APPROXIMATELY 26 MONTHS (38K MILES) AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. THE ISSUE APPEARED TO BE A BAD BATTERY WHICH WAS THEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT TRIPS SHORTER THAN 45 MINUTES RESULT IN A NET LOSS OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY IN THE BATTERY AND IT WAS THEREFORE MY FAULT.
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 DIED AFTER LEAVING UNUSED FOR JUST 9 DAYS. OCCASIONALLY STARTER BUTTON DOES NOT WORK, RETRY AND IT STARTS.
I PURCHASED MY 2016 OUTBACK SEPT 2019 FROM A DEALERSHIP WITH 38,000 MILES. THEY HAD REPLACED MY BATTERY ABOUT 4 MONTHS BEFORE I GOT IT. IT HAS A 30 MONTH FULL WARRANTY. THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO.. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO JUMP ME. THE DRIVER INFORMED THAT THEY GET PLENTY OF CALLS FOR THE NEWER SUBARUS .…
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I PURCHASED MY 2016 OUTBACK SEPT 2019 FROM A DEALERSHIP WITH 38,000 MILES. THEY HAD REPLACED MY BATTERY ABOUT 4 MONTHS BEFORE I GOT IT. IT HAS A 30 MONTH FULL WARRANTY. THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO.. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO JUMP ME. THE DRIVER INFORMED THAT THEY GET PLENTY OF CALLS FOR THE NEWER SUBARUS . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO CHARGED ME FOR THE BATTERY AND SAID THEY DON'T HONOR THE WARRANTY ON A CAR THAT WAS SOLD AFTER THE BATTERY WAS INSTALLED. THEY ALSO DIDN'T MENTION THAT SUBARUS WERE HAVING ELECTRIC ISSUES. MY SON LOOKED IT UP AND INFORMED ME THAT SUBARUS THAT WERE DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCES, WHICH MINE IS, TEND TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM
BOUGHT THE OUTBACK NEW IN JULY 2017. IN 2018 THE CAR BATTERY DIED SEVERAL TIMES. THE THE ORIGINAL BATTERY WAS TESTED AND FAILED THE GR8 TEST AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN 2019 THE BATTERY ONCE AGAIN DIED AND THE BATTERY FAILED GR8 TEST. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN 2020-4/2021 THE BATTERY DIED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE…
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BOUGHT THE OUTBACK NEW IN JULY 2017. IN 2018 THE CAR BATTERY DIED SEVERAL TIMES. THE THE ORIGINAL BATTERY WAS TESTED AND FAILED THE GR8 TEST AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN 2019 THE BATTERY ONCE AGAIN DIED AND THE BATTERY FAILED GR8 TEST. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN 2020-4/2021 THE BATTERY DIED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING (DRIVERS DOOR OPENED FOR 10 MINUTES, RADIO ON FOR 10 MINUTES AND DRIVEN TO A RESTAURANT 10 MILES AND BATTERY DEAD AFTER 30 MINUTES). ON 4/19/21 BATTERY TESTED AND A DRAW TEST PERFORMED. THE DRAW TEST FOUND THE VEHICLE TO BE IN SPEC AND THE BATTERY PASSED THE GR8. THE CAR'S SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED TO FULLY CHARGE THE BATTERY ON SHORT TRIPS.
BATTERY FAILED AND WILL NOT RECHARGE. HAD TO REPLACE IT. OUTBACK IS ONLY 27 MONTHS OLD. FAILED AFTER SHORT TRIP TO LIBRARY. HAD TO HAVE IT JUMPED TO GET HOME.
THE ELECTRIC PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS GOING UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING....THINKING SOMETHING WAS STUCK IN THERE,, I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND THERE WAS NOTHING BLOCKING IT BUT I FINALLY GOT IT SHUT.. THEN, LATER IN THE WEEK, AFTER HAVING THE REAR GATE OPEN FOR ABOUT 15 MINS. LOADING IT, THE CAR WAS DEAD. IT HAD …
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THE ELECTRIC PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS GOING UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING....THINKING SOMETHING WAS STUCK IN THERE,, I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND THERE WAS NOTHING BLOCKING IT BUT I FINALLY GOT IT SHUT.. THEN, LATER IN THE WEEK, AFTER HAVING THE REAR GATE OPEN FOR ABOUT 15 MINS. LOADING IT, THE CAR WAS DEAD. IT HAD TO BE JUMPED. ONCE RUNNING, THE BEEPER WOULD NOT STOP BEEPING IN THE REAR GATE. I COULD NOT OPEN THE REAR GATE, SO I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR A RESET. TODAY, AS GOT IN IT AND ONCE STARTED, THE ELECTRIC EYE WAS DISENGAGED ALONG WITH BST ON STARTUP. THE CAR IS GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON APRIL 21ST.
