Subaru Outback electrical problems, 2018–2027
1,074 of the 3,793 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Outback 2018–2027 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2019 (366), 2018 (268), 2020 (261). Filed under the same heading across these years: 8 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Subaru Outback electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 5 | 31% | — | 31 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 14 | 17% | — | 100 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 16 | 16% | — | 152 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 18 | 20% | — | 214 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 51 | 11% | 25k | 252 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 75 | 25% | 2k | 280 TSBs | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 261 | 29% | 5k | 376 TSBs | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 366 | 35% | 14k | 253 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 268 | 33% | 17k | 256 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 3 · 2018: 26 · 2019: 32 · 2020: 161 · 2021: 294 · 2022: 201 · 2023: 132 · 2024: 107 · 2025: 65 · 2026: 53
Across the model years, half of the 389 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 4,000 and 22,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Brand new 2019 Subaru Outback experiences repeated parasitic battery drain leaving my stranded while traveling. Subaru roadside assistance states that there is most likely an electrical issue with the rear hatch but Subaru refuses to acknowledge the issue. I have been stranded 5 times including once in a remote part of canada
Problem: keyless pushbutton start. Would not start car on vacation. Vehicle manual very confusing. After several nerve racking minutes (1/2 to 45 minutes of trying). No other way known to start car. This was not a battery issue! Vehicle was stationary after fueling up at gas station
Vehicle developed drip from transmission approximately mid june 2018. Took to dealer & unable to find source after 11 days in shop. They put dye in and I drove until 7-30-18 when drip returned. Car in shop 6 days for new transmission. Car returned 8-9-18. 11 days later 8-21-18 major oil leak & vehicle towed to dealership.
I have always wanted a 3.6l and this is my first 3.6l 6 cylinder 2018 Subaru Outback! AM disappointed with few problems: the front seating is not comfortable and not supportive at all, especial in hard turns the seats will not hold you in place, the seat bed is to short and does not support long legs if you are over 5 feet tall.
Our seven month old 2020 Outback battery has died three times. Our latest dead battery revealed extremely concerning statistics according to our aaa service technician
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 22V473000 HighJul 1, 2022 · 15 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
8 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 31, 2026
- This bulletin announces an inspection procedure for the Smart Rear View Mirror Assembly.
- Aug 31, 2026
- This bulletin announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4 Denso CP1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- SubaruNet Announcement (C Other 2023Aug 21, 2026
- This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This bulletin announces a reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- Aug 14, 2026
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Aug 13, 2026
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Article Locator Other 2019Aug 5, 2026
- Techtips newsletter locator index.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Subaru Outback
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Subaru Outback problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Subaru Outback years have the most electrical complaints?
2019, 366; 2018, 268; 2020, 261. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (35%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Subaru Outback?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 22V473000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the Subaru Outback?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 10,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 4,000 and 22,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.