AT ABOUT 71,000 MILES, THERE IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY FROM THE LOCK. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WHEN THIS PROBLEM IS NOTICED.
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 reportsBATTERY DRAIN ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS WILL HAVE A WEAK START. BATTERY WILL DRAIN IF RADIO IS ON WITH CAR NOT RUNNING IN BETWEEN 15-30 MINUTES. MY SECOND BATTERY IS READY FOR REPLACEMENT IN 4 YEARS. TWO YEAR BATTERY LIFE IS UNACCEPTABLE. ATTACHING PICTURE OF WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO TWO SUBARU OUTBA…
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BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS WILL HAVE A WEAK START. BATTERY WILL DRAIN IF RADIO IS ON WITH CAR NOT RUNNING IN BETWEEN 15-30 MINUTES. MY SECOND BATTERY IS READY FOR REPLACEMENT IN 4 YEARS. TWO YEAR BATTERY LIFE IS UNACCEPTABLE. ATTACHING PICTURE OF WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO TWO SUBARU OUTBACK AT THE SAME TIME. UPON RESEARCH MANY SUBARU OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM
CAR REPEATEDLY STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE OF DEAD BATTERY. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2016. FIRST INSTANCE WAS WHEN LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN OVER NIGHT IN GARAGE, 2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. SECOND INSTANCE WAS WHEN OVERHEAD LAMP WAS LEFT ON OVERNIGHT IN GARAGE. THIRD THE SAME AS SECOND IN A PARKING LOT. LAST INSTANCE WAS TODAY WHEN I DRO…
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CAR REPEATEDLY STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE OF DEAD BATTERY. CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2016. FIRST INSTANCE WAS WHEN LIFT GATE WAS LEFT OPEN OVER NIGHT IN GARAGE, 2 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. SECOND INSTANCE WAS WHEN OVERHEAD LAMP WAS LEFT ON OVERNIGHT IN GARAGE. THIRD THE SAME AS SECOND IN A PARKING LOT. LAST INSTANCE WAS TODAY WHEN I DROVE A FEW MILES, PARKED CAR FOR AN HOUR AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AFTER THAT. LIFT GATE WAS OPENED 10 MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR. AAA RESTARTED THE CAR IN ALL FOUR INSTANCES.
BATTERY DRAINS PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD AND IS IN NEED OF A 3RD BATTERY REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN JUMP STARTED 4 TIMES OVER THE YEARS.
WHILE DRIVING ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP. BRAKE, SKID CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED DURING THE SUMMER AND I STOPPED AT A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT WORKED FINE UNTIL TODAY. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SEEMS MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS DEA…
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WHILE DRIVING ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP. BRAKE, SKID CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED DURING THE SUMMER AND I STOPPED AT A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT WORKED FINE UNTIL TODAY. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SEEMS MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS DEALERS HAVE MANY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS BUT EVEN AFTER REPAIRS, OWNERS ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I JUST RETURNED MY CARE TWICE FOR A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS.
DID NOT DRIVE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS, BATTERY DEAD.
KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION SWITCH WHEN PARKED AFTER DRIVING. REQUIRES MULTIPLE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK BEFORE KEY WILL RELEASE. FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE IS NOW EVERY OTHER DAY. VEHICLE HAS 48,500 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY.
ON OCTOBER 11, 2020 THE CAR BATTERY DIED. I GOT A JUMP FROM SUBARU SERVICE ON 10/12/20 AND BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU STAMFORD FOR SERVICE. THE TAILGATE OPEN/CLOSE SWITCH WAS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION AND MAY HAVE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. ON 12/6/20 THE CAR BATTERY DIED AGAIN. I GOT A JUMP FROM SUBARU SERV…
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ON OCTOBER 11, 2020 THE CAR BATTERY DIED. I GOT A JUMP FROM SUBARU SERVICE ON 10/12/20 AND BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU STAMFORD FOR SERVICE. THE TAILGATE OPEN/CLOSE SWITCH WAS STUCK IN THE ON POSITION AND MAY HAVE CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. ON 12/6/20 THE CAR BATTERY DIED AGAIN. I GOT A JUMP FROM SUBARU SERVICE AND THEN DROVE THE CAR FOR 20 MINUTES. ONE HOUR LATER THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. ON 12/7/20 I JUMPED THE BATTERY AND TOOK IT TO SUBARU STAMFORD FOR SERVICE. THE MECHANIC CHECKED ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND FOUND NO ISSUES. I ASKED TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED WHICH WAS DONE. NOTE THAT THESE TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE I LIVED AT 171 COURTLAND AVE, STAMFORD, CT. I AM MOVING PERMANENTLY TO LONGMONT COLORADO ON 12/13/20.
WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. OUR BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED PREMATURELY NUMEROUS TIMES AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FACTORY BATTERY QUICKLY AFTER PURCHASING IT. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO START AT ALL. MAJORITY OF TIMES THIS OCCURRED, WE HAD LEFT ON THE ACCESSORIES LESS THAN 5MIN. WHILE WAITING I…
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WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. OUR BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED PREMATURELY NUMEROUS TIMES AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FACTORY BATTERY QUICKLY AFTER PURCHASING IT. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH THE CAR BEING UNABLE TO START AT ALL. MAJORITY OF TIMES THIS OCCURRED, WE HAD LEFT ON THE ACCESSORIES LESS THAN 5MIN. WHILE WAITING IN OUR CAR BEFORE THE ENTIRE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. ON ONE OCCASION, THE BATTERY DRAINED WITH NO EXPLANATION. WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS ISSUES IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER CAR WE HAVE EVER HAD. IT IS COMMON TO LEAVE ACCESSORIES ON FOR A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME WITHOUT DRAINING THE WHOLE BATTERY. ESPECIALLY IN A NEW CAR. AFTER BECOMING FRUSTRATED WITH THE DEALERSHIP'S RESPONSE, WE LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR SUBARU OUTBACKS FROM OUR YEAR. APPARENTLY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS FLAWED. WE PLAN TO TRADE IN THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT RELIABLE AND WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED SO MANY TIMES IT IS NOT A SAFE CAR TO OWN. THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED OR AT LEAST HAVE A FIX AVAILABLE.
ON DECEMBER 7, 2020, AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 HOURS, I RETURNED TO MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK AFTER A BRIEF SHOPPING TRIP. THE BATTERY WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO USE A PORTABLE BATTERY STARTER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVE FROM MY RESIDENCE TO THE STORE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LONG. THE FIRST THING I NOTICED U…
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ON DECEMBER 7, 2020, AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 HOURS, I RETURNED TO MY 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK AFTER A BRIEF SHOPPING TRIP. THE BATTERY WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO USE A PORTABLE BATTERY STARTER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVE FROM MY RESIDENCE TO THE STORE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LONG. THE FIRST THING I NOTICED UPON STARTING UP MY VEHICLE WAS IT DREW HARD FROM THE BATTERY, ALMOST NOT STARTING. I AM NOT NEW TO THIS ISSUE, AS IT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST 4.5 YEARS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE. THE BATTERY THAT CAME WITH MY VEHICLE, PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2016, WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 808 MILES. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS LATER, SUFFERING FROM THE SAME ISSUES. THE BATTERY WOULD WORK OKAY AT BEST, THEN START TO DRAW HARD ON THE BATTERY, THEN DIE COMPLETELY. WHEN TESTED, ALL OF THE BATTERIES WERE SUPPOSEDLY SUFFERING FROM A BAD CELL. 3 BATTERIES WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT BATTERY WAS PURCHASED JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY IN 2019, AS THE LAST WARRANTY BATTERY WAS IN 2017. THIS BATTERY IS SUPPOSEDLY A NEWER, UPDATED MODEL WITH MORE CCA. I DO NOT LEAVE LIGHTS ON IN THE CAR, OR ANY ELECTRONICS PLUGGED IN DUE TO THIS CONSISTENT ISSUE. THIS RECURRING ISSUE HAS LEAD TO A LACK OF TRUST IN THE VEHICLE STARTING, HAVING STRANDED MY FAMILY SEVERAL TIMES. TO COMBAT THIS ISSUE, I KEEP A PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER AND JUMPER CABLES IN THE VEHICLE.
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.