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
2018 model year · 15,500 miles · May 19, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THIS MODEL HAS SEVERE BATTERY DRAIN ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO REPEATEDLY JUMP OR CHARGE THE BATTERY AFTER JUST A SHORT PERIOD OF THE LIFT GATE OR SIDE DOORS BEING OPEN. THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF BUT THEY STILL DRAIN THE BATTERY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN AN "OUTDOOR" VEHICLE. YOU CANNOT TAILGATE, USE THE LIFT GATE TO MAKE A TENT, …

Read full complaint

THIS MODEL HAS SEVERE BATTERY DRAIN ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO REPEATEDLY JUMP OR CHARGE THE BATTERY AFTER JUST A SHORT PERIOD OF THE LIFT GATE OR SIDE DOORS BEING OPEN. THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF BUT THEY STILL DRAIN THE BATTERY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN AN "OUTDOOR" VEHICLE. YOU CANNOT TAILGATE, USE THE LIFT GATE TO MAKE A TENT, KEEPS DOORS OPEN WHEN UNLOADING. SUBARU GIVES YOU AN UNDER-POWERED CHEAP BATTERY AND HAS THE DRAIN ISSUE. I CANNOT USE THE CAR AS MARKETED. I FINALLY GOT FED UP WITH THE ISSUE SO FAR AND PURCHASED MY OWN LARGER BATTERY. SOA HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR THIS, BUT THE UNDERLYING ISSUE NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. I SUSPECT ON THE LIFT GATE THERE IS POWER CONTINUALLY FLOWING TO IT WHEN OPEN SO IT IS READY TO CLOSE WHEN YOU PUSH THE CLOSE BUTTON. THIS NEED A KILL SWITCH. MY BEHAVIOR WITH THIS CAR IS NO DIFFERENT THAN OTHER CARS IN THE PAST AND THEIR BATTERIES DID NOT DIE. THIS IS NOT USER ERROR, BUT A BAD DESIGN. THE WEB IS FULL OF SIMILARLY FRUSTRATED OWNERS. I'LL PUT THE LAST DATE I HAD TO CALL AAA, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. EVEN AN HOUR OF THE LIFT GATE OPEN SEEMS TO SEVERELY DRAIN THE BATTERY. MY PARENTS HAVE A 2016 AND I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE THIS ISSUE? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU GET STUCK SOMEWHERE IN THE WILD WITH A DEAD CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325164

2017 model year · 13,000 miles · May 18, 2020
Electrical System

I AM 1 OF MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL RENDERING A DEAD BATTERY. REPLACING BATTERY AND CONSTANTLY CHARGING AT THIS POINT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET YOUR VEHICLE TO RUN. AT THIS POINT THE BATTERY IS DEAD EVERY MORNING IN THE GARAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324966

2017 model year · 25,000 miles · May 17, 2020
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ANYTHING ACROSS THE BOTTOM NEAR THE WIPERS. MY BATTERY CONTINUES TO DIE FOR NO REASON THAT I CAN FIND, EVEN AFTER I HAVE REPLACED IT. I DON'T LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON OR ANYTHING AND I CAN COME BACK TO MY CAR AND I HAVE TO JUMP IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN IT AFTER DRIVING IT, STOPPED AND T…

Read full complaint

MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ANYTHING ACROSS THE BOTTOM NEAR THE WIPERS. MY BATTERY CONTINUES TO DIE FOR NO REASON THAT I CAN FIND, EVEN AFTER I HAVE REPLACED IT. I DON'T LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON OR ANYTHING AND I CAN COME BACK TO MY CAR AND I HAVE TO JUMP IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN IT AFTER DRIVING IT, STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LISTENED TO THE RADIO AND 10 MINUTES LATER I GO TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON AND IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD. AFTER I GET IT GOING THE GATE WILL BEEP CONTINUOUSLY WHILE IT IS STILL CLOSED AND I HAVE TO RESET THE WHOLE VEHICLE TO GET THE BEEPING TO STOP. I TOOK IT TO GET CHECKED AND THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. WHEN I GOT THE BATTERY CHECKED FOR POWER NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG WITH THE BATTERY. AND YET THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11324838

2017 model year · 34,500 miles · May 15, 2020
Electrical System

AT 35 MONTHS, THE ORIGINAL BATTERY IN MY OUTBACK SUDDENLY DIED AND WOULD NOT START THE CAR. I CAN JUMP START THE VEHICLE. AFTER JUMPING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING AROUND FOR 30 MINUTES, THINGS SEEMED OK & THE CAR STARTED 2 HOURS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE NEXT MORNING HOWEVER, IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. SUBARU SERVICE TOLD ME I NEEDED T…

