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 · 4,400 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Electrical System

I PURCHASED THIS PRE-OWNED (BY THE DEALERSHIP) 2019 OUTBACK BOUGHT FROM RAMSEY SUBARU, NJ IN MAY 2020 WITH 3366 TOTAL MILEAGE. IN THE 6 MONTHS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT HAS FAILED TO START TWICE, ONCE REQUIRING TOWING TO THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER AND ONCE REQUIRING A JUMP START. I AM NOW QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT WIFE AND…

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I PURCHASED THIS PRE-OWNED (BY THE DEALERSHIP) 2019 OUTBACK BOUGHT FROM RAMSEY SUBARU, NJ IN MAY 2020 WITH 3366 TOTAL MILEAGE. IN THE 6 MONTHS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, IT HAS FAILED TO START TWICE, ONCE REQUIRING TOWING TO THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER AND ONCE REQUIRING A JUMP START. I AM NOW QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT WIFE AND KIDS BEING STRANDED.

NHTSA ODI #11376660

2019 model year · 6,000 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AND THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED FOR NO REASON AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT.

NHTSA ODI #11376498

2020 model year · 100 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Electrical System

VEHICLE PURCHASED IN MARCH. HAVE BEEN DRIVING LESS DUE TO COVID. LAST TRIP WAS OCTOBER 15TH FOR 6 MONTH BABY APPOINTMENT. FOUND THAT CAR WOULDN'T START AND ELECTRONICS NOT WORKING ON NOVEMBER 26TH. SUSPECT DEAD BATTERY AND READ ONLINE ABOUT OUTBACK ELECTRONIC ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11376523

2020 model year · 6,000 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Electrical System

CAR WON'T START. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS AT 4000 MILES. CHANGED POSITION OF SHIFT LEVER TO N AND P UNTIL ABLE TO GET STARTED. WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE BATTERY CHECKED BUT THEY SAID IT WAS OK. NOW AT 6000 MILES COMPLETELY DEAD IN GARAGE. CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 3 OR 4 DAYS. HAVING IT TOWED TO DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #11376507

2017 model year · 27,613 miles · Nov 26, 2020
Electrical System

CAR BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BATTERY TWICE NOW. ORIGINAL BATTERY DIED MARCH, 2019 ' I HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE THAT WITH A NEW BATTERY (BATTERY REPLACEMENT 1). BATTERY REPLACEMENT 1 DIED FEBRUARY, 2020; BATTERY REPLACEMENT 2 (ANOTHER NEW BATTERY) WAS INSTALLED. BATTERY REPLACEMENT 2 DIED NOVEM…

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CAR BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BATTERY TWICE NOW. ORIGINAL BATTERY DIED MARCH, 2019 ' I HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE THAT WITH A NEW BATTERY (BATTERY REPLACEMENT 1). BATTERY REPLACEMENT 1 DIED FEBRUARY, 2020; BATTERY REPLACEMENT 2 (ANOTHER NEW BATTERY) WAS INSTALLED. BATTERY REPLACEMENT 2 DIED NOVEMBER, 2020; BATTERY REPLACEMENT 3 (ANOTHER NEW BATTERY) WAS INSTALLED BY SUBARU.

NHTSA ODI #11376451

2020 model year · 14,000 miles · Nov 25, 2020
Electrical System

MY 2020 OUTBACK WHICH IS ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD HAD THE BATTERY DRAIN ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES I HAD TO JUMP THE CAR IN ORDER FOR IT TO START. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS. IF I DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY, THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER…

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MY 2020 OUTBACK WHICH IS ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD HAD THE BATTERY DRAIN ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES I HAD TO JUMP THE CAR IN ORDER FOR IT TO START. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS. IF I DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY, THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT AND THEY SAID 'WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO, I DID NOT MAKE THE CAR'. THIS IS A TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE PROBLEM. WHAT GOOD IS A BRAND NEW CAR THAT CANNOT SIT THREE DAYS WITHOUT A JUMP START.

