Software Problems of Subaru Outback

Vehicle died while in a hospital parking lot and was jump-started. Battery replaced by a local repair shop. Car could only sit 2 - 3 days before needing a jump start. Took car to stl Subaru dealer. They upgraded the charging software. The dealership stated that the two-week-old battery was bad. When connected to the car, the overnight voltage drops on the battery would be from 0. 4 to 0. 5 volts. The battery was typically dead within 3-4 days. When disconnected from the car, the overnight voltage loss on the battery was minimal. This indicated the car had unsustainable current draw even when "turned off. " returned to the Subaru dealer, noting the car displayed excessive current draw when turned off. They reported was that the factory diagnostic machine had indicated no problem with the car or it's electronics but that the battery was bad. Local repair shop disagreed but replaced the battery with another new. The overnight discharge condition continued with a new battery. I placed the car in "parked and locked" condition and measured the current across each fuse in both the engine and passenger compartment. 2 passenger compartment fuses showed significant current draw when the car is parked and locked, serving a power window and the circuit labeled "acc" which includes the car's heating, cooling and defrosting. I removed these fuses and the car can now sit unused for extended periods. Replacing the fuses returns the car to the overnight battery drain condition. I now have a car with a non-functioning passenger window and no heating/cooling or defroster. It is unclear if the car can pass the state safety inspection in this condition. To me, this proves that the problem is not the battery but rather unsustainable current draw from the car's electronics when parked and "turned off. " the car is not safe to drive without a defroster.

See all problems of the 2017 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Battery failed after 11k miles. Had to be replaced by aaa when stranded with daughter. Have had starting issues with the car since I got it where it won't turn over. I normally turn off car then lick and unlock and try again. Normally started after several tries. Subaru chalked this up to software at maintenance.

See all problems of the 2019 Subaru Outback 🔎.

2/15/21 dead battery vehicle parked in home garage stationary. Battery one month old replaced on 1/21/21 plus upgraded software. Previous battery was still under warranty less than 3 years old. 2/15/21 had to get car towed from home garage. Outback still under warranty and we purchased extended warranty from Subaru. Removed bulb from hatch back per service mgr. Automatic starter also unreliable and works intermittently. Factory installed. Vehicle unreliable. Service unable to fix problem. Need to purchase a larger stronger battery for electrical system on own to see if it helps battery problem. Dealer will only give 550 battery.

See all problems of the 2016 Subaru Outback 🔎.

I went out this morning 12/26/2020 and the car won't start again. Because of the previous problem on 12/22/20 which I have reported. I made sure everything was closed and locked securely and all lights were off. Prior to the 12/22/20 incident, I had 2 previous incidents since purchasing the car. One previous incident involved a battery drain (I do not remember the date) because the cabin light was left on overnight. The battery drainage prevention function should have kept that from happening but did not. Also, on approx. 9/1/20, I received an email from Subaru about a software update. I tried to update the software but the process wouldn't complete for some reason. Within a few hours I received another email saying to disregard the previous one and that there was an issue with the update. The issue left me without any display. I took the vehicle in and had to have the whole radio replaced.

See all problems of the 2020 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Electrical problems have caused the battery to fail several times in four years. The car was purchased on June 5, 2015. Car failed to start on 9/30/16 and the main relay was replaced by the dealer. The battery was replaced three times by the dealer: on 12/5/16, 2/8/17, and 1/30/19 (including a software update on 1/30/19 to "increase battery life. ") the latest battery (84 mo. 490cca) has failed recently on three occasions: 9/29/20 (twice) and 10/21/20, each requiring a jump start. On 9/29/20 the car was jump started, driven for twenty minutes, sat with the engine off for 30 minutes and driven five minutes more, was gassed up (engine off), driven five minutes, sat with the engine off for ten minutes and then required another jump start. The dealer has performed battery performance tests (some failed, some passed) but to the best of my knowledge has not checked components for failure to shut off, which could lead to battery drain. As instructed, I keep the key fob away from the car when not in use, so this appears to not be a factor.

See all problems of the 2015 Subaru Outback 🔎.

On approx. 8/22/20 I received an email or text from Subaru or starlink, I don't remember, about a software update. I tried to update the software but the process wouldn't complete for some reason. Within a few hours I received another email saying to disregard the previous one and that there was an issue with the update. The issue left me without any display. I took the vehicle in and had to have the whole radio replaced. The vehicle was parked in my driveway.

