About this problem
A battery that keeps dying overnight usually means something is drawing power after the car is turned off. This is called parasitic drain. Common causes are modules that fail to go to sleep, infotainment and telematics units, door and trunk switches, and aftermarket accessories. A small battery that was never sized for all the electronics can make it worse. Replacing the battery alone often does not fix the cause.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Subaru Outback since 2012, 969 (14.7%) describe battery keeps dying, the second most reported problem we track on the Outback. The reports cluster on the 2016, 2017 and 2019 model years, and the 2017 drew the most, with 245. It tends to show up early in the car's life: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 9,000 and 36,000 miles. 2 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Subaru has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Outback owners report dead batteries, sometimes after the car sat for only a day or two. The problem is most common on 2016 to 2019 models, and many owners blame systems that stay awake after the car is locked. A class-action lawsuit was filed over battery drain on several Subaru models.
How it gets fixed
Subaru issued software updates and replaced batteries with larger ones on some cars. Owners should ask a dealer about updates and test the battery.
Typical cost: A new battery costs $150 to $300.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Since purchasing car new in 08/19, I have been stranded with a dead battery 10 times in 12,000 miles. This is due to 4 things: 1. A poorly designed key fob with a hypersensitive button that opens the hatch unintentionally which kills battery; 2."
2019 Subaru Outback, 12,000 miles
"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."
2017 Subaru Outback, 17,000 miles
"My 2016 Outback about 3 months ago had a dead battery while out on a family trip to arkansas. Just took a battery bump from another vehicle and worked fine. Then this friday it ran fine for five hours away from home."
2016 Subaru Outback, 85,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Subaru has sent dealers 14 bulletins that mention this problem on the Outback. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training.
This bulletin announces the Warranty Extension for the Data Communication Module (DCM) up to 8 years (96 months) or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first) to address a dead battery resulting from excessive dark current draw caus...
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 ...
Announcement to Subaru Retailers regarding the preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding battery drain in certain Subaru vehicles.
Subaru Battery Drain Product Liability Litigation.
Subaru has extended the Data Communication Module (DCM) warranty from 3 years 36,000mi to 8 years or 100,000mi.
Before you buy a Outback
- Ask how often the battery has died and whether it was replaced.
- Check the battery date sticker.
- Make sure the latest software updates are done.
Questions
Which Subaru Outback years have battery keeps dying?
Complaints are highest for the 2016, 2017, 2019 model years. The 2017 drew the most, with 245 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 22,000 miles, and half reported it between 9,000 and 36,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A new battery costs $150 to $300.