This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I purchased my used Subaru Outback from carmax. It has been working fine for a period of time. However, now I find my car constantly dead and have had to purchase a charger and leave on my car every other day or I find my vehicle is completely dead and the battery is drained. It happens if I do not drive me vehicle for 48 hours. I also have an interlock device on my vehicle (put on after the battery issue began) and had my battery checked at an auto parts store who said it was fine. When I purchased my car from carmax the vehicle was dead in the lot so I was not able to test drive it. Carmax replaced the battery to ensure it wasn't a battery issue. This was likely a temporary fix which is why the issue didn't occur immediately. I took the car into carmax and they checked the battery and found it to be working fine. I replaced the battery clip on the negative terminal, which they said was a little bit loose and I paid for the repair. The issue is still persisting. Since I have found there is a class action lawsuit against Subaru for this issue. Carmax says I need to get Subaru to fix it, if there is an issue. When it dies I usually have to go to the interlock mechanic and he has to reset it. This is causing significant issues with me getting to work and planning an upcoming move I am making in the next month. The interlock device can read whenever I turn the car on and how many times it has died and I can get this documentation if needed later as well.
Our 2017 Outback has problems with the battery discharging. The car wouldn't start in February 2020. Since we had a long trip planned, we replaced the battery. That seemed to work for a while, but the car seemed to struggle with starting some mornings. I noted that the battery was only at 11.5 volts after sitting overnight. We took it to the dealer and they performed $130 "parasitic battery drain test", but it didn't show any problems. I investigated the problem on the internet and discovered that there is a recall to reprogram the car to solve the problem. The dealer wasn't aware of it and thanked us for bringing it to his attention (and to be "generous" he wasn't going to charge us for the recall!). we thought that the problem might be solved. If we don't drive the vehicle for 3 or 4 days, the battery is dead, under 11 volts. So, it is a ritual for us to have to charge the battery if it hasn't been driven in a couple of days. We also carry a spare 12V battery in the vehicle along with jumper cables. Even after the vehicle has been parked for several hours, there is randomly a "fan noise" near the rear axle. I believe that this is the "parasitic drain" in action. There are lawsuits filed over similar complaints. I do have a cell phone video that has the sound documented, but it looks like I can't upload it. It continues to be a problem.
Battery died at 22928 miles and less than 2 years. Dealer replaced, but 18 months later, and several jump starts, we took it back to the dealer. Now, out of warranty, we spent $673 to replace a defective circuit board that was draining the battery.
Battery has died at least 5 times. Enough to where I bought my own jump start battery. The first time I had to jump it was just over a year old, so I brought it into Subaru and they replaced the battery free of charge. From that point on when the battery died I had it jumped by a tow. Nearing the end of my lease the vehicles battery was date December of 2018. I attempted to have it jumped this morning, 11/7/2020, and I was told it was completely dead this time. While I was attempting to have roadside assistance jump the vehicle, I heard the tail gate trying to engage and then it failed to start. It seems like the tailgate was draining the battery trying to open or close, but it wasn't used when I got home.
Ascent dead battery issue. Parasitic power draw that drains battery significantly when parked or short use. Subaru tested but would not acknowledge the fault. I know need to use a trickle charger all the time when parked. 2 batteries impacted in the 8 month covid19 timeframe and in under 36K mile use. Neither replaced by Subaru.
- Edmonds, WA, USA
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Battery issues are non stop! battery dies all the time. We had a new 2016 Outback previously, that had to be towed because it would just die. We traded it in for a new 2017 Outback and it's even worse. Battery has been replaced (not sure how many times), and issue is still the same. Leaves us stuck/stranded in random places, and back hatch will sometimes beep non stop even though it's completely closed. We have to keep an emergency jump kit with us constantly. The back hatch won't open when battery is dead/low, which is crazy that there isn't some type of override to this. I have seen countless battery issues for this vehicle and I'm beyond shocked that this hasn't been fixed/addressed by Subaru. We are fed up with the battery drain, and do everything we can so we can (hopefully) proactively start our vehicle (have all interior lights off, radio off, air off - all systems possible turned off). Even that doesn't always work. We spend extra money on gas just to recharge the car by driving it more miles than we want to. I'm gonna be done with Subaru after this.
