Subaru Forester key fob problems

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · CA · 1 injury

The rear trunk door, which was open, was closed unintentionally - likely via accidental pressing of the key fob remote control button - and the door came down hard on the head and arms of a person who was leaning into the trunk. The person experienced a mild concussion and arm strain. The expectation is that a sensor should have prevented the trunk door from lowering if an object or person is in the trajectory of the door closing - like a garage door sensor. Instead it only stopped closing because it physically could not go any further, and after injury was sustained from the force of the closure. The problem has not yet been reported to a dealer or service center, or inspected by others. No warning was observed prior to the failure.

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Electrical · NY

Experienced parasitic battery drain which disabled the vehicle. The drain is tied to a 30 amp fuse labeled "BACKUP" under the hood of the vehicle. This fuse controls the touchscreen, backup camera, interior lights, key fob and radio. There were no warning lights or trouble codes associated with this issue. The problem was replicated by both a Subaru dealer and an independent shop. Neither could find the immediate problem without further investigation, which would have cost more than $1000. I have not contacted the manufacturer, police or insurance rep. The car will operate with the fuse pulled but the safety features listed above will be disabled.

Filed Sep 15, 2023 · MA

My tire pressure warning light came on even though all tire pressures were correct. My key fobs also stopped working to lock/unlock the car at the same time. There are hundreds of posts online in Subaru forums, people experiencing the same issues. The TPMS/keyless entry module fails because moisture get into the area it is mounted due to poor design. I had to spend $800.00 parts and labor to get this fixed. Subaru should assume responsibility for this issue. They changed the location of the TPMS module in later models, but those of us with older cars shouldn't have to pay such an expense. The tire pressure monitoring system was deemed necessary by the federal safety agency. Subaru should have to ensure is it free from defect and initiate a recall.

Filed Sep 14, 2022 · Electrical · PA

Something drained my battery completely dead (to less than 1V) overnight. The car was locked and the key fob wasn't near the car. In fact I keep it in a Faraday bag. The battery is less than one year old.

Filed Apr 16, 2022 · Body, Electrical · NJ

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System module failed which also disabled the key fob remotes. I had the TPMS module replaced 3 times. The first occurrence was on August 26th 2021 and was confirmed by the dealership Subaru Service Center. During the failure and malfunction of the module, the dashboard warned about not to drive because there is problems with the tires and key fob not working. This worried me because of the potential safety to me and others if I continued to drive with defective tires. Eventually I found out my tires did not have any problems. After the module malfunctioned the second time, the service center replaced it stating that the first module was defective. Several months passed by and the module failed the third time. I started to research online and found that other Subaru owners experienced similar issues and figured out that water such as from heavy rain leaked through the roof railing gasket into the area where the TPMS module is kept and shorted out. When I went in to the service center the third time, I explained my investigation and eventually the associate agreed that was the cause. I think without me telling them this, they would have just replaced the module stating another defective unit. This discovery had them not only replace the TPMS module, reprogram my key fobs but also replace the roof railings and it's gasket which they made me pay $960.43.

Filed Mar 19, 2022 · Electrical · TN

This is the latest time in a series of incidents where the SUV would not start due to a problem with the main battery. New batteries drain very quickly after a series of electrical problems. So far, we have noticed keyless entry FOB says battery in the FOB is low and stops connecting (but then connects if we remove the key from it without us holding it to the button that turns the car on and off), we replace this battery but continue to have the same issues, front passenger side window is not able to be rolled down or up from driver side, as the battery continues to drain, gas gauges stop correctly registering amount of gas in the car, different warning lights light up on control panel without any sense of rhyme or reason, and overhead lighting gets dim. For a few weeks, the SUV blames the problems on the battery in the key FOB being low, even though it was replaced on December 15, 2021. When replacing the FOB battery did not work, we learned it was the actual main SUV battery that had been drained. It is now March 19, 2022, and we are having the same issues despite having only a moderate amount of miles put on the SUV and only 3 months of time passing since we purchased and installed a brand new car battery. We will have to spend money on batteries again.

