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
2020 model year · 1,750 miles · Jul 11, 2020
Electrical System

AFTER BATTERY DIED 2 TIMES THIS WEEK AND I HAD TO JUMP START IT, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH CAR OR BATTERY. THEY CHARGED THE BATTERY AND TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT MORE. THE NEXT DAY (TODAY 7/11/2020) I MADE A SHORT TRIP WITH IT AND IT WAS FINE. SEVERAL HOURS LATER I WANTED TO USE THE CAR AGAIN…

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AFTER BATTERY DIED 2 TIMES THIS WEEK AND I HAD TO JUMP START IT, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH CAR OR BATTERY. THEY CHARGED THE BATTERY AND TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT MORE. THE NEXT DAY (TODAY 7/11/2020) I MADE A SHORT TRIP WITH IT AND IT WAS FINE. SEVERAL HOURS LATER I WANTED TO USE THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT START UNTIL I JUMPED IT. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER AGAIN ON MONDAY.

NHTSA ODI #11338797

2018 model year · 27,765 miles · Jul 9, 2020
Electrical System

THE TOUCH SCREEN ON MY RADIO/HEAD UNIT INTERMITTENTLY FREEZES. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE IT IS LIKELY DUE TO BLUETOOTH, AND TETHERING INTERFERENCE BECAUSE THEY BOTH TRY TO CONNECT. DEALER RESET THE RADIO, AND I HAVE NOT CONNECTED THE BLUETOOTH AT ALL AFTER THE RESET. YET AGAIN SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE DUE T…

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THE TOUCH SCREEN ON MY RADIO/HEAD UNIT INTERMITTENTLY FREEZES. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE IT IS LIKELY DUE TO BLUETOOTH, AND TETHERING INTERFERENCE BECAUSE THEY BOTH TRY TO CONNECT. DEALER RESET THE RADIO, AND I HAVE NOT CONNECTED THE BLUETOOTH AT ALL AFTER THE RESET. YET AGAIN SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE DUE TO THE RECALL AND CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. IT STILL HAS ISSUES. THERE ISN'T ANY REAL TIME FRAME WHEN IT DOES THIS JUST RANDOMLY TURNS NON-RESPONSIVE ON THE MAIN TOUCH SCREEN. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED, AND HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 2 OR 3 TIMES NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11338480

2020 model year · 450 miles · Jul 9, 2020
Electrical System

5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS NEW VEHICLE, THE BATTERY HAS DIED THREE TIMES. ON TWO OCCASION IT WAS SITTING IN MY GARAGE HAVING BEEN DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE WITHIN THE PAST 72 HRS. ON ONE OCCASIONS IT WAS DEAD 48 HRS AFTER BEING JUMPED AND DRIVE. TODAY IT WAS JUMPED AGAIN AND DRIVEN TO MAITA SUBARU IN SACRAMENTO, CA. AFTER WAI…

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5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS NEW VEHICLE, THE BATTERY HAS DIED THREE TIMES. ON TWO OCCASION IT WAS SITTING IN MY GARAGE HAVING BEEN DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE WITHIN THE PAST 72 HRS. ON ONE OCCASIONS IT WAS DEAD 48 HRS AFTER BEING JUMPED AND DRIVE. TODAY IT WAS JUMPED AGAIN AND DRIVEN TO MAITA SUBARU IN SACRAMENTO, CA. AFTER WAITING FOR 15 MINUTES IN THE SERVICE DRIVEWAY, WAITING TO BE SERVED, THE CAR BATTERY WAS FOUND TO BE DEAD BY SERVICE TECHS.

NHTSA ODI #11338473

2019 model year · 30,000 miles · Jul 8, 2020
Electrical System

WE STARTED HAVING BATTERY ISSUES IN APRIL 2020. I USE THE OUTBACK FOR WORK MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND I BEGAN TO NOTICE A WEAK BATTERY AFTER THE WEEKEND. I LET IT SIT FOR THREE DAYS, AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT, IT WAS DEAD. I PUT A CHARGER ON THE BATTERY, STARTED RIGHT UP THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK IT TO WORK AND LATER THAT DAY, ATE…

