Subaru Electrical Problems

Electrical issues make up roughly 11% of all Subaru owner complaints. The majority of the issues have been reported by Outback owners.

The complaint we hear about most often is dead battery in the 2018 Outback.

Common Subaru Electrical Problems

  1. CAN System Parasitic Drain on the Battery

    Too many owners of newer Subaru vehicles are waking up to cars that won't start due to dead batteries. The batteries aren't defective, but just lack the capacity to handle the electrical system draw particularly while the vehicle is turned …

    Continue reading article "CAN System Parasitic Drain on the Battery" Overhead view of the battery inside a Subaru engine

  2. Rodents Chew Subaru's Soy Wires

    Rodents just can't resist the soy-derived wire coatings used in many Subaru vehicles. The chewed up wires are costing owners hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars in repairs but Subaru, like other automakers, insists this isn't a def…

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Subaru's Soy Wires" A very fat mouse.

Where Electrical Complaints Happen

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

Worst Models

What Subaru Owners Say About Their Electrical

Defects in the Subaru's Electrical System Constantly Drain the Underpowered Batteries

Twice my 2020 Subaru Ascent's battery has been dead. It has been driven every day for at least 20-30 minutes. Nothing was left on, or open. There is obviously an elecrical issue draining the battery.

2020 Ascent Owner

Defects in the Subaru's Electrical System Constantly Drain the Underpowered Batteries

This is the third time I have had to deal with a dead battery for the car. I don't drive it often, and the car runs absolutely fine when the battery is actually working, but the battery dies on its own which leads me to believe that it's somehow draining on its own. There has got to be a recall about this soon.

2018 Outback Owner

Defects in the Subaru's Electrical System Constantly Drain the Underpowered Batteries

The battery has drained down twice in the same week. Car is only 6 months old. Nothing plugged in. Very annoying. I had Subaru Roadside Assistance tow it 45 miles to nearest dealer. We will see what happens. Clearly a defect in the 2019 Subaru Outback.

2019 Outback Owner

Recent Electrical News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Subaru has been sued over its use of a soy-based wire coating, which one owner claims is attracting rodents and leading to thousands of dollars in damage.

    Plaintiff Joy Diane Shuey says she purchased a new 2015 Subaru Forester, but about a month later she took the SUV back to the dealer because of a fuel odor and an illuminated check engine light.…

    keep reading article "Soy Vey! Hawaiian Lawsuit Says Subaru’s Soy-Based Wire Coatings Are Getting Chewed Up"