Read full complaint

AT 35 MONTHS, THE ORIGINAL BATTERY IN MY OUTBACK SUDDENLY DIED AND WOULD NOT START THE CAR. I CAN JUMP START THE VEHICLE. AFTER JUMPING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING AROUND FOR 30 MINUTES, THINGS SEEMED OK & THE CAR STARTED 2 HOURS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. THE NEXT MORNING HOWEVER, IT WAS TOTALLY DEAD. SUBARU SERVICE TOLD ME I NEEDED TO DRIVE IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR AT LEAST 45 MINUTES. SO, I JUMPED IT AGAIN AND DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR 2 HOURS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SHORTLY AFTER I RETURNED FROM THIS TRIP, I HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE. I WAS TOLD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE OK, BUT IT STILL NEEDED CHARGING. THE CAR DID START ABOUT 6 HOURS AFTER RETURNING FROM THIS TRIP. HOWEVER, THE NEXT MORNING THE BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD. I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THIS WITH A SUBARU DEALERSHIP, AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT IN 2 WEEKS. IN THE MEANTIME, WILL TRY TO KEEP THE OUTBACK IN SERVICE WITH A TRICKLE CHARGER, AND JUMP STARTS AS NECESSARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324654

2019 model year · 9,800 miles · May 14, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

MY CAR WOULD NOT START (TODAY, O5/14/2020), I HAD TO CALL ROAD ASSIST, AND PERSON WHO JUMP STARTED MY CAR TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, SUBARU OUTBACK 2019, FOR EXAMPLE TODAY HE HAD TO JUMP START 3 CARS EXACTLY LIKE MINE (SUBARU OUTBACK 2019). HE TOLD THAT BATTERY SHOULD NOT GO BAD THIS FAST, THAT S…

Read full complaint

MY CAR WOULD NOT START (TODAY, O5/14/2020), I HAD TO CALL ROAD ASSIST, AND PERSON WHO JUMP STARTED MY CAR TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, SUBARU OUTBACK 2019, FOR EXAMPLE TODAY HE HAD TO JUMP START 3 CARS EXACTLY LIKE MINE (SUBARU OUTBACK 2019). HE TOLD THAT BATTERY SHOULD NOT GO BAD THIS FAST, THAT SOMETHING IS DRAINING IT AND I SHOULD SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP ASAP TO FIX THE ONGOING PROBLEM TO AVOID FUTURE HARDSHIP. I HAVE 9800 MILES ON MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324602

2020 model year · 255 miles · May 11, 2020
Electrical System

MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK WAS PARKED IN MY HOME GARAGE FROM ABOUT NOON ON TUESDAY UNTIL I TRIED TO GO AT ABOUT 4 PM THE NEXT SUNDAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THERE WAS NO CLEAR REASON WHY. I CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE SERVICE AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEM TO COME MONDAY MORNING TO TRY A JUMP START AND TOW IT INTO THE DEALER IF NEEDED…

Read full complaint

MY 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK WAS PARKED IN MY HOME GARAGE FROM ABOUT NOON ON TUESDAY UNTIL I TRIED TO GO AT ABOUT 4 PM THE NEXT SUNDAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THERE WAS NO CLEAR REASON WHY. I CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE SERVICE AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEM TO COME MONDAY MORNING TO TRY A JUMP START AND TOW IT INTO THE DEALER IF NEEDED. AT THAT POINT, I HAD THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS AND IT HAD 2 MINES ON IT. MONDAY MORNING I CALLED THE DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW OF THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING IT ENOUGH AND MAYBE I SHOULD GET A BATTERY TENDER TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING. I WAS NOT AT ALL PLEASED WITH THEIR SUGGESTION AND DO NOT PLAN ON FOLLOWING THEIR ADVICE. I DID SOME ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT SUBARU AND THEIR DEALERS ARE UNWILLING TO RESOLVE. AND, IT SEEMS THAT ITS NOT JUST THE BATTERY BUT SEVERAL CAR COMPONENTS KEEP RUNNING AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND THAT WOULD RUN DOWN ANY BATTERY THAT IS IN THE CAR. I NEED RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND THIS NEW CAR IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324209

2020 model year · 3,100 miles · May 11, 2020
Electrical System

AFTER THE CAR HAD SAT FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS, WHEN WE WENT TO USE IT AND INITIALLY WE GOT A LOT OF BELLS AND CHIRPS GOING OFF ALONG WITH NUMEROUS WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS. BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. WE WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE TO GET THE KEYS FOR OUR OTHER VEHICLE, BUT DECIDED TO TRY AND START THE CAR A SECOND TIME. …