The head unit has failed and frozen several times. When this happens, functions like smartphone integration, navigation, and backup camera stop working. This occurs when vehicle is in motion. Functionality returns after car rests for several hours. Dealer has been unable to fix the issue with software updates.

See all problems of the 2018 Subaru Outback 🔎.

During vehicle operation, both stationary and in traffic, the driver window intermittently does not close normally. Upon activation to raise the window when in open position, it rises only partway, then bounces back down. Only after repeated efforts, using multiple maneuvers of the power control, sometimes requiring pulling over on the highway so as not to further drive distracted, can one finally raise the window. This is a safety issue in that it requires driver attention during vehicle operation. It is also a hazard when needing to close the window rapidly to avoid dust, debris, weather precipitation, or strangers approaching the vehicle. We have taken it to the dealer to fix it on multiple occasions and each time are told that 1) nothing was wrong (again, it is an intermittent issue that we have documented with video 2) it was software-related and that they updated it to fix it and 3) it was the power window regulator and assembly (replaced twice). None of these efforts have solved this issue and the dealer has not been forthcoming with a reasonable solution over the past 2+ years while we are approaching our warranty expiration.

My relattvely new Subaru failed to start, and had no electrical power at all. The oem battery would not charge with a home charger, but was able to start with a jump from aaa. At Subaru of bend, they stated the battery had not failed, but that Subaru's are programmed not to charge the battery below 40 mph. They installed a software change that removed that "feature" since we use the vehicle primarily, but not exclusively, for around town driving. This non-charging is a safety issue since the failure to start occurred without warning, nor would any reasonable person expect a car not to charge the battery when driving predominately on local trips. There was no warning of this "feature" and if the car failed to start in a remote location, this could be a safety issue. We do drive the vehicle to trailheads in the national forest and wilderness area's, and Subaru advertises its products, such as the Outback, and being suitable for back roads driving.

About a year ago, my Outback occasionally would not start, especially after I returned from a trip. My car's battery was dead. However, my wife's car would start right up. I took my car to the dealer and they installed a software update and a new battery. Less than a year later, the car would not start and the battery was dead again. I had not driven the car in about 5 days because of another problem with the ignition (I could not turn the key in the ignition). I returned the car to the dealer. After the dealer inspected the car, I was told they could not find a problem and they gave the car a clean bill of health. Something is wrong--is it the electrical system? my car was in our driveway.

Vehicle battery has unexpectedly gone dead three times since March 2020. This is after a new Subaru battery was installed in 2019. I understand this is an ongoing problem with Subaru Outbacks (2016-2020). My dealership told me it requires software updates which don't seem to working. My vehicle has 16000 miles on it.

Vehicle's battery went dead at about 22,283 miles in Jan of 2020. Battery would keep dying even after proper jumping. Vehicle was brought in to dealership. Dealership advised of software issue draining the battery. I was advised that they did an update and replaced battery. A year later, vehicle is having battery issues again (battery kept dying- multiple times- even after driving to try to "charge" battery). Vehicle was brought into dealership in Feb 2021 at 23,560 miles. Different statements were made by dealership. I was told there was an issue with the vehicle electrical system needing more power than the battery could provide. I was told they had a solution, a bigger battery. When I picked up my car they just swapped out the battery with the same size battery. They didn't tell me (tried to hide it). When I confronted them, they advised that Subaru didn't have a fix yet for the draining of the battery. Subaru says I will just have to keep bringing in my vehicle every time there is an issue with the battery until they come out with a fix. Please note: Subaru appears to try and hide the electrical issue. None of this information was on my service paper work and they only spoke about the electrical system in Feb 2021 after I brought up the issue after reading forums on the internet about people having the same issue.

1. The backup and front camera are downgraded from previous models of Outback. Subaru of America denies this. The night visibility is dangerous. The dealership agrees. I have purchased four Outbacks in six years and I know what I am talking about. It is totally dangerous at night. Subaru will not tell me if they plan to change the cameras or upgrade the software. Also, the equalizer will not hold its setting every time you get in the car. I am sure this is a software setting as well. To change the setting, you either have to pull off the road or do it while driving which creates a dangerous maneuver.

In 2019the battery on the vehicle drained while on a camping trip to the desert, which left us stranded. We got it jumped and drove home. Subaru dealer said that they would install new computer software to fix. In 2021, we took car to Subaru for 36k checkup. They said the battery needed to be replaced. We are worried about being straned again if we go to remote destinations. This is a safety issue.

