NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Subaru Outback. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
MY BATTERY HAS SEEMED WEAK FOR OVER A YEAR. ON A ROUTINE SERVICE, I HAD ASKED SUBARU OF SANTA FE TO INSPECT MY BATTERY. IT CHECKED OUT AS GOOD. YET, EVERY TIME I STARTED THE CAR, IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THE STARTER WAS LABORING WITH A DRAINED BATTERY. OF LATE I HAVE HAD TO JUMPSTART THE CAR A FEW TIMES, EVEN. I TOOK IT FOR INSPECTION TODAY TO AUTO ZONE, TO SEE IF I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND DID NOT NEED REPLACEMENT. I LOOKED UP THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. SURE ENOUGH, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A LEGAL SUITE REGARDING AN IDENTICAL ISSUE FOR THE SAME YEAR MSKE AND MODEL CAR AS MINE. THE BATTERY HAS NEVER DIED WHILE THE CAR IS IN OPERATION OR MOVING, BUT ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE VEHICLE IS STRANDED IN A REMOTE OR UNSAFE LOCATION. TO MY KNOWLEDGE,
SOMETIMES THE BATTERY GOES DEAD FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS, WITH THE MOST RECENT EVENT OCCURRING TODAY (MAY 10, 2021). IT COULD OCCUR AFTER I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT FOR A DAY OR IN THE MIDST OF A ROAD TRIP AFTER I'VE STOPPED FOR LUNCH AND IT WON'T RESTART. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 2 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR (USED) IN 2019.
THE BATTERY IS PREMATURELY DRAINING AND THIS HAS LEFT US STRANDED AND REQUIRING A JUMP START. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY. THE OEM BATTER FAILED AFTER 18 MONTHS. THE NEW BATTERY (WITH A 5 YEAR WARRANTY) HAS NOW FAILED AFTER ANOTHER 14 MONTHS. THIS IS NOT DUE TO LEAVING A LIGHT ON OR A DOOR OPEN. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING LEFT PARKED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THIS IS A DAILY DRIVER VEHICLE.
THIS SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR ALMOST NO REASON. WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE 2/28/21 WITH 19700 MILES. WHILE DRIVING FROM 4-5PM ON 5/7 I DID NOT NOTICE ANY AUDIBLE ROCK HITS OR IMPACTS ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE WERE RECEIVING RAIN IN MICHIGAN AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS DROPPING QUICKLY. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT 5PM, AND THERE WERE NO CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD AT THAT POINT. WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT 11PM THAT NIGHT, I NOTICED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS DEBRIS ON THE WINDSHIELD (I PARKED UNDER A TREE), BUT I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS WAS A CRACK DEVELOPING. I DROVE IT FROM 11-11:45. WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE AT ALMOST MIDNIGHT ON 5/7 I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS CRACK WAS GETTING LARGER. ON 5/8, I WENT TO USE THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT NOON, AND THE CRACK WAS NOW 10-12" LONG AND WITHIN THE DRIVERS LINE OF SIGHT. I CALLED SUBARU SINCE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES, AND THEY SAID TO CALL MY INSURANCE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR A WINDSHIELD ON A NEARLY NEW VEHICLE FROM A CRACK THAT SEEMINGLY APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. MOST OF THE DRIVING WAS ON A CLEAN AND NEW FREEWAY, NO DIRT ROADS. IN THE SECOND PHOTO YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS MAYBE A VERY SMALL ROCK CHIP, BUT I HAVE NUMEROUS SIMILAR CHIPS ON TWO OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE NOT DEVELOPED INTO A CRACK, ESPECIALLY SO QUICKLY. I THINK THIS IS A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD ON THIS NEW SUBARU. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.
SOMETHING (ELECTRICAL ISSUE?) IS DRAINING THE CAR BATTERY AND NEEDS A JUMP IF NOT DRIVEN WITHIN A DAY OR TWO. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWICE WITHIN A YEAR THINKING WE HAD A DEFECTIVE BATTERY, BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC THINKING IT COULD BE THE ALTERNATOR, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE.
