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
2019 model year · 7,500 miles · Feb 1, 2021
Electrical System

VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEAD ON 4+ OCCASIONS. STATIONARY, IN GARAGE. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AS LITTLE AS ONCE PER WEEK AT TIMES BUT THE BATTERY OR ELECTRIC DRAW HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO FAIL IN AS LITTLE AS A COUPLE DAYS OR EVEN TRUNK BEING OPEN FOR 15-20MIN. I'VE HAD TO TOW THIS VEHICLE 3TIMES FOR SERVICE. DEALER IS BRUSHING THIS OFF WITHOUT …

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VEHICLE HAS BEEN DEAD ON 4+ OCCASIONS. STATIONARY, IN GARAGE. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AS LITTLE AS ONCE PER WEEK AT TIMES BUT THE BATTERY OR ELECTRIC DRAW HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO FAIL IN AS LITTLE AS A COUPLE DAYS OR EVEN TRUNK BEING OPEN FOR 15-20MIN. I'VE HAD TO TOW THIS VEHICLE 3TIMES FOR SERVICE. DEALER IS BRUSHING THIS OFF WITHOUT RESPONSIBILITY. SAYING THE CAR HAS TO BE DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN 20MINUTES TO RECEIVE FULL CHARGE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS A NUMBER OF ELECTRONICS THAT REQUIRE THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN MORE. THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE BATTERY UNLESS IT CHECKS BAD. THE ISSUE IS AN ELECTRICAL DRAW. MOST LIKELY SEEMS RELATED TO THE REAR HATCH. BATTERY SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A LARGER CAPACITY AND THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND DIAGNOSED FOR ELECTRICAL DRAW FAILURES.

NHTSA ODI #11390958

2020 model year · 6,500 miles · Feb 1, 2021
Electrical System

THE BATTERY DIED WITH ONLY ABOUT 6500 MILES ON THE CAR. THE CAR WAS LAST DRIVEN 48 HOUR AGO. NOTHING WAS LEFT ON. THE VEHICLE WAS IN A WARM GARAGE SINCE IT WAS LAST DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI #11391009

2016 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2021
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

KEY GETS STUCK ON IGNITION SWITCH WHEN I TURN CAR OFF AND PUT IT IN PARK. KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES, SOME TIMES UP TO 20 MINUTES FOR THE KEY TO RELEASE FROM THE COLUMN. VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE STARTED AND TURNED OFF SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE KEY RELEASES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW …

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KEY GETS STUCK ON IGNITION SWITCH WHEN I TURN CAR OFF AND PUT IT IN PARK. KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES, SOME TIMES UP TO 20 MINUTES FOR THE KEY TO RELEASE FROM THE COLUMN. VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE STARTED AND TURNED OFF SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE KEY RELEASES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW, VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS AS HAVING TO START AND STOP THE VEHICLE HAS DRAINED THE BATTERY TWICE NOW AND I HAVE HAD TO GET THE VEHICLE JUMP STARTED. HOPEFULLY THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE.....

NHTSA ODI #11391034

2016 model year · 30,000 miles · Jan 31, 2021
Electrical System

I AM CONTINUING TO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK WHERE IT STRUGGLES TO START ALMOST ALL THE TIME IN COLD TEMPERATURES AND THE BATTERY OFTEN DIES. MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP "FIXED" THE ISSUE LAST YEAR BY REPLACING THE BATTERY. NOW THAT COLD WEATHER IS BACK, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. JUMPING THE BATTERY ALWAYS SOLVED THE PROBLEM…

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I AM CONTINUING TO HAVE AN ISSUE WITH MY 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK WHERE IT STRUGGLES TO START ALMOST ALL THE TIME IN COLD TEMPERATURES AND THE BATTERY OFTEN DIES. MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP "FIXED" THE ISSUE LAST YEAR BY REPLACING THE BATTERY. NOW THAT COLD WEATHER IS BACK, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. JUMPING THE BATTERY ALWAYS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. NOTE THAT EVEN IN WARM TEMPERATURES THE START ALWAYS SOUNDS "ROUGH".

