7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$200
Average Mileage:
68,050 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. Cam sensor was replaced (1 reports)
2011 Subaru Outback electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Subaru Outback:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 Subaru Outback Owner Comments

problem #5

Jan 022020

Outback Limited 2.5i

  • CVT transmission
  • 41,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2011 Subaru Limited 2.5i Outback with 41,000 miles. The car would, when driving, start missing terribly, then die. After sitting for a while, the card would finally start again, drive a ways, start missing terribly, then die. My mobile mechanic put his computer on and it threw a code for a bad cam sensor. That was replaced. Card seemed to run ok for a week, then the problem showed up again.

Since this car is driven so little (to work and back every day for a total of about 6-8 miles per day), and since it seems the problem was occurring only after the car warms up, it took a drive of over 6.8 mile to have the problem occur again. I cannot say for sure that the problem would not have continued occurring even right after the cam sensor was replaced. As of now, I don't believe the cam sensor was the problem.

As of now, the exact same original symptoms of missing terribly, then dying, have occurred again (dealer them supposed fixed with valve gasket/plug gasket replacements and plug replacements to the tune of $950). And now, AGAIN, the same symptoms. Except now the same Subaru dealer service department says the problem is the ECM to the tune of $1,000 for the fix. These two incidents will be reports in two other incidents on this website.

- John T., Englewood, CO, US

problem #4

Jan 032019

Outback Limited 6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Multiple lights flashing on the dashboard. This happened two years ago when we were coming home from vacation. We took it to the dealer and were told the problem was the gas cap. We replaced it and the problem vanished. It occurred again about two weeks ago and we replaced it again. It took about 24 hours but the lights stopped flashing. Yesterday it happened again with the addition of the engine running very rough. We took it back to the dealer. Today the lights are back off and they have no idea why this is happening.

- Beth L., Beaver, PA, US

problem #3

Dec 122016

Outback Limited 4 - 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,123 miles

Monday Dec 5th 2016 my warning lights came on while driving. I took my car to my local mechanic, (my Subaru dealer is a 45 mile drive, and this is Dec. in Western NY). As it turned I couldn't get in to Subaru till Dec 12 and my car wasn't ready till Dec 15th! The codes my mechanic got were- P2096 Post Fuel Trim, C0057 ECM, C0231 ECM Failure, C0242 Power Supply Voltage Failure, C02521 Activator Line Abnormal, TPMS 11-LF Air pressure decrease, 12- LF Air pressure and 6003367B1.

Anyway the problem is now 2 years old, I've been to Subaru since then approximately 5-6 times WITH THE SAME PROBLEM maybe more. I'm tired and disgusted.

Today's latest codes are: p 2096 Post Cat Fuel SystemC, 0221Primary brake switch abnormal, (I've got a better idea of what's abnormal, going back for the same problem and having it not resolved), interesting the next two codes have lemon law bulletins, hmmm? p 0057 ecm control system, and c 0231 ECM Failure code 110. I did ask twice for a new computer especially before my 100,000 mile warranty expired, I was told it's not the computer?? So tomorrow I'm back to Subaru. More of my Subaru saga when I get all my dates and info together.

- Mary O., Silver Creek, NY, US

problem #2

Jun 162016

Outback LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

When my car had 20,000 or less miles, I took it to a rural area where I had to set the emergency brake while I walked to a cemetery. The brake would not disengage and the skid symbol kept flashing. When the brake finally unstuck, I had to drive it 300 mile back home. I took it to a local dealer and they said nothing was wrong. Yesterday, I was on the expressway when three (3) warning lights came on. I called AAA and set the emergency brake on the slight incline. Now everything is flashing and the brake is stuck as well! The lights went out when I started it to cool the 100+ degree temperature inside the car. I called the dealer and asked for an appointment and also asked if the car was safe to drive through three counties to get there. I explained the problems with the warning symbols and mentioned that this is not the first time it has happened. The service rep said, "Mam, this issue has nothing to do with something that happened several years ago...so intermittent." What!!?? I probably hadn't used the emergency brake since the first time it happened. By the time I got off the phone with him, I decided to contact Subaru Headquarters and complain. I didn't take my POS car in for diagnostic nor did I call Subaru yet. It will cost me over $100 for the test and no telling what kind of charges they will add to "fix" it. Checking with a diagnostic test while it was still under warranty would have been the right thing to do. Now the dealership can rake in some big bucks for repair that they ignored back when it first happened. While I'm deciding what to do, I parked the car, as I am terrified to drive it and will never feel safe in it again. A backyard mechanic told me it sounded like a bad modular/computer and that controls everything including steering. Wish I knew...

- Shirley A., Coxs Creek, KY, US

problem #1

Mar 012017

Outback Premium 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 78,000 miles

Four Warning lights came on at once: Check Engine, Brakes (flashes), Cruise (flashes) and traction control. The dealer charged $90 for a diagnostic scan and reported that I needed an O2 sensor. I doubt it.

- David R., Johnson City, US

Not what you are looking for?