BATTERY DRAINS PREMATURELY? I'VE HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS. HAD IT CHECKED OUT & BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND STARTER ARE FINE. BATTERY JUST DEAD IN THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING. ROADSIDE ASSIST GUY RECOMMENDED FILING A REPORT BECAUSE HE'D HEARD OTHERS HAD HAD PROBLEMS, TOO, POSSIBLY WITH BACK HATCH NOT CLOSING PROPERLY CAUSING DOME LIGHTS TO STAY ON AND DRAIN BATTERY. DID FIND BACK DOME LIGHT ON 1 NIGHT, TURNED OFF LIGHT, AND RECLOSED HATCH. I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN DILIGENT SINCE BUT IT WAS DEAD AGAIN THIS MORNING ANYWAY. DATE LISTED BELOW IS MOST RECENT INCIDENT. PREVIOUS 2 INCIDENTS WERE ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND ABOUT 2-3 DAYS APART.
Car on battery number 3...should not be. Something wrong.
IN 2018 THE BATTERY KEPT DYING AND HAD GO BE REPLACED. NOW, IN 2012, THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. IT HAD TO BE JUMPED OFF YESTERDAY MORNING, AGAIN THIS MORNING AND NOW THIS EVENING IS DEAD AGAIN. THE CAR ONLY HAS A VERY LITTLE OVER 32,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE IS KEOPT IN THE GARAGE ALL THE TIME AND THIS IS WHERE IT IS AS IT IS DYING.
BATTERY FAILURE AFTER 6 MONTHS UNDER NORMAL USE. NO PERIODS OF LEAVING HEADLIGHTS ON OVERNIGHT, ETC. HAD JUST DRIVEN ABOUT 90 MINUTES, TURNED CAR OFF TO RUN INTO A SHOP, RETURNED AND CAR WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK. AAA TESTED IT AND THE ALTERNATOR. ALTERNATOR WAS 'GOOD' BUT BATTERY REPORTED 'FAIL'.
I HAVE HAD THREE SIZABLE CRACKS IN MY WINDSHIELD SINCE 2017, WITH THE MOST RECENT FAIRLY LARGE WHICH WILL PROBABLY CAUSE ME TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE OTHER TWO CRACKS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IN ALL CASES, BUT THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE DANGER ( IE. FOLLOWING A TRUCK) . THEY ALL OCCURRED ON TWO LANE ROADS TRAVELING AT OR UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
BATTERY DIES..HAD NEW ONE INSTALLED THIS WEEK, SAME PROBLEM. NO RECALL? CANT USE CAR
WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY. AM AWARE THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON YEAR AND MODEL, 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND I'VE NOTED CRACK IS "GROWING." LOCAL DEALER CLAIMS TO BE UNAWARE OF A BROADER ISSUE INVOLVING MANY OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS DESCRIBING SAME PROBLEM.
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2016. I HAD A JOB THAT MADE IT NECESSARY TO DRIVE 44 MILES DAILY FIVE DAYS WEEK. NOW I HAVE RETIRED AND DO NOT DRIVE EVERY DAY. MY CAR BATTEY WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE. I BOUGHT A NEW ONE, IT CAN'T STAY CHARGED EITHER. SOMETHING IN THE CAR IS DRAINING THE BATTERY. I TURN EVERYTHING OFF AND STILL CANNOT HOLD A CHARGE OVER 1 DAY. THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS. YEARS 2017 TO 2020. MY CAR IS A 2017. I HAVE HAD TO BUY A CHARGER AND MUST LEAVE IT ATTACHED TO THE WHENEVER I'M NOT GOING TO DRIVE FOR A DAY OR TWO. I HAVE A $40,000 CAR AND I CANNOT TRUST IT.
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE, ONGOING BATTERY DRAIN INCIDENTS, REPLACING THE BATTERY TWICE IN ONE YEAR (MOST RECENTLY). WE ARE LEFT STRANDED REPEATEDLY AND MUST JUMP THE CAR FOR IT TO START. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHERS. THE INCIDENTS HAPPEN SEEMINGLY RANDOMLY. IT IS WORKING FINE, THEN YOU GO BACK TO GET IN IT AND IT WON'T START. SOMETIMES, WHEN YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO START IT, THE BACK HATCH WILL MAKE A SOUND/MOTION. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT! AFTER 4 YEARS OF THIS, WE ARE BEYOND FRUSTRATED. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE ON THE ROAD BY MYSELF. MOST OWNERS HAVE TAKEN TO KEEPING A BATTERY JUMPER WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES. RIDICULOUS.