NHTSA ODI #11390851

2016 model year · 1,000 miles · Jan 30, 2021
Electrical System

WE STARTED DRAINED BATTERIES AT 57,000 MILES (WE ARE AT 61,000 MILES NOW), WHICH WAS ABOUT NOVEMBER 2020. AS OF TODAY, THIS IS OUR 4TH TIME HAVING A DEAD BATTERY. WE HAD A SERVICE CHECK FROM VAN SUBARU KANSAS CITY, MO IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO. THEY TOLD US NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BATTERY, AND THAT WE LIKELY WEREN'T DRIVING …

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WE STARTED DRAINED BATTERIES AT 57,000 MILES (WE ARE AT 61,000 MILES NOW), WHICH WAS ABOUT NOVEMBER 2020. AS OF TODAY, THIS IS OUR 4TH TIME HAVING A DEAD BATTERY. WE HAD A SERVICE CHECK FROM VAN SUBARU KANSAS CITY, MO IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO. THEY TOLD US NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BATTERY, AND THAT WE LIKELY WEREN'T DRIVING IT ENOUGH. WE DRIVE IT DAILY, BUT NOT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, EXCEPT 2 DAYS A WEEK. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY JUMPED BY OUR ROAD SIDE SERVICE. WE WILL HAVE IT JUMPED MONDAY 2/1/21 AND GO BACK TO VAN SUBARU. WE READ OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. WE BELIEVE IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. EACH TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN HE MORNING AFTER THE CAR SAT IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11390796

2016 model year · Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2021
Electrical System

REPLACED ORIGINAL BATTERY WITH SUBARU BATTERY 12/2019. NEEDED TWO JUMP STARTS AFTER VIRUS TRAVEL PROTOCOLS BEGAN (3/2020). CAR PARKED FOR 3 DAYS (1/28-30/2021) BATTERY WON'T START ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11390753

2016 model year · 15,000 miles · Jan 29, 2021
Electrical System

I IF THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN STARTED AT LEAST EVERY 2 DAYS THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND WON'T START. YOU ALSO CAN'T LEAVE THE DOORS OPEN WHILE VACUUMING THE INSIDE OR THE BATTERY WILL DIE ON YOU. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CHATTER ABOUT THIS MANY PLACES CALLING IT A PARASITIC DRAIN. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SUBARU FOR SEVERAL YE…

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I IF THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN STARTED AT LEAST EVERY 2 DAYS THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND WON'T START. YOU ALSO CAN'T LEAVE THE DOORS OPEN WHILE VACUUMING THE INSIDE OR THE BATTERY WILL DIE ON YOU. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CHATTER ABOUT THIS MANY PLACES CALLING IT A PARASITIC DRAIN. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SUBARU FOR SEVERAL YEARS, WHICH NEVER SEEMS TO GET ADDRESSED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW.

NHTSA ODI #11390736

2016 model year · 90,000 miles · Jan 29, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND ALL LIGHTS LIGHT UP ON DASH THEN VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF. TRIED TO JUMP VEHICLE AND VEHICLE WILL START BUT TURNS OFF A FEW SECONDS LATER. SUBARU ADVISE IT WAS A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. SUBARU THEN REPLACE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY ON 11/05/2020. THE BATTERY WAS NOT EVEN 1 YEAR OLD WHEN IT WAS REPLACED. TODA…

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STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND ALL LIGHTS LIGHT UP ON DASH THEN VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF. TRIED TO JUMP VEHICLE AND VEHICLE WILL START BUT TURNS OFF A FEW SECONDS LATER. SUBARU ADVISE IT WAS A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. SUBARU THEN REPLACE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY ON 11/05/2020. THE BATTERY WAS NOT EVEN 1 YEAR OLD WHEN IT WAS REPLACED. TODAY ON 01/29/2021 IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. LUCKY BOTH TIMES I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED LIKE ON A HEY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ON THE SIDE STREET. NOW I'M WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TOW MY VEHICLE TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11390730

2020 model year · 6,300 miles · Jan 27, 2021
Electrical System

INFOTAINMENT CENTER SCREENS BLACK OUT OR DON'T WORK AT ALL. DEALER HAS DONE TWO UPDATES ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11390292

2020 model year · 6,300 miles · Jan 27, 2021
Electrical System

WINDOW MOTORS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. GET STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION OR WHEN ROLLING DOWN WILL POP BACK UP AND DOWN BEFORE GETTING STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. I HAVE HAD ONE MOTOR ON DRIVER SIDE REPLACED AND AM NOW NEEDING THE DRIVER SIDE REPLACED AGAIN ALONG WITH PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11390290

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.