2018 Subaru Outback: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Sep 17, 2024 · Electrical · CA

DSM drawing too much power from battery when car is parked. DSM drawing 0.151k ohms to 0.017. Have complained to Subaru of Santa Cruz about this 3x. First they said it was the battery under recall and replaced the battery. Second time they thought I was leaving the key fob in the car (The fob is kept with me not in the car ). Third time they said the DSM is pulling too much power from the battery. Subaru has an extended warranty for the DSM for 2016-2018 outbacks but does not include my VIN number. This power draw and dead battery has put me in San Francisco late at night without a functional car. I did not have this independently evaluated before Subaru did a "jump box replacement" for $775.73.

Filed Aug 18, 2022 · Electrical · NC

Persistent battery drain. Car was jumped a week ago because it wouldn't start at all. It has been sluggish to start (turns over a couple times before catching) since and had a major error with the rear hatch today despite starting up. Power rear hatch will alarm as open but then cannot be opened with key fob, button in car, or button on hatch. The rear alarm will ring consistently until car has been running for 10 min/reached 60 mph but restarts again at stop lights. It is currently scheduled to be looked at in 4 days, if it is able to be safely driven to the dealership.

Filed May 20, 2021 · Electrical · ID

Trunklid found open, Nowhere near car to actuate it with keyfob 3 times since purchase. First two were given benefit of doubt to accidently actuating.Also battery has been completely drained coincidently in the same time period. After some research found that this is been a common problem With some Subaru owners. Call to Subaru dealership and corporate And set it must be a malfunction And told it must be a malfunction car is 800 miles past warranty and have not taken to dealership as of yet. I have learned of a class action lawsuit regarding this battery drain but Subaru did not acknowlege. For lack of mileage details approx 2 years first incident then twice in the last year.As stated earlier I thought it was operator error until 3rd time and I researched the problem.

Filed Jan 12, 2021 · Electrical · 33,000 miles · MD

Electric system fail. Repeatedly the windows wont work, blue tooth goes down. But more concerning when sitting waiting in a parking lot the whole car will shut off. Not a sign of life. Cant turn car on, no radio no lights, no use of key fob - nothing. Car can be jumped and back in action. Had the egi control replaced and other parts. But the very next day - again while waiting in parking lot - which we do a lot of in the pandemic - no windows operated , rear life did not work and then suddenly the whole car shut down again. Had to have dealer come jump car and back to shop

Filed Dec 19, 2020 · Electrical · 17,715 miles · FL

This is the second time in two weeks that our vehicle has failed to start. A week ago it left us stranded at a walmart, and today in our driveway...there isn't any electrical device in the car that will energize. The car won't even respond to the vehicle key fob. We can't find any recalls on our vehicle...but we notice you have several complaints (401) with many being electrical issues ' failures. This vehicle was stationary during both of the described issues. I think this time total battery failure has occurred. Please note there weren't any indicators warnings that the battery was going to fail. This vehicle is less than three years old, with just under 18,000 miles never driven anywhere in snow areas while deicers were in use. Will be contacting subaru this am for assistance

Filed Oct 11, 2020 · Electrical · 18,268 miles · NY

The battery in my 2018 subaru outback has died 3 times in the past 6 months. The first time I was parked close to a local mechanic and after jumping and testing the battery he deemed it dead and replaced it. 2 months later, while parked and idling as I waited for my husband at an appointment, the car shut down and went dead. It would not restart, but after I waited a few minutes it restarted. A month ago as I was driving about an hour from home, all the dashboard lights went on and the safety (eyesight) system disabled. I took the car into the dealer the next day and also told them about the dead battery and asked them to check the electrical system for a drain. This morning (exactly one month since dealer service) the battery was dead again. After jumping it and starting the car I discovered that the rear liftgate will not work. I have tried from inside the car, outside using the button on the liftgate and remotely with the key fob, nothing. After a a quick internet search I see that this battery drain is a common complaint with this model/year and that subaru just replaces the battery rather than address the underlying problem. This is not acceptable, I should not have to worry about whether my car will start every time I get in it.

Filed Jul 7, 2020 · Electrical · 5,800 miles · CA

When I park my car in the garage on thursday july 2nd and close the garage with no problem. On july 4th my wife open the garage and got a chair from her car acura rdx and watch the fireworks on the drive way. Later on put the chair back in her acura and close the garage. Sunday afternoon I had to go to the garage and get tools to fix the bathroom sink and saw the subaru outback hatchback open. I then found the subraru outback battery dead and the hatchback all scratches. My wife only has her acura car fob, the other subraru hanging on a closet door. My subraru key fob is in my work computer briefcase. Definitely nobody touch the subraru fobs. However, I only drive the subraru outback to work ( vanpool meeting location) about 4 miles from my house and usually about 5 minutes one way. The car unable to startup after the incident.

Filed May 20, 2020 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · NJ

Dead, drained battery- no response from car, unable to even open with key fob. Car parked in garage at home.

Filed Oct 31, 2017 · Electrical · 950 miles · NY

The car is parked. The flashers are activated. The car is then locked from the outside with the key fob. After returning to the car a short time later (maybe 5 minutes or so) the key fob is totally unusable. Lock, unlock, rear hatch or panic do not work. Must then use the key in the door lock, to unlock the door. Then, of course, the alarm sounds until you can put the key into the ignition to silence the alarm. There appears to be a time out problem because the key fob can unlock the car with the hazard flashers on, right after locking the car but this problem only happens after the car has been left for a short time. I have given this problem to subaru headquarters and they gave me a case number of 1-27586772057. In an emergency when the flashers are activated, if the car is locked and upon returning a short time later and the key fob won't unlock the car, there could be a dangerous situation, especially in a dangerous location or someone (especially an older person) might panic and not think clearly what to do next. I am able to repeat this problem at any time since it happened. I tried both key fobs with the same result.