After just under 2 years of ownership, I started noticing that the battery was a bit weak when starting. Since it was out of warranty due to mileage, I took it to a private mechanic for it's 60k mile check up. He found the battery was weak and replaced it. Since then, I an still having the low battery issue. If I do not start the vehicle in 2.5 days, the battery is too week to perform.
2018 Subaru Outback electrical complaints
Page 7 of 10: complaints 161 to 190 of 267, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Purchased the automobile with about 7,200 miles on it with extended warranty. Battery failed at 8,000 miles. We replaced it with a new premium battery from aaa.. New battery worked for 8 months then drained overnight. Aaa recharged it and said alternator worked. When driven or backed up after recharging, automobile beeped constantly for approximately 1/2 mile and stopped while in motion. Beeping stopped when vehicle stopped, but started again when vehicle moved forward or backed up. Left with subaru dealer overnight. Battery was completely drained this morning when service technician tried to start it. Service tech said they could not diagnose problem. Per my internet research, this seems to be a common problem. Subaru should fix it, but seems to be dragging their heels on this issue. Our subaru is unsafe and not driveable in its current condition. Please investigate and provide assistance. The vehicle has been stationary when the battery drained. The beeping occurred when the vehicle was in motion on a highway and city street. It restarted when the vehicle resumed motion. The beeping continued while the vehicle was going straight or turning while in motion. It stopped when the vehicle stopped. Steering did not feel normal. It was a little sluggish and less precise than normal.
We have had repeated issues with the car dying, the battery being totally dead, and being stranded because of it. In may 2018, 3 months after we bought the brand new car, the car's engine would not turn over and had to be towed to the dealer. It was there for awhile, and ultimately we were told it was a bad battery, and they replaced the fuse box. There was no diagnosis for what occurred. Then in july 2019 at 23,000 miles, the car continued to hesitate to start. The dealer tested the battery, it failed, and it was replaced, again. On january 19, 2021, at 45,000 miles, the car would not start and we were stranded in a parking lot. The lights and radio were on but the car's engine would not turn over. Again, the dealer said the battery was the cause and replaced it. When I inquired how likely would it be that we got a bad battery this many times, we were told it happens frequently. Again, we were told there was no way to diagnose why the battery continues to fail. There must be something else going on with the vehicle; this is absolutely unacceptable. At other points in time, the vehicle's entertainment system would not work, would not turn on or off, and carplay would not be recognized. This has occurred intermittently and has never been diagnosed. We are aware from internet research that we are not the only ones experiencing this issue, as it seems owners of 2017-2020 outbacks and subarus have had these same issues, and have been told it is a bad battery each time.
Battery discharged after map light left on overnight and it is supposed to turn off after 20 minutes. Vehicle had just been driven prior to the light being left on and is driven every day.
Battery died 2 times within 3 months of purchase (bought used, nov 2020) first time with light left on overnight and second time after not driving for less than 1 week
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
Premature dying of battery at around only 20,000miles. We suspect flaws of the battery or electric issues. We did find lawsuit on 2016-2020 subaru outback on this matter.
The battery keeps dying for no reason. Thr first time it occurred was in october 2020. We jump started the vehicle and drove it. It died again two days later. We replaced the battery with one from an auto parts store. Approximately 5 weeks later in december 2020 it did the same thing. We went to start it up and it wouldn't start. We jumped it and drove it for approximately 30 minutes. Went out the next day and it wouldn't start again. Took it to the dealership and they stated the problem was the battery so I paid for a replacement. Exactly a month later, january 2021, I went out to start the car and the battery is again dead. I will be taking it back in to the dealership this week.
Battery discharges after car sits for a few days or after short trips. The problem has continued even though I replaced the battery. Highly annoying. Have purchased a portable jump starter so I don't get stranded. I have used the jump starter to start the car at home and while away from home.
The battery keeps draining when not used and then the car refuses to start and I need to get jump start. This can be dangerous if the car needs to be moved urgently
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
Battery consistently drains and car will not start. Battery is new, replaced in 2020. Car has been parked for less than 12 hours when it will not start. Car has been jumped, taken to dealer who state "nothing is wrong with it", then within 1-4 days usually happens again. Has happened multiple times since 10/03/2020.
Battery does not charge and requires replacement every 200-300 miles.
Phantom liftgate opening. The liftgate opens by itself with the vehicle locked, draining the battery, and does not sound an alarm. This has happened several times, at random times of the day, with the vehicle parked in our driveway. Subaru has replaced the battery but it has continued to happen. So far, we haven't had any opportunistic thefts from but we are concerned about that since locking the vehicle seems unreliable.
The battery has died randomly over the last 2 years. We finally replaced it after being fed up with being stranded in different locations. Most recently, it died twice within a week. Both times I drove to work, parked and 2 hours later, the car had to be jumped to start. I took the car to subaru and they wanted to charge me $250 to insert the same battery.
Battery dies prematurely, if vehicle is not driven for a few days, or if parked and rear hatch is opened and closed a few times. Dead battery left me stranded five times since 3/5/2019. Battery tested well at dealership three times, so was not replaced under warranty until it failed a draw test.
