THE ELECTRONIC SCREEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH WENT BLACK AS I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 IN BALTIMORE MARYLAND. THE SCREEN AND ALL IT FUNCTIONS WERE OFF FOR 4 MINUTES UNTIL IT RESTARTED WITH THE INITIAL SCREEN THAT APPEARS WHEN I START THE CAR. IT IS A WARNING SCREEN WITH A GREEN AREA TO PRESS THAT I AGREE WITH THE WARNING. FOR 4 MINUTES I WAS DRIVING WITH NO ACCESS TO THE CONTROLS THAT ARE UNDER THE DIRECTION FO THE MAIN SCREEN. THE DEALER HAD TOLD ME I SHOULD TAKE A VIDEO OF THE DASH IF THIS HAPPENED AGAIN BUT IT IS HARD TO TAKE A VIDEO WHILE DRIVING IN THE EXPRESS LANES AT 65 MPH. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT AFTER ALL THESE REPROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. WHEN THE DEALER HAD INSTALLED THE REVISED PROGRAMING I ASKED WHAT TO DO IF THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN AND HE SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE A VIDEO THEN TOLD ME THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WELL IT DID HAPPEN AGAIN. I IMAGINE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO FIND THIS REOCCURRING BUT I CAN'T BE SURE OF THAT. IT IS MOST DISCONCERTING TO THINK THAT ALL OF THE SAFETY CONTROLS THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TO OBTAIN ARE OUT OF USE FOR 4 MINUTES AS I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE RADIO ON WHILE DRIVING AND SUDDENLY IT WENT OFF I LOOKED DOWN AT THE SCREEN AND IT WAS BLACK COMPLETELY OFF. I ASSUME THAT ALL OF THE SAFETY FUNCTIONS THE SCREEN CONTROLS ALSO WERE OFF. IT STAYED THAT WAY FOR 4 MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED AS IF I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT KEEPS RECURRING.

NHTSA ODI #11413186

2016 model year · 43,000 miles · Apr 21, 2021
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS CHARGED. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY IN FEBRUARY 2020. WORKED FOR A TIME, BUT CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN. KEEP GETTING BATTERY CHARGED TO RUN. HAVE HAD BATTERY CHECKED. IT IS GOOD AS IS ALTERNATOR. MUST CHARGE BATTERY EACH TIME I WANT TO DRIVE CAR. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 2…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS CHARGED. BOUGHT NEW BATTERY IN FEBRUARY 2020. WORKED FOR A TIME, BUT CAR WILL NOT START AGAIN. KEEP GETTING BATTERY CHARGED TO RUN. HAVE HAD BATTERY CHECKED. IT IS GOOD AS IS ALTERNATOR. MUST CHARGE BATTERY EACH TIME I WANT TO DRIVE CAR. THE PROBLEM STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 2020.

NHTSA ODI #11413282

2007 model year · 181,313 miles · Apr 21, 2021
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FOUR WIRES NEAR THE REAR DEFROSTER THAT WERE CUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONTROLLED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HATCH DOOR LOCK, DEFROSTER, AND REAR STOP LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FOUR WIRES NEAR THE REAR DEFROSTER THAT WERE CUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONTROLLED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HATCH DOOR LOCK, DEFROSTER, AND REAR STOP LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,313.

NHTSA ODI #11413233

2017 model year · 24,000 miles · Apr 20, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A BATTERY CHARGER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A BATTERY CHARGER TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES. NEIL HUFFMAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (1220 VERSAILLES RD, FRANKFORT, KY 40601, (502) 695-7500) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN IN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #11413046

2017 model year · Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2021
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW WITHOUT ANY FORCE APPLIED ON A MODERATE TEMPERATURE DAY WITHOUT AC OR HEAT BLOWING. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED AND HEARD THE POP OF THE WINDSHIELD. APPROX SPEED WAS 20MPH WITH NO STREET BUMPS AND AGAIN ON A VERY CALM DAY AS FAR AS TEMPERAT…

Read full complaint

MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW WITHOUT ANY FORCE APPLIED ON A MODERATE TEMPERATURE DAY WITHOUT AC OR HEAT BLOWING. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED AND HEARD THE POP OF THE WINDSHIELD. APPROX SPEED WAS 20MPH WITH NO STREET BUMPS AND AGAIN ON A VERY CALM DAY AS FAR AS TEMPERATURE. ALSO, NO EQUIPMENT OR PEOPLE AROUND WHO COULD HAVE SEEMED TO 'TOSSED' ANYTHING AT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS ON THE INTERIOR LAYER OF THE WINDSHEILD AND NOT THE OUTTER. ALSO, I HAVE HAD 2 INSTANCES NOW WHERE MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY DIED WITHOUT ANY ITEMS BEING LEFT ON TO DRAIN THE BATTERY. FIRST TIME WAS AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN OFF ONLY A HOUR OR SO AND COMPLETELY DEAD. I REPLEACED THE BATTERY AND AT THAT POINT THE CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. THE SECOND TIME THE BATTERY AND SYSTEMS TESTED ALL FINE BUT IT WAS SO DEAD, POWER LOCKS WOULDNT WORK WITH THE KEY FOB.

NHTSA ODI #11413024

2017 model year · 10,000 miles · Apr 20, 2021
Electrical System

THE CAR BATTERY HAS DIED FOR NO APPARENT REASON TWICE WITHIN LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY BOTH TIMES AS IT WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE.

NHTSA ODI #11412996

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.