What 917 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Subaru Outback Wilderness

The battery consistently "dies". It doesn't matter how often I drive it. I never know when it won't start. In 5 years, I've had 2 batteries & about 6+ jump starts.

NHTSA ODI 11491572

I purchased a used 2017 Subaru Outback in December 2020 from a friend whose mother had owned the car before her death in Nov. 2019. That owner purchased it used from dealer in Sevierville TN in 2019 and had to replace a battery at least once according to records. The battery has failed three times since Dec. 2020, totally drained and would not recharge so a replacement was needed. I replaced the first battery then took it to dealer for other two replacements. The previous owner had a garage under her mountain house. She was found dead in her den chair. After her burial the family later found the 2017 Subaru Outback parked in her garage underneath the house was totally empty of gas. I believe from reading issues other Subaru owners have had that this car did not turn off and this lady died from carbon monoxcide poisoning. This is an issue well documented over many years and it is way past due for a recall by the manufacturer. Since it continues even to 2020 models there should at least be a stop production order until this issue is corrected. It is not just an inconvenience but a very real danger for owners who park in a home garage. As the government agency trusted to oversight of manufacturing defects presenting a danger to the safety of the public it is way past time for you to act.

NHTSA ODI 11491260

When the car is not driven the car battery is drained completely and requires replacement. I have replaced the car battery three (3) times in less than one year. Alternator is functioning properly. This costs $165 each time I replace a car battery. I cannot see mileage as car is dead (approx 12,000).

NHTSA ODI 11491078

While driving, advance driver assist systems became disabled, car intermittently stopped and resumed responding to accelerator, power steering became inoperative, car eventually lost all power. Gear would not shift out of drive. Emergency brake would not engage. Fortunately, I was able to coast the car to the shoulder of the road. Had to keep foot on brake until roadside assistance arrived. Car was towed to repair shop where battery was replaced. Similar system failures occurred while my wife was driving a couple of weeks prior. She was able to coast car into a parking lot just off the road. In the past month, the dealer has replaced parts that diagnostics said created parasitic drain. The alternator has been replaced and the battery has been replaced twice in the last couple of months. Car had body work performed last week and the car will not start without being jumped. We are going to drive it to the dealer with fingers crossed that the electrical system will not shut the car down while in transit.

NHTSA ODI 11488959

The Vehicle's electrical system is actively draining the battery of power. This is a known problem by Subaru.

NHTSA ODI 11488613

Battery is not holding a charge, causing electrical issues (windows not working properly, locks not functioning) and for the vehicle to fail to start. The battery is brand new and this is still an issue. 45,000 miles on the vehicle, there were no warning lights indicating a bad battery. This has not been confirmed yet by a dealership/mechanic/insurance.

NHTSA ODI 11486851

The battery constantly drains completely when the car is not used for several days. We have been replacing or recharging the battery several times.

NHTSA ODI 11486911

I bought the car new. 2 years later the battery died. I had to replace the battery again this summer. That’s 2 batteries in less than 5 years. I just received the notification about the electrical problem Subaru knew about since 2017.

NHTSA ODI 11486635

Battery died prematurely. Also, there was a lot of corrosion on the battery that might have started a fire had the battery not died before further danger had happened.

NHTSA ODI 11486710

Battery discharged on multiple occasions, necessitating jump starts and eventual battery replacement.

NHTSA ODI 11486769

Battery was defective.

NHTSA ODI 11486354

I have had to buy 2 batteries since I bought the vehicle!! I have 60038 miles on it- One within 6 months of purchase Subaru Tyler Tx and the second roughly one year ago Patriot Subara Saco,Maine I’ve had to get jumped by AAA at least 3 times in past 2 years No one can give me a definitive answer to why my batteries don’t last…

NHTSA ODI 11486532

Our car battery does not hold a charge. One year ago January we had Triple AAA replace the battery after several problems starting. This year we have had 3 calls to Triple AAA to charge the battery. It starts right up when they apply the charger--alternator tests as working properly, battery tests OK once charged--but the problem keeps happening. I am now afraid to take it anywhere where I might be stranded. Got a card about a class action lawsuit against Subaru regarding battery drainage issues. I mentioned this to the Triple A tech who mused, "You know, I have had a lot of dead battery calls in the last year for Subarus." Since AAA changed that battery a year and a half ago, he said if it happens again, they will replace the battery because it is under their warranty. The Subaru dealership has not sent us a recall notice. It seems they are not accepting responsibility for this defect. What is an owner to do?

NHTSA ODI 11486291

Battery constantly drains. New battery (8/22) will not hold charge.

NHTSA ODI 11486167

Multiple battery failures with regular usage. Had to replace battery with AAA on a weekend evening. 10/6/2019 new battery cost $148.42, plus hours of waiting time. In 2021, two calls to AAA to jump start dead battery from regular usage.

NHTSA ODI 11486192

The battery keeps draining. This is our second battery replacement. Had to jump start the car few times.

NHTSA ODI 11486208

My battery has died on multiple occasions and it has not been user error. It dies about every 2 months if I haven't driven it long distances. I got a new battery and have the same problem. When I get it charged, I'm told it was completely drained.

NHTSA ODI 11486015

NHTSA report We purchased this vehicle used on 9/11/2019 from Subaru of Spokane in Spokane Washington. The car has failed to start and required towing to the servicing Subaru dealership Carter Subaru of Ballard, WA where they have replaced the battery, (twice) and fuses. In three years, this car is on its third battery and has failed to provide reliable use, required towing, and two weeks of lost use. This is apparently a well-established issue--Subaru of America has lost at least one class action suit in NJ, as well as a Lemon Law case in California. However, these two dealers in Washington State are behaving as if they have never heard of the issue and are not forthcoming in fixing the problem so it does not reoccur.

NHTSA ODI 11485827

I had a battery that was about 1 year old that died suddenly. I called Triple AAA and they replaced it, and 1 week later, the new battery died and the car wouldn't start, so AAA came and replaced it again. 3 days after that the 3rd battery died. AAA confirmed both times that there was nothing wrong with the alternator and everything looked fine. Looking online it seems that this has been a common issue with Subaru Outbacks.

NHTSA ODI 11485125

Started car and all warning lights on dash were flashing. Turned car off and car would not start and there was a loud ticking noise coming from the engine bay.Contacted AAA and technician checked battery and verified that it was dead and he was not able to start the car and this time there was a different loud ticking noise with all dash warning lights flashing. Installed higher quality battery and the car would not start with the same result. Had car towed by AAA (9/12/2022) to our local Subaru dealer for diagnosis. After 5 days the Joint Box or BIU part #82201AL20A was defective. These are the Subaru code defects from the dealer are B1578, B1401 and B1411. Cost to repair including diagnosis is $956.02. Previous battery/electrical issue in 2018. Battery drained by electronic brake fixed under warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11484955

Battery failure ( would not charge or hold a charge)

NHTSA ODI 11484697

This is the same issue we are seeing with our other Subaru where we come out to drive and the battery is dead. We would jump the battery and be able to drive for the day and the next day the battery is dead in the morning. I replaced the battery several times over the last few year and the battery would die with a less than 2 month old battery. I was driving around in both cars with jumper cables permanently. After taking it to the dealer, the battery was in great condition, the alternator was charging properly and there is a known electrical issue with this model and year that is part of a class action lawsuit. I had to replace my rear gate module electrical unit because it was going on and off in the night and draining my battery. I will be looking to get re-eimbursed for this company issue.

NHTSA ODI 11483971

Battery drains completely when not driven for2 to 3 days

NHTSA ODI 11484113

Battery has been replaced 3 times in two years.

NHTSA ODI 11483796

Battery drains completely when parked for a week. Replaced the battery after it happened twice. After replacement, battery still drains after being parked for a week resulting in the vehicle having to be jump started.

NHTSA ODI 11483421