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 · 50,000 miles · Mar 17, 2021
Electrical System

AFTER 2 YEARS OF USE, THE OEM BATTERY WAS NOT KEEPING THE CHARGE OR WAS DRAINING DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR JUMPED A COUPLE OF TIMES TO GET IT STARTED. BROUGHT THE CAR TO SUBARU DEALER AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANY ISSUES BUT REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH ANOTHER OEM BATTERY, QUITE UNUSUAL UNTIL I …

Read full complaint

AFTER 2 YEARS OF USE, THE OEM BATTERY WAS NOT KEEPING THE CHARGE OR WAS DRAINING DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR JUMPED A COUPLE OF TIMES TO GET IT STARTED. BROUGHT THE CAR TO SUBARU DEALER AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANY ISSUES BUT REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH ANOTHER OEM BATTERY, QUITE UNUSUAL UNTIL I READ AN ARTICALE ABOUT A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SUBARU. IN 2020, THE NEW OEM BATTERY WAS HAVING ISSUES REQUIRING I JUMP IT SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS AWAY FROM HOME AT THE TIME AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO ADVANCED AUTO PARTS. THEY TESTED THE 2ND OEM BATTERY AND ADVISED THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND NOT HOLDING THE CHARGE. AT THAT TIME I PURCHASED A DIEHARD BATTERY AND HAVE HAD NO ISSUES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. AS I STATED ABOVE, I HAVE READ THAT SUBARU IS IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE EXACT ISSUE I HAD AND WANTED TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RECORDED.

NHTSA ODI #11403452

2018 model year · 33,113 miles · Mar 17, 2021
Electrical System

PURCHASED A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK 5/03/18. AT 19,860 MILES ON 12/21/19 THE BATTERY DIED. I JUMPED IT, GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DID WHATEVER DIAGNOSTICS ON IT, RECHARGED IT AND HAD ME PICK IT UP. WHEN I WENT TO GET IT, IT WAS DEAD IN THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT. THEY THEN PUT IN NEW BATTERY. I WENT BACK DOWN TO PICK IT UP. …

Read full complaint

PURCHASED A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK 5/03/18. AT 19,860 MILES ON 12/21/19 THE BATTERY DIED. I JUMPED IT, GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DID WHATEVER DIAGNOSTICS ON IT, RECHARGED IT AND HAD ME PICK IT UP. WHEN I WENT TO GET IT, IT WAS DEAD IN THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT. THEY THEN PUT IN NEW BATTERY. I WENT BACK DOWN TO PICK IT UP. ON 3/15/21, ONLY 13 MONTHS LATER, MY NEW BATTERY WAS ONCE AGAIN DEAD. I HAD BEEN IN MY DRIVEWAY PARKED FOR A WEEK OR POSSIBLY LESS. I PICKED IT UP 3/17/21 AFTER SUBARU HAD TO AGAIN REPLACE THE BATTERY. BOTTOM LINE I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP TO CARRY JUMP CABLES BECAUSE IT WILL KEEP HAPPENING DUE TO THE ELECTRONICS! IT SEEMS I CAN ONLY UPLOAD 1 REPAIR INVOICE SO I UPLOADED THE MOST RECENT BATTERY REPLACEMENT INVOICE. I HAVE 2 OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI #11403451

2020 model year · 6,700 miles · Mar 17, 2021
Electrical System

MY CAR HAS 6700 MILES AND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED. AFTER HAVING IT JUMP STARTED BY CSAA, I DROVE IT TO SUBARU. THE SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SUBARU WAS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS.

NHTSA ODI #11403534

2020 model year · 6,000 miles · Mar 17, 2021
Electrical System

BATTERY DIES. THE CAR IS LITTLE OVER 1 YEAR OLD, THE BATTERY DIED AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED SEPTEMBER 2020, DEALER CHARGED IT UP, THE BATTERY DIED AGAIN IN JANUARY 2021 AND DEALER REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY. THE CONTROL PANEL HAS GONE "BLACK" SEVERAL TIMES NO STATUS SHOWS.

NHTSA ODI #11403475

2016 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2021
Electrical System

BATTERY DYING AFTER SHORT DRIVE

NHTSA ODI #11403604

2017 model year · 25,000 miles · Mar 16, 2021
Electrical System

BATTERY DIED LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. CAR WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS DEAD.

NHTSA ODI #11403372

2017 model year · 33,000 miles · Mar 16, 2021
Electrical System

I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE ON MY OWN SINCE I WAS TOLD THEY AREN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE BATTERIES DISCHARGE ON THEIR OWN WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED. I HAVE TO USE A BATTERY CHARGER ALL THE TIME OR THE BATTERY IS DEAD WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR. I PUT THE LAST BATTERY IN AROUND AUG 2020.

