10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,070 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #233

Nov 162021

Outback

  • miles
Battery is dead every morning

- North Fort Myers, FL, USA

problem #232

Nov 202021

Outback

  • miles
New battery, less than 10K miles completely drained when vehicle was not used for 3 days. Similar problem with previous battery, died with 10minutes or radio use.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #231

Nov 012021

Outback

  • miles
Battery corrosion on terminal post and drained for no reason, failed battery test and had to be replaced. Windshield has imperfections throughout and cracks easily. Shift mechanism will not release the vehicle key while in park. Squeaking sound emanating from passenger seat belt buckle. Excessive exhaust noise and odor from exhaust pipe. Rear hatch will not close completely unless slammed very forcefully. Belts under the hood squeak very loudly when started and subside when warmed up.

- Clark Fork, ID, USA

problem #230

Oct 152021

Outback

  • miles
The battery in my car has been replaced 3 times (twice by the dealer and once by me) and the alternator once due to deep discharge, in addition I have had to "jump" the car one or more times. Subaru has paid the cost of all repairs for this issue despite the fact they don't admit there is an issue. In addition to the battery replacement there was an ECM update done this last time to reduce battery drain. There is no warning or indication that a failure is about to occur. This last time I moved the car from my garage to my driveway and 4 hours later, the car would not start and the battery measured 4.25 volts--no lights were left on, doors open, seat heaters on etc. The concern is that it is impossible to tell if the car has drained the battery and it can leave us stranded anywhere we have turned it off. I contacted Subaru of America this last time and they said not even to "jump" it as it would possible loose valuable error codes. I have their roadside assistance and even though I received a call confirming that a flatbed would arrive within 60 mins. it never showed. This car has the potential to leave us stranded anywhere at any time and if locked the key fob does not work and even if I can get in, the car can't be moved due to no power to release the parking break.

- Kennett Square, PA, USA

problem #229

Oct 262021

Outback

  • miles
Battery dies after car is parked for more than 3 days. Car is available for inspection. I have been stranded/inconvenienced at least 5 times. Problem was solved through AAA, family jumpstart help, etc. Verbally reported to dealer, service writer comment made it sound like it must have been my fault or just the needs of the computer components. No warnings or symptoms.

- Havre, MT, USA

problem #228

Oct 192021

Outback

  • miles
I have just had to put my fifth battery in my 2016 Subaru outback. I have experienced a dead battery twice. The first time this happened I was at a remote campsite and had the stock battery in the car. That battery lasted 25k miles. I brought my car to the dealer and they did a software update. Since then I have had two new batteries.

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #227

Oct 142021

Outback

  • miles
For months, there have been incidents of battery drain where the vehicle is unable to be started without a jump charge. I have replaced the battery several times; electrical testing by the dealership does not diagnose any problem.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #226

Sep 182021

Outback

  • miles
i am about to replace battery in my 2016 subaru outback for the fourth time. obviously an ongoing problem with this vehicle. my wife had to wait 4 hours for subaru roadside assistance to respond with tow. All replacement batteries done by dealerships. No warning signs..

- Massapequa, NY, USA

problem #225

Sep 032021

Outback

  • miles
I drove my car several miles to a ferry without any problems. I turned off the ignition and the car sat on the ferry for less than five minutes. When I tried to start the car, the battery was completely dead. The ferry driver had to return to the island side with just my car, which they pushed off the ferry. My husband came and jump started the battery. The car was driving very jerkily after that for about ten minutes. We immediately took the car to an independent service center technician, who tested the battery and said the battery was fine. We stopped to fill it up, thinking maybe there was air in the fuel tank or something. When we restarted it, the problem was gone. I researched online and discovered that electrical/battery problems are common with Subaru Outbacks. This was/is a safety problem because apparently I could be stranded anywhere. This car has died in the driveway many times in the five years we have owned it. This was the first time it died on a trip. There was no warning message or symptom of any kind - car was driving fine, then completely dead after five minutes of being off.