Original battery died while away from home, replaced with new battery which then also died 5 months after installation. I do not feel I can safely use the vehicle with my family for fear of battery drain/dying while we are away from home. No warning lights or other indication anything is wrong. No aftermarket parts installed. Took car to Firestone for diagnosis and they said that alternator is working fine, no other issues identified.
SUBARU DEALER REPLACED DEAD BATTERY 10/2020. CAR PARKED FOR 20 DAYS (NO LIGHTS, ETC WERE ON DURING THAT TIME) AND BATTERY WAS DEAD. DEALER CHECKED BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND CLAIMED ALL WAS GOOD. HE DID SAY THAT IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR THEM TO GO DEAD IN 10 TO 14 DAYS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED. THE 1ST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY (10/2020)
THE CAR DRAINS BATTERY RAPIDLY OVERNIGHT. THE IDLE CURRENT IS ABOUT 2 AMPS WHICH IS ABNORMAL
Battery was dead many times due to a parasitic draw. Dealer installed new batteries at no charge. Dealer with the help of Subaru Technical could not find the cause. Auto is available for inspection. Dealer could not duplicate problem but was able to inspect on each occasion. There were no warnings that the problem would occur. Last case is #68469384405 hat was communicated to Subaru Techline
Purchased 05/2017. Within 2 weeks battery dead. Towed to dealer. Told okay. July 2017 , dead battery. Charged, dead next day. New battery. 10/2018 new battery. 04/2021, new battery. Condenser for a/c was replaced 05/2021
MY ORIGINAL BATTERY DIED EARLIER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE (~DEC 19/31K MI) ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AFTER PURCHASING CAR) AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, I'VE HAD REPEATED ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY BEING DEAD AND HAVING TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THEY SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WITHIN 1 MONTH (DEC 20) ALONE, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR JUMPSTARTED 3 TIMES. I HAD TO BUY MY OWN JUMPER TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. IT DOESN'T DIE WHILE ON, IT'S JUST DEAD WHEN I GO TO START IT.
THE DATA CONTROL MODULE FAILED AFTER ONLY 30,000 MILES. IT'S A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK AND BECAUSE OF NOT DRIVING LAST YEAR (2020), THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. WE ARE PAYING $1500, FOR A FAILED PART (DATA CONTROL MODULE) THAT CAUSED TWO CONSECUTIVE BATTERIES TO DRAIN. THE CAR WILL NOT START WITHOUT JUMPING IT.
THE BATTERY KEEPS FAILING. IT'S MY 4TH BATTERY CHANGE AND I CAN FEEL THAT I WILL NEED TO CHANGE THE 4TH ONE SOON.
SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE IN AUG 2020, THE BATTERY HAS DRAINED, AND THUS STALLED THE CAR, THREE TIMES. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHECKED, FUNCTIONS NORMALLY, AND IS AT FULL CAPACITY. THE ONLY OBVIOUS CONNECTION BETWEEN EACH OCCURRENCE SEEMS TO BE RAISING THE BACK TAILGATE. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED WHILE CAMPING. THE TAILGATE WAS OPEN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHILE REMOVING CAMPING GEAR. THE SECOND TIME HAPPENED WHILE IN TOWN (BOISE, ID) AND THE BACK WAS OPEN FOR ROUGHLY TWENTY MINUTES. THE THIRD TIME HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE TAILGATE WAS OPEN FOR LESS THAN TEN MINUTES. THE BATTERY IS QUICK TO JUMP AND, AGAIN, HAS BEEN CHECKED.
DEAD BATTERY REQUIRING TOW SERVICE TO CHARGE BATTERY 4/2018 AND 5/2018. REPLACED BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY AFTER TESTING AT SUBARU 5/2018. DEAD BATTERY REQUIRING TOWING COMPANY CHARGE TIMES IN 5/2020 AND REPLACED BATTERY ON 5/14/2020. DEAD BATTERY NOW AGAIN IN 4/2021 REQUIRING TOWING COMPANY BATTERY CHARGE.
A CRACK FORMED IN THE WINDSHIELD DURING NORMAL DRIVING, THERE WAS NO CHIP OR OBJECT THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD THAT WOULD FORM A CRACK. IT IS A BIG S-SHAPED CURVE FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE IT MEET THE ROOF DOWN TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITHIN THE LAST 6 WEEKS FROM A PRIOR CHIP AND CRACK.
