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.
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 reportsElectrical System
THE BATTERY DIED WITH LESS THAN 30K MILES ON IT. AFTER JUMP STARTING AND DRIVING THE CAR TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY, IT WOULDN'T HOLD A CHARGE. AFTER JUMPING, THE CAR HAD MULTIPLE FEATURES THAT WOULD NOT WORK -- WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN, HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED ON 4/17/20 (MILEAGE 29,554) AND THEY RESET TH…
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THE BATTERY DIED WITH LESS THAN 30K MILES ON IT. AFTER JUMP STARTING AND DRIVING THE CAR TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY, IT WOULDN'T HOLD A CHARGE. AFTER JUMPING, THE CAR HAD MULTIPLE FEATURES THAT WOULD NOT WORK -- WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN, HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED ON 4/17/20 (MILEAGE 29,554) AND THEY RESET THE WINDOWS & HATCH TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN JUNE, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN, AND I HAD TO GET IT SERVICED AGAIN TO HAVE THE WINDOWS & HATCH RESET (MILEAGE 29,971). FINALLY, ON 8/30, THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, DESPITE SHOWING NO INDICATION OF LOW CHARGE OR RELIABILITY FOR SOME TIME. I COULD HEAR A CLICKING IN THE HATCH THAT MAKES ME THINK THERE IS SOME TRIGGER THERE DRAINING THE BATTERY.
NHTSA ODI #11352340
Electrical System
BOUGHT 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK IN LATE 2019. IN MARCH 2020, AFTER LETTING THE OUTBACK SIT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR THREE DAYS WITHOUT DRIVING IT, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. JUMPED IT AND BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. IN AUGUST 2020, OUTBACK SAT UNDRIVEN FOR FOUR DAYS AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD. JUMPED IT, DROVE IT AROUND…
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BOUGHT 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK IN LATE 2019. IN MARCH 2020, AFTER LETTING THE OUTBACK SIT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR THREE DAYS WITHOUT DRIVING IT, THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. JUMPED IT AND BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. IN AUGUST 2020, OUTBACK SAT UNDRIVEN FOR FOUR DAYS AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD. JUMPED IT, DROVE IT AROUND TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY, AND AFTER LEAVING THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW HOURS IT WILL NOT START AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11352238
Electrical System
BATTERY SUDDENLY WENT DEAD SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING WHEN IT SHOULD BE CHARGED. AFTER INVESTIGATING, I FOUND THAT THE ECU CYCLES THE ALTERNATOR OFF AND ON TO TRY TO INCREASE FUEL MILEAGE. THIS HAS TWICE RESULTED IN BATTERY FAILURE, NOT STARTING AND LEAVING ME STRANDED. I'VE HAD TO BUY NEW BATTERIES TWICE IN FIVE YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11352390
Electrical SystemPower Train
WE HAVE HAD 2 MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR: 1- MULTIPLE EPISODES OF BATTERY FAILURE REQUIRING A JUMP START OVER THE LAST YEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT USED FOR A WEEK, BUT ALSO RANDOMLY AFTER A DRIVE. JUST HAPPENED 4 DAYS AGO AFTER A 30 MINUTE HIGHWAY DRIVE- WHEN WE CAME BACK OUT TO THE CAR AFTER 15 MINUTES, IT WOUL…
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WE HAVE HAD 2 MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR: 1- MULTIPLE EPISODES OF BATTERY FAILURE REQUIRING A JUMP START OVER THE LAST YEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT USED FOR A WEEK, BUT ALSO RANDOMLY AFTER A DRIVE. JUST HAPPENED 4 DAYS AGO AFTER A 30 MINUTE HIGHWAY DRIVE- WHEN WE CAME BACK OUT TO THE CAR AFTER 15 MINUTES, IT WOULDN'T START. WE JUMP STARTED IT, AND IT WAS FINE FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT NOW DEAD AGAIN IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR OFTEN HAS A SHUDDERING AND OCCASIONAL STALL WHEN STARTING IT. MOST WORRISOME, I WAS RECENTLY DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER AND AFTER WE EXITED THE HIGHWAY, AND SLOWED DOWN FOR A TOLL, THE CAR LOST IT'S ACCELERATION, DESPITE RPMS REVVING. WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RE-STARTED, AND IT RAN REGULARLY HOME, BUT THIS WAS FRIGHTENING.