NHTSA ODI #11403322

2017 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2021
Electrical System

DURING FIRST 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OUR NEW CAR HAS FAILED TO START MANY TIMES AND EMERGENCY SERVICE CALLED TO JUMP START VEHICLE AS BATTERY WAS DISCHARGED AFTER POWER TRUNK OPENED WITHOUT ANY ACTIVATION WHILE PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. BATTERY DISCHARGED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT TRUNK ACTIVITY, SIMPLY PARKED OVERNIGHT IN OUR GARAGE WITH …

Read full complaint

DURING FIRST 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OUR NEW CAR HAS FAILED TO START MANY TIMES AND EMERGENCY SERVICE CALLED TO JUMP START VEHICLE AS BATTERY WAS DISCHARGED AFTER POWER TRUNK OPENED WITHOUT ANY ACTIVATION WHILE PARKED IN OUR GARAGE. BATTERY DISCHARGED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT TRUNK ACTIVITY, SIMPLY PARKED OVERNIGHT IN OUR GARAGE WITH EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL CHECKED AND TURNED OFF. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY 4/20. BATTERY DISCHARGED AGAIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO (3/06/2021) WHILE HAVING TRUNK OPEN TO CLEAN INSIDE OF CAR. VERY CONCERNED AS TO BEING STRANDED AGAIN DUE TO SAFETY..

NHTSA ODI #11403270

2017 model year · 22,283 miles · Mar 16, 2021
Electrical System

VEHICLE'S BATTERY WENT DEAD AT ABOUT 22,283 MILES IN JAN OF 2020. BATTERY WOULD KEEP DYING EVEN AFTER PROPER JUMPING. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED OF SOFTWARE ISSUE DRAINING THE BATTERY. I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DID AN UPDATE AND REPLACED BATTERY. A YEAR LATER, VEHICLE IS HAVING BATTERY ISSUES AGAI…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE'S BATTERY WENT DEAD AT ABOUT 22,283 MILES IN JAN OF 2020. BATTERY WOULD KEEP DYING EVEN AFTER PROPER JUMPING. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED OF SOFTWARE ISSUE DRAINING THE BATTERY. I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY DID AN UPDATE AND REPLACED BATTERY. A YEAR LATER, VEHICLE IS HAVING BATTERY ISSUES AGAIN (BATTERY KEPT DYING- MULTIPLE TIMES- EVEN AFTER DRIVING TO TRY TO "CHARGE" BATTERY). VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP IN FEB 2021 AT 23,560 MILES. DIFFERENT STATEMENTS WERE MADE BY DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDING MORE POWER THAN THE BATTERY COULD PROVIDE. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD A SOLUTION, A BIGGER BATTERY. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR THEY JUST SWAPPED OUT THE BATTERY WITH THE SAME SIZE BATTERY. THEY DIDN'T TELL ME (TRIED TO HIDE IT). WHEN I CONFRONTED THEM, THEY ADVISED THAT SUBARU DIDN'T HAVE A FIX YET FOR THE DRAINING OF THE BATTERY. SUBARU SAYS I WILL JUST HAVE TO KEEP BRINGING IN MY VEHICLE EVERY TIME THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY UNTIL THEY COME OUT WITH A FIX. PLEASE NOTE: SUBARU APPEARS TO TRY AND HIDE THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE. NONE OF THIS INFORMATION WAS ON MY SERVICE PAPER WORK AND THEY ONLY SPOKE ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN FEB 2021 AFTER I BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE AFTER READING FORUMS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11403256

2017 model year · 15,000 miles · Mar 16, 2021
Electrical System

MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I LIMITED BEGAN HAVING DEAD BATTERY ISSUES AT NEARLY 15,000 MILES. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE VISITING THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER WE RETURNED FROM A SHORT HIKE. IT LEFT US STRANDED AND FORCED TO WALK 4.5 MILES TO GAIN CELL SERVICE TO CALL FOR HELP. MY CAR NOW HAS …

Read full complaint

MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I LIMITED BEGAN HAVING DEAD BATTERY ISSUES AT NEARLY 15,000 MILES. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE VISITING THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER WE RETURNED FROM A SHORT HIKE. IT LEFT US STRANDED AND FORCED TO WALK 4.5 MILES TO GAIN CELL SERVICE TO CALL FOR HELP. MY CAR NOW HAS 36,000 MILES AS OF 3/16/21 AND IS ON ITS THIRD BATTERY. THIS TIME I BOUGHT THE BEST BATTERY I COULD FIND AND AM HOPING FOR THE BEST. SOMETHING KEEPS DRAINING THE BATTERY, LEAVING ME IN ONE BIND AFTER ANOTHER. WITH NO HELP DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP, WHAT MORE CAN I DO???

NHTSA ODI #11403254

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.