20 complaints reported

2016 Subaru Outback ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
20
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

May 2025

Known battery drain likely from DCM and also they designed the alternator not to completely charge battery causing frequent dead battery without warning and for no operator error and causing frequent need to replace car batteries over the years.There was a class action lawsuit but no recall for these issues so has not been addressed properly.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Aug 2023

My key keeps getting stuck in the ignition, and forced me to have to leave the key in the car while I went in to a store, when i got back someone was in my car. I realize that this is a different type of safety issue, but it truly is a safety issue. I am having to leave my key in my car everywhere i do because it doesn't come out,, eventually it will come out randomly but not everytime I shut the car off. this should be a recall issue for Subaru's that have this problem. I have read many complaints about Subaru owners with this issue happpening to them. I am not the only one. Thank You!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2023
Jan 2023

THE BATTERY is completely unreliable - I have had 3 batteries since I purchased the car in 2015 - REPEATED RECURRENT DISCHARGE WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE - SUCH AS LIGHTS LEFT ON - PARASITIC DRAIN IT SEEMS In recent research have discovered this is not a new issue and there is a class action lawsuit settlement - I did not exclude myself and somewhat now wish that I had, in order to attempt to get some buy back incentive from Subaru. Beginning in 2019 - and maybe prior though I had not recognized it as a chronic issue then - I have encountered recurrent issues of complete battery discharge after time periods ranging from 5 to 24 hours. Estimate at least 1 to 2 discharges per month requiring cable jump, and many more times when the car was very difficult to start (almost fully discharged) To minimize risk as consumer I have bought a HALO Bolt - but Subaru should be held accountable to fixing primary cause of this chronic issue for so many of us.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2023
Oct 2022

Experienced intermittent starting problems, with other odd warning light behaviors, including unable to turn them off to try again. I know another 2016 Outback owner that was given a new battery at no charge. I paid $203.60 for new battery on 03/02/2022

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2022
Aug 2022

Summary of Electrical system issues: 1.pertaining to battery draining and 2. eyesight randomly goes out and other dash board lights flash and later goes away. As well as, 3. Windows that can not completely close at times. Details: I purchased 2016 Subaru outback - 4 cylinder in 2019 with 64,000 miles. By 2020, the car experienced random dashboard lights indicator flashing that would resolve itself (*the flashing light) in a few days. One issue was the eye sight would randomly inactivate while driving and resolve after turning off car for a half day or a day. However it happens often. Dealer Car repair shop said it could not duplicate. Besides the dash board lights issues; the passenger front window and moonroof would not go up to completely close at random times. Rendering the windows useless to use. These issues continued on and off from purchase thru to-date. The biggest issue came in 2021 & 2022, when the battery would drain. A jump of the battery seem to resolve the problem. Auto store would jump battery and show CCA and CA and Alternator output proficient for the battery. On random times the battery would have the same draining issue. I am not convinced it is a battery issue for these incidents. I believe it is related to an electrical issue for all of these issues. Risk: The components installed and advertised by the Subaru brand influenced me to purchase the vehicle over other vehicles because of its safety records and longevity of the vehicle. This is clearly a false and fraudulent marketing. The Subaru has failed to provide my confidence as a consumer of its safety record. I am extremely uncomfortable driving the vehicle more than 30 miles locally because of fear it will breakdown or I will be stranded. Even locally, I have had to purchase a AAA membership at an extra expense to ensure some means of assistance. Recently, within 2 days I have had ti use my membership for a drained battery. I am now seeing many Subaru owners make similar complaints.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2022
Feb 2022

2016 Subaru Outback (purchased new) with severe electrical problems in the form of (frequent) battery discharge/non-start. This has been a reoccurring issue since early 2017 and is still a problem, even after replacement of the previous battery. I've had the replacement battery tested on several occasions after recharging and the result has always been that the battery is in good operating order. Subsequent alternator tests show the alternator is charging within manufacturer specifications. I've performed multiple tests after fully recharging the batter on several occasions, making sure all electrical accessories have remained (off) for extended periods of time, and the battery continues to discharge. The electrical system has been tested with a professional scan tool, on multiple occasions, and has yielded no adverse results. There has never been any vehicle warning indicators activate to indicate a problem. Today (2/25/2022) I had to have my Outback jump started 3 times in route to my home 65 miles away. The car died on the road shortly after the first jump, and again after turning the car off to refuel. I looked online to see if anyone else has had similar issues and found the battery discharge/non-start issue to be widespread....and Subaru seems to have been aware of the issue as early as 2017 according to a TSB Subaru sent to all dealers alerting of a potential electrical problem, but providing no solution. This is a SAFETY ISSUE. If access to an operable car were ever needed in an emergency situation (or) a vehicle lost power while in operation causing an accident resulting in injury or death due to a documented issue Subaru was aware of, but neglected to address, would be tragic. Not only for owners of the affected automobiles, but also any other parties involved. This issue should be immediately investigated & addressed by the NHTSA. thank you.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2022
Apr 2021

