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.
Battery continually drains. I have had 2 replaced since May. I have contacted Subaru and they said I just have not driven it around enough after battery install. I have had them check for a drain, and they can-??t find anything. There are no lights on or any other reason to drain the battery. This coincides with my key becoming stuck in the ignition. Waiting on a part to replace the ignition under warranty.
The power rear lift gate mechanism frequently does not work. Even when car is unlocked the rear lift gate refuses to open just giving a 3 beep warning. The back can be manually opened but not by me as it is extremely hard to lift. Sometimes the gate only opens partially, or only closes partially. After my husband manually moves the gate it does not close fully and does not lock so we have no guarantee objects from inside the vehicle will not fall out while moving. Additionally, if my dog is in the car and the gate is inoperable I cannot get him out. Today it only opened part way and I accidentally walked straight into the edge of the gate almost knocking me out! This is a problem that comes and goes - it worked today in Walmart parking lot but not when I arrived home. The dealer said to bring it in when it doesn't work, but then it works when you get to the dealer and he says there is no problem!!
- Bridgeport, WV, USA
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My charging system fails to keep my battery charged. This happens irregularly - even when the car has just sat in the garage for two or three days. We have not left the doors open or the lights on. It's very frustrating.
The battery of the car keep dying, leaving us stranded in what could possibly be unsafe situations. We have gotten the battery checked out numerous times at the dealership, plus got a battery replacement in October 2020 but it still keeps occurring. This is a 2017 Outback with less than 30,000 miles, so should not be happening.
Car has repeated failed to start due to drained battery. Battery is drained by system. This has occurred dozens of times since the car was purchased new. Date of most recent occurrence is listed below.
2 June 2022 Incident started with tail gate issues (would not respond when the button was pressed, beeped straight about 3-5 minutes). Took car to the dealership, they did the parasitic drain test, and found that the battery no longer held a charge. Replaced the battery and then tested for a draw. Found that there was draw from the DCM (data communication module). That is scheduled to be replaced as is the back up battery. Of note, the car was purchased new in July of 2017, and returned to dealer with a dead battery 27 February 2019 (7556 miles on the odometer) at which point the battery replaced. The car was taken to the dealership again for battery issues 4 January 2020 (they charged the battery) and 27 March 2020 (battery tested fine, and they jump started the car). All work on the car has been done by either Briggs Subaru in Topeka Kansa, or Gallatin Subaru in Bozeman Montana.
Premature battery draining. This is the 3rd battery purchased for my 2017 Subaru Outback. The most recent battery was purchased on 05/11/2022. Today (05/28/2022) I went to leave for work and the entire system is dead. Not the first time I had this problem and as mentioned this is the 3rd battery purchased in the past 2 years.
The car failed to start after the battery drained when the car was turned off even though no lights, etc. we-??re left on. No warning lamps/messages were provided prior.
Purchased vehicle new Dec 2016. Battery being drained on more than one occasion requiring jump to start. Had to call tow truck for jump until purchased charger to have in vehicle. Also corrosion accumulates on battery. Took to dealer first time and had checked out but no problem was identified. Happened again yesterday (05/19/2022). When this occurs there is a clicking sound from the fuse box under the hood. Found many complaints online referencing this problem with no resolutions. Understand there is a class action law suite in progress.
Battery is going dead after short periods of time. Replaced battery 3x in the last year and a half. After researching, this is a big problem with the 2017 Subaru Outback
After the Second battery gave us a problems I asked for a larger battery with extended warranty. They couldn-??t do that so I bought an Interstate battery for $115 plus $125 bracket March 16,2022. We had paid Subaru $160 for the original battery replacement in 10/16/19.
The battery has drained on at least 4 occasions, resulting in 3 tow trips to the dealer. I left the vehicle there one time for 2 weeks while on vacation so they could watch for and analyze drain. Nothing was found they said. The dealer replaced the battery at least once and I bought a -??platinum-??-level toe one at at car parts store.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fleming Island, FL, USA