When the liftgate is closing a "clicking" noise is made due to stress on the liftgate motor. This is caused because of the significant amount of strain on the motor to open the liftgate. This is a significant safety issue because the motor was designed to be under significant stress and when it fails, will cause the liftgate to fall potentially injuring my children unloading the trunk. The Subaru dealership agreed this is an issue that needs to be resolved but does not cover the cost of repairing this safety issue.

- Quincy, MA, USA

Unable to remove key from ignition when turned off. Intermittent issue, appears many people have the problem. Appears that dealers want to charge big $$ to fix, Subaru needs to step up, there is a tsp on this issue

- Vancouver, WA, USA

About 4 weeks ago we started having trouble removing our key from the ignition after driving and putting the shifter in park. Our 2015 Outback has just over 58,000 miles. The key won't turn to the final "click" for removal. That leaves the car in a mode where the battery is still engaged as the radio is still on. The steering wheel does not go into a locked position, it can be turned either direction without resistance. I have to start the car again and shift it into drive and try turning the car off again. Sometimes I only have to do that once but there have been many times when it takes 20-30 attempts to be able to remove the key. I'm usually on a fairly flat surface. It doesn't matter if I was driving forward or reverse before stopping. Subaru released a service bulletin # 16-112-18R issued 03/15/18 and revised 11/06/18 that describes the problem and the solution but Subaru says it is not a recall issue. They admit it's a faulty parts problem but won't fix it in a recall. According to the service bulletin I should replace "shift lever complete". some owners who had this done said it's over $500 to repair, depending on the dealership.

- Cedar Falls, IA, USA

Battery dies unexpectedly within a few minutes of the vehicle off and in accessory mode only (I.e. car off, radio or lights on). Vehicle will not start without jump from battery pack or another vehicle. Car will not even crank but will only make a clicking noise. Occasionally, engine timing will be affected after jump and misfires will occur causing vehicle to run very rough until restarted, at which point electrical system seems to reset itself. To date, dealer has found no direct cause for the problem (I.e. no parasitic draws) but has replaced the battery (which are under warranty) multiple times. Problem has occurred numerous times since it was purchased in late 2015.

- Encinitas, CA, USA

Since purchasing vehicle on 6/16/2016 we have had a recurring problem with drivers side window engaging the auto-reversing (anti-entrapment) feature causing an inability to close window. We have mentioned this issue to dealership numerous times sometimes documented, sometimes not. They reset switch, only for the problem to return. On our last visit6/31/2020 we were told there was a tsb (12-272-19R) but we would be charged $276.22 for the repair. This is a safety issue and should be covered. We also purchased an extended warranty for $2547 good until 6/16/2026 or 126000 miles and were turned down on coverage from them as well.

- Ocean View, HI, USA

The battery prematurely dies, typically after using the radio or other accessories for only a short while (10 minutes) without the engine running. This has happened to my vehicle 2 times in the last 4 months. In both cases, the battery has been tested and shown to be fine.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

The battery in the car has failed 4 times in 4 years. Subaru cannot find the reason for the failure. This is not normal and appears to be defect in the car. I am not getting any answers from Subaru on why is this happening.the car was parked at home over night the other 2 times just after arriving at our camp site. We stop the car and then shortly attempt to restart the car and nothing happens. Each time the car has been driven hundred of miles. Each camping time we were hundreds of miles from home and without cell phone service. I have reports from Subaru and auto zone on replacing the batteries.

- Cary, NC, USA

I've had to replace the battery twice in two years. Normal operation drains battery prematurely.

- Fairfax, CA, USA

The car is stationary when this happens. The ignition key gets stuck in the ignition after turning the car off. Besides being annoying, this prevents the car from being locked thus introduces a theft risk. Eventually, we are able to remove the key but there is no consistent method of doing so. It's a matter of time and messing with turning the car on and off, moving the shifter, jiggling the key, or moving the steering wheel before it comes out. Google indicates this is a common problem with Subaru so I don't know why there is not a recall. This happens sporadically and has been ongoing for the past several months.