2017 OUTBACK. UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. ONCE IN PARK TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH DOESN'T HELP TO RELEASE THE KEY. MOVED GEAR SHIFT MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS UNTIL EVENTUALLY THE KEY WAS REMOVED. THE KEY ISN'T PARTICULARLY WORN.
Our 2017 Subaru Outback has had multiple incidents of “ Sudden Dead Battery “ in the Mornings. We have had the Car Checked out at CarMax where we purchased it and we’re told the Service Tech couldn’t determine the Cause and we should take it to a Subaru dealership which we did…. The Technician could not Identify the Cause either but suggested a New Battery which we chose not to do… No Service Representative acted ignorant to the facts that this is becoming a Known issue on a National Scale with Multiple Lawsuits being Filed for the Same problem… We now Carry a Battery Jumper and Always have the concerns that the Car will not start.. So far, the Battery continues to go Dead at various times after being parked overnight so I can jump start it from home… I read another complaint that mentioned the multiple lights/ warnings and Displays coming on the dashboard- We have experienced that same scenario… we see flashing lights and information that do not show during Normal Driving operation.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. IT DEVELOPED RANDOM SMALL CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD IN 4 DIFFERENT SPOTS ON THE WINDSHIELD I WAS DRIVING ON A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, WHEN I NOTICED SPECS ON MY WINDSHIELD THAT WOULD NOT COME OFF UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I CAME TO REALIZE THEY WERE TINY CHIPS IN THE GLASS. I HAVE NO EXPLANATION AS TO HOW THOSE GOT THERE I WAS NOT IMPACTED BY ANYTHING FLYING AT MY WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX ONE CHIP THAT GOT BIG ENOUGH TO POSSIBLY CRACK THE OTHER 3 I WAS TOLD BY THE SAFELIGHT EMPLOYEE THAT I WOULD GET LOTS OF THEM AND I DIDN'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY CHIPPED OR CRACKED DEEPER. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE SUBARU GLASS IS VERY THIN AND CHIPS AND CRACKS EASILY HE HAS MANY SUBARU'S THAT COME IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE WAY THE CHIPS ARE STARTING OUT VERY TINY AND HOW THEY ARE SPACED OUT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS SOMETHING SUBARU SHOULD BE MADE AWARE AND RECALL AND REPLACE. MY HUSBAND JUST PURCHASED A CROSS TREK AND NO SURPRISE AFTER INSPECTING HIS WINDSHIELD WE FOUND TWO VERY TINY SMALL CHIPS IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ON HIS WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOLD TO TRY AND KEEP MY WINDSHIELD COOL AND OUT OF THE SUN TO TRY AND PREVENT ANYMORE CHIPPING OR CRACKING. IF I HAD KNOWN THE SUBARU OUTBACK HAD THIS DEFECT I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR.
THE CAR HAS 30K MILES AND THE BATTERY DRAINED OUT SUDDENLY. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER BATTERY FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THAT BATTERY HAD LOW CHARGE. I THINK THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME AS OTHER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING.
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW WITHOUT ANY FORCE APPLIED ON A MODERATE TEMPERATURE DAY WITHOUT AC OR HEAT BLOWING. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT WELL-MAINTAINED ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED AND HEARD THE POP OF THE WINDSHIELD. APPROX SPEED WAS 20MPH WITH NO STREET BUMPS AND AGAIN ON A VERY CALM DAY AS FAR AS TEMPERATURE. ALSO, NO EQUIPMENT OR PEOPLE AROUND WHO COULD HAVE SEEMED TO 'TOSSED' ANYTHING AT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS ON THE INTERIOR LAYER OF THE WINDSHEILD AND NOT THE OUTTER. ALSO, I HAVE HAD 2 INSTANCES NOW WHERE MY CAR HAS COMPLETELY DIED WITHOUT ANY ITEMS BEING LEFT ON TO DRAIN THE BATTERY. FIRST TIME WAS AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN OFF ONLY A HOUR OR SO AND COMPLETELY DEAD. I REPLEACED THE BATTERY AND AT THAT POINT THE CAR WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD. THE SECOND TIME THE BATTERY AND SYSTEMS TESTED ALL FINE BUT IT WAS SO DEAD, POWER LOCKS WOULDNT WORK WITH THE KEY FOB.