I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY 4 TIMES SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN 2016. I CAN'T LET IT SIT MORE THAN 3 DAYS IF ITS COLD OUT OR THE BATTERY DIES. I HAVE TO JUMP THE BATTERIES QUITE FREQUENTLY. I CAN'T LET THE CAR SIT MORE THAN 7 DAYS IF IT IS WARM OUTSIDE. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL. I ASKED WHAT COULD BE CONSTANTLY DRAINING THE BATTERIES. I HAD THOUGHT THE CAR WAS A LEMMON WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT. THE BATTERY PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I BOUGHT IT. IT WAS A BRAND NEW CAR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2017
Apr 2021

Unable to remove key from ignition when car is parked. I am unable to leave car without threat of it being stolen. An internet search indicates this is a common problem and repair cost can be several hundred dollars

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2018
Mar 2021

BATTERY DRAINS AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR A FEW DAYS. I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED LAST YEAR, AND HAD THE NEW BATTERY CHECKED RECENTLY AT THE DEALER. THEY (DEALER) SAID IT WAS FINE AND SAW NO PARASITIC DRAIN. THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED, WHICH I FIND TO BE VERY ODD AND EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. I ALSO OWN A 2020 SUBARU ASCENT AND DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE IT EVERY DAY TO KEEP THE BATTERY HEALTHY. THE CAR SAT FOR ONE WEEK RECENTLY AND THE BATTERY DRAINED AGAIN. I JUMPED IT YESTERDAY IT AND DROVE IT FOR 30 MINUTES AND TODAY THE BATTERY IS DEAD AGAIN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2021
Mar 2021

BATTERY OFTEN GOES DEAD. HAVE REPLACED BATTERY 3 OR 4 TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2015. BATTERY DIED IN GARAGE AND IN PARKING LOT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2021
Oct 2020

KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION SWITCH WHEN PARKED AFTER DRIVING. REQUIRES MULTIPLE SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK BEFORE KEY WILL RELEASE. FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE IS NOW EVERY OTHER DAY. VEHICLE HAS 48,500 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2020
Jul 2020

THE CAR IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF. BESIDES BEING ANNOYING, THIS PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING LOCKED THUS INTRODUCES A THEFT RISK. EVENTUALLY, WE ARE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY BUT THERE IS NO CONSISTENT METHOD OF DOING SO. IT'S A MATTER OF TIME AND MESSING WITH TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF, MOVING THE SHIFTER, JIGGLING THE KEY, OR MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE IT COMES OUT. GOOGLE INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS SO I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
Apr 2020

THE BATTERY ON OUR 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK KEEPS DISCHARGING AND CAR WON'T START. IT IS IN THE GARAGE. DROVE IT TO THE STORE YESTERDAY. BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY 4 MONTHS AGO, HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2020
Apr 2020

BATTERY RUNS DOWN OFTEN. I'VE HAD THE BATTERY CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES AND NO PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR EITHER. I KNOW IT WILL RUN DOWN DURING LOADING OR UNLOADING THAT LASTS MORE THAN 30 MINUTES, SO I MANAGE THAT SITUATION. BUT IT IS STARTING TO RUN DOWN MORE OFTEN WHILE PARKED. THIS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2020
Feb 2020

KEY STICKS IN IGNITION WHEN PARKED AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. KEY TURNS, BUT NOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT REACHES THE POSITION OF REMOVAL. IT OFTEN TAKES SEVERAL STARTS AND TURN OFF'S TO ACHIEVE REMOVAL OF THE KEY. OFTEN REQUIRES VERY FIRM FORCES OF THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION TO ACHIEVE RELEASE OF THE KEY. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2019
Jul 2019

