10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,916 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #326

Aug 012020

Outback

  • miles
Battery discharged on multiple occasions, necessitating jump starts and eventual battery replacement.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #325

Nov 102020

Outback

  • miles
Battery died prematurely. Also, there was a lot of corrosion on the battery that might have started a fire had the battery not died before further danger had happened.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #324

Sep 302019

Outback

  • miles
I bought the car new. 2 years later the battery died. I had to replace the battery again this summer. That-??s 2 batteries in less than 5 years. I just received the notification about the electrical problem Subaru knew about since 2017.

- Tulsa , OK, USA

problem #323

Sep 262022

Outback

  • miles
I have had to buy 2 batteries since I bought the vehicle!! I have 60038 miles on it- One within 6 months of purchase Subaru Tyler Tx and the second roughly one year ago Patriot Subara Saco, Maine I-??ve had to get jumped by AAA at least 3 times in past 2 years No one can give me a definitive answer to why my batteries don-??t last-??

- Kennebunk, ME, USA

problem #322

Sep 262022

Outback

  • miles
Battery was defective.

- Hickman, TN, USA

problem #321

Jan 202021

Outback

  • miles
Our car battery does not hold a charge. One year ago January we had Triple AAA replace the battery after several problems starting. This year we have had 3 calls to Triple AAA to charge the battery. It starts right up when they apply the charger--alternator tests as working properly, battery tests OK once charged--but the problem keeps happening. I am now afraid to take it anywhere where I might be stranded. Got a card about a class action lawsuit against Subaru regarding battery drainage issues. I mentioned this to the Triple A tech who mused, "You know, I have had a lot of dead battery calls in the last year for Subarus." Since AAA changed that battery a year and a half ago, he said if it happens again, they will replace the battery because it is under their warranty. The Subaru dealership has not sent us a recall notice. It seems they are not accepting responsibility for this defect. What is an owner to do?

- Glastonbury, CT, USA

problem #320

Jun 112022

Outback

  • miles
The battery keeps draining. This is our second battery replacement. Had to jump start the car few times.

- Fallston, MD, USA

problem #319

Oct 062019

Outback

  • miles
Multiple battery failures with regular usage. Had to replace battery with AAA on a weekend evening. 10/6/2019 new battery cost $148.42, plus hours of waiting time. In 2021, two calls to AAA to jump start dead battery from regular usage.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #318

Aug 192022

Outback

  • miles
Battery constantly drains. New battery (8/22) will not hold charge.

- Toano, VA, USA

problem #317

Mar 012021

Outback

  • miles
My battery has died on multiple occasions and it has not been user error. It dies about every 2 months if I haven't driven it long distances. I got a new battery and have the same problem. When I get it charged, I'm told it was completely drained.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #316

Sep 192022

Outback

  • miles
NHTSA report We purchased this vehicle used on 9/11/2019 from Subaru of Spokane in Spokane Washington. The car has failed to start and required towing to the servicing Subaru dealership Carter Subaru of Ballard, WA where they have replaced the battery, (twice) and fuses. In three years, this car is on its third battery and has failed to provide reliable use, required towing, and two weeks of lost use. This is apparently a well-established issue--Subaru of America has lost at least one class action suit in NJ, as well as a Lemon Law case in California. However, these two dealers in Washington State are behaving as if they have never heard of the issue and are not forthcoming in fixing the problem so it does not reoccur.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #315

Sep 072022

Outback

  • miles
I had a battery that was about 1 year old that died suddenly. I called Triple AAA and they replaced it, and 1 week later, the new battery died and the car wouldn't start, so AAA came and replaced it again. 3 days after that the 3rd battery died. AAA confirmed both times that there was nothing wrong with the alternator and everything looked fine. Looking online it seems that this has been a common issue with Subaru Outbacks.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #314

Sep 112022

Outback

  • miles
Started car and all warning lights on dash were flashing. Turned car off and car would not start and there was a loud ticking noise?coming from the engine bay.Contacted AAA and technician checked battery and verified?that it was dead and he was not able to start the car and this time there was a different loud ticking noise with all dash warning lights flashing. Installed higher quality battery and the car would not start with the same result. Had car towed by AAA (9/12/2022) to our local Subaru dealer for diagnosis. After 5 days the Joint Box or BIU part #82201AL20A was defective. These are the Subaru code defects from the dealer are B1578, B1401 and B1411. Cost to repair including diagnosis is $956.02. Previous battery/electrical issue in 2018. Battery drained by electronic brake fixed under warranty.

- Montrose, CO, USA

problem #313

Sep 152022

Outback

  • miles
Battery failure ( would not charge or hold a charge)

- Bosque Farms, NM, USA

problem #312

Sep 022022

Outback

  • miles
Battery drains completely when not driven for2 to 3 days

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #311

Sep 032022

Outback

  • miles
This is the same issue we are seeing with our other Subaru where we come out to drive and the battery is dead. We would jump the battery and be able to drive for the day and the next day the battery is dead in the morning. I replaced the battery several times over the last few year and the battery would die with a less than 2 month old battery. I was driving around in both cars with jumper cables permanently. After taking it to the dealer, the battery was in great condition, the alternator was charging properly and there is a known electrical issue with this model and year that is part of a class action lawsuit. I had to replace my rear gate module electrical unit because it was going on and off in the night and draining my battery. I will be looking to get re-eimbursed for this company issue.

- Wayland, MA, USA

problem #310

Sep 102022

Outback

  • miles
Battery has been replaced 3 times in two years.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #309

Sep 082022

Outback

  • miles
My battery is constantly needing to be jump started even after replacing it twice. The battery tests are always good. If I open my trunk while the car is not running, I have to get it jumped. I-??m currently unloading groceries and what not with the car running to save myself from having to get jumped.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #308

Sep 042022

Outback

  • miles
Battery drains completely when parked for a week. Replaced the battery after it happened twice. After replacement, battery still drains after being parked for a week resulting in the vehicle having to be jump started.

- Newport, KY, USA

problem #307

Sep 012022

Outback

  • miles
Since I purchased this car, I had the battery drain to the point the lift gate would not open and kept beeping as if something was wrong with the car. I replaced the battery and the problem corrected itself. I am now having lights in the dashboard go out and the power windows stop working. There appears to be an issue with the electrical system.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

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