1. Defect in windshields or framing area. I've had 4 windshield crack in the bottom right and have replaced 3 so far since I bought it. Adding my name and car to the complaints saying the windshields in their Subaru vehicles are defective and are spontaneously cracking, and breaking, sometimes �within weeks or a few months of purchase. � I usually notice upon returning to my car in the morning to leave for work or returning from being away from it all day. My car insurance has covered all but $100 of the bills over the span of 2 years, luckily. But my time is valuable. 2. Radio/multimedia screen sometimes doesn't come on when I start the car and won't work until I turn the car off and back on later. 3. Chincy material, seems to dent veeeery easily, does not live up to high standards and durability they rave about. I'm not sure what all has dinged my car but it is way more frequent than any other car I've owned. I usually notice walking up to it from being parked. Could be from driving down road though. 4. Battery life is short. Car was not run for 5 days and battery was dead. Claims to be an outdoorsy car so why would it be set up to kill the battery so quickly? my dealership updated the software and gave me a bigger battery to help "fix" that issue.

Wtz85 - Subaru of America, inc. (Subaru) is recalling 2018 model year legacy, Outback, and brz vehicles equipped with a certain combination of head unit hardware and software, due to the possibility of noncompliance with federal motor vehicle safety standard type: recall | service campaign: wtz85 | NHTSA campaign: 18v-000000 open recall date: January 02, 2019 description 18 leg/out/brz v3 head unit reprogram safety risk due to a software issue, the head unit memory retrieval and assembly time may exceed the designed time to begin the boot-up cycle. If this occurs, the head unit display will not boot, causing the screen to remain blank. In this condition, while backing the vehicle, the rearview image may not be displayed. The failure to display the rearview image creates a non-compliance with the requirements of fmvss 111 � �rear visibility,� increasing the risk of a crash. There are 1000's of these on backorder causing us to drive around in unsafe vehicles because they do not know when replacment units will be available and they are not providing a loaner car in the meantime. This is unacceptable for a company that prides themselves on their safety!!!!!.

** 2018 Subaru Outback ** this has happened three times** driving car when car shuts off complete loss of power engine turns off without warning at various speeds - seems to occur when the low fuel warning system turns on at 1/4 tank of gas. This 3rd time almost got me killed traveling at 45mpg when it happened today inside a major intersection. Software / sensor for the low fuel system? something is very seriously wrong. 1. Is this car safe to drive with a full tank of gas? 2. Has there been other complaints about this exact problem? 3. Is there a recall or fix ?.

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. As of 8-24-18 they are still attempting to locate leak. Will have to pull engine. May not get car back during August. Outback has less than 15000 miles. Have contacted Subaru requested lemon law as the vehicle has nearly 40 cumulative days in the shop since purchased 8-16-18. Outback has also had 2 new radios and multiple software updates for numerous radio issues.

The radio head unit will randomly not connect to apple car play. It will also get stuck on a fm radio station and not respond to anything until the battery is disconnected. This happens while driving and there is no way to control the volume or anything. I have been for software updates.

On multiple occasions, I've arrived at my car after a reasonably short time away - each time overnight, parked in my garage - to find my battery fully drained. I wondered if I had left my lights on, and if that might have caused the problem. I found that the controls for my headlamps were in the off position. Next, I wondered if I had left a door ajar, or an interior light control switch in the on position. I never found a door ajar. I never found an interior light switch on. I take my car into faraway corners of the wilderness on occasion. I cannot risk battery drain when I return to my car after a day or two of adventure. To be safe after these incidents, I removed the lightbulb from the "way back" of my Subaru Outback. I did this to avoid accidentally draining the battery if I left that light on (easy to go unnoticed). Further, I keep each of the other interior light swich controls in the off position. I changed this from the "on when a door is open" position that I used to keep the switches in, again to ensure that I don't accidentally drain the battery. During my next maintenance visit with my Subaru dealer's maintenance team (an oil change, I believe), I discussed the battery failure with the technician. I asked the person if there was some way set a software control so that no light would remain illuminated with the engine turned off for more than some set period of time (for instance, 10 minutes, or a half hour). The technician said there was no way to set that for the car. I regularly check to ensure that I'm not leaving my front seat, or mid-seat lights on since my battery had drained on those occasions. I've always wondered, however, if the problem was some electrical issue with my car, rather than my own potential mistake. More and more, I think it may have been an electrical battery drain issue.