THE VEHICLE'S ORIGINAL BATTERY DIED AFTER ONLY 30 MONTHS OF USE. I TRIED TO START THE CAR ONE MORNING, AND IT WOULD NOT START. A NEW BATTERY FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED DURING A PERIOD WHEN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR SHORT TRIPS ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK, DURING THE EARLY PART OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN. I AM REP…
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THE VEHICLE'S ORIGINAL BATTERY DIED AFTER ONLY 30 MONTHS OF USE. I TRIED TO START THE CAR ONE MORNING, AND IT WOULD NOT START. A NEW BATTERY FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED DURING A PERIOD WHEN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR SHORT TRIPS ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK, DURING THE EARLY PART OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE OF OTHER REPORTS OF A POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN SUBARUS THAT HAS CAUSED BATTERIES TO FAIL EARLIER THAN THEY SHOULD HAVE FAILED.
THE CAR BATTERY HAS DIED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE BATTERY WAS FACTORY REPLACED IN 2019 BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS SINCE NEEDED TO BE JUMPED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. THERE IS ALSO CORROSION ON THE NEW BATTERY ALREADY. WHEN THE BATTERY HAS DIED IT'S EITHER BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY OR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SOMEWH…
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THE CAR BATTERY HAS DIED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE BATTERY WAS FACTORY REPLACED IN 2019 BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS SINCE NEEDED TO BE JUMPED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. THERE IS ALSO CORROSION ON THE NEW BATTERY ALREADY. WHEN THE BATTERY HAS DIED IT'S EITHER BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY OR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SOMEWHERE NEEDING A JUMP WHEN IT WOULDN'T START.
I BOUGHT THIS CARD AT THE END OF MARCH AND ONLY FOR ONE WEEK IT REGISTERED THE CAR GOT FIRED AND BURNED WHILE DRIVING LAST FRIDAY AROUND 10PM. WHEN I CHECKED THE VIN#. THIS CAR HAS OVER 16 RECALLS
VEHICLE DIED WHILE IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT AND WAS JUMP-STARTED. BATTERY REPLACED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. CAR COULD ONLY SIT 2 - 3 DAYS BEFORE NEEDING A JUMP START. TOOK CAR TO STL SUBARU DEALER. THEY UPGRADED THE CHARGING SOFTWARE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE TWO-WEEK-OLD BATTERY WAS BAD. WHEN CONNECTED TO THE …
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VEHICLE DIED WHILE IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT AND WAS JUMP-STARTED. BATTERY REPLACED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. CAR COULD ONLY SIT 2 - 3 DAYS BEFORE NEEDING A JUMP START. TOOK CAR TO STL SUBARU DEALER. THEY UPGRADED THE CHARGING SOFTWARE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE TWO-WEEK-OLD BATTERY WAS BAD. WHEN CONNECTED TO THE CAR, THE OVERNIGHT VOLTAGE DROPS ON THE BATTERY WOULD BE FROM 0.4 TO 0.5 VOLTS. THE BATTERY WAS TYPICALLY DEAD WITHIN 3-4 DAYS. WHEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE CAR, THE OVERNIGHT VOLTAGE LOSS ON THE BATTERY WAS MINIMAL. THIS INDICATED THE CAR HAD UNSUSTAINABLE CURRENT DRAW EVEN WHEN "TURNED OFF." RETURNED TO THE SUBARU DEALER, NOTING THE CAR DISPLAYED EXCESSIVE CURRENT DRAW WHEN TURNED OFF. THEY REPORTED WAS THAT THE FACTORY DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE HAD INDICATED NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR OR IT'S ELECTRONICS BUT THAT THE BATTERY WAS BAD. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP DISAGREED BUT REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH ANOTHER NEW. THE OVERNIGHT DISCHARGE CONDITION CONTINUED WITH A NEW BATTERY. I PLACED THE CAR IN "PARKED AND LOCKED" CONDITION AND MEASURED THE CURRENT ACROSS EACH FUSE IN BOTH THE ENGINE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. 2 PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FUSES SHOWED SIGNIFICANT CURRENT DRAW WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND LOCKED, SERVING A POWER WINDOW AND THE CIRCUIT LABELED "ACC" WHICH INCLUDES THE CAR'S HEATING, COOLING AND DEFROSTING. I REMOVED THESE FUSES AND THE CAR CAN NOW SIT UNUSED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. REPLACING THE FUSES RETURNS THE CAR TO THE OVERNIGHT BATTERY DRAIN CONDITION. I NOW HAVE A CAR WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING PASSENGER WINDOW AND NO HEATING/COOLING OR DEFROSTER. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE CAR CAN PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION IN THIS CONDITION. TO ME, THIS PROVES THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE BATTERY BUT RATHER UNSUSTAINABLE CURRENT DRAW FROM THE CAR'S ELECTRONICS WHEN PARKED AND "TURNED OFF." THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A DEFROSTER.
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.