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WE STARTED HAVING BATTERY ISSUES IN APRIL 2020. I USE THE OUTBACK FOR WORK MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND I BEGAN TO NOTICE A WEAK BATTERY AFTER THE WEEKEND. I LET IT SIT FOR THREE DAYS, AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT, IT WAS DEAD. I PUT A CHARGER ON THE BATTERY, STARTED RIGHT UP THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK IT TO WORK AND LATER THAT DAY, ATE LUNCH IN THE CAR. AFTER LISTENING TO THE RADIO FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, I STARTED THE CAR TO RUN THE AC. IT HAD TROUBLE STARTING, BUT I MANAGED TO START IT AND LET IT RUN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. IT WAS STILL A LITTLE SLUGGISH STARTING AFTER WORK, SO I LEFT IT HOME AND TOOK A DIFFERENT CAR THE NEXT DAY. AFTER TAKING A DIFFERENT VEHICLE TO WORK, I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, AND AGAIN IT WAS DEAD. SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WOULD ONLY PAY FOR A TOW FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP; IT WOULD HAVE COST ME OVER $100 TO TOW IT BACK TO THE DEALER. I PUT A NEW BATTERY ON IT IN MAY, AND SO FAR HAVE NOT HAD ANYMORE ISSUES WITH IT STARTING.

NHTSA ODI #11338158

2020 model year · 1,326 miles · Jul 8, 2020
Electrical System

WITH SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 1300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AND AFTER THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED SO THAT NOTHING APPEARED ON THE SCREENS, THE REAR GATE WOULD NOT FUNCTION, AND NO GREEN LIGHT APPEARED TO SHOW THAT THE CAR WAS READY TO START. WHEN THE IGNITION BUTTON WAS PRESSED, NOTHING HAPPENED. USIN…

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WITH SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 1300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AND AFTER THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR ABOUT A WEEK, THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED SO THAT NOTHING APPEARED ON THE SCREENS, THE REAR GATE WOULD NOT FUNCTION, AND NO GREEN LIGHT APPEARED TO SHOW THAT THE CAR WAS READY TO START. WHEN THE IGNITION BUTTON WAS PRESSED, NOTHING HAPPENED. USING A BRAND NEW 5 AMP BATTERY CHARGER, AFTER 20 HOURS IT SHOWS THE BATTERY TO BE ONLY 25% CHARGED.

NHTSA ODI #11338192

2017 model year · 47,200 miles · Jul 7, 2020
Electrical System

OUR PRE-OWNED 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK'S BATTERY DIED A FEW DAYS AFTER WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH 41,000 MILES, MARCH 2020. WE TESTED THE BATTERY AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WE DID OURSELVES. WHEN WE CALLED OUR DEALERSHIP WHERE HE PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DEALER TOLD US THEY COULD NOT CHANGE THE BATTERY. T…

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OUR PRE-OWNED 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK'S BATTERY DIED A FEW DAYS AFTER WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH 41,000 MILES, MARCH 2020. WE TESTED THE BATTERY AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WE DID OURSELVES. WHEN WE CALLED OUR DEALERSHIP WHERE HE PURCHASED THE CAR, THE DEALER TOLD US THEY COULD NOT CHANGE THE BATTERY. THE CAR DIDN'T GIVE US ANY MORE PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS MORNING WHEN WE FOUND THE BATTERY DEAD AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN USED ON REGULAR BASES AND IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND WE ARE CERTAIN THAT WE DIDN'T LEAVE ANYTHING OPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11337906

2018 model year · 5,800 miles · Jul 7, 2020
Electrical System

WHEN I PARK MY CAR IN THE GARAGE ON THURSDAY JULY 2ND AND CLOSE THE GARAGE WITH NO PROBLEM. ON JULY 4TH MY WIFE OPEN THE GARAGE AND GOT A CHAIR FROM HER CAR ACURA RDX AND WATCH THE FIREWORKS ON THE DRIVE WAY. LATER ON PUT THE CHAIR BACK IN HER ACURA AND CLOSE THE GARAGE. SUNDAY AFTERNOON I HAD TO GO TO THE GARAGE AND GET TOOL…

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WHEN I PARK MY CAR IN THE GARAGE ON THURSDAY JULY 2ND AND CLOSE THE GARAGE WITH NO PROBLEM. ON JULY 4TH MY WIFE OPEN THE GARAGE AND GOT A CHAIR FROM HER CAR ACURA RDX AND WATCH THE FIREWORKS ON THE DRIVE WAY. LATER ON PUT THE CHAIR BACK IN HER ACURA AND CLOSE THE GARAGE. SUNDAY AFTERNOON I HAD TO GO TO THE GARAGE AND GET TOOLS TO FIX THE BATHROOM SINK AND SAW THE SUBARU OUTBACK HATCHBACK OPEN. I THEN FOUND THE SUBRARU OUTBACK BATTERY DEAD AND THE HATCHBACK ALL SCRATCHES. MY WIFE ONLY HAS HER ACURA CAR FOB, THE OTHER SUBRARU HANGING ON A CLOSET DOOR. MY SUBRARU KEY FOB IS IN MY WORK COMPUTER BRIEFCASE. DEFINITELY NOBODY TOUCH THE SUBRARU FOBS. HOWEVER, I ONLY DRIVE THE SUBRARU OUTBACK TO WORK ( VANPOOL MEETING LOCATION) ABOUT 4 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND USUALLY ABOUT 5 MINUTES ONE WAY. THE CAR UNABLE TO STARTUP AFTER THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11338032

