THE HEAD LIGHTS TO THIS VEHICLE ARE CONSTANTLY GOING OUT. SOMETIMES IF I HIT A BUMP THE LIGHT WILL TURN BACK ON. TODAY I DROVE NEARLY FIFTY MILES IN THE DARK WITH EITHER THE HIGH BEAMS ON OR THE LIGHTS COMPLETELY OFF.
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 reportsWHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF, SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY SO THAT IT VERY OFTEN DOES NOT START IN THE MORNING.
MULTIPLE TIMES ISSUE WITH BATTERY NOT PROVIDING SUFFICIENT CHARGE TO START THE CAR RESULTING IN INCONVENIENCE, STRESS AND MENTAL AGONY. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE THE CAR WAS NOT PERFORMING AS PER COMMITTED STANDARDS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE GOTTEN AFFECTED. ALSO THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID FUMES CAUSING HEALTH RELATED HAZARD…
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MULTIPLE TIMES ISSUE WITH BATTERY NOT PROVIDING SUFFICIENT CHARGE TO START THE CAR RESULTING IN INCONVENIENCE, STRESS AND MENTAL AGONY. FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE THE CAR WAS NOT PERFORMING AS PER COMMITTED STANDARDS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE GOTTEN AFFECTED. ALSO THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID FUMES CAUSING HEALTH RELATED HAZARDS. THIS DESPITE KEEPING THE CAR RUNNING IN IDLE MULTIPLE TIMES. FURTHER WHEN GIVEN TO TINDOL SUBARU THEY DID NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BUT BLAMED ME FOR NOT RUNNING THE CAR ENOUGH WHICH IS A LIE AND FALSE. THEY SIMPLY KEPT THE CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND RETURNED IT TO ME!! I HAVE HAD CAR COLD CRANKED 5 TO 6 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS TILL BATTERY WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED.
ON MARCH 1, 2021 VEHICLE HAD 4992 MILES ON IT AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAVE VEHICLE JUMPED. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY SAID BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER, TESTED GOOD. ON MARCH 17TH, VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. ON MARCH 18TH, VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED TWICE IN THE SAME DAY. ON MARCH 1…
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ON MARCH 1, 2021 VEHICLE HAD 4992 MILES ON IT AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAVE VEHICLE JUMPED. TOOK TO DEALER, THEY SAID BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER, TESTED GOOD. ON MARCH 17TH, VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. ON MARCH 18TH, VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED TWICE IN THE SAME DAY. ON MARCH 19TH, VEHICLE HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED AND TAKEN TO DEALER. VEHICLE NOW HAS 5192 MILES. ON MARCH 19, 2021, A CASE WAS OPENED WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START-UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WOULD APPEAR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITH THE EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY FEATURE FAILING TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START-UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WOULD APPEAR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WITH THE EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY FEATURE FAILING TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO YARK SUBARU (6141 CENTRAL AVE, TOLEDO, OH 43615) ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS HOWEVER, EACH TIME THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
THE BATTERY SEEMS TO DRAIN VERY QUICKLY AND WITHOUT APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER RECENTLY REPLACED THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY BUT DID NOT EXPLAIN WHY IT HAS GONE BAD SO QUICKLY. I WAS STUCK A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH A SUDDENLY DEAD BATTERY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE DRAINING HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AND I GO OFF THE …
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THE BATTERY SEEMS TO DRAIN VERY QUICKLY AND WITHOUT APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER RECENTLY REPLACED THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY BUT DID NOT EXPLAIN WHY IT HAS GONE BAD SO QUICKLY. I WAS STUCK A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH A SUDDENLY DEAD BATTERY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE DRAINING HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AND I GO OFF THE WARRANTY IN ANOTHER MONTH. I HAVE READ THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS YEAR OUTBACK. THIS OCCURS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE.
BATTERY DOES NOT HOLD A CHARGE. HAVE TO JUMP BATTERY AFTER SHORT PERIODS OF NON-USE
I PURCHASED OUR OUTBACK NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP IN PENNSYLVANIA IN MARCH, 2016. SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE HAD THE OME AND TWO REPLACEMENT BATTERIES FAIL AND WE ARE NOW ON OUR 4TH BATTERY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY REASON THE BATTERIES MAY HAVE FAILED. WE HAD OUR VERY EXPERIENCED SUBAR…
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I PURCHASED OUR OUTBACK NEW FROM A DEALERSHIP IN PENNSYLVANIA IN MARCH, 2016. SINCE THAT TIME WE HAVE HAD THE OME AND TWO REPLACEMENT BATTERIES FAIL AND WE ARE NOW ON OUR 4TH BATTERY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY REASON THE BATTERIES MAY HAVE FAILED. WE HAD OUR VERY EXPERIENCED SUBARU MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND HE COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE. THE CAR IS MOSTLY DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAS 133,000 MILES ON IT.
BATTERY DRAINS AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR A FEW DAYS. I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED LAST YEAR, AND HAD THE NEW BATTERY CHECKED RECENTLY AT THE DEALER. THEY (DEALER) SAID IT WAS FINE AND SAW NO PARASITIC DRAIN. THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED, WHICH I FIND TO BE VERY ODD AND EXTREMELY INCONVE…
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BATTERY DRAINS AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR A FEW DAYS. I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED LAST YEAR, AND HAD THE NEW BATTERY CHECKED RECENTLY AT THE DEALER. THEY (DEALER) SAID IT WAS FINE AND SAW NO PARASITIC DRAIN. THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED, WHICH I FIND TO BE VERY ODD AND EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. I ALSO OWN A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT AND DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE IT EVERY DAY TO KEEP THE BATTERY HEALTHY. THE CAR SAT FOR ONE WEEK RECENTLY AND THE BATTERY DRAINED AGAIN. I JUMPED IT YESTERDAY IT AND DROVE IT FOR 30 MINUTES AND TODAY THE BATTERY IS DEAD AGAIN.
THE REAR VIEW CAMERA WAS NOT DESIGNED OR MANUFACTURED PROPERLY AND IT ALLOWS MOISTURE TO GET INTO THE CAMERA ITSELF. AFTER A WHILE THE CAMERA WITH FUZZY PICTURE AND EVENTUALLY YOU CAN NOT VIEW THINGS PROPERLY OR SEE THEM AT ALL. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS BY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET. THIS MAKES IT UNSAFE TO BACK THE CAR UP …
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THE REAR VIEW CAMERA WAS NOT DESIGNED OR MANUFACTURED PROPERLY AND IT ALLOWS MOISTURE TO GET INTO THE CAMERA ITSELF. AFTER A WHILE THE CAMERA WITH FUZZY PICTURE AND EVENTUALLY YOU CAN NOT VIEW THINGS PROPERLY OR SEE THEM AT ALL. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS BY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET. THIS MAKES IT UNSAFE TO BACK THE CAR UP IF TRYING TO USE THE CAMERA TO ASSIST IN CLEARING THE PATH ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT.
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.