Bought the Outback new in July 2017. In 2018 the car battery died several times. The the original battery was tested and failed the gr8 test and was replaced under warranty. In 2019 the battery once again died and the battery failed gr8 test. It was replaced under warranty. In 2020-4/2021 the battery died several times when the engine was not running (drivers door opened for 10 minutes, radio on for 10 minutes and driven to a restaurant 10 miles and battery dead after 30 minutes). On 4/19/21 battery tested and a draw test performed. The draw test found the vehicle to be in spec and the battery passed the gr8. The car's software was updated to fully charge the battery on short trips.

My car was parked at a pier. Got into car and would not start. Did not seem like a battery issue, however, as it sounded as if it would start to turn over, but then just clicked off. Then I pushed the button to the driver's seat window and it got stuck half way up, but the other windows were okay at that time. Then the wheel locked up and the break would not budge. Then after trying to turn the car on again, the other windows stopped working. Each time before trying to start it again, I waited a few minutes. Then after trying to start the car again, all the locks froze and we were stuck inside the vehicle! inside locks and lever did not work! luckily, the driver's seat window was stuck half way down, so I took my manual key out of the access key, and stuck my hand and arm out the window to open the car from the outside. It was also luck that my friend was with me, as she had to pull the inside knob at the same time (as I could not reach it) so I could open the door. Then 2 men walked by and offered their assistance. Where able to jump start the car and get it going. The problem still was not solved, however, as now my parking break was stuck on and I could not turn it off. Then I inadvertently turned the car off, and it miraculously turned right back on and all software deficiencies were cleared so I was able to drive home. This all happened over a period of 5 hours, during which time I had called aaa for a tow, my ex-husband for a ride (as aaa would not allow my dog to ride in the tow truck) and I was 1hr 20 min from home which as the evening crept in, was slowly becoming an unsafe area and we were getting more and more scared. What if I had been alone? what if my window was not half way down? what if I had broken down in an unsafe place from the get go? this car is unsafe to drive!.

In early January, of 2018, the vehicle wouldn't start because the battery was dead. We had to have it jump-started. This continued at least a dozen times. On 5/25/18 we contacted the dealership, and scheduled an appointment on 5/29/18 to have it assessed. They found: � battery not fully charged. Found software update for battery charging. Performed software update. � the problem continued. . . We made another appointment on 7/11/18, and they gave us a rental vehicle while they had ours, for 8 days. This time: �after finding a parasitic draw, and replacing a module, the battery was replaced�. We were told this was becoming a common occurrence with Subaru batteries, but that Subaru wasn't willing to replace the battery at their cost. We continued to be inconvenienced, (stranded), until the dealership relented, and installed a new battery.

Backup camera shows blue screen and backup guide lines but no camera image when transmission is placed in reverse. Occurs intermittently. Can occur either when vehicle is stationary (e. G. , immediately on putting car in reverse) or in the middle of backing up. Sometimes camera image will come back on momentarily or not at all. This particular vehicle has the camera display integrated with the rear view mirror. However, the cause of the fault is unknown to me, and I have not been able to identify a pattern of occurrence. Camera image is clear and crisp when it does appear so the problem is presumably either software related or perhaps a wiring fault. Started occurring several years ago.

See all problems of the 2013 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Software update required that is not cover by recall. If not updated, the check engine light, brake light, traction control, and cruse light blink.

See all problems of the 2010 Subaru Outback 🔎.

I have replaced the passenger side low beam lights multiple times also when I started the car the brake light, traction control light, and multiple other lights started blinking while driving. This scared me very much. The owners manual seemed to imply brake failure and to stop immediately, which I did. Called aaa and they towed my car to thoroughbred transmission in laurel. They checked the codes and nothing made sense to them. The called Subaru and described the problem ans Subaru said it was a software problem and it needed to up upgraded. Since I had an extended warranty with Subaru I took the car to them. I also took the Subaru wvu31 bulletin with me. Subaru said they did not see the codes and even though I took the thoroughbred documentation with me they refused to upgrade the software. It is clear that Subaru was not interested in fixing the issue, refused to accept the warranty and charged me $70. 00. So next time this does the same thing and I keep driving I may in fact have a serious problem but not know it. I need Subaru to install the software upgrade.

See all problems of the 2011 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The 2007 Subaru Outback (manual) pulsates and surges when driving on flat surfaces or when going downhill and while lightly pushing on the accelerator. Concern exists for when driving on wet or ice/snow packed roads and the vehicle surges with the potential to throw it into a spin or otherwise out-of-control. Manufacturer has indicated it is an inherent characteristic of the vehicle with no fixes available, although they have a quality monitoring report in place to hopefully improve in future years.

See all problems of the 2007 Subaru Outback 🔎.