2015 model year · 58,878 miles · Jul 7, 2020
Electrical System

2015 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6L MILEAGE-58969. ALL LIGHTS FLASHING ON DASHBOARD, THEN SOME STOP BUT MANY STAY FLASHING.

NHTSA ODI #11337861

2018 model year · 42,800 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Electrical System

MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY AND THE CAR NOT STARTING. IT SEEMED TO HAVE STEMMED FROM THE LIFTGATE WORKING IMPROPERLY AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. IT HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT SELF-RESOLVED AFTER RESETTING LIFTGATE AND JUMP STARTING CAR. RECENTLY, ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, IT STARTED HAVING ISSU…

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MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY AND THE CAR NOT STARTING. IT SEEMED TO HAVE STEMMED FROM THE LIFTGATE WORKING IMPROPERLY AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. IT HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT SELF-RESOLVED AFTER RESETTING LIFTGATE AND JUMP STARTING CAR. RECENTLY, ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE LIFTGATE AND BATTERY AGAIN AND WAS LEFT STUCK AT A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WITH A JUMPSTART. I BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU IN FAIRFIELD, CA, WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A LIFTGATE ISSUE THAT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. THEY RESET THE LIFTGATE AND THEN CHARGED THE BATTERY AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. TODAY 6/6/2020, MY CAR HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING AGAIN, TOOK A FEW TRIES TO START, THOUGH THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE LIFTGATE. I BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU FAIRFIELD, CA AGAIN, WHERE THEY SAID THERE WAS A BATTERY FAILURE, I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY FOR A REPLACEMENT, AND WOULD BE CHARGED FOR A NEW BATTERY EVEN THOUGH THEY SAID THAT THEY KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH A NUMBER OF RECENT SUBARU OWNERS WITH BATTERY ISSUES. DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE, LEAVING OWNERS STRANDED RANDOMLY AND NEEDING A JUMP START, AND THAT BATTERY REPLACEMENTS ARE NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM, AS THE ELECTRICAL DRAINING ISSUE IS STILL THERE.

NHTSA ODI #11337784

2020 model year · 2,755 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Electrical System

FOR 2 WEEKS IN A ROW, OUR 2020 SUBARU (MILEAGE 2,845) FAILED TO START, AFTER NOT HAVING BEEN DRIVEN FOR 40+ HOURS, BECAUSE THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY, MORE OR LESS ON LEVEL GROUND. EACH TIME WE HAD TO CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. LAST MONDAY …

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FOR 2 WEEKS IN A ROW, OUR 2020 SUBARU (MILEAGE 2,845) FAILED TO START, AFTER NOT HAVING BEEN DRIVEN FOR 40+ HOURS, BECAUSE THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED. IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY, MORE OR LESS ON LEVEL GROUND. EACH TIME WE HAD TO CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. LAST MONDAY (6/29/2020), WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR, AUTONATION HUNT VALLEY SUBARU (COCKEYSVILLE, MARYLAND). WHILE THERE, THE TECHNICIAN TOLD US, "NOT THAT WE LIKE TO BLAME THE VICTIM, BUT..." HE INDICATED THAT WE HAD PROBABLY LEFT A DOOR AJAR OR MADE SOME OTHER HUMAN ERROR. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE GARAGE TESTED THE BATTERY AND IT WAS HEALTHY (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ANALYSIS). WE DECIDED TO LEAVE THE CAR THERE FOR ITS 6-MONTH SERVICING, AND DROVE IT AWAY THAT EVENING, EXPECTING THAT THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. THE INVOICE AND FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE CHECK UP SERVICE IS ATTACHED. TO OUR SURPRISE, THIS MORNING (07/06/2020) WE ENCOUNTERED THE VERY SAME ISSUE AGAIN, AND AGAIN WE HAD TO CALL UP A ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SERVICE TO CHARGE THE BATTERY FOR US. AT THIS POINT, WE ARE UNSURE HOW TO PROCEED, AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY GUIDANCE FROM THE NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI #11337635

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.