I have had considerable starting and battery trouble with my 2018 Subaru Outback... Shortly after purchasing the Outback, I had to get a jump start a couple of times, I thought it was my fault due to leaving a light on in the back of the cabin. When I took it in for the 1st oil change, I told the service manager. So since they knew me (It was my 4th Subaru), they checked the system cleaned the post, and I left. I was back 3 or 4 weeks later to get a new battery. I went back this week because I've had to buy jumper cables So I could jump my car off for the 6th or 7th time since I brought it in to get the new battery last year. I understand that there have been a large number of folks experiencing similar problems, and I thought it would be best to add my voice.

- Augusta, GA, USA

My 3 year old outback is on its third battery. The first died when the car was 11 months old. Then in summer 2020 (car was 2 years old) I had to put in the 3rd battery. I installed an aftermarket battery since Subaru was closed at the time of the issue. Now this third battery is being inconsistent in starting or seeming as if there-€™s a dead battery. The battery, alternator, and starter, test as 100% functional. My dealership told me in a May 6th phone call that there was nothing wrong with my car, that I just needed a stronger battery. That would make the 4th battery in a 3 year old car. I was advised to purchase a charging jump pack and carry it with me every day. This is not a viable solution for a car that has to be jump started 1-2 times each day! Sometimes the issue is after long periods of driving, other times the car has been on short drives only. A local repair shop believes the issue is computer or fuse box related. My dealership disagrees. Yet I know that there are class action lawsuits against this model that read as if they are describing the issue with my own vehicle.

- Crestwood, IL, USA

Automobile would not start ignition on lights flickered battery was on the verge of dying had to jump start it to get going in the morning of course it was stationary in the garage in a very tough location

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

Battery prematurely dead. No crank, no start.10-03-2020 parked in a lot. Jump started. Took to Subaru dealer, technician inspected and found battery functioning as designed and passed load test. Extreme amount of corrosion on battery terminal removed. A few days later, did not start, more corrosion on battery terminal. Jump started. Technician informed driver to take on long drives to charge the battery. Vehicle with 14,600 miles. Long drives in excess of 20 minutes taken just to charge battery. A few days later battery left driver again stranded, jump started. New battery purchased for $178.04.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

Purchased vehicle in new condition in 2018. From there on forward, I've experienced problems with the radio system not wanting to work. There was no sound output. We thought it had to do with the radio satellite itself, but overtime the real issue was uncovered. After only 6 months with a brand new battery, my vehicle would not start. I'd later learn the battery depleted prematurely, and all the dealer auto shop would recommend is buying a new battery. The radio worked just fine after each time I've purchased and replaced my car battery. Now having replaced the battery twice for $197 each time, I've learned this is only a band aid fix that would last 6-12 months. I have saved my receipts but did not attach those as they contain personal info.

- Keizer, OR, USA

I have a fairly new oem Subaru battery in my 2018 Outback. It continues to drain unexpectedly. I know about the tailgate problem. Also, I turn everything electrical (that's possible) off in the car when it's garaged. The battery often fails to start the car when it's unused for a few days ' even after previously driving long distances.

- Liberty, MO, USA

I was parking my 2018 Subaru Outback premium next to my house on my parking spot, my foot was on a brake pedal, it left around 50'' to complete a parking, like suddenly my car start moving forward even that I was strongly pressing brake pedal, car went over curb and hit a palm tree that is next to my parking spot. Car suddenly accelerated and I was not able to control the car. Car front bumper, grill, radiator was damaged. Today, my car is in body shop. It was very scare experience. From my background I am driving 12 years without any car accident.

- Plantation, FL, USA

The oem battery was failing to hold a charge and died one day after driving a short distance. Had to have a local tow service come and jumpstart the car. Took the car to the local dealer and they needed to charge the battery.

- Ballston Spa, NY, USA

The battery prematurely drains when driven for multiple short trips. It also drains while sitting if it is not frequently driven for medium-length trips.

- Dufur, OR, USA

This car is less than 3 years old, 28000 miles and the battery has been replaced 3 times and the alternator once. The battery died again on 4/26/21 and won't hold a charge and so I will be taking it in again and they will probably just replace the battery again. There is obviously something else wrong.

- Centreville, VA, USA

I purchased this 2018 Outback in late November of 2020 with 27000 miles on it. After only driving it about 1500 miles the battery suddenly died (March 2021). Aaa jumped it but said it was dead. I replaced it immediately (went 1 mile down the road) and the shop said that it was dead as well. No warning at all. Was working fine, parked at a store, ten minutes later went to start it and there was nothing. I spent $170 getting a new battery/installation.

- Bradford, VT, USA

Battery appears to have parasitic drain which results in inability to start the vehicle if not driven long distances regularly. I purchased the vehicle from a local Subaru dealer in October 2020 and have had to jump it or charge the battery at least 6 or 8 times. The vehicle is not a reliable source of transportation (cannot leave at airport for instance) and I've had to purchase jumper cables and will soon purchase a trickle charger and a battery booster to use until the problem is resolved.

- Urbana, OH, USA

Battery has gone dead twice, almost 3 times. The car was stationary.

- Bonney Lake, WA, USA

I am on my 3rd car battery. One was replaced under warranty, one was paid for out of pocket under 31,000 miles.

- Hickory, NC, USA

Approximately 26 months (38K miles) after purchase, the vehicle would no longer start. The issue appeared to be a bad battery which was then replaced. The manufacturer stated that trips shorter than 45 minutes result in a net loss of electrical energy in the battery and it was therefore my fault.

- Trenton, FL, USA

The vehicle's original battery died after only 30 months of use. I tried to start the car one morning, and it would not start. A new battery fixed the problem. This happened during a period when the car was driven for short trips only a couple of times a week, during the early part of the covid-19 pandemic shutdown. I am reporting this because of other reports of a possible electrical problem in Subaru that has caused batteries to fail earlier than they should have failed.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

Unexplained battery drain after several short trips and/or after car is not driven for several days.

- Scappoose, OR, USA

Quick 3mi trip for fast food run. Car would not re-start after drive-thru, engine off (to save gas). Vehicle was stationary and parked in all instances. Weather was 50F, light rain. Incidence on 12/31/2020; 2/14/2021; 2/22/2021. Resolution was simple jumpstart not longer than 10S connection for ignition to work again. Without which, car simply stalled. Speculation for cause of dead battery was low mileage driven daily.

- Houston, TX, USA

Battery replacement after less than 2 years

- Melbourne, FL, USA

Twice in the past 12 months my Subaru Outback has left me stranded with a dead battery. The first time I drove to the grocery and the battery was dead after I finished shopping. Second time I drove to church and the battery was dead upon leaving.

- Albany, OR, USA