Subaru Outback

"Battery drained if interior lights remained on, as when doors were open for extended time while loading car for vacation trip. Could not start car without recharging battery. Subaru dealer replaced battery at no charge and no problems have occurred since."

"Car was subject of a lawsuit regarding batteries which left me stranded up to six times before I paid to get it fixed multiple times, then at dealer (who were total jerks)"

"Battery was drained due to Starlink issue with wireless access. Required a software update even though we had cancelled Starlink."

"The specified battery is too small to supply the continuous electrical needs of the vehicle, resulting in frequent dead battery issues. Replaced battery with the largest one that would fit in the space. It is significant that the battery tray is much larger than the specified battery. It seems that the manufacturer knew that it needed a batter battery."

"Anytime I left it parked a week or more, the battery would be dead. This happened in spite of replacing the battery at the dealership."

"I have had to replace the 12V battery 5 times in 7 years. Supposedly a Software issue with the central computer, but even though Subaru has issued and installed a SW 'patch' to my vehicle, I still seem to have unusual battery replacement issues."

"Have had 4 batteries and dont even have 80,000 miles on it."

"Battery had been replaced before purchase in 2019. Had to replace battery in 2020. Found solution not leaving auto headlight switch on when the car is parked."

"The battery that came with the car is too small to support all the electronics that Subaru included in the model. As a result, it goes dead every two years, with no notice. We are on our 4th battery in 7 years. Subaru will pay for the battery, but won't pay for the necessary softward upgrade to stop this from happening unless we first pay for two years of Starlink. We don't want Starlink. I would like the car to read my texts to me, etc. It won't do that anymore because this model only supports 3G, and Subaru won't pay for the softward upgrade unless we pay for 2 years of Starlink..."

"Battery died and blew main fuse"

"Excessive battery drain when parked for more than a few days resulting in dead battery and unable to start. Replaced battery 3 times within a year before dealership found cause of excessive battery drain was due to a programming oversight that caused the car to continuously attempt to connect to the now defunct 3G network while the car was parked. Subaru dealership resolved by reprogramming car computer but did not cover cost of multiple battery replacements even though there is a tech bulletin and extended warranty for this condition."

"See prior comment"

"Battery was no longer holding a charge."

"battery drained about every 3 -4 weeks if car left parked."

"Batteries could not hold charge and had to be replaced frequently concomitant with a faulty console module; started when car was a couple of years old & took a couple years to get made right - random electrical things happened like gate lift; interior lights coming on at night; steering wheel lock; automatic seat failure, and more. Failure of car to start even with battery that checked out OK. Multiple visits to dealer and I had to get very compulsive about it including finally going to Subaru corporate; I couldnt rely on the car to start or perform and I know 2 other people w/outbacks who have had exactly the same problem - corporate & dealership in total denial and there have been class action suits on it"

"Class action lawsuit resolved involving issues affecting car. Battery replaced 3 times and 3 tows/vehicle services needed prior to dealer replacing data control module/software update-$1200 related to vehicle attempting communicating with 3G server when Subaru upgraded to 4G"

"Total aggravation. All idiot lights on at once. Two trips to dealer to discover the problem."

"One fog light stopped working, had to repair it"

"Had to replace one of the side marker lights, burnt out 2021."

"Left headlight leaks water into it during rain"

"Had to replace headlight assembly due to moisture"

"The was a moisture leak causing condensation n on the Lense. Needed to replace the entire headlight assembly"

"Car stored during Covid. After 1 month 12V battery was dead because the car was constantly searching for a remote keyless entry FOB. Dealer said only way to stop that was to disconnect the battery"

"The Keyless Entry system has lost its range. Regardless of replacing the battery the FOB has to be very close to the vehicle to work most times. Sometimes it seems better, but never as good as it was when we first purchased the vehicle. Subaru is in different to this problem and only proposed expensive parts replacements or service to try to fix the problem. It is not bad enough to pay for. To be fair the remote door open/lock feature using the smartphone app is convenient most times and can be subject to network issues."

"The battery would discharge within a week when not driven. Subaru claimed it was due to all the electronics in the car. Subaru recently installed a new battery at discounted price. I hope that solves the problem but I do make sure to drive the car more often now."

"repeated battery failure due to an electrical problem with a module in the console and went through 3 batteries in just a few years but the real problem was the console module and I had to go to Subaru corporate to get satisfaction, which was granted grudgingly otherwise I loooove that car"

"Window motor button not working reoeatedly"

"rear hatch sometimes will not open. have to hold finger over sensor for extended period of time and then bypass latch to open manually. against the hydraulic pistons"

"After car was in park and turned off, you could not remove the key. Mechanic could not really fix it. Likely related to transmission not communicating electric ally to teleaae the key."

"I have twice had unexpected battery drain without leaving on interior lights or any other obvious issue. Have replace battery twice over the life of the car. I think Subaru dealer fixed something at last maintenance and problem seems resolved. I think there was an acknowledgment by Subaru of this issue in certain model years"

"Windows weren't consistent about going up and down all the way"

"Battery drained within 2 days if not used"

"Critters keep making nests in engine compartment. Had to remove padded cover from hood."

"The electronic system that controls emergency stopping failed. Subaru fixed the problem at no cost"

"The battery has been an issue all the time. I finally bought a jump start battery. I'm sick of calling AAA."

"Automatic high beam leveling did not work since car was originally delivered."

"Catalytic converter failed and was replaced at no cost to me. I did not even know there was a problem with it."

"replaced center exhust flange, gasket and hardware flange kit gasket and hardware kit"

"Noise caused by cracked exhaust manifold."

"Started fall of 2023, rattled every time car used. Resolved in the fall of 2023 when shield was reattached by mechanic."

"Battery died after 2 years. 4th battery since Ive had it"

"Battery died prematurely but was replaced for free"

"I had to replace the battery twice: 1st @22,989 miles and 2nd @42,866 miles. However, there was a settlement on a class action suit regarding batteries being drained by a faulty Data Communications Module. I have applied to Subaru for reimbursement of the cost of the battery replacements."

"Battery kept going dead."

"The battery suddenly died. I had to have it towed to the dealer. They said this was something I had done. My husband and I researched it and found that it was a defect with the car."

"Passenger side window does not roll up properly"

"Battery drain due to digital communications module. It started in 2018. It was never resolved. The digita communications module was disconnected, but not replaced."

"Battery failure (3rd since 2017)"

"Batteries do not hold up in this vehicle. Have to replace every two years or so."

"Battery drain due to digital communications module. It started in 2018. It was never resolved. The digita communications module was disconnected, but not replaced."

"The car had a battery problem. Subaru finally fixed it this year!"

"Battery went bad and was replaced locally, later Subaru offered a remedy, but only for owners who first contacted them with the problem."

"Wheel bearing and frozen (rusty) alignment adjuster"

"Battery draining during cold weather or periods of not driving the car as often."

"Repeated problems with weak or dead battery over a period of 1 1/2 years. Dealer replaced DCM which solved the problem for car 1. Car 2 had shifter linkage problems, which dealer took care of (replaced?)"

"Starlink system drawing power from battery"

"In the past 12-months we have replaced the battery. Despite numerous calls to the dealer, to Subaru roadside assistance and multiple replacements, WE HAD to initiate the dealer's battery drain investigation. These events, plus the Subaru recall notice on the DRM, lead us to finding out about the Class Action suit against Subaru for under voltage batteries sold with the original vehicle. I was angry with both Subaru and the dealer for 'withholding' or hiding this flaw. It was my internet search which uncovered this situation (my husband may have missed a letter on it) and prompted US to address the issue. We took the car to the dealer to run a parasitic drain test, check the DRM and the ERM (?). Their fix was to disconnect the (terrible, clunky) Satellite system that still polled to the obsolete 3G wireless system. I don't understand why the dealer/Subaru never suggested this before. They also, after pushback (about a level 4 of 10) from me, replaced, at no additional cost to us, our latest battery for one with higher voltage/capacity. We should've had the old one returned so we could get a refund from Auto Zone, bad on the dealer for that, too. I'm not very happy about this, although it's fairly minor, it should have been communicated to us."

"Car battery frequently needs replacement. About every 2 years."

"dcm drained the battery which had to be replaced every 18 - 24 months. Subaru finally accepted the problem and corrected it"

"Car 1 problem with battery drain began in 2022. I believe there were 5 times I visited the dealer until they diagnosed it as a faulty DCM. This was apparently a known issue in some Subarus. I dont recall details about the shifter linkage problem."

"This year of Outback has a parasitic battery drain. Many discussion boards about this issue. Without warning battery is dead and you are stranded. Subaru will not address this issue. I will never own another Subaru."

"IT WENT COMPLETELY DEAD,HAD TO CHARGE BATTERY TO START IT. SUBARU THEN SENT ME AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SAME ISSUES. IT IS BEING FIXED. USING SOME OIL, BUT NO SIGNS OF OF PROBLEMS,THINKING IT IS THE SYNTHETICOIL USED"

"Have replaced the battery six times, twice in past 12 months. Original battery lasted 30k miles about 3 years. Now I'm lucky to get 12 months between batteries."

"Pipe broke off muffler."

"Odd noises and clunking"

"Ive had to replace the front driver side strut/suspension twice already and it looks like it needs to be replaced again. Front passenger side strut has been replaced once. As well, entire back suspension system had to be replaced this year at a cost of over 3000. We dont drive the car hard, so unclear why we are having all of these suspension strut problems"

"I noticed a clunking sensation when going over bumps coming from the front end. Was successfully repaired and then realigned."

"Tie rod joint worn. Caused noise and roughness. Required replacement."

"One rear wheel bearing was going bad. It was making noise while driving."

"Noise in one front and one rear wheel bearings at 62,000 miles. Experienced daily. Replaced at 62,500 miles at independent service."

"Dealer service recommended bearing replacement during regular maintenance visit. I had the work done on all four for about $2000"

"Both rear wheel bearings failed at 80000 miles"

"Started mid 2023, repaired 5/5 24."

"I first noticed it when I was on a road trip 200 miles from home. The sound became increasingly louder, but I still managed to drive home where I was able to have it repaired."

"The Front hub assembly and wheel bearing was replaced 11/2020 with advice from mechanic. In Sept 2023 the car began to emit a growling noise intermittently when moving. Mechanics replaced the RR bearing in Oct 2023. It did not fix the noise. I am looking for another mechanic"

"The rear wheel bearings were making a lot of noise and needed to be replaced around 100,000 miles."

"After 6 yrs (60,000 miles), rear wheel bearings needed replacement."

"Started hearing a thumping noise during the winter. Got tires rotated and balanced but it didn't fix the problem. Then got both rear wheel bearing hub assemblies replaced which fixed the problem."