PREMATURE BATTERY FAILURE. REPLACED TWICE IN LAST 14 MONTHS. DOES NOT HOLD CHARGE PROPERLY. SEEMS TO BE EITHER UNDERPOWERED OR HAS UNIDENTIFIED DRAIN ON BATTERY.
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 reportsPURCHASED THE VEHICLE, CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED, IN 2018. AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, THE BATTERY DIED AND IT WAS REPLACED. IN 2020, HAVE NOW HAD THE BATTERY DIE ON THREE OCCASIONS: 1) AFTER VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF, RADIO IS ON FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (LESS THAN 20 MINS), HAVING JUST DRIVEN FOR ~5 HOURS 2) 1 WEEK LATER, AFTER …
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PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED, IN 2018. AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, THE BATTERY DIED AND IT WAS REPLACED. IN 2020, HAVE NOW HAD THE BATTERY DIE ON THREE OCCASIONS: 1) AFTER VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF, RADIO IS ON FOR SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (LESS THAN 20 MINS), HAVING JUST DRIVEN FOR ~5 HOURS 2) 1 WEEK LATER, AFTER DAILY DRIVING, DOORS ARE OPEN FOR ~15 MINS FROM LOADING UP THE CAR - AT THIS POINT WE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. 3) 1 MONTH LATER, AFTER RADIO IS ON FOR ~1 HOUR 30 MINUTES, MANAGED TO START VEHICLE 3 TIMES DURING THAT 1.5 HOURS, BUT ON THE 4TH ATTEMPT IT DID NOT WORK. MEANWHILE 6 OTHER VEHICLES, OF VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS, WHO ALSO HAD THEIR RADIOS ON FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME, WERE ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY WITHOUT ISSUE.
REAR DOOR (TRUNK) DOES NOT STOP CLOSING OR DOES NOT OPENING NOR BY BUTTON ON THE FRONT PANEL, NOR BY REMOTE. BATTERY IS GETTING DISCHARGED AFTER I STOP AND CLOSE IT. I HAVE TO KEEP THE JUMP STARTER BATTERY IN THE CAR AND USE IT EVERY WEEK, SOMETIMES - EVERY DAY. BATTERY ITSELF WAS TESTED GOOD SEVERAL TIMES (I'VE STARTED WITH IT)…
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REAR DOOR (TRUNK) DOES NOT STOP CLOSING OR DOES NOT OPENING NOR BY BUTTON ON THE FRONT PANEL, NOR BY REMOTE. BATTERY IS GETTING DISCHARGED AFTER I STOP AND CLOSE IT. I HAVE TO KEEP THE JUMP STARTER BATTERY IN THE CAR AND USE IT EVERY WEEK, SOMETIMES - EVERY DAY. BATTERY ITSELF WAS TESTED GOOD SEVERAL TIMES (I'VE STARTED WITH IT). ALL SURFACES AROUND END SWITCHES ARE CLEAN, THERE A RE NO ALARM INDICATION ABOUT OPEN DOOR. AT DEALERSHIP THEY CHARGED ME $80 BUT DID NOT FIND/HELP AT ALL.
MY 2016 OUTBACK BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY GOING DEAD FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER. IF IT SITS FOR ONE DAY WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN, THE BATTERY WILL BE DEAD. I CAN SWITCH OUT THE BATTERY AND IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE FOR A FEW MONTHS, THEN BACK TO THE BATTERY BEING DEAD IF THE CAR SITS FOR ONE DAY WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. IT'S NOT THE BATTERY…
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MY 2016 OUTBACK BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY GOING DEAD FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER. IF IT SITS FOR ONE DAY WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN, THE BATTERY WILL BE DEAD. I CAN SWITCH OUT THE BATTERY AND IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE FOR A FEW MONTHS, THEN BACK TO THE BATTERY BEING DEAD IF THE CAR SITS FOR ONE DAY WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. IT'S NOT THE BATTERY, IT'S THE CAR! IT'S HAPPENED TO ME MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT.
2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. NOW ON BATTERY #6, THIRD ONE REPLACED SINCE FEBRUARY 2020. BATTERY EACH TIME WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, REQUIRING ROADSIDE SERVICE. DEALER REPLACES, SAYS THEY DO A SYSTEM ANALYSIS. ROADSIDE TOWING COMPANY EACH TIME TELLS ME THEY SEE LOTS OF ISSUES WITH 2016 - 2020 OUTBACKS. CONTACT WITH SUBARU I AM TOLD THERE ARE …
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2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. NOW ON BATTERY #6, THIRD ONE REPLACED SINCE FEBRUARY 2020. BATTERY EACH TIME WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, REQUIRING ROADSIDE SERVICE. DEALER REPLACES, SAYS THEY DO A SYSTEM ANALYSIS. ROADSIDE TOWING COMPANY EACH TIME TELLS ME THEY SEE LOTS OF ISSUES WITH 2016 - 2020 OUTBACKS. CONTACT WITH SUBARU I AM TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS. I WAS EVEN TOLD I NEEDED TO DRIVE THE CAR EVERY FEW DAYS. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS WITH OTHER CARS IN MY 56 YEARS OF DRIVING. CAR WAS STATIONARY, FORTUNATELY AT OUR HOUSE SO I WAS NOT STRANDED WITH A DEAD BATTERY. DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS I NOTED THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS EXPRESSED. BATTERY THAT CAME WITH THE CAR DEC 14, 2017 - NEW BATTERY ...DATE NOT RECORDED...NEW BATTERY FEB 3, 2020 - BATTERY REPLACED APRIL 6,2020 - BATTERY REPLACED OCT 26, 2020 - BATTERY REPLACED FILE ATTACHED WITH SERVICE REPORT FOR BATTERIES REPLACED IN 2020 FROM SUBARU DEALER
VEHICLE'S BATTERY CONTINUES TO DRAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO SUBARU FOR WARRANTY SERVICE AND THEY DEEMED THERE WAS NOT AN ISSUE. WE HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE AND THE SAME ISSUE PERSISTS.