Ignition key fails to be removed after placing car in park. Key is locked in the ignition column. Steering wheel lock is not the culprit. User must turn key to accessories and continually shift car from drive to park in order for computer to recognize the car is in park to release key.
CAR WAS REAR ENDED (DRIVER SIDE REAR) AT FULL SPEED, WHICH THEN PUSHED US INTO A PARKING LOT, SPECIFICALLY THE CORNER WITH A CEMENT PILING WITH A LIGHT POLE WHICH COLLAPSED, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
MY SUBARU OUTBACK IS LESS THAN 3Y 9M AFTER BEING PURCHASED A BRAND NEW AND IT ALREADY GOT 5 (FIVE !!!) NEW BATTERIES REPLACED WITHOUT BEING IDENTIFIED WITH ANY ISSUES BY SUBARU TECHNICIANS. THE FIRST TIME THE BATTERY DIED WAS WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY 7 MONTH OLD ON THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. A NEW OEM BATTERY (#2) HAS BEEN INSTALLED AT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. 14 MONTHS LATER THIS SUBARU BATTERY #2 IS DEAD, REPLACED BY A NEW AAA BATTERY #3 THAT WITHIN TWO MONTHS WAS DEAD, EXTREMELY CORRODED. ONCE AGAIN I WAS FORCED TO ADDRESS THE SAME ISSUE, BRINGING THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE A NEW OEM SUBARU BATTERY #4 WAS INSTALLED AND COVERED BY A THICK LAYER OF PETROLEUM JELLY. THE BATTERY #4 HAS LASTED ONLY FOR 17 MONTHS. THUS A NEW SUBARU OEM BATTERY #5 HAD TO BE INSTALLED. EVERY TIME I'M TOLD THE CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED, NO ISSUES HAVE BEEN FOUND,THOUGH I HAD ALSO REPORTED THAT I KEPT ADJUSTING THE CLOCK IN MY CAR EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS,IT HAS BEEN FALLING BEHIND. IT'S HARD TO ACCEPT THAT SUBARU TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PARASITIC DRAIN PROBLEM IN MY CAR. WHAT IS EXACTLY GOING ON WITH MY SUBARU OUTBACK 2017 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM?TOO MUCH FRUSTRATION WHEN I MISSED MY WORKING HOURS, MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS DUE TO DEALING WITH THE CAR THATIS NOT STARTING, AS WELL AS WITNESSING MY CAR LOSING ITS VALUE. ALL THE DOCUMENTS ARE KEPT IN A FILE, MY NOTES ARE RECORDED.
Battery prematurely dies. I have replaced it 3 times in the short life of the car. It's especially a problem when I'm running errands and make several stops, turning.off vehicle. It struggles to start and maybe by 4th stop, it doesn't start and I'm left stranded. There is something draining the battery and it's not reliable.
The battery consistently "dies". It doesn't matter how often I drive it. I never know when it won't start. In 5 years, I've had 2 batteries & about 6+ jump starts.
THE HEADLIGHTS (HID WITH AUTO-LEVELING) ARE POINTED DANGEROUSLY LOW. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD FAR ENOUGH. A DRIVER WOULD HAVE VERY LITTLE TIME TO REACT, GIVEN THIS LIMITED ILLUMINATION DISTANCE. SUBARU DEALERSHIPS ARE ADAMANT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ADJUSTED TO SPECIFICATIONS. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET FROM OWNERS, AND THE DEALERSHIPS I'VE MENTIONED THIS ISSUE TO HAVE EXPLAINED THEY ARE AWARE OF THE COMPLAINTS, BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I AM VERY WORRIED FOR OUR SAFETY AND FOR THE PEDESTRIANS/VEHICLES WE WOULD NOT SEE IN TIME TO STOP. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, AND THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE. I HAVE TRIED TO ADDRESS IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE BASICALLY FINE (GIVEN THE SHIFT OF WEIGHT TO THE REAR WHICH HAS THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AIMED A BIT HIGHER), BUT AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE LEVELS OUT, THE ISSUE IS VERY EVIDENT. THE AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM FEATURE SIMPLY DOES NOT COMPENSATE, AS THE AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAMS ARE NOT INTUITIVE ENOUGH TO PERFECTLY ACTIVATE AND STAY ACTIVATED EVERY TIME (IT MISREADS SURROUNDING STREET LIGHTS, FOR EXAMPLE, AS ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS VERY EASILY.
