NEW 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD. ONLY 2300 MILES ON VEHICLE. CAR WAS LAST DRIVEN ON SUNDAY. WOULD NOT START ON TUESDAY EVENING. ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS DEAD.
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 reportsMY CAR BATTERY HAS DIED THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY THE SECOND DAY BUT BATTERY DIED AGAIN OVERNIGHT.
BATTERY DIES PREMATURELY, IF VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FOR A FEW DAYS, OR IF PARKED AND REAR HATCH IS OPENED AND CLOSED A FEW TIMES. DEAD BATTERY LEFT ME STRANDED FIVE TIMES SINCE 3/5/2019. BATTERY TESTED WELL AT DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES, SO WAS NOT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL IT FAILED A DRAW TEST.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE OUR 2016 OUTBACK BATTERY. IT BEGINS WITH A SLUGGISH START AND THEN EVENTUALLY, THE BATTERY WON'T TURN THE ENGINE.
BATTERY HAS DIED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. ENOUGH TO WHERE I BOUGHT MY OWN JUMP START BATTERY. THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO JUMP IT WAS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD, SO I BROUGHT IT INTO SUBARU AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. FROM THAT POINT ON WHEN THE BATTERY DIED I HAD IT JUMPED BY A TOW. NEARING THE END OF MY LEASE THE VEHICLES…
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BATTERY HAS DIED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. ENOUGH TO WHERE I BOUGHT MY OWN JUMP START BATTERY. THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO JUMP IT WAS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD, SO I BROUGHT IT INTO SUBARU AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. FROM THAT POINT ON WHEN THE BATTERY DIED I HAD IT JUMPED BY A TOW. NEARING THE END OF MY LEASE THE VEHICLES BATTERY WAS DATE DECEMBER OF 2018. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE IT JUMPED THIS MORNING, 11/7/2020, AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD THIS TIME. WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO HAVE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE JUMP THE VEHICLE, I HEARD THE TAIL GATE TRYING TO ENGAGE AND THEN IT FAILED TO START. IT SEEMS LIKE THE TAILGATE WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY TRYING TO OPEN OR CLOSE, BUT IT WASN'T USED WHEN I GOT HOME.
ASCENT DEAD BATTERY ISSUE. PARASITIC POWER DRAW THAT DRAINS BATTERY SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN PARKED OR SHORT USE. SUBARU TESTED BUT WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAULT. I KNOW NEED TO USE A TRICKLE CHARGER ALL THE TIME WHEN PARKED. 2 BATTERIES IMPACTED IN THE 8 MONTH COVID19 TIMEFRAME AND IN UNDER 36K MILE USE. NEITHER REPLACED BY SUBARU.
DEAD BATTERY PROBLEM. HAVING THE BATTERY GO DEAD IN A PARKING LOT, HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED TO GET HOME.HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AFTER A FEW MORE CASES OF SLOW STARTING, BATTERY WAS REPLACE BY DEALER. HAD TO JUMP START THE NEW BATTERY IN GARAGE TWO MORE TIME IN THE PART WEEK. HAD TO BUY A BATTERY STARTER BOX TO CARRY IN THE C…
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DEAD BATTERY PROBLEM. HAVING THE BATTERY GO DEAD IN A PARKING LOT, HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED TO GET HOME.HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AFTER A FEW MORE CASES OF SLOW STARTING, BATTERY WAS REPLACE BY DEALER. HAD TO JUMP START THE NEW BATTERY IN GARAGE TWO MORE TIME IN THE PART WEEK. HAD TO BUY A BATTERY STARTER BOX TO CARRY IN THE CAR TO BE SURE I CAN GET HOME IF I DRIVE THIS CAR.
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER HAVING PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 10/13/2015. I HAVE HAD 4 BATTERIES SINCE INITIAL OWNERSHIP: 1.10/13/2015 2.10/21/2017 (SUBARU REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY) 3.4/14/2019 (PURCHASED BATTERY FROM CSAA) 4.10/28/2020 (REPLACED BY CSAA) IT APPEARS TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
BATTERY ISSUES ARE NON STOP! BATTERY DIES ALL THE TIME. WE HAD A NEW 2016 OUTBACK PREVIOUSLY, THAT HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULD JUST DIE. WE TRADED IT IN FOR A NEW 2017 OUTBACK AND IT'S EVEN WORSE. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED (NOT SURE HOW MANY TIMES), AND ISSUE IS STILL THE SAME. LEAVES US STUCK/STRANDED IN RANDOM PLACES, AND…
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BATTERY ISSUES ARE NON STOP! BATTERY DIES ALL THE TIME. WE HAD A NEW 2016 OUTBACK PREVIOUSLY, THAT HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULD JUST DIE. WE TRADED IT IN FOR A NEW 2017 OUTBACK AND IT'S EVEN WORSE. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED (NOT SURE HOW MANY TIMES), AND ISSUE IS STILL THE SAME. LEAVES US STUCK/STRANDED IN RANDOM PLACES, AND BACK HATCH WILL SOMETIMES BEEP NON STOP EVEN THOUGH IT'S COMPLETELY CLOSED. WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EMERGENCY JUMP KIT WITH US CONSTANTLY. THE BACK HATCH WON'T OPEN WHEN BATTERY IS DEAD/LOW, WHICH IS CRAZY THAT THERE ISN'T SOME TYPE OF OVERRIDE TO THIS. I HAVE SEEN COUNTLESS BATTERY ISSUES FOR THIS VEHICLE AND I'M BEYOND SHOCKED THAT THIS HASN'T BEEN FIXED/ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. WE ARE FED UP WITH THE BATTERY DRAIN, AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN SO WE CAN (HOPEFULLY) PROACTIVELY START OUR VEHICLE (HAVE ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS OFF, RADIO OFF, AIR OFF - ALL SYSTEMS POSSIBLE TURNED OFF). EVEN THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. WE SPEND EXTRA MONEY ON GAS JUST TO RECHARGE THE CAR BY DRIVING IT MORE MILES THAN WE WANT TO. I'M GONNA BE DONE WITH SUBARU AFTER THIS.
KEYS FREQUENTLY GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSES THE STEERING COLUMN TO BE UNABLE TO DETECT WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO PARK. THE ENTIRE GEARSHIFTERHAD TO BE REPLACED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THIS IS A FREQUENT COMPLAINT FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND IT SEEMS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED.
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.