- Lampasas, TX, USA

problem #224

Aug 172021

Outback

  • miles
2016 3.6 Subaru Outback has required battery replacement 4 times. If the battery dies while operating the car a dangerous shutdown of various electrical systems. This has happened twice, one instance no power steering, the next time the braking systems engaged. In both instances I was fortunately at a stop. If this happens while the car is moving especially at a high rate of speed, the results would be catastrophic.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #223

Aug 012018

Outback

  • 20,000 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts without warning. Since owning the vehicle, the battery was replaced four times. The contact initially had the vehicle jump-started and taken to the dealer. The battery was replaced once by the dealer and replaced out of pocket three times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #222

Sep 062021

Outback

  • miles
Two different batteries have been completely drained in the last two weeks. The first time I thought it was that the the current 27 month old battery had failed. There were no warning lights or symptoms of electrical issues either time. We just came out to a completely drained battery. After installing a new battery two weeks ago, the battery was drained down to 1.2 amps yesterday morning after 16 hours of non use. A mechanic diagnosed it as a parasitic draw and we were able to recharge the battery overnight. Now the brand new battery has been weakened by the complete draining. We also no longer have confidence in leaving the car idle for any length of time. Isn't there a software update to fix this issue?

- Rathdrum, ID, USA

problem #221

Sep 012021

Outback

  • miles
Shift mechanism is not releasing the vehicle key while in Park

- Truckee, CA, USA

problem #220

Jun 092021

Outback

  • miles
Car has 66,000 miles on it. vin#[XXX]--- HORN DOES NOT WORK IN ANY POSITION. Is available for inspection at any time. Nearest dealer is State Line Subaru - Somerset, MA Have contacted dealer and have received no response. Almost caused an accident by failure of the horn. No warning lights or messages. No indication of problems prior to failure. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Dartmouth, MA, USA

problem #219

Aug 022021

Outback

  • miles
Unable to turn key to off position when in neutral and unable to remove key from the ignition. In order to get the key out of the ignition, the car needs to be restarted and turned back off or the gear shift needs to be pushed as hard as possible into the neutral position multiple times. With the inability to turn the car totally off and remove the key, there are multiple safety issues that can arise. Was informed that the entire select lever assembly needs to be replaced due to a known issue by Subaru. The issue was reproduced by an independent service center. No warning lamps are illuminated.

- Baraboo, WI, USA

problem #218

Aug 012021

Outback

  • miles
Ignition does not release key in a reasonable manner. Must wiggle key, start/stop car multiple times, and wait for 15-20 minutes before the key releases from the ignition. Started as an occasional issue, but has become more and more constant.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #217

Aug 082021

Outback

  • miles
model Year 2016 Outback vehicle purchased new in Dec.2015. The OEM 2015 battery was replaced gratis by dealer ( Flemington Subaru) in Feb 2020 at 26,016 mileage. The Feb. 2020 replacement battery was changed Jan.27,2021 by Flemington Subaru due to -??dead check-?? found during a recall service for telematics updating. The Jan.27, 2021 replacement has failed on multiple occasions since installed ~7 months ago. The dealer performed a Battery/Electrical System analysis on 4August,2021which alleged the battery to be -??GOOD-?? with measured $12.63 volts and CCA 571 vs. its CCA 550 rating. Despite adequate miles driven and only several days since the 4 August test the battery is again dead on Aug.8,2021. I possess all pertinent service record invoices relating to battery changes and testing.

- Bridgewater , NJ, USA

problem #216

Aug 012021

Outback

  • miles
Parking shifter sensor is failing intermittently. This prevents removing the key from the ignition. Seems to react better when you throw the shifter into park forcefully.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #215

Jul 302021

Outback

  • miles
Battery drains - just goes dead. In the past six months it has happened @4 times. Checked twice at my garage and no problem found. Electrical system and battery checked out. After it is jumped it runs rough and not drivable until computer resets and windows have to be reset by hand. No warning lights of low battery.

- Afton, VA, USA

problem #214

Aug 032021

Outback

  • miles
Multiple jump starts due to battery dying, even after replacement battery. Car is not reliable, not able to start after not driving it for 2 days.

- Vienna, VA, USA

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