Keys frequently get stuck in the ignition due to an electrical malfunction that causes the steering column to be unable to detect when the car is put into park. The entire gearshifterhad to be replaced to resolve the issue. This is a frequent complaint for this make and model and it seems numerous complaints have been filed.
Premature battery failure. Replaced twice in last 14 months. Does not hold charge properly. Seems to be either underpowered or has unidentified drain on battery.
Rear door (trunk) does not stop closing or does not opening nor by button on the front panel, nor by remote. Battery is getting discharged after I stop and close it. I have to keep the jump starter battery in the car and use it every week, sometimes - every day. Battery itself was tested good several times (I've started with it). All surfaces around end switches are clean, there a re no alarm indication about open door. At dealership they charged me $80 but did not find/help at all.
2017 Subaru Outback. Now on battery #6, third one replaced since February 2020. Battery each time was completely dead, requiring roadside service. Dealer replaces, says they do a system analysis. Roadside towing company each time tells me they see lots of issues with 2016 - 2020 Outbacks. Contact with Subaru I am told there are no recalls. I was even told I needed to drive the car every few days. That is ridiculous. I have never had any issues like this with other cars in my 56 years of driving. Car was stationary, fortunately at our house so I was not stranded with a dead battery. Doing an internet search for complaints about this I noted there were many complaints expressed. Battery that came with the car Dec 14, 2017 - new battery...date not recorded...new battery Feb 3, 2020 - battery replaced April 6,2020 - battery replaced Oct 26, 2020 - battery replaced file attached with service report for batteries replaced in 2020 from Subaru dealer
Within the past 3 weeks, we have encountered an intermittent and recurring problem of being unable to remove the keys from the ignition when the car is turned off after driving, and in "park". car is stationary when this occurs.
In November 2019 I had to replace my battery which was replaced for free by Subaru in chandler, AZ and was guaranteed for 30 months, in September 2020, I had to replace my battery again which was installed by Subaru in chandler, AZ for free and guaranteed for 30 months. I did a search on faulty batteries on Subaru and found the belows information.. so I decided to file a report. " Subaru is hit with a new lawsuit alleging the 2016-2020 Subaru Outback and 2019-2020 ascent have defective electrical systems causing premature battery failure. What should owners do if you are experiencing the same issues?"
Battery goes dead overnight. In 2019 I experienced a dead battery on my Outback. It happened in early 2020. I replaced the battery around may of this year. I took it to local dealer and left for 2 days. Dealer updated eco and said that should fix it, fail inagain in July 2020 and again today 9-15-2020
Multiple battery failures- battery dies repeatedly. Have replaced 4 times already. Last dead battery is today with it having died last week as well. This will be 3rd battery in less than a year.sometimes headlight will dimly flash or there will be a thumping noise that comes from the back, possibly the tailgate. Other times it is dead next day when going to start it after having been driven the previous day. Keys are not kept in car.
The battery is discharging resulting in a dead battery. No doors or hatch are left open and everything is turned off when the car is parked. The car can be jumped and the battery recharged, only to have it discharge again after a few days time. This is the third time it has happened over the past 2 months.
The battery on my 2017 Subaru Outback keeps draining and going dead. This is the fourth battery gone dead in four years. Last one only lasted little over three months. We replaced with brand new factory battery at end of May. Today in September 7th. Battery completely dead as I try to start the vehicle. Last time I took the vehicle to a Subaru dealer. They said everything electrical was ok on the car. Technician said the back dome light was on. This time I checked the dome light and it was on off position. I believe there is some kind of elctrical issue with this vehicle that is causing the batteries to die.
Recurrent battery dead problem; then finally not charging at all ; despite of battery being full dealer always doing things to the system with updates ; and never able to fix the problem
This 2017 Outback suddenly lost all electrical power. Even jump starting the vehicle was difficult. Thee service that came to jump the car said they have seen a lot of Subaru's needing to be jumped and this was from a Subaru's roadside service provider. Putting the battery on a charger would not help. I brought the car to the Subaru dealership where we purchased the car. They said the battery was bad and needed to be replaced. They did not check the charging system saying it was definitely the battery. At a cost of $165.78 the battery was replaced. This seemed very odd to me that the battery would already be bad after three years. I did some internet checking and found out there are many people experiencing the same issue. Nothing was left on in the car but it was not being driven everyday as it once had. Seeing how many people are having this issue I was wondering why there has not been a recall for this model and year?
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chesterfield, VA, USA