2016 Subaru Outback electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 20, 2026207,000 miILElectrical System

   Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale, but the contact discovered the seller was associated with a car dealer. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 87,059. After obtaining a Carfax report, the contact became aware that the mileage was 207,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11758212 · source
2. Filed Jul 1, 2026CAElectrical System

   The reporting citizen was driving legally on [XXX] going forward towards the parking lot next to the round about when an uncrewed, autonomous commercial vehicle operated by Waymo suffered a catastrophic software/hardware failure. The 6,000-pound driverless robot taxi aggressively pursued and chased the citizen’s vehicle in reverse for that full city block despite honking the horn and then holding it down the entire time as the killing 6,000 lbs robot car kept reversing…

   NHTSA complaint #11747584 · source
3. Filed Jun 9, 2026NJElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   SUBJECT: Formal Safety Defect Complaint: 2016 Subaru Outback – Manufacturing Nondisclosure of Latent "Day 1" Design Flaw Causing Ignition Key Entrapment, Uncommanded Steering Column Lockout, and Severe Family Safety Risk I am writing to formally report a severe, unaddressed safety defect and a deceptive corporate practice by Subaru of America, Inc. affecting my 2016 Subaru Outback. This vehicle suffers from a "Day 1" latent engineering flaw that causes the physical ignition…

   NHTSA complaint #11742958 · source
4. Filed Apr 13, 2026PAElectrical System

   Parasitic battery drain due to a faulty DCM module. I've purchase 3 batteries in the past 16 months. I now have to keep a trickle charger on my car at night to ensure my battery is not dead in the morning. Unable to park overnight without charger due to fear of another dead battery.

   NHTSA complaint #11730814 · source
5. Filed Apr 7, 2026VAElectrical System

   The DCM (Data Communication Module), also referred to as the Starlink telematics module, has failed. This failure is causing a continuous parasitic battery drain, which rapidly depletes the vehicle’s battery even after charging or replacement. The component remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. The failure has resulted in repeated battery drain and loss of vehicle operability. I have experienced a dead battery approximately 4–6 times…

   NHTSA complaint #11729709 · source
6. Filed Dec 31, 2025MIElectrical System

   I purchased a replacement battery in 2023. In August of 2025, the battery died, requiring a jump start. A local auto parts store checked the battery and it tested within acceptable limits, showing around 513 amps. A private shop confirmed this, and cleaned the battery terminals and cables. The battery functioned well until around November 2025, when it again died requiring a jump start. The battery again died in December 2025, about one month later, requiring a jump start.

   NHTSA complaint #11707968 · source
7. Filed Dec 2, 202550,000 miFLElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine recall repair, and it was diagnosed and determined that the steering roll connector/clock spring had short-circuited. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11702493 · source
8. Filed Jul 18, 2025TNElectrical System

   Eye sight goes out shortly after reconfiguration (has happened several times), brand new battery has been drained causing complete shut down, has been in shop for six weeks and dealership cannot find reason for this happening and has replaced battery and driven the car waiting for a replica to happen. My research leans toward dcm/ecm/parasitic battery drain issues but there does not seem to be a recall for these electronic issues.

   NHTSA complaint #11674467 · source
9. Filed May 24, 2025IAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11662943 · source
10. Filed Jan 22, 2025MSElectrical SystemSteering

    The steering warning light came on and my steering wheel stiffened. Luckily I was able to make it home, but when I went back to crank it. The light was still on and it would only move forward of backwards; because I wasn't able at all to turn the steering wheel.

    NHTSA complaint #11637733 · source
11. Filed Oct 10, 202435,000 miIDTowedElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the passenger’s side wheel window trim was slightly pivoted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer had not confirmed if parts had been ordered or received. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH in 2020, the vehicle experienced transmission failure and the vehicle came to a jerking stop, as if…

    NHTSA complaint #11619069 · source
12. Filed Jul 10, 2024VADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

    My 2016 Subaru Outback has gone through 5 batteries since purchase in 4/2016. The reason for my contact with you is that the Navigation function “eyesight” has been problematic for at least two years and began with the third of five batteries. The function stops working randomly at any hour of the day and in all conditions. This year it went off and on in excess of 300-400 times. Each time it stops, cruise control, lane warnings, etc. are off. This can be harrowing with…

    NHTSA complaint #11600940 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology