Wiring problems of the 2018 Subaru Outback

Two problems related to wiring have been reported for the 2018 Subaru Outback. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2018 Subaru Outback based on all problems reported for the 2018 Outback.

1 Wiring problem

Failure Date: 05/11/2019

In Dec 2018 the fuel line of my 2018 Subaru Outback had to be replaced because it had been chewed through by a rodent and was leaking in the car. Total damage was over $2000. In may 2019 another $3500 damage was discovered from a rodent chewing on electrical harnesses in the dash. The dealer told me this is because Subaru is now using soy-based insulation for fuel lines, wiring, and electrical harnesses. Rodents are attracted to the soy because they think it is food. In both cases my damage was discovered while trying to start the car while it is parked. But what if I was driving down the road and a chewed wire came loose that shorted something out and impacted my ability to control the car? or what if the fuel line broke while driving down the highway and caused the car to suddenly stall? manufacturers should not be allowed to use materials (e. G. Soy) that actually attract rodents. If anything, they should be using materials that deter rodents. Fuel lines and electrical harnesses are critical to the safe operation of a car and these systems are needlessly being put at risk by using soy to produce them. This is especially troubling for Subaru because part of their image encourages their owners to explore "the great outdoors. " what happens why I go camping and park my car in the woods and chipmunks chew through my components and strand me in the middle of nowhere? or, worse, a critical system on the car fails as I'm driving home and I lose control of the vehicle and crash. The use of soy-based components should not be allowed. Or, if it is, oems should cover rodent damage to these systems under warranty. At the very least, oems should be required to disclose the use of soy in the car before a vehicle is purchased. I had no idea soy-based products were used in this car. Had I known, I would not have bought it. Fyi. . . Subaru denies using soy products.

2 Wiring problem

Failure Date: 05/29/2018

I have 6000 miles on my 2018 Subaru Outback and rodents ate the electrical wires in my engine which caused me not to be able to operate the car and could have caused a major accident. I found out my wires are soy based which attracted the rodents. I was driving on the highway when my dashboard indicators lit up indicating there was a problem. I immediately drove to the Subaru service department and had the wiring repaired. It is the responsibility of Subaru to replace all my wiring with non-soy based wiring at no cost to me immediately and give me a loaner car without soy based wiring until my car has been repaired. It is important that all cars on the road are hazard free.




Safety Ratings of Outback Cars
Fuel Economy of Outback Vehicles
Outback Service Bulletins
Outback Safety Recalls
Outback Defect Investigations