10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 22,954 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
The car battery has died multiple times in the past three years. The battery was factory replaced in 2019 because of this issue and has since needed to be jumped at least 3 times. There is also corrosion on the new battery already. When the battery has died it's either been parked in our driveway or has left me stranded somewhere needing a jump when it wouldn't start.
- Arlington, VA, USA
With approximately 50,000 miles on the vehicle, I have had to replace the battery two times. This vehicle has a problem with its design that allows the battery to drain to a completely dead and irreversible state even when the vehicle is driven at highway speeds for a meaningful period of time each day. The first occurrence was in may, 2018 and the second occurrence was April, 2021.
- Oakdale, NY, USA
In early January, of 2018, the vehicle wouldn't start because the battery was dead. We had to have it jump-started. This continued at least a dozen times. On 5/25/18 we contacted the dealership, and scheduled an appointment on 5/29/18 to have it assessed. They found: ' battery not fully charged. Found software update for battery charging. Performed software update.' The problem continued...we made another appointment on 7/11/18, and they gave us a rental vehicle while they had ours, for 8 days. This time: 'after finding a parasitic draw, and replacing a module, the battery was replaced'. we were told this was becoming a common occurrence with Subaru batteries, but that Subaru wasn't willing to replace the battery at their cost. We continued to be inconvenienced, (stranded), until the dealership relented, and installed a new battery.
- Norwich, NY, USA
Battery is suffering excessive drain. Last replaced battery failed within 2 years.
- Johns Creek, GA, USA
The battery has a slow drain on it. I end up having a dead battery about every 4-6 weeks and need to jump the car. I've replaced the battery, and still happens.
- Reston, VA, USA
I have replaced the battery 4 times since buying the car in 2016. I can't let it sit more than 3 days if its cold out or the battery dies. I have to jump the batteries quite frequently. I can't let the car sit more than 7 days if it is warm outside. I have called the dealership twice and they have told me this is normal. I asked what could be constantly draining the batteries. I had thought the car was a lemmon when I first bought it. The battery problem has been ongoing since I bought it. It was a brand new car.
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA
The car will be driven normally and then when you go to start it the battery is dead. This has occurred after multiple years and multiple times the battery has been replaced multiple times. The dealer has refused to look for a problem since they say it is my fault. I have opened a case with Subaru in the past but now they have not responded to the latest email contact. Date below is date I last contacted Subaru.
- Phoenixville, PA, USA
My battery keeps going out. I replaced a new battery and it still dies. I took the new battery back to the retailer who tested the new battery and said it was still good. However, my battery still goes out 3-4 times a week and now I have to buy a portable battery booster to start up the car on a routine basis.
- Westminster, CA, USA
Battery would not recharge during short, frequent trips. Battery would not restart the car. Replaced.
- Gresham, OR, USA
My car has electrical issues which cause the battery to drain. If I don't drive my car for a few days, sometimes it won't start without getting jumped or charging the battery directly. Once the vehicle is moving, everything appears to be working fine. It's just when starting the car. My issues seem to be related to the issues that are documented in a current lawsuit against Subaru for drained battery.
- Cameron Park, CA, USA
This vehicle is 5 years old. The first battery lasted 4 years. The second battery was dead in 10 months. Now we will try a third. In looking up other drivers comments, this is a known product problem. There is a technical bulletin out about this, but it doesn't do anything to fix the problem. There is also a know tire wearing problem. I have had to replace those, 3 times. I have 92000 miles. I have replaced them with Michelin twice. Good for 60,000. Lucky to get 30,000 on them. Twice now because of the battery, I have been stranded. This last time, I was at my vacation home, only one other person in the area. Luckily they had jumper cables, and jumped the car and followed me to the auto store. The first time I missed work, and had to wait till my husband came home to give my car a jump. Both times, the car was sitting overnight.
- Pinckney, MI, USA
Key will not come out of ignition cylinder intermittently. This is a known issue for Subaru under their own tsb 16-112-18R.
- Seattle, WA, USA
Almost new battery failed. Had replaced previous battery on Sept 15, 2020 with interstate battery, and on Apr. 13, 2021 in the morning the battery was found discharged despite nothing being on in car overnight. The red terminal is corroded.
- Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Battery drain to zero, I can't start the engine, battery was replaced 2 years ago under warranty, and now again I do have the same problem. When I try to charge the battery it shows 100% charged, but for some reason, I can't start the engine, seems like does not have enough batter to start it.
- Park Ridge, IL, USA
Dead battery within first year of ownership, at 75,000 miles now and third battery has now failed. Unsafe.
- Truckee, CA, USA
I have had >10 events of dead battery needing charged or jumped. I almost missed my daughter's wedding due to this inconvenience. I had my battery tested and found in good operation. I finally replaced my battery and in less than a month I had another inconvenience 10 minutes before I needed to leave for a doctor's appointment. The battery was unable to be jumped and I had to scramble to find a ride.
- Dravosburg, PA, USA
The car was parked in the garage and it was above freezing. None of the lights had been left on/doors open... the car doesn't have a fob kept too close... the car wouldn't start. This isn't the first time this has happened and we're not sure if it's a battery, alternator, electrical issue or what. We've had the battery replaced once already. It first happened within a week of purchasing the car in 2017 in the summer time, and has happened several times since without excessive electrical components in use.
- Denver, CO, USA
I purchased my Outback as a new car. I ordered it. I picked it up in August of 2015. Since then I have had approximately 6-7 batteries. My most current replacement was today. I have been told through many battery replacements, it is the climate where I live, a faulty battery, and possibly other things. Today I mentioned to the Subaru service that this never happened with my other cars (I've had three others.) the first replacement was within the first year of purchase, but I'd have to go back and verify. I'd had to call aaa while in blythe just to get to an auto zone for a battery because there are no Subaru dealers in the area. I have had to get 1-2 at a local good year because my local Subaru is about a 25-30 minute drive and didn't have time to get there...and needed a battery. Today I asked how many I have gotten while at Subaru. We counted about four. A few days ago I tried starting my car and it didn't want to start immediately. (I think the last time I was at Subaru they said it was fine.) this battery lasted the longest, about a year. I've had some last less than that. I even bought a faraday pouch to see if that would help. I'm writing this late at night while all is in my mind. So I don't have today's paperwork on me, and I didn't happen to get the dates the man at Subaru gave me of when they put in a battery. I know the desert heat can be harsh, but 6-7 batteries is unreasonable and not safe.
- Indio, CA, USA
I purchased our Outback new from a dealership in Pennsylvania in March, 2016. Since that time we have had the ome and two replacement batteries fail and we are now on our 4th battery. I called the dealership and the service manager said he was unaware of any reason the batteries may have failed. We had our very experienced Subaru mechanic check it out and he could not find a cause. The car is mostly driven on the highway and has 133,000 miles on it.
- Gettysburg, PA, USA
- Allentown, PA, USA