DEAD BATTERY, LESS THAN 14,000 MILES ON THE CAR, 14 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASE; CAR IS KEPT IN A HEATED GARAGE AND THEREFORE NOT SUBJECTED TO TEMPERATURE EXTREMES
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 reportsLOW HEADLAMP BULB HOUSING MELTED SO BAD IT MUST BE REPLACED AT ESTIMATED DEALER COST OF $650. THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR REPLACING THE BULBS THAT HAVE BEEN BURNING OUT EVERY 6-9 MONTHS. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE BEEN BURNING UP DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE HOUSING THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECAL…
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LOW HEADLAMP BULB HOUSING MELTED SO BAD IT MUST BE REPLACED AT ESTIMATED DEALER COST OF $650. THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR REPLACING THE BULBS THAT HAVE BEEN BURNING OUT EVERY 6-9 MONTHS. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE BEEN BURNING UP DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE HOUSING THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE LOW-BEAM HOUSING UNIT AS IT POSES A FIRE RISK. THE EXTENDED BULB REPLACEMENT WARRANTEE IS A BAND-AID THAT DID NOT ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING ISSUE.
TAILGATE HAS OPENED, ON ITS OWN, ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IN 2 INSTANCES IT HAD REMAINED OPEN AND UNNOTICED LONG ENOUGH TO KILL THE BATTERY AND REQUIRED TOW SERVICE TO CHARGE IT. I FIRST REPORTED THIS TO MY SUBARU DEALER IN SPRING 2020. IN ALL 4 CASES THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN IT HAPPENED, MOST RECENTLY ON CHRISTM…
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TAILGATE HAS OPENED, ON ITS OWN, ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IN 2 INSTANCES IT HAD REMAINED OPEN AND UNNOTICED LONG ENOUGH TO KILL THE BATTERY AND REQUIRED TOW SERVICE TO CHARGE IT. I FIRST REPORTED THIS TO MY SUBARU DEALER IN SPRING 2020. IN ALL 4 CASES THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN IT HAPPENED, MOST RECENTLY ON CHRISTMAS EVE TO CHRISTMAS MORNING, AND AGAIN JUST 5 DAYS LATER.
PURCHASED VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2015. HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AS FOLLOWS: *11/20/2018 (608805) *11/01/2019 (630860) *05/18/2020 (641572) AS OF 01/05/2021, THE VEHICLE BATTERY IS DEAD AGAIN AND AT MOORE SUBARU IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA FOR SERVICE. EACH TIME THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DEAD, IT HAS BEEN PARKE…
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PURCHASED VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2015. HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES AS FOLLOWS: *11/20/2018 (608805) *11/01/2019 (630860) *05/18/2020 (641572) AS OF 01/05/2021, THE VEHICLE BATTERY IS DEAD AGAIN AND AT MOORE SUBARU IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA FOR SERVICE. EACH TIME THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DEAD, IT HAS BEEN PARKED (DRIVEWAY OR WORK) AND WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD MAKE A CLICKING NOISE. THIS TIME (1/5/21) THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD (DOORS WOULDN'T OPEN, NO NOISES WHEN TRYING TO START). WHEN THE BATTERY DIED IN MAY OF 2020, MOORE SUBARU HAD THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 DAYS TO SEE IF THEY COULD DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THEY ULTIMATELY FOUND NOTHING MORE THAN A POTENTIALLY BAD BATTERY.
MULTIPLE DEAD BATTERY ISSUES (APPROX 10 OVER 3 YEAR PERIOD); NO PROVOKING EPISODES (NO LEFT IN COLD FOR PROLONGED TIME; NO LIGHTS ON
MY 2019 OUTBACK (BOUGHT IN SEPT 2019) HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING DEAD BATTERY ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO JUMP START IT TWICE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I AM ONLY DRIVING PRIMARILY ONE TIME PER WEEK DUE TO COVID, BUT I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE THESE ISSUES WITH A NEW CAR/BATTTERY. READING THAT OTHERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUES AS I DO…
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MY 2019 OUTBACK (BOUGHT IN SEPT 2019) HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING DEAD BATTERY ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO JUMP START IT TWICE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I AM ONLY DRIVING PRIMARILY ONE TIME PER WEEK DUE TO COVID, BUT I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE THESE ISSUES WITH A NEW CAR/BATTTERY. READING THAT OTHERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUES AS I DO. I JUST DROVE ON WEDNESDAY AND PURPOSEFULLY DROVE AN EXTRA TIME (TOTAL DRIVE TIME WAS PROBABLY 25 MINUTES, STOPPING ONCE) AND ON SATURDAY THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. I DON'T WANT TO KEEP EXPERIENCING THIS. WAS GOING TO CHANGE MY BATTERY BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM FROM WHAT I AM READING. I WANT TO REPORT IT SO THAT IT CAN BE INVESTIGATED AND POTENTIALLY FIXED.
VEHICLE BATTERY HAS UNEXPECTEDLY GONE DEAD THREE TIMES SINCE MARCH 2020. THIS IS AFTER A NEW SUBARU BATTERY WAS INSTALLED IN 2019. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SUBARU OUTBACKS (2016-2020). MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT REQUIRES SOFTWARE UPDATES WHICH DON'T SEEM TO WORKING. MY VEHICLE HAS 16000 MILES ON IT.
PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURE HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. WHETHER AT HOME OR AFTER A SHORT TRIP, THE CAR BECOMES UNABLE TO START WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WON'T START AS IF IT HAS DEAD BATTERY BUT THEN OPERATORS NORMALLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER A JUMP START FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE OR AFTER BEING PLACED ON A BATTERY…
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PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURE HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. WHETHER AT HOME OR AFTER A SHORT TRIP, THE CAR BECOMES UNABLE TO START WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WON'T START AS IF IT HAS DEAD BATTERY BUT THEN OPERATORS NORMALLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER A JUMP START FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE OR AFTER BEING PLACED ON A BATTERY CHARGER.
BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. DEALERSHIP REPLACES BATTERY, AND IT'S DEAD WITHIN 3-4 MONTHS. OR THEY RECHARGE, AND AGAIN, DEAD IN A FEW MONTHS.
SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR 6 MONTHS AGO WE WOULD FIND THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND OCCASIONALLY THE TRUNK GATE AJAR. THE GATE WAS FOUND AJAR THIS MORNING, AND HAD APPARENTLY BEEN SO ALL NIGHT, AND THE BATTERY IS NOW DEAD. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR. THE TRUNK OPENING AT RANDOM HAS DRAINED…
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SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR 6 MONTHS AGO WE WOULD FIND THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND OCCASIONALLY THE TRUNK GATE AJAR. THE GATE WAS FOUND AJAR THIS MORNING, AND HAD APPARENTLY BEEN SO ALL NIGHT, AND THE BATTERY IS NOW DEAD. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE CAR. THE TRUNK OPENING AT RANDOM HAS DRAINED OUR BATTERY AND MAY LEAD TO FURTHER ISSUES IN THE FUTURE.
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.