2009 Subaru Outback electrical problems

Filed Mar 27, 2024 · Electrical · OR

The rear hatch on this Outback won't lock. As a woman on her own, my safety is at risk. I have read of other people who have this issue and has been able to fix this on their own. This is a safety issue if your vehicle won't lock completely because the wires in the hatch are compromised.

Filed Apr 21, 2023 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · MT

The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after being parked. The contact stated that several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery was charged to start the vehicle. The contact was informed by a tow truck mechanic, who assisted with jumping starting the vehicle, that the end switch needed to be replaced. The information was confirmed by another certified mechanic. The contact stated that a certified mechanic was contacted to schedule a repair however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Aug 3, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 81,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut-off with the check engine, traction control and cruise control warning lights illuminated. On several occasions the vehicle would not immediately restart. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for service. No further information was available. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 30, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 117,000 miles · NY

Previously submitted complaint regarding my subaru outback stalling. I was assigned complaint number 11414502 (attached) but when I didn't receive the email, I checked and it didn't pull up so I'm resubmitting.

Filed Apr 29, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 117,000 miles · NY

The car intermittently bucks/chugs while driving and then stalls. All the lights flash on. It is difficult to restart. It has happened on the highway and local streets. It also idles very rough when at stops or in park and shudders like it wants to stall - sometimes it does. This has been going on for 2 months now. The first time, I was stopped at a red light and it stalled creating a hazardous situation. My mechanic has attempted to fix it and then he has taken it to the local subaru dealership where it has spent almost 2 months off & on while they "fixed" it. They give it back and it is back to them within a week with the same issue. The last time they replaced a map sensor and some wiring. This is hazardous and the vehicle is unsafe. It feels like they just keep clearing out the error and giving it back to me.

Filed Jun 15, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 154,000 miles · AL

Car intermittently stalls and is hard to restart. Happens randomly with no check engine light or code in the ecu. Has happened on the highway at interstate speed and while stopped. Will not restart immediately. Rough idle at restart then back to normal. Mechanic was unable to recreate the problem and thus unable to repair. Creates potentially dangerous situation when stalling on the highway, intersection, etc.

Filed Jan 20, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 162,400 miles · SC

2009 subaru outback stalling while driving. The engine turned off while driving with light acceleration at low speeds (5-20 MPH) without warning. Warning lights flickered on and off. I was able to restart the car. This is a huge safety issue to have the car stall out without warning. Subara south blvd dealership say they do not know the root cause. Prior to the above incidence the car, while driving at low speeds, would occasionally shudder and the warning lights would flicker on then go off. It felt like the car was going to shut off but it didn't. Now it is shutting off. It's completely unsafe.

Filed Dec 7, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 120,000 miles · MA

There is a well documented faulty design issue that leads to failure of the wiring harness (rear gate cord) to the rear wagon door/gate of this model subaru ouback wagons. Failure of the wiring harness has affected me while driving the vehicle. As this issue has progressed, more and more wires break, completely severed, and lead to the rear lock not working, then backup lights not working, rear defroster not working, wiper not working, and license plate light not working. This is a safety issue, especially the backup lights, rear defroster, rear wiper, and locking mechanism not working at all! These compromise visibility and car safety. This faulty design, or faulty material choice is clearly subaru's fault: severed electrical wires, as a result of normal use, should not be acceptable, especially when they compromise safety by disabling backup lights and the rear lock. While the replacement cable itself is only $63, the subaru dealerships want to charge over $500 in labor. I am really disappointed that there has been no recall, or support on this issue from subaru of america. I cannot find any official response from subaru on this issue. I don't think it's fair to have loyal customers like myself, pay excessive labor charges to fix a safety problem that is a design flaw from subaru.

Filed Jan 13, 2018 · Electrical · 113,000 miles · OR

The wiring in rear hatch in really bad shape some showing the copper and two completely broke apart. Causing the latch not to work and alarm going off. Rear wiper not working.

Filed Jul 29, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 62,000 miles · NH

Individual wires in the harness powering and controlling the brake, turn, backup, and license plate lights, and the rear wiper motor and washer pump, may fail without warning. This failure could result in an rear end collision or impairing vision out the rear window in inclement weather. The point of failure is inside the flexible rubber boot protecting the harness where it passes from the rear frame of the main body to the top of the rear lift gate. It appears that repeated flexing of the wires inside the protective boot, as the rear lift gate is opened and closed, work hardens the insulation and copper wires causing them to eventually break. Symptoms may appear as static on the radio, failing rear lights, and/or failing rear wiper/washer motors. In my case, I experienced radio static and a failure of the rear wiper/washer motors. Trouble shooting LED me to cut open the protective boot revealing the broken wires. Further inspection revealed that the wire insulation was brittle in the area of the breaks. A search online revealed this is not an isolated incident.