Jan 30, 2026Electrical systemFire
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that when driving approximately 30- 40 MPH, veering off the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost power, but had immediately regained power. The failure had occurred 3 - 4 times total. The last time it occurred, the vehicle took a bit longer to regain power. After pulling into the desired parking lot, the contact checked the battery. When touching a wire connecting to the battery, it sparked and caught fire. The contact immediately grabbed some snow nearby and threw it onto the wire to put out the fire. There was no fire report filed. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. The contact had noticed that the instrument panel would flash with several warning lights; however, it would illuminate quickly and intermittently. The vehicle was then scheduled to be towed from the parking lot, but it had not been taken to the dealer after the incident. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ODI 11714422
Aug 1, 2025Electrical systemFire
MY 2018 Outback experienced a driver side smoking mirror a few days ago. While parked at the gas station, a large amount of smoke suddenly began emanating from the driver side mirror. As a result I no longer see my TPMS, the ability to lock/unlock the car with the remote, interior lights no longer work.
NHTSA ODI 11677873
Aug 5, 2021SteeringElectrical systemBrakesCrash
Sunday,August 1, 2021, at 9:05am, I backed out of my garage and when I attempted to turn my car, the steering locked, the car was drifting backwards and I had no brakes. As a result the car kept drifting backwards , off the driveway into the woods, hitting a tree. Once stopped, I was able to start the car and drive it out of the woods. The entire driver’s side was sideswiped and mirror torn off. I was not injured, but could have been. I called insurance that day. On Monday, we contacted the Subaru dealership. The local police were notified and documented the report. The insurance adjuster determined the car unsafe to drive and it was towed to the dealership August 4, 2021. There was no warning or indicated problem prior to the incident.
NHTSA ODI 11427913
May 2, 2021Electrical systemDriver assistanceCrash
I WAS PARKING MY 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK PREMIUM NEXT TO MY HOUSE ON MY PARKING SPOT, MY FOOT WAS ON A BRAKE PEDAL, IT LEFT AROUND 50'' TO COMPLETE A PARKING, LIKE SUDDENLY MY CAR START MOVING FORWARD EVEN THAT I WAS STRONGLY PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, CAR WENT OVER CURB AND HIT A PALM TREE THAT IS NEXT TO MY PARKING SPOT. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. CAR FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED. TODAY, MY CAR IS IN BODY SHOP. IT WAS VERY SCARE EXPERIENCE. FROM MY BACKGROUND I AM DRIVING 12 YEARS WITHOUT ANY CAR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI 11414800
May 14, 2019Electrical systemLightsWheelsFire
SMOKE ELECTRICAL SHORT ISSUE IN DRIVER SIDE MIRROR. DIAGNOSED BY SUBARU MECHANIC TO BE A SHORT IN THE APPROACH LIGHT MODULE. SIGNIFICANT SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM MIRROR WITH BURN MARKS ON BOTTOM INSIDE MIDDLE OF MIRROR. THE CAR HAD JUST CAME TO REST IN A HOSPITAL PARKING DECK. CAR WAS REMOVED FROM DECK IN ORDER TO PREVENT FIRE HAZARD. NOTE - A 10 AMP FUSE DID BLOW WHICH CAUSED A FAILURE OF THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) AND THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI 11207532