I AM EXPERIENCING REPEATED BATTERY DRAIN LEAVING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO START. THE DEALER SAYS I AM LEAVING SOMETHING ELECTRICAL "ON" WHEN I PARK IT. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I CARRY A STARTER JUMP PACK BATTERY TO GET IT GOING WHEN THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BATTERY RATING IS 200 COLD CRANK AMPS BELOW THE STANDARD OF 550 CCA SEEN IN MOST CARS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW.
HAVE THE CAR 5 YEARS, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY NOW TWICE. ONCE AT 2 YEARS AND ONCE A YEAR AND A HALF LATER. I OWN A 2014 VW BEETLE AND STILL HAVE NOT HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY.
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM KEEPS DRAINING THE BATTERY. I HAVE TO KEEP A BATTERY JUMPER IN MY CAR BECAUSE THE BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY DEAD. I'M IN MY 2ND BATTERY AND HAVING TO JUMP STAR5 IT AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES.
COMPLAINTPURCHASED VEHICLE ON 8/15/2017. STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT HAVE PERSISTED CONSISTENTLY. INCIDENTS INCLUDE RADIO FREEZING, RADIO UPDATES AND PROBLEMS STILL PERSIST, FULL RADIO / SCREEN REPLACED, LIGHTS ON THE CPNSOLE PULSING DURING A HIGHWAY NIGHT DRIVE, NOTICE FROM STARLINK THAT MY SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AND I RECENTLY JUST HAD MY BATTERY REPLACED FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN 43 MONTHS OF OWNING THIS AUTO. MOST RECENTLY I COULDNT START MY CAR AND WAS STUCK AT THE SOUTH RIM OF THE GRAND CANYON. HAD TO GET THE AUTO TO FLAGSTAFF SUBARU TO GET THE BATTERY REPLACED. NO ONE MENTIONED THAT THIS ISSUE WAS RECURRING AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT MY CAR BACK TO LAS VEGAS, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE LAS VEGAS SUBARU DEALER ON APRIL 8, 2021. THE CAR WAS PICKED UP BY ME ON TUESDAY AP 13, 2021. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID AN UPDATE AND THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF THAT IS EVEN REMOTELY CORRECT AS THERE IS A NEW BATTERY (AGAIN THE 4TH BATTERY) IN THIS VEHICLE AND WHO KNOWS WHEN AND WHERE I WILL GET STUCK NEXT. THE TIME PERIODS BETWEEN INCIDENTS ARE AS LITTLE AS A FEW MONTHS AND BEYOND. I LITERALLY JUST READ AN ARTICLE TODAY ABOUT THERE BEING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS VERY SAME ISSUE FOR 2016-2020 SUBARU OUTBACKS. NO ONE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OR AT SUBARU NATIONAL 800 NUMBER MENTIONED THIS TO ME. AFTER THIS 4TH BATTERY INCIDENT, I DID MAKE A COMPLAINT TO SUBARU'S NATIONAL OFFICE
WILL NOT START WITH KEYLESS IGNITION. FIRST TIME 2018 WHEN BATTERY APPEARED DEAD AND COUKD NOT BE JUMP STARTED IN OUR GARAGE AND COUKD NOT UNLOCK DOORS OR EMERGENCY BRAKE AND COULD NOT BE JUMPED, CAR TOWED AND NEW BATTERY INSTALLED. ONE WEEK LATER SAME THING AGAIN DEAD BATTERY IN OUR GARAGE AND CAR TESTED BY SUBARU FOR MORE THAN A WEEK AND NO CAUSE DETERMINED. THIRD TIME APRIL 1, 2021 BATTERY DEAD AFTER THREE SHORT STOPS AND DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MILES AND RADIO COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF AT FIRST. TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID BATTERY AT ALMOST FULL CHARGE AND DUGGRSTED USE KEY FOB AND PRESS START AND IT WORKED.