Read full complaint

AFTER THE CAR HAD SAT FOR ABOUT 10 DAYS, WHEN WE WENT TO USE IT AND INITIALLY WE GOT A LOT OF BELLS AND CHIRPS GOING OFF ALONG WITH NUMEROUS WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS. BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. WE WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE TO GET THE KEYS FOR OUR OTHER VEHICLE, BUT DECIDED TO TRY AND START THE CAR A SECOND TIME. THIS TIME THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD - NO INSTRUMENT LIGHTS CAME ON AT ALL.(AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD A LITTLE UNDER 3200 MILES TOTAL MILES ON IT AND WAS A LITTLE OVER 3 MONTHS OLD). I RECHARGED THE BATTERY THE NEXT FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN DROVE IT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. THEY KEPT IT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY OR CHARGING SYSTEM, AND NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THEM. (NOTE: I HAD ALSO DISCOVERED A SMALL OIL LEAK AT THAT TIME, WHICH THEY FIXED AT THAT TIME) I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SUBARU REGARDING BATTERY PROBLEMS ON OUTBACK MODEL VEHICLES. TODAY [5-11-20] WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE TO HAVE A BLOOD TEST TAKEN I NOTED THAT THE BATTERY WAS SOMEWHAT LOW (I.E.: THE ENGINE TURNED OVER SLOWER THAN NORMAL). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324194

2017 model year · 12,000 miles · May 9, 2020
Electrical System

VEHICLE BOUGHT IN 2017. IN 2018, BATTERY DRAINED THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS: TWICE, I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE; THIRD TIME, ANOTHER PERSON HELPED ME START MY CAR. I HAPPENED ON 9/30/18, AFTER PARKING OUTSIDE AN ANIMAL HOSPITAL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED AND I WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE BATTERY DOESN'T CH…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE BOUGHT IN 2017. IN 2018, BATTERY DRAINED THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS: TWICE, I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE; THIRD TIME, ANOTHER PERSON HELPED ME START MY CAR. I HAPPENED ON 9/30/18, AFTER PARKING OUTSIDE AN ANIMAL HOSPITAL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT CHECKED AND I WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE BATTERY DOESN'T CHARGE ENOUGH DURING SHORT TRIPS. I OPTED TO BUY A CAR STARTER PORTABLE BATTERY, GIVEN THE FREQUENCY AND INCONVENIENCE OF GETTING STUCK IN PLACES. I ORDERED IT ON OCTOBER, 2018. I DON'T RECALL HOW MANY TIMES I USED THE CAR STARTER KIT IN 2019. HOWEVER, IN 2020, IT HAS BEEN ALREADY 4 TIMES I'VE HAD TO USE IT TO START MY CAR: ONCE ON 04/04/2020 AND SINCE THEN, OTHER THREE TIMES. ONCE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A FEW DAYS, AND TODAY, 05/09/20, TWICE: AFTER STOPPING, WAITING TO DRIVE INTO A FERRY, AND THEN, TO START THE CAR TO LEAVE THE FERRY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324003

2016 model year · 28,000 miles · May 9, 2020
Electrical System

BATTERY DIED AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES AND PARKING FOR AN HOUR. COULDN'T MOVE SHIFT LEVER OR RELEASE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE. SOMEONE FINALLY JUMPED THE CAR FOR ME Y AND I IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY (BATTERY $151.19 AND JUMPER CABLES 26.99 AT PEPBOYS, DBPOWER JUMPSTARTER 74.59 AT AMAZON). 3 MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAP…

Read full complaint

BATTERY DIED AFTER DRIVING 10 MILES AND PARKING FOR AN HOUR. COULDN'T MOVE SHIFT LEVER OR RELEASE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE. SOMEONE FINALLY JUMPED THE CAR FOR ME Y AND I IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY (BATTERY $151.19 AND JUMPER CABLES 26.99 AT PEPBOYS, DBPOWER JUMPSTARTER 74.59 AT AMAZON). 3 MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED AFTER BEING IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT. NO LIGHTS WERE LEFT ON OR ANY OBVIOUS SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL DRAIN. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED SOMEWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323973

2018 model year · 19,065 miles · May 8, 2020
Electrical System

THE CAR HAS 19065 MILES AND WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE BATTERY IS DEAD. THE CAR WILL START WHEN JUMP STARTED FOLLOWING THE MANUAL PROCEDURES. HOWEVER THE BATTERY IMMEDIATELY DISCHARGES WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FROM THE CAR THE VOLTAGE IS 12.65 BUT WHEN THE BATTERY IS RECONNECTED TO THE CAR TH…

Read full complaint

THE CAR HAS 19065 MILES AND WILL NOT START BECAUSE THE BATTERY IS DEAD. THE CAR WILL START WHEN JUMP STARTED FOLLOWING THE MANUAL PROCEDURES. HOWEVER THE BATTERY IMMEDIATELY DISCHARGES WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED FROM THE CAR THE VOLTAGE IS 12.65 BUT WHEN THE BATTERY IS RECONNECTED TO THE CAR THE VOLTAGE DROPS TO 5.75 INDICATING THERE IS A LOAD ON THE BATTERY WHEN THE CAR IS IN THE OFF MODE. WHEN RUNNING OR DRIVING THE BATTERY WARNING LITE IS NOT DISPLAYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323872

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.