- Poynette, WI, USA

This morning 7/21/2020 my battery failed for the 4th time in a little over 4 years. Dead, completely drained according to aaa. First the original Subaru battery, then a better delco replaced that, then another better delco, now another. Only 27,000 plus miles. I have needed to have this battery jumped once before and the previous batteries were jumped a total of 5 times. The NHTSA website has numerous complaints about battery failure for this make/model and other Subaru Outbacks but no recalls. Why not? this is also a safety issue! I am told that "something" in the electrical components is drawing down the battery but it cannot be found. There is a flaw somewhere. Nothing was left on. Subaru of America has to know about this. Really

- Denver, CO, USA

This morning 7/21/2020 my battery failed for the 4th time in 4 years. I purchased the car new on 2/29/2016-yes leap year. Each time the battery was totally drained. The original Subaru battery was replaced with a better delco battery, and then another better delco batter 18 months ago and now today! still waiting at the garage. Many complaints about this on the NHTSA website but no recalls! something is drawing the battery down which to me is a safety issue. When do enough complaints warrant a recall? this is absurd. Each time this has happened my Subaru was in an underground garage.

- Denver, CO, USA

The ignition key keeps getting stuck in the ignition. When attempting to stop the vehicle to park, the key cannot be removed. This is a well known problem as far as internet reports go yet Subaru has not been called out on this. This means that the customer my be required to leave the key in the ignition should some other emergency arise.

- Richfield, OH, USA

The key cannot be removed from the vehicle approx 50% of the time. Key stays in the "on" position without the engine running. The car has to be restarted, shifted into reverse, then forward several times before the key can safely be removed. If left in the ignition the battery is still on, and a child could inadvertently start the car. This is clearly identified as a problem in Subaru service bulletin number: 16-112-18R date: 03/15/18 revised: 11/06/18 this should be a recall! they have changed the part to prevent this in newer models. This has been going on for over a year

- South Hampton, NH, USA

My 2016 Outback about 3 months ago had a dead battery while out on a family trip to Arkansas. Just took a battery bump from another vehicle and worked fine. Then this Friday it ran fine for five hours away from home. Saturday morning ran several errands with in a 60 mile radius Sunday morning started the car, moved it to a different location to make loading luggage easier then got in to go and the battery was dead. Was supplied with a 2amp hour charger and was told that it might take an hours for it to build up enough juice to start. Sat for thirty minutes, hit the key and it fired off just fine. Drove back for five hours stopping and starting with no issues, ran the car by oreilly auto parts and they test battery and said it looked fine and that it was charging good. Backed car in garage and unloaded it and Monday morning, it was dead, while hooking my charger up to it I noticed that the battery was warm. Started up just fine with charger on bust, no issues coming to work, keeping my fingers crossed when I go out to lunch.

- Auburn, KS, USA

Car dies frequently, keep replacing with new batteries. Many reported lawsuits online for electrical issues in Subaru Outback 2016.

- Mountlake Terrace, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. Aaa was contacted and the vehicle was jump started. The contact stated that the failure recurred 4 times. The vehicle was taken to competition Subaru of smithtown located at 601 middle country rd, St james, NY 11780 where the battery was replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the battery was replaced. The failure recurred and the contact was informed of an unknown voluntary manufacturer recall to replace the exhaust and catalytic converter however, the part was not available. The contact was provided a loaner vehicle. The contact was informed a week later to return the loaner and retrieve his vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 13,270.

- Woodhaven, NY, USA

Battery runs out for no apparent reason, especially when not driven far or frequently. First battery replaced by dealership before 2 years, after 3 incidents. Second battery just began the same problems, it is only 2 years old. Possible that problems have been minimal because pre-covid the car was mostly driven on highway, allowing alternator to re-charge the battery nearly daily. But if the car sits for 4 days it can run out of battery. This caused a missed surgery appointment.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

After approx. Two weeks of inactivity, battery was completely dead. Required a jump start. Took to auto shop; battery and alternator both tested as "good". car started normally during daily use for several days. Then, after 7 days of inactivity, battery was completely dead again. Car stored on street parking. Weather typical for spring months in Washington state (I.e. intermittent rain; temps of 40-60 degrees). Online search reveals several sites where numerous customers report experiencing the same faulty electrical issues. Example: Https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-T58701_ds833514 or https://www.torquenews.com/1084/Subaru-hit-new-lawsuit-over-Outback-wagon-dead-battery-issue.

- Seattle, WA, USA

Key sticks in ignition when parked and turning off the vehicle. Key turns, but not to the point where it reaches the position of removal. It often takes several starts and turn off's to achieve removal of the key. Often requires very firm forces of the shift lever in the park position to achieve release of the key.

- Lexington, KY, USA

The battery of the vehicle(Subaru Outback 2016 3.6 R) failed several times. The battery drains very quickly. Especially when the car ran for several short trips, the battery was suddenly dead. The battery has been dead 10 times from 2016 to 2020.

- Chicago, IL, USA