Multiple dead battery issues (approx 10 over 3 year period); no provoking episodes (no left in cold for prolonged time; no lights

- Wallingford, PA, USA

Electrical problems have caused the battery to fail several times in four years. The car was purchased on June 5, 2015. Car failed to start on 9/30/16 and the main relay was replaced by the dealer. The battery was replaced three times by the dealer: On 12/5/16, 2/8/17, and 1/30/19 (including a software update on 1/30/19 to "increase battery life.") the latest battery (84 mo. 490cca) has failed recently on three occasions: 9/29/20 (twice) and 10/21/20, each requiring a jump start. On 9/29/20 the car was jump started, driven for twenty minutes, sat with the engine off for 30 minutes and driven five minutes more, was gassed up (engine off), driven five minutes, sat with the engine off for ten minutes and then required another jump start. The dealer has performed battery performance tests (some failed, some passed) but to the best of my knowledge has not checked components for failure to shut off, which could lead to battery drain. As instructed, I keep the key fob away from the car when not in use, so this appears to not be a factor.

- Pratts, VA, USA

Vehicle will not start/crank. Battery is brand new, all electronics function and light up, yet when ignition is turned the engine doesn't turn over. Vehicle is in the shop for the third time in 3 weeks. A new wiring harness was installed but failed to resolve the issue. Vehicle has been showing codes for the cam & crank sensors, including code P0340, yet all sensors have tested as operational. I'll post an update as soon as I hear from dealer.

- Portland, OR, USA

Original owner, purchased new 2015 Subaru Outback limited in early 2015. We have replaced battery four times and have had to jump start the vehicle ~ 25 times since purchase. There is clearly a parasitic electrical drain on the battery that is widely discussed in online forums by fellow owners but not acknowledged by Subaru or its dealers (presumably to mitigate liability risks and avoid repair costs). We have attempted to have local Subaru service dealers address the issue but they give us bs answers like "you don't drive the car enough", "you must have left lights on", or "these newer cars have so many new electrical features that it is typical for batteries to die".... all of which are clearly bs and an attempt to deflect responsibility for a flawed electrical design that consistently drains all batteries. Moreover, part of the flaw is a system that was designed to only recharge the battery under certain higher speed driving conditions... which are rarely achieved when driving shorter distances at lower speeds in city applications. Even when driving the car regularly, multiple times per week the batteries all eventually die well short of their intended life needlessly requiring jump-starting, trickle-charging to top off battery and/or replacement (we are on 4th battery for this vehicle). Subaru should show its "love" by standing behind their products and accepting responsibility to fix design problems that are affecting so many customers.

- Alamo, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the back-up camera view was blocked by the sunlight. The contact stated that the glare was evident whether the sun roof was opened or closed. The glare prevented the driver to see clearly what was behind the vehicle. The dealer Subaru of san bernardino (645 auto center dr, san bernardino, ca 92408 (877) 501-8065) was made aware of the issue but offered no solution to the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA

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.

- Somers, NY, USA

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"

- Springfield, VA, USA

Vehicle is equipped with Subaru's "eye sight" system, which provides pre-collision braking and is involved with lane departure warning. The eye sight system in my car is intermittently inoperative while the car is in motion. Sometimes, the system begins working again, then turns off, turns on, etc. If eye sight is inoperative as the car comes to a full stop, the inoperative warning message usually disappears, but the message returns shortly after the car begins moving again. This has been happening every time the car is in motion for three weeks.

- Mineola, NY, USA

2015 Subaru Outback battery fails to hold a charge. I was advised in January 2020 by the Subaru dealership to replace the battery, which I did. The problem is now recurring and the car battery will not hold a charge over night. The dealership claims it does not know what the issue is. The car has become completely unreliable.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

2015 Subaru Outback 3.6L mileage-58969. All lights flashing on dashboard, then some stop but many stay flashing.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

I have had to replace my stock Subaru battery from the dealer now four times. I drive it for work everyday and every so often it will not start up one morning. I do not leave my lights on, dome lights, or any other electrical components. It was stationary and would always happen the next morning, the battery would be drained and the dealership would replace just the battery as their fix. Months later, it would only happen again on a brand new battery from the dealer.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

Battery discharges when not driven frequently. Subaru tech suggested purchasing larger battery as oem is not adequate. Date of event is est.

- Lewes, DE, USA

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 69,000.

- North Canton, OH, USA

My car has a dead battery. I just replaced the battery in November 2018 and it is already dead. This also happened in November 2018 and when I brought it to the dealer they said everything was fine with the battery and they could not find anything wrong. The car runs for a few days and then the car battery dies again. I have the battery swapped out for one with a higher cca. This battery I bought in November 2018 has no power as of February 2020 which is too short of a lifespan. There must be something in the car draining the battery and Subaru does not want to fix it.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

I've had my 2015 Outback for 3 years now (2020 now) I have had to replace the battery every year. The first year I believed it was time for a new battery, within 6 months my car died while I was driving into a parking lot. The entire electrical system shut down and I had to manually move it. My mechanic took apart my engine and discovered loose seals that had allowed many parts to rust over including broken brackets and a torque converter. Warranty won't cover any rust but did cover the $84 broken seal. I spent close to $3,000 on repairs and a new battery then. I was initially quoted from the dealership $6K. It has been 11 months and I left my car alone for 3 days and the battery is completely dead once again.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

We have owned the vehicle since May 2015 and had a dead battery 4 times with no apparent reason. We have replaced the battery each time. Subaru doesn't seem to admit there is an issue.

- De Pere, WI, USA

This is approximately the 5th time I have had to have my battery jumped within the last two years. No visual drain (no lights left on for example) is suspected. Vehicle had been in use on various trips prior to car not starting. I have key fob and couldn't even open the back hatch to get tools out of car. When car was fairly new, had problem where key fob could not start the car (happened three times) but felt that was an elusive key fob problem. Now I am not sure what problem is but I am suspecting there is some sort of short or system drain on battery that has surfaced. Vehicle was in driveway, parking lot and in parking space on street when these lapses occurred. Reading online about numerous similar problems with dead battery and suspicious electrical drainage of batteries. Most recent problem happened 11/29 and again 12/4. car was in garage (not used) between 11/29 and 12/4.

- North Andover, MA, USA

A supposed gas cap seal caused 20 icons to flash constantly upon my dash. The car had been sitting in a parking garage for two days prior to the incident

- San Jose, CA, USA

Vehicle would not start. After jumping the battery vehicle started, aaa performed roadside testing and determined the battery and alternator are working properly and are sufficiently charged. Car would not start for unexplained reasons. Previous service history leads me to believe there is an ongoing electrical issue with this vehicle. Previously the airbag light would frequently illuminate. Dealership stated it was due to electrical interference and that nothing was wrong.

- Berlin, NJ, USA

When vehicle is left for two days or more (such as in my garage or at a remote trail head parking lot) the battery completely drains. This has happened three or four times and no lights or anything like that was left turned on. Battery has been checked at auto parts store and no problems and it recharges to a full charge.

- Durango, CO, USA