BATTERY FAILED WITHIN 1 MONTH OF NEW CAR PURCHASE. TECHNICIAN INITIALLY SAID IT WAS DUE TO REAR DOME LIGHT BEING LEFT ON (DID NOT THINK THIS WAS THE CASE). AFTER REPEATEDLY RETURNING TO THE CAR IN THE MORNINGS TO FIND DRAINED BATTERY, HAD TO PURCHASE BACK UP JUMPING DEVICE TO ENSURE I'D BE ABLE TO USE VEHICLE DAILY. THE CAR WAS …
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BATTERY FAILED WITHIN 1 MONTH OF NEW CAR PURCHASE. TECHNICIAN INITIALLY SAID IT WAS DUE TO REAR DOME LIGHT BEING LEFT ON (DID NOT THINK THIS WAS THE CASE). AFTER REPEATEDLY RETURNING TO THE CAR IN THE MORNINGS TO FIND DRAINED BATTERY, HAD TO PURCHASE BACK UP JUMPING DEVICE TO ENSURE I'D BE ABLE TO USE VEHICLE DAILY. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 MORE TIMES (WITHIN WEEKS OF THE INITIAL PROBLEM) AFTER NEEDING TO JUMP THE CAR TO START IT. NO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND AND BATTERY WAS DEEMED TO BE "OK" PER THEIR TEST. THEN ONE MORNING WHILE STARTING THE CAR, THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED ALL TO FLASH, AN AUDIBLE CLICKING NOISE AND HATCH MOTOR COULD BE HEARD TRYING TO OPEN AND REMAINED STUCK IN THAT MODE UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED (CAR NEVER STARTED). CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR 3RD TIME IN A MONTH AND BATTERY WAS DEEMED "TO BE DEFECTIVE" FROM THE FACTORY AND WAS REPLACED IN THIS 2 MONTH OLD CAR. NO OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED TO EXPLAIN WHAT REPEATEDLY DRAINED THE BATTERY.
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 3/2019, STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY DYING IN A FEW MONTHS, EVEN HAVING THE HATCH OPEN DURING CLEANING WOULD DRAIN THE BATTERY. WE WOULD JUMP IT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY WOULD DRAIN IN A FEW DAYS WHETHER WE USED THE VEHICLE OR NOT. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ALONE IN NOT A SAFE ENVIRONMEN…
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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 3/2019, STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY DYING IN A FEW MONTHS, EVEN HAVING THE HATCH OPEN DURING CLEANING WOULD DRAIN THE BATTERY. WE WOULD JUMP IT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY WOULD DRAIN IN A FEW DAYS WHETHER WE USED THE VEHICLE OR NOT. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ALONE IN NOT A SAFE ENVIRONMENT N MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. TOOK THE BATTERY IN TO BE CHECKED AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. PURCHASED A BATTERY TENDER AND WOULD LEAVE IT HOOKED UP AND THEN FINALLY THAT NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY. WE WILL SEE HOW LONG THIS ONE WILL LAST BEFORE THE SAME THING HAPPENS. SINCE WE LIVE FAR OUT OF TOWN WE RELY ON THIS CAR TO BE IN TIP TOP RUNNING ORDER FOR ANY EMERGENCIES WE MAY HAVE. NOT THE CASE, SORRY TO SAY, BUT I REALLY EXPECTED MORE FROM SUBARU AND RIGHTFULLY SO. THEY HAVE EARNED AN AMAZING REPUTATION SO SURPRISED THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WON'T FIX IT.
2018 SUBARU OUTBACK, ONLY 10,500 MILES, BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING, AND FINALLY WOULD NOT CRANK THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED 10-24-2020 (SAT.) DEALER WHITE BEAR SUBARU WOULD NOT ANSWER HIS PHONE IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CALLED SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY WOULD NOT TOW TO A SUBARU DEALER, ONLY A NEARBY INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. I…
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2018 SUBARU OUTBACK, ONLY 10,500 MILES, BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING, AND FINALLY WOULD NOT CRANK THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED 10-24-2020 (SAT.) DEALER WHITE BEAR SUBARU WOULD NOT ANSWER HIS PHONE IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CALLED SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY WOULD NOT TOW TO A SUBARU DEALER, ONLY A NEARBY INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. I REJECTED THAT, AND SINCE IT WAS THE WEEKEND, I HAD TO PURCHASE A NAPA AFTERMARKET BATTERY, EVEN THOUGH SUBARU WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. COST ME OVER $160,00.
WITHIN THE PAST 3 WEEKS, WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED AN INTERMITTENT AND RECURRING PROBLEM OF BEING UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AFTER DRIVING, AND IN "PARK". CAR IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS OCCURS.
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.