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE PARKED FOR ONLY A FEW HOURS. THE BATTERY VOLTAGE HAS DROPPED TO A LEVEL THAT REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NO AFTERMARKET DEVICES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2019
Mar 2019

WITH CAR STATIONARY, ENGINE OFF AND CAR IN PARK, KEYED IGNITION WILL NOT TURN TO LOCK POSITION OR RELEASE KEY. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY FOR TWO WEEKS, OFTEN MORE THAN ONCE A DAY, FROM 3/10/2019 AND CONTINUING THROUGH YESTERDAY, THE LAST TIME THE CAR WAS DRIVEN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2019
Apr 2018

THE KEYS BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE CAR. UNABLE TO REMOVE. ALSO UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR FULLY. SOMETIMES REPARKING MULTIPLE TIMES HELPS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2018
Apr 2018

I HAVE LEARNED BECAUSE MY WIFES CAR IS ALSO A 2016 SUBARU THAT SOY BASED MATERIALS HAVE BEEN USED IN WIRING AND HOSES OF MY OUTBACK CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE RODENTS AND SQUIRRELS ARE ATTRACTED TO THIS PRODUCT AND WILL CHEW ON THEM THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED A REPLACEMENT TO THE SOY PRODUCTS SO THIS IS A LONG TERM SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED. WE HAVE ALREADY INCURRED DANGEROUS AND COSTLY DAMAGE TO ONE SUBARU AND ARE CONCERNED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN TO ONE OR BOTH OF OUR CARS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2018
May 2016

WE PURCHASED A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6, FULLY-LOADED WITH EVERY BELL AND WHISTLE REGARDING SAFETY, COMFORT, AND CONVENIENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER 2015. THE SUBARU STARLINK INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM'S TECHNOLOGY FROZE CAUSING THE CLOCK TO FREEZE AT 10:37AM AS WELL AS THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM (NO VOICE COMMANDS EITHER.) THE MULTI-TOUCH INTERFACE NOT ONLY LOST FUNCTIONALITY ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT IT AFFECTED THE MESSAGE DISPLAY BETWEEN THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER, AS WELL AS THE TOUCH SCREEN OPTIONS DISAPPEARING FROM THE SCREEN, THE MAP WOULD NOT DISPLAY, YOU WOULD PRESS THE AUDIO BUTTON AND AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THE AUDIO SCREEN WOULD AUTOMATICALLY ENTER SPLIT-SCREEN MODE WITH THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. WHEN TRYING TO EXIT SPLIT-SCREEN, THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT RESPOND. IF I SHUT THE RADIO OFF BY THE BUTTON, THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. THE RADIO WOULD SAY, "AUDIO OFF - TOUCH HERE TO GO TO SOURCE SCREEN", HOWEVER THE SYSTEM WOULDN'T SHUT DOWN. THE SYSTEM WOULD STAY ON SPLIT SCREEN WITH THE MAP, ONLY THE MAP WOULD DISAPPEAR. I VIDEOTAPED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, CALLED STARLINK, SUBARU OF AMERICA, AND THE DEALER, WHO HAS BEEN AWESOME SO FAR, AND WAS TOLD THEY KNOW OF ONE OTHER VEHICLE WITH THIS SITUATION. SUBARU OF AMERICA SAID TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND "REBOOT" THE SYSTEM TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP BECAUSE IT DID IN ANOTHER INSTANCE, ALTHOUGH NOT TOTALLY CORRECTING THE PROBLEM AND ONLY ADDRESSING THE GPS FREEZE. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF TSBS (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS) ON THE RADIO, HOWEVER NONE APPLIED TO THE SYMPTOMS BEING DISPLAYED BY MY VEHICLE. WAITING ON SUBARU OF AMERICA TO ADDRESS THIS AND A ROOF RAIL ISSUE. DEALER BELIEVES THERE WILL BE MANY MORE OF THESE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SUBARU STARLINK INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM'S TECHNOLOGY. REGARDING THE ROOF RAILS, THEY DO NOT SIT FLUSH TO THE ROOF. DEALER REPLACED LEFT SIDE ALREADY AND STILL HAPPENING, SO SUBARU HAS TO ADDRESS IT NOW.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2016

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2016 Subaru Outback has 20 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.