2019 Subaru Outback: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Feb 24, 2026 · Electrical · OH

Battery completely dead after 4 days of not driving; this is after I purchased a $210 brand new batteyr from Autozone. Looks like there is potential class action lawsuit based on the parasitic draw by the DCM unit. I need this repaired at Subaru's expense.

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Electrical · MA

The car repeatedly drains the battery after being left for a short time (a day or 2). This has now happened at least four times and has destroyed multiple batteries. I have taken it to the dealer and complained multiple times. They check for software updates and sell me a new battery and then the same thing happens again. Because of this, the car is essentially unusable because I can't trust it to run. The problem seems to come and go, though that may simply be due to having a new battery for a while. There doesn't seem to be any indication before this problem occurs.

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · Electrical · ME

"Parasitic" draw. Battery replaced, less than year old, almost daily need to "jump" vehicle to start. Always have to have booster pack. Multiple mechanics trips. Dash screen touch option does not work, have videos of the screen randomly "fluttering" through various screens and or radio stations. Leave the radio off, will randomly come on, on its own.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Electrical · CO

Repeated battery drain within 48 hours use of the vehicle, to the point the battery will no longer start the car. I believe this has come to be known as a parasitic battery drain, and has been traced to the Data Communications Module in these Subarus.

Filed Jun 6, 2025 · Electrical · MA

Parasitic draw of the battery. (DCM) class action lawsuit.

Filed May 7, 2025 · Electrical · NV

Battery draining fast. installed new battery last month. Car is dead and had to be towed to dealer. DCM issues. System prematurely drains battery because system is trying to connect to 3g even when car is off. There should be a recall. Not just an extended warranty that Subaru may not accept for rebuilt titled cars

Filed Apr 14, 2025 · Electrical · NC

I am on my third battery for this car. It apparently has a known software issue of a parasitic battery drain that destroys the battery, leaving me stranded.

Filed Mar 10, 2025 · Electrical · NC

Subaru settled a class action lawsuit regarding faulty battery and DMC component that drains the battery continuously. My dealer just replaced my battery and DCM under warranty (I'm assuming the warranty is a result of the lawsuit). However, this does not ultimately remedy the problem. The new DMC will continue to draw on the battery causing future reoccurring issues. Subaru needs to make good on this problem in a permanent way.

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Electrical · CT

Parasitic battery drain. I just bought this used subaru outback in july 2024. Since then, (within 8 months) the car has had a dead battery twice, in 11/24 and 2/25. I had to have the car jumped started by aaa services. This is more than an inconvenience now. It has become a safety issue if my car won't start in an emergency situation. I have taken this to the dealer where I bought it and they diagnosed a 6 day battery drain time. See uploaded invoice. This is a known fault regarding the data communications module (dcm) previous settlement agreements only reimbursed for costs of battery replacements, diagnosis up until 2023. The underlying problem is not fixed

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Electrical · GA

I feel unsafe driving my car. My car could break down in the middle of nowhere at night, or worse. 2019 Subaru Outback **2023** October 2023 - Battery drain begins; neighbor/Darrel jump-starts repeatedly. - **First battery replacement** (Advance Auto Parts). - Driver-side window switch/trunk latch malfunctions. - Subaru of Kennesaw fails to diagnose drain; advises "electronic reset." - Trickle charger purchased as temporary fix. **2024** - **[XXX]** - **DCM replaced** at Subaru of Gwinnett (confirmed drain from DCM). - Car breaks down hours post-repair; **second battery installed**. - Case opened with Kelly of Subaru of America (no resolution). - **July 2024** - Dashcam installed (later blamed by Troncalli Subaru for drain). **2025** - **[XXX]** - Car taken to Cumming Subaru for battery drain. - **Third battery installed**; dealership blames dashcam (issue predates installation). - **[XXX]** - Denise (Customer Advocate) opens Case promises update (none received). - **[XXX]** - Barb (Executive Inquiry Specialist) promises update by Feb 21 (no follow-up). - **[XXX]** - Troncalli Subaru (Stephanie) claims car is ready but provides no diagnostic details. - No communication from Subaru executives (Thomas Doll, Jeff Walters). ————————- DCM Settlement: I believe there was class action law suit, and Subaru does not honor the extended warranty. 3+ repairs, 30+ days out of service. - **Subaru’s Negligence**: Note shifting blame and lack of follow-up. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 20, 2025 · Body, Electrical · NC

Parasitic battery drain when vehicle is turned off. The DCM module in these vehicles will not shut off properly and continue to drain the battery. Subaru has firmware on the vehicle that will not fully charge the battery when driving to save fuel. The vehicle has had 6 or more instances over the past two weeks where the car was undriveable unless jumped from another vehicle or a boost device is used.

Filed Feb 4, 2025 · Electrical · CO

Parasitic battery draw - when left completely unattended for about 10 days, the battery is drained, leaving driver stranded and in need of a car jump. Has occurred twice on a new battery installed in late Nov.