Filed Feb 21, 2022 · Electrical · NY

Repeated battery failure issues. Vehicle has had to be jumped anytime the vehicle has sat more than eight hours since approximately 01/18/2022. Vehicle has been taken to an auto shop where battery and alternator test was done. Battery has been determined to be okay, simply in need of a charge. Alternator also okay. No indicator/warning lamp or message was given prior to initial or subsequent failures. Vehicle is driven for extended periods of time each day which allows for the battery to be charged. Battery drain occurs when the vehicle is parked and turned off. Key fob kept away from vehicle, doors securely shut, no lights or accessories left on. Repeated battery failure has resulted in my being stranded until someone is available to jump the vehicle. Safety concerns of being stuck away from my home, in freezing temperatures, and/or alone at night.

Filed Feb 10, 2022 · Electrical · MN

I hand washed my 2015 Subaru Forester using a garden hose with no pressure nozzle on the hose. While drying it I noticed a very strong burning smell. I then noticed smoke coming from the drivers side door mirror. It smoked for 30 to 40 seconds. Afterward my key fob door locking/unlocking functions do not work. Also the dome lights and clock do not work, as well as the TPMS. When I lock the car with a key, it only locks the drivers door. If I lock the car manually with the inside push button and close the door all doors are locked, but when I unlock it with the key the "Panic Horn" starts beeping. The car has not been repaired yet and is available for inspection. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the smoking mirror. This happened inside a washbay and I was definitely concerned about a major fire, luckily this did not happen. I googled this incident and there are other instances of this exact same incident occurring, as well as a recall of 630,000 Subaru vehicles in prior years, but not the 2015 model. My vehicle has never sustained any damage of any kind. No accidents, no fender benders, no weather related damage what so ever. This Forester, although being a 2015 model year, is in showroom condition with only 15,850 miles.

Filed Aug 1, 2021 · Electrical · MI

Repeated SUDDEN BATTERY DRAIN when car sits overnight, car is disabled. Note that Key FOB is kept away from the car when not in use, no accessories are left on (i.e. lights, door ajar, etc.) and car is only sitting for one night. There were no warning lights or messages or other symptoms prior. No indication as to cause each time after car battery is jumped by road service. Incidents began on March 11, 2019 (car was purchased Nov. 15, 2018); repeatedly occurs approx. every 4-6 weeks without any noticeable time elapse patterns. Began recording occurances regularly since August of 2020 (more incidents prior), total of 21 times to date; and 12 times in 2021 alone. Problem was reported frequently (and once towed) to Hodges Subaru (Ferndale, MI) dealer service dept. Battery & electrical systems were inspected by them several times since 2020. Dealer service claimed there were no problems with electrical system at each check, however Battery was replaced 2 times: 10/20/20 (as a "courtesy") and 5/24/21 (claimed defective battery). The same sudden battery drain continued to occur 9 times after it was first replaced; and an additional 4 times to date since the latest replacement on 5/24/21. Latest incident on Aug. 1, 2021.

Filed Jul 29, 2021 · Electrical · MA

I found that the horn did not work while I was driving. Later I found this to be an intermittent problem, which I looked up on line. Someone described turning the wheel to the extreme right or left made the horn work again. I tested this in my car; with the steering wheel straight the horn did not work, then when turned to the extreme in either direction, or using the panic button on the key fob the horn worked. Since I do not use the horn very often, I found out about this problem during a dangerous situation in which I both pressed on the brakes to avoid collision and used my horn to alert the other driver. I reproduced the problem myself, but it is possible that when I take it to the dealer it may not manifest because it is intermittent. The component has not been inspected by anyone, there were no warning lights or indicators of a potential malfunction. The problem first appeared last week. I will get the vehicle repaired and can make the component available for inspection upon request.