POOR BATTERY LIFE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM. WINDSHIELD CRACK SHOWED UP SUDDENLY VERY RECENTLY, RIGHT AFTER WE GOT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT NOTIFICATION.THE CAR HAS VERY LOW MILAGE.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AFTER ACTIVATING THE HORN FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS, THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STANDSTILL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AFTER ACTIVATING THE HORN FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS, THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO METROWEST SUBARU (948 WORCESTER ST, NATICK, MA 01760, (508)651-2000) WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL RAPP SUBARU (3446 BURNET AVE, SYRACUSE, NY 13206, (315) 437-2501) WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL RAPP SUBARU (3446 BURNET AVE, SYRACUSE, NY 13206, (315) 437-2501) WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.
VEHICLE PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT. BATTERY KEEPS DYING WITHOUT KNOWN CAUSE. NOTHING LEFT ON. I'VE HAD 2 NEW BATTERIES INSTALLED IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS AND THEY KEEP DYING WITHOUT EXPLANATION. SOMETIMES FINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THEN IT DIES EVERY 2-3 DAYS. NOTHING IS LEFT ON. CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT NEEDED!!!
NEED IMO SHE SCHEME
DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSES BATTERY TO DRAIN PREMATURELY AND REQUIRES JUMP STARTS IF VEHICLE IS NOT FREQUENTLY OPERATED.
THE CAR BATTERY STARTED DYING FREQUENTLY. IT WAS REPLACED TWICE, FUNCTIONED FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS, AND THEN DIED AGAIN. IT WAS JUMPED ONE DAY, DIED AGAIN 4 DAYS LATER, JUMPED AGAIN AND WAS DEAD AGAIN 5 HOURS LATER.
I PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6R LIMITED ON DECEMBER 27 2016, FIRST BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2019, SECOND BATTERY DIED IN FEBRUARY 14 2021. CAR HAS 30000 ORIGINAL MILES
WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN JULY 2019. BY MAY 2020 WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. BY THE END OF JANUARY 2021 WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AGAIN. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR 19 MONTHS IT ONLY HAS 7,300 MILES ON IT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN THE G…
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WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN JULY 2019. BY MAY 2020 WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. BY THE END OF JANUARY 2021 WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AGAIN. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR 19 MONTHS IT ONLY HAS 7,300 MILES ON IT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN THE GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE.
FREQUENT PROBLEMS WITH CAR STARTING DUE TO RUN DOWN BATTERY. WE HAVE HAD BATTERY RELATED SERVICE CALLS FROM AAA ON 7/29/19, 5/23/20, 6/4/20, 12/2/20, 1/23/21, AND 2/10/21. TODAY (2/19/21) THE CAR ONLY STARTED ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT AFTER PUMPING THE GAS A BIT. WE DID NOT CALL AAA BUT MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SUBARU DEALER. THI…
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FREQUENT PROBLEMS WITH CAR STARTING DUE TO RUN DOWN BATTERY. WE HAVE HAD BATTERY RELATED SERVICE CALLS FROM AAA ON 7/29/19, 5/23/20, 6/4/20, 12/2/20, 1/23/21, AND 2/10/21. TODAY (2/19/21) THE CAR ONLY STARTED ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT AFTER PUMPING THE GAS A BIT. WE DID NOT CALL AAA BUT MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SUBARU DEALER. THIS WILL NOT BE OUR FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH THEM. PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS WITH DEALER RELATED TO DIFFICULTY STARTING CAR WERE ON 6/9/20 (WHEN BATTERY WAS REPLACED), 12/22/20, AND 1/15/21. WE HAVE ALSO HAD REPLACEMENT OF A FUEL PUMP THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL, REPLACEMENT OF POWER STEERING GEAR BOX, AND A BRAKE ISSUE. ALL OF THE ABOVE WERE WHEN CAR WAS ON WARRANTY, AS IT IS STILL IS AS OF THIS WRITING. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 15,500 MILES ON IT.
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.