NHTSA ODI #11352160
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
I HAVE OWNED MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR ONLY 2 MONTHS. MY CAR WILL NOW NOT START. AFTER JUMPING THE VEHICLE/ CHARGING THE BATTERY, IT WILL START AGAIN AND THEN SHUT BACK OFF. THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT IS CAUSING MY BATTERY TO DRAIN VERY RAPIDLY. CHANGING THE BATTERY DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. FIXING THE ELECTRI…
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I HAVE OWNED MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR ONLY 2 MONTHS. MY CAR WILL NOW NOT START. AFTER JUMPING THE VEHICLE/ CHARGING THE BATTERY, IT WILL START AGAIN AND THEN SHUT BACK OFF. THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT IS CAUSING MY BATTERY TO DRAIN VERY RAPIDLY. CHANGING THE BATTERY DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. FIXING THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE IS THE ONLY SOLUTION. SUBARU HAS THIS PROBLEM WITH OUTBACKS AND ASCENTS FROM 2017 TO 2020 AND NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11352035
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire
MY CAR WENT IN FOR REPAIRS FOR STALLING AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE DAY AFTER I GOT THE CAR BACK IT STALLED AGAIN AND THIS TIME CUT OUT THE ELECTRICITY TO THE VEHICLE , I COULD NOT ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BREAK NOR COULD I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I HELD MY FOOT ON THE BREAK BECAUSE OF A SMALL DOWNHILL AND I WAS AFRAID THE CAR MIGHT R…
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MY CAR WENT IN FOR REPAIRS FOR STALLING AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE DAY AFTER I GOT THE CAR BACK IT STALLED AGAIN AND THIS TIME CUT OUT THE ELECTRICITY TO THE VEHICLE , I COULD NOT ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BREAK NOR COULD I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I HELD MY FOOT ON THE BREAK BECAUSE OF A SMALL DOWNHILL AND I WAS AFRAID THE CAR MIGHT RUN INTO OTHER CARS AT THE INTERSECTION. THE PERSON AT SUBARU WAS WALKING ME THROUGH THE PROCESS OF HOW TO MANUALLY PUT THE GEAR IN PARK,WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO DO THIS A WOMAN YELLED AT ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS ON FIRE,ACCORDING TO SUBARU'S INVESTIGATION, THE FIRE STARTED AT THE LEFT REAR OF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #11351856
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
CONSISTENT BATTERY ISSUES ON START UP; UPON A MECHANIC LOOKING AT BATTERY, THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED/OK - BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE POSSIBLE CONNECTION ISSUE? IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE. IS THERE A FIX FOR THIS?
NHTSA ODI #11351517
Electrical System
I HAVE LESS THAN 100 MILES ON MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK AND AM HAVING SERIOUS BATTERY ISSUES. I HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ON A FRIDAY AND THEN WENT TO START IT ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I CALLED OUT THE SUBARU STARLINK ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET THE BATTERY JUMP-STARTED, WHICH THEY DID AND I LET THE CAR RUN FOR…
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I HAVE LESS THAN 100 MILES ON MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK AND AM HAVING SERIOUS BATTERY ISSUES. I HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ON A FRIDAY AND THEN WENT TO START IT ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I CALLED OUT THE SUBARU STARLINK ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET THE BATTERY JUMP-STARTED, WHICH THEY DID AND I LET THE CAR RUN FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEN OR SO MINUTES TO HELP IT TO CONTINUE RECHARGING. THAT EVENING I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE TO PARK IN THE GARAGE FOR THE EVENING AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, AGAIN. I NEED TO GET THE BATTERY RESTARTED, AGAIN, BUT I AM WORRIED THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE HAPPENING (CHRONIC). DO I TAKE IT 50 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, ONLY TO HAVE THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY DO THE SAME THING? OR DO I REPLACE THE BATTERY WITH ANOTHER VENDOR?
NHTSA ODI #11351330
Electrical System
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START 8/25/2020. BATTERY DRAINED AND NEEDED TO BE RE-CHARGED. NO INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON. THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED TWO YEARS EARLIER ON 7/19/2018 BY SUBARU OF WHITEFISH, MT. DEALER TESTED BATTERY ON GR8 TESTER AND TESTED BAD. IN BOTH CASES, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY OR GAR…
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VEHICLE WOULD NOT START 8/25/2020. BATTERY DRAINED AND NEEDED TO BE RE-CHARGED. NO INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON. THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED TWO YEARS EARLIER ON 7/19/2018 BY SUBARU OF WHITEFISH, MT. DEALER TESTED BATTERY ON GR8 TESTER AND TESTED BAD. IN BOTH CASES, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY OR GARAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11351206
Electrical System
MY CAR BATTERY CONTINUES TO DRAIN. I WAS GIVEN A NEW BATTERY DESPITE THE CAR BEING LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP, THE BATTERY DRAINS OVERNIGHT TO THE POINT THE CAR BARELY TURNS OVER OR DOESN'T START AT ALL. EVEN AFTER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING, THE BATTERY BARE…
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MY CAR BATTERY CONTINUES TO DRAIN. I WAS GIVEN A NEW BATTERY DESPITE THE CAR BEING LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP, THE BATTERY DRAINS OVERNIGHT TO THE POINT THE CAR BARELY TURNS OVER OR DOESN'T START AT ALL. EVEN AFTER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING, THE BATTERY BARELY TURNS OVER DESPITE SITTING OVERNIGHT FOR 12 HOURS IN THE DRIVEWAY IN AUGUST.
NHTSA ODI #11351101
Related Official recalls
5Jul 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