THE REAR HATCH AFTER USE IT APPEARS TO BE CLOSED. IT DOES NOT INDICATE IT IS NOT LATCHED OR CLOSED AND DRAINS THE BATTERY AND THE CAR DOES NOT START. THE BACK UP INDICATOR DID NOT ALERT ME THAT THERE WAS A CAR COMING ACROSS BEHIND ME.
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 reportsIF THE VEHICLE SITS UNUSED FOR 2-3 DAYS, THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DRAINED AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE HAD THE ISSUE HAPPEN EVEN AFTER 24 HOURS BEFORE. THE BATTERY EITHER HAS TO BE DISCONNECTED IF I AM NOT GOING TO BE DRIVING FOR A FEW DAYS, OR JUMPED. I ONLY NOTICED THIS ISSUE BECAUSE, DUE TO COVID 19, EIGHT MONTHS AGO I S…
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IF THE VEHICLE SITS UNUSED FOR 2-3 DAYS, THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DRAINED AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE HAD THE ISSUE HAPPEN EVEN AFTER 24 HOURS BEFORE. THE BATTERY EITHER HAS TO BE DISCONNECTED IF I AM NOT GOING TO BE DRIVING FOR A FEW DAYS, OR JUMPED. I ONLY NOTICED THIS ISSUE BECAUSE, DUE TO COVID 19, EIGHT MONTHS AGO I STOPPED DRIVING MY CAR EVERY DAY. I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW BATTERY TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE AND THE ISSUE STILL OCCURS.
BATTERY DIED 2 TIMES WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASE (BOUGHT USED, NOV 2020) FIRST TIME WITH LIGHT LEFT ON OVERNIGHT AND SECOND TIME AFTER NOT DRIVING FOR LESS THAN 1 WEEK
I HAVE A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK PURCHASED SEPTEMBER 2019 LAST YEAR REPLACED THE BATTERY, YESTERDAY THE CAR WOULD NOT STRAT. JUMP IT GOT IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SHOWED THE BATTERY, & ALTERNATOR WERE GOOD. I SREACHED AND SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THE ARE THE SAME ON 2016 TO 2020. WE NEED A RECALL.
2016 OUTBACK HAS HAD BATTERY PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS NEW, FIRST BATTERY REPLACED BY SUBARU IN LATE 2017. NOW NEEDED THIRD REPLACEMENT IN JAN 2021. SUBARU WILL PAY 50% WHICH IS $120 WHICH IS ROBBERY AS A NEW BATTERY IS ABOUT THAT MUCH. SUBARU SAYS USE THE CAR MORE, PLUG IN A BATTERY MINDER CHARGER, HI TECH CARS HAVE POWER USAGE EV…
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2016 OUTBACK HAS HAD BATTERY PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS NEW, FIRST BATTERY REPLACED BY SUBARU IN LATE 2017. NOW NEEDED THIRD REPLACEMENT IN JAN 2021. SUBARU WILL PAY 50% WHICH IS $120 WHICH IS ROBBERY AS A NEW BATTERY IS ABOUT THAT MUCH. SUBARU SAYS USE THE CAR MORE, PLUG IN A BATTERY MINDER CHARGER, HI TECH CARS HAVE POWER USAGE EVEN WHEN NOT BEING DRIVEN, ETC. NONE OF MY OTHER CARS, HUNDAI, HONDA HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE EITHER THE OUTBACK DESIGN HAS PARASITIC POWER DRAINAGE, THE BATTERY IS UNDER POWERED OR THERE IS A FLAW IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN.
BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING INEXPLICABLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR LAST 3 YEARS (SINE JAN 2018 TILL JAN 2021) AND WE HAVE HAD TO DO JUMPSTART EVERY TIME. WE TOOK IT TO DEALER COUPLE OF TIMES HOWEVER THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY RESOLVED. IN JUNE 2020, WE PAID FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT HOWEVER THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND …
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BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING INEXPLICABLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR LAST 3 YEARS (SINE JAN 2018 TILL JAN 2021) AND WE HAVE HAD TO DO JUMPSTART EVERY TIME. WE TOOK IT TO DEALER COUPLE OF TIMES HOWEVER THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY RESOLVED. IN JUNE 2020, WE PAID FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT HOWEVER THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN REMOTE PLACES. 1. WE CLOSE THE VEHICLE, LIFT GATE, SWITCH OFF ALL INTERNAL LIGHTS, SHUT ALL DOORS AFTER PARKING THE CAR 2. WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 3/4 DAYS. ON JAN 18, 2021 WE AGAIN SENT IT TO DEALER AND NOW THEY ARE REPLACING A NEW BATTERY, HOWEVER THEY DON'T HAVE AN EXPLANATION ON WHY THE BATTERY IS DRAINING
THE CAR BATTERY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DEAD TWICE WHEN PARKED IN AIRPORT LOT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. ONCE THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD IN THE HOME GARAGE WHEN IT HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. EACH TIME THE BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE WE ASSUMED WE LEFT AN INTERIOR LIG…
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THE CAR BATTERY HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DEAD TWICE WHEN PARKED IN AIRPORT LOT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. ONCE THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD IN THE HOME GARAGE WHEN IT HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. EACH TIME THE BATTERY HAD TO BE JUMPED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE WE ASSUMED WE LEFT AN INTERIOR LIGHT ON. WE ARE SAD TO DISCOVER THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT SUBARU WILL NOT FIX.
2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY WAS DESCRIBED AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD." 1 YEAR LATER, AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND AAA REPORTED THE BATTERY AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD," AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ON IN THE CAR. A NEW BATTERY WAS PLACED IN THE CAR AND 24 HOURS LATER, AAA REPORTED THE BATTERY AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD,"…
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2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY WAS DESCRIBED AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD." 1 YEAR LATER, AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND AAA REPORTED THE BATTERY AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD," AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ON IN THE CAR. A NEW BATTERY WAS PLACED IN THE CAR AND 24 HOURS LATER, AAA REPORTED THE BATTERY AS, "COMPLETELY DEAD," AS THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 BRAND NEW BATTERIES IN 2 YEARS, YET THE CAR CONTINUES TO DRAIN THE BATTERY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. UPON RESEARCH I FOUND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU FOR OUTBACK VEHICLES FROM 2016-2020 DUE TO THIS EXACT PROBLEM, YET SUBARU, "REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM."
WE HAD AN ONCOLOGY APPOINTMENT, PARKED AS NORMAL. AFTER THE VISIT ABOUT 90 MINUTES LATER, WE ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START, HORN WON'T BLOW AND WE'RE PRESENTLY AWAITING A JUMP FROM AAA. THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE AS NO SYSTEMS WORKED WITHOUT THE BATTERY.
WHEN APPLE CARPLAY IS BEING USED, THE MULTIMEDIA DISPLAY HAS FROZEN SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN IT FREEZES, THE RESETS ITSELF TO A BLACK SCREEN. ONCE IT RESETS TO A BLACK SCREEN, THE EYESIGHT IS DISABLED AND RAB (REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING) IS DISABLED. I HAVE HAD A MOMENT WHERE THE SCREEN WAS COMPLETELY BLACK AND BOTH THINGS WERE DIS…
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WHEN APPLE CARPLAY IS BEING USED, THE MULTIMEDIA DISPLAY HAS FROZEN SEVERAL TIMES AND WHEN IT FREEZES, THE RESETS ITSELF TO A BLACK SCREEN. ONCE IT RESETS TO A BLACK SCREEN, THE EYESIGHT IS DISABLED AND RAB (REVERSE AUTOMATIC BRAKING) IS DISABLED. I HAVE HAD A MOMENT WHERE THE SCREEN WAS COMPLETELY BLACK AND BOTH THINGS WERE DISABLED FOR OVER 15 MINUTES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. UNTIL THE MOMENT I TURNED OFF THE CAR DID IT STOP SHOWING THE ISSUE BUT THIS WASN'T THE FIRST INSTANCE OF IT HAPPENING. THE MOMENT I DO NEED THE EYESIGHT WOULD BE TOO LATE SINCE IT'S DISABLED. I'VE RECORDED SEVERAL VIDEOS OF THIS HAPPENING AND I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY TELL ME NOTHING CAN BE DONE SINCE THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND THAT THE VIDEO RECORDING IS "HYPOTHETICAL." I'VE UPLOADED SOME OF THE VIDEOS I'VE RECORDED ONTO YOUTUBE FOR YOU TO CHECK AND VERIFY. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CHANNEL/UCNA9Z1X9ITGGUPUO_AL_BLG
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.