2018 subaru outback, only 10,500 miles, battery keeps draining, and finally would not crank the engine. This happened 10-24-2020 (sat.) dealer white bear subaru would not answer his phone in service department. Called subaru roadside assistance, they would not tow to a subaru dealer, only a nearby independent repair facility. I rejected that, and since it was the weekend, I had to purchase a napa aftermarket battery, even though subaru warranty was still in effect. Cost me over $160,00.
Car lights came on after sitting not running. Went to start the car, but not enough power to start it. Battery light was on. The next day, the battery was completely dead. I had to jump start it so I could go buy a new battery.
Battery died many times. Car is just under 3 years old, with 18,000 miles still under warranty. Dealer said the car must be left that they needed to test. The cca rating is 300 something. A friend in colorado has a 2019 forester with a cca of 620! Very similar engine, both models are touring. Could it be that vehicles in less colder areas are fitted with inadequate battery cca so subaru can save a few dollars? Also the rab light came on while driving at highway speeds. How is that ok? The infotainment screen has frozen multiple times. When it did the volume of the radio could not be lowered..I was parked when it happened, (radio was loud) then started driving and couldn't lower it.. Please note: these electrical issues occurred at different times ... I have no idea if they're related
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.
One day in april, the battery was spontaneously completely dead. At the time it seemed that leaf debris shorted the circuit of the battery causing connections to corrode and the battery to be destroyed. The dealership replaced the battery because it was within warranty. The new battery now is having issues within 6 months of installment. Within a 4 day period the battery has been drained 2x inexplicably (9/23/20 and 9/26/20). The first time it could be jumped to allow vehicle use, but the second time it could not. The subaru dealership advised it is likely a bad cell in the battery and wants to replace the battery.
When the power tailgate is left opened for a prolonged period, the battery drains. The shortest hours left opened was 4 hours. Took the vehicle to the dealership, and the battery was tested to be normal (rated 550 cca, measured 504 ca, voltage 12.74v, temperature 90f). The instruction provided by the dealership was to run the car every day to keep charging the battery. The car is equipped with the memory height to keep the hatch open, and that feature is useless when the battery keeps draining.
Battery in my 2018 outback continues to be dead when I go to start it after sitting overnight. Just took it to the dealer and they called and said they did not find anything wrong. They are keeping it overnight to see if it is dead in the morning. In the past week I have had to jump start the car 5 times because it was dead. Just called subaru and filed a complaint about the problem. This is my 4th subaru and never had a problem like this.
The electrical system of the car drains the battery after a few days of not using the car. The car was purchased brand new in july, 2018. The car has a battery problem from the beginning. First time when the battery died I charged it myself and I took the car to the dealership for inspection. At the dealership they couldt find any issue. Since that time the car's battery drained completely six times preventing the car from starting. If the battery was not connected to a battery tender it went completely dead after a few days. Last time when the battery drained it couldn't be charged with a charger and also the car couldn't be jumped. After investing in a new battery and installing it on the car the battery drained again completely after a few days when the car was parked in the garage and not used.
Purchased this car in feb 2018. Despite the pandemic of 2020, mileage is somewhat similar, driving trips are similar since getting the car. The battery has been dying over and over since earlier this year (feb/march 2020) for no apparent reason. On many occasions, after sitting in the driveway for a few days, a week, a day - the battery would be dead. Brought it to subaru and they told me some crap about not driving it for periods of time could cause this (a week?!). They tested my battery and said it was better than perfect. Now it's going back in to them because it is still happening and now they are claiming it's due to low mileage. They know more about this than they are leading on and are blaming the vehicle owners' driving habits instead of getting to the root of the problem.
Battery doesn't hold charged when parked over night. Can't start the engine after a few hour drive and park over night. Now I have to let the car engine running for a few hour everyday to keep the battery charged up enough to start the engine. Has to jump the car many times already. Gonna call the dealer and ask what are my options tomorrow.
Dead battery overnight and liftgate random opening when vehicle is parked in the garage.
My subaru outback 2018 to date is on its third battery, third battery replaced 8-7-2020 is dead today (8-13-2020). Vehicle parked in driveway.
Vehicle has 17,000 miles, battery has died at least 6 times. Battery has been found drained in the am after being parked in garage. Dealer replaced battery at 16,000 miles. Battery problem still exists. Subaru tries to explain problem by stating interior lights are left on or key was left to close to car. Tests show there was no parasitic drain on battery. Subaru does not want to fix or admit the problem.
During vehicle operation, both stationary and in traffic, the driver window intermittently does not close normally. Upon activation to raise the window when in open position, it rises only partway, then bounces back down. Only after repeated efforts, using multiple maneuvers of the power control, sometimes requiring pulling over on the highway so as not to further drive distracted, can one finally raise the window. This is a safety issue in that it requires driver attention during vehicle operation. It is also a hazard when needing to close the window rapidly to avoid dust, debris, weather precipitation, or strangers approaching the vehicle. We have taken it to the dealer to fix it on multiple occasions and each time are told that 1) nothing was wrong (again, it is an intermittent issue that we have documented with video 2) it was software-related and that they updated it to fix it and 3) it was the power window regulator and assembly (replaced twice). None of these efforts have solved this issue and the dealer has not been forthcoming with a reasonable solution over the past 2+ years while we are approaching our warranty expiration.
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