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP ON 02/09/2021. ON 03/31/2021 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE TOP CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. UPON FURTHER EXPLORATION, I NOTICED THE CRACK EXTENDED FROM THE TOP-CENTER, DOWN ABOUT 4 INCHES AND THEN ANOTHER 6 INCHES TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY CRASH OR ACCIDENT IN THE SIX WEEKS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THE CRACK SEEMS TO HAVE APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE.
BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED KEY SENSOR ALSO ALWAYS GOES OFF THAT KEY IS NOT IN CAR WHEN DRIVING
MY NEW BATTERY WAS DRAINED TO A POINT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I MESSAGED SOME BIBLE STUDY FRIENDS AND ONE WAS GOING TO COME OVER AND JUMP MY VEHICLE. WHILE WAITING I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT OUT OF MY GARAGE INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVEWAY IS ON A STEEP SLOPE. ONCE IN THE DRIVEWAY I TRIED PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. IN FACT IT WOULD ONLY GO INTO DRIVE WHICH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS. I TRIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT IT IS ELECTRICALLY OPERATED AND DID NOT WORK. THE BRAKES WERE VERY HARD TO HOLD SINCE THE HYDRAULICS WERE NOT KICKING IN, SAME WITH THE POWER STEERING. I AM A BIG STRONG GUY SO I WRESTLED THE CAR TO TURN IT DIAGONALLY IN THE DRIVEWAY AS IT ROLLED BACKWARDS, TRYING TO PREVENT IT FROM GOING INTO THE STREET AND FLYING INTO SOMEONE'S HOUSE OR VEHICLE. ONCE DIAGONAL IN THE DRIVEWAY I THREW A PADLOCK UNDER THE FRONT TIRE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT IT FROM ROLLING BACK. AT THIS POINT IT WAS BARELY HELD BUT STATIONARY SO I GOT OUT, CHALKED THE WHEELS WITH 2X4'S UNTIL BY BIBLE STUDY FRIENDS CAME OVER AND JUMPED MY CAR. I DID NOT HAVE MY CELL PHONE AND NO ONE ELSE WAS AROUND TO HELP ME. I LITTERALLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO JUST LET MY CAR ROLL DOWN INTO THE STREET AND LET IT GO BECAUSE I HAD NO OTHER OPTIONS. I CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO A YOUTUBE VIDEO THAT SHOWS ONCE THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DIES, THERE IS A SPECIAL TOOL YOU NEED IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR IN AND OUT OF PARK. BUT IT DOESN'T TELL YOU THAT IF THE CAR WON'T START AND THERE IS ENOUGH POWER TO GET IT INTO REVERSE, DON'T DO IT WITHOUT THE TOOL. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED IN THE MOUNTAINS OR SAN FRANCISCO OR ANY HILLY OR MOUNTAINOUS LOCATION? I BELIEVE THIS IS A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR LIFE THREATING INJURY OR LOSS OF PROPERTY. E-BRAKES SHOULD NOT BE ELECTRIC IN MY OPINION.
IT LOOKS LIKE THE CAR BLEEDS THE BATTERY. VEHICLE PURCHASE: OCT 2016 I HAD MY OEM BATTERY REPLACED DUE IT IT DYING IN < 3 YEARS. (SEPTEMBER 2019) I REPLACED IT WITH DURALAST GOLD AND THAT ALSO DIED IN 2.5 YEARS. (FEB 2021) DURING THE COLD WAVE IN TEXAS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I CHALKED IT UP AS COLD WEATHER AND WENT ON. BUT THIS PAST WEEK IT DIED ALL OF A SUDDEN AND I HAD TO GET IT REPLACED VIA WARRANTY. I RAN A BLUE DRIVER REPORT AND IT SHOWS LOW VOLTAGE ERRORS FOR SOME COMPONENTS. THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME ONGOING LAWSUIT FOR BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE.
I HAVE A 2017 SUBARU OUTBACK. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 4 TIMES AND LESS THAN 5 YEARS.
Battery issues, continued changing when the battery isnt drained
A MINOR ROCK HIT ON HIGHWAY CAUSES WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM FROM BOTTOM NEAR WIPERS ALL THE WAY TO THE MIDDLE OF SCREEN.
WHEN THE CAR IS SHUT OFF, SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY SO THAT IT VERY OFTEN DOES NOT START IN THE MORNING.