NHTSA ODI #11376287

2017 model year · 34,000 miles · Nov 24, 2020
Electrical System

I PURCHASED MY USED SUBARU OUTBACK FROM CARMAX. IT HAS BEEN WORKING FINE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. HOWEVER, NOW I FIND MY CAR CONSTANTLY DEAD AND HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE A CHARGER AND LEAVE ON MY CAR EVERY OTHER DAY OR I FIND MY VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND THE BATTERY IS DRAINED. IT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT DRIVE ME VEHICLE FOR 48 HOURS.…

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I PURCHASED MY USED SUBARU OUTBACK FROM CARMAX. IT HAS BEEN WORKING FINE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. HOWEVER, NOW I FIND MY CAR CONSTANTLY DEAD AND HAVE HAD TO PURCHASE A CHARGER AND LEAVE ON MY CAR EVERY OTHER DAY OR I FIND MY VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND THE BATTERY IS DRAINED. IT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT DRIVE ME VEHICLE FOR 48 HOURS. I ALSO HAVE AN INTERLOCK DEVICE ON MY VEHICLE (PUT ON AFTER THE BATTERY ISSUE BEGAN) AND HAD MY BATTERY CHECKED AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE WHO SAID IT WAS FINE. WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM CARMAX THE VEHICLE WAS DEAD IN THE LOT SO I WAS NOT ABLE TO TEST DRIVE IT. CARMAX REPLACED THE BATTERY TO ENSURE IT WASN'T A BATTERY ISSUE. THIS WAS LIKELY A TEMPORARY FIX WHICH IS WHY THE ISSUE DIDN'T OCCUR IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK THE CAR INTO CARMAX AND THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY AND FOUND IT TO BE WORKING FINE. I REPLACED THE BATTERY CLIP ON THE NEGATIVE TERMINAL, WHICH THEY SAID WAS A LITTLE BIT LOOSE AND I PAID FOR THE REPAIR. THE ISSUE IS STILL PERSISTING. SINCE I HAVE FOUND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SUBARU FOR THIS ISSUE. CARMAX SAYS I NEED TO GET SUBARU TO FIX IT, IF THERE IS AN ISSUE. WHEN IT DIES I USUALLY HAVE TO GO TO THE INTERLOCK MECHANIC AND HE HAS TO RESET IT. THIS IS CAUSING SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH ME GETTING TO WORK AND PLANNING AN UPCOMING MOVE I AM MAKING IN THE NEXT MONTH. THE INTERLOCK DEVICE CAN READ WHENEVER I TURN THE CAR ON AND HOW MANY TIMES IT HAS DIED AND I CAN GET THIS DOCUMENTATION IF NEEDED LATER AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11376094

2020 model year · 53 miles · Nov 24, 2020
Electrical System

WE PURCHASED OUR NEW 2020 OUTBACK LESS THAN A MONTH AGO AND HAVE HAD THE BATTERY DIE 4 SEPARATE TIMES ALREADY. I HAVE HAD TO JUMP START TO REVIVE. WE'VE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ONCE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE ANY PROBLEM AND NOTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED YET.

NHTSA ODI #11376163

2019 model year · 17,000 miles · Nov 23, 2020
Electrical System

AFTER 1.5 YEAR OWNERSHIP OF NEW 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK, NOW HAS 17,000 MILES, BATTERY DIED. CAR STARTED FINE IN THE MORNING, DROVE TO RESTAURANT FOR BREAKFAST, CAME OUT AFTER EATING, CAR DIDN'T START. CALLED SUBARU FOR JUMP START. THE FOLLOWING DAY, TOOK CAR TO SUBARU DEALER; BATTERY TESTED NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #11375935

2020 model year · 4,000 miles · Nov 22, 2020
Electrical System

I BOUGHT MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 300 MILES AND CURRENTLY ONLY HAVE 4000 MILES IN IT AND MY CAR WON'T START I EVEN GOT IT SERVICED 2 WEEKS AGO. IT WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AS USUAL FOR A NIGHT AND THE NEXT DAY IT WOULDN'T START.

NHTSA ODI #11375827

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.