2026 Subaru Trailseeker electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 25, 2026ORElectrical System

   Since owning the vehicle at the end of April 2026, there has been a phantom drain on the accessory system that causes the 12-volt battery to drop below the minimum operating voltage, requiring a jump start in order to get the vehicle to operate. The first event happened within weeks of owning the vehicle and after leaving the car turned off, including all lights, and doors locked for around 72 hours. Even after a jump start and getting the 12-volt battery charged up a bit,…

   NHTSA complaint #11759488 · source
2. Filed Aug 24, 2026PAElectrical System

   When not driven in multiple days in a row the 12V battery will be dead, requiring a jump. If driven regularly the battery remains charged. If 12V is extremely low driver assist sensors are offline until battery voltage is restored. The connected app will push error codes to mobile device, of invalid conditions when battery is near death. Some messages included stating doors open, windows are open, doors unlocked; all of which were not true. Dealership inspection after second…

   NHTSA complaint #11759259 · source
3. Filed Aug 21, 2026NVElectrical System

   I bought a new trailseeker mid July 2026 and after owning the car for less than 4 weeks with about 400miles on the odometer I came out to a dead car after not driving the car for 2.5 days. The car had been parked with the windows up, doors locked, unplugged from charger, and charger port door closed. The traction battery SoC was over 60%. I had to use the mechanical key to get into my car and had to jump the 12v battery. After jumping the 12v battery, the car began to…

   NHTSA complaint #11758401 · source
4. Filed Aug 19, 2026FLElectrical System

   I have had the Trailseeker for about 7 weeks and have noticed low battery messages and on one occasion when I hadn't driven it for 3 days the car was completely unresponsive until I put the 12 V batter on a charger. I have a Level 2 charger at home for the traction battery. I do use the Subaru Connect add to check on the Level2 charging progress.

   NHTSA complaint #11757872 · source
5. Filed Aug 18, 2026NYElectrical System

   12 Volt battery dies frequently leading to the vehicle becoming inoperable. Subaru has so far provided little information regarding a permanent fix other than to discontinue all use of mobile apps that connect to the vehicle and to move any key fobs away from the vehicle as far as possible. The issue occurs on average one a month from my experience, and requires the car to get towed back into service.

   NHTSA complaint #11757695 · source
6. Filed Aug 18, 2026FLElectrical System

   I purchased a new 2026 Subaru Trailseeker on 06/22/2026. On 07/30/2026, the vehicle became completely inoperable because of a discharged 12V battery. The vehicle would not enter READY mode. Pressing the brake pedal and the START button had no effect. The interior lights would not turn on, and the vehicle was completely without power. Before the vehicle was jump-started, I measured the 12V battery voltage at 7.4 volts. Roadside assistance was required to jump-start the…

   NHTSA complaint #11757653 · source
7. Filed Aug 16, 2026MOElectrical System

   The 12V battery drains and is out of charge on my 2026 Trailseeker when it is parked over several days. I am unable to rely on the car to start after multiple days of being parked in the garage.

   NHTSA complaint #11757311 · source
8. Filed Aug 12, 2026LAElectrical System

   Since buying the vehicle, the 12-volt battery has been consistently losing charge unless I connect it to a trickle charger. I took the vehicle to the dealer for evaluation, but after testing they told me they found nothing wrong with the charging system. Despite that, the problem continues. At present, the battery state of charge is below 20 percent, which is very concerning on a newly purchased vehicle. I am worried about the reliability of the vehicle and the risk of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11756432 · source
9. Filed Aug 8, 2026MOElectrical System

   The vehicle auxiliary battery keeps discharging and has to be jumped all the time. First time the car was towed to the dealership at 800 miles on it and on August 7th had to jump the car after getting off work and on August 8th had to jump the car after getting off work to get home. First time the battery had 89% charge on August 7th it had 73% charge and August 8th it had 68% charge. Total miles on the car 2475 miles and the car was purchased on May 19th 2026.

   NHTSA complaint #11755651 · source
10. Filed Aug 6, 2026VTElectrical System

    We purchased the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker Limited in April, 2026. We have used it regularly (every few days since purchase). I experienced a display of "Low Battery", on the heads up display prior to charging. Once the traction battery recharged I did not see the warning. I subsequently installed a ANCEL BM200 battery monitor after hearing of parasitic drain on the 12 volt battery resulting in inability to start. Since monitoring, I have measured said drain and continued to…

    NHTSA complaint #11755196 · source
11. Filed Aug 5, 2026MIElectrical System

    2026 Trailseeker 12-volt battery totally dead upon entering vehicle. I was stranded for 2 hours in a remote place. Very unsafe. This is a new vehicle.

    NHTSA complaint #11755014 · source
12. Filed Aug 3, 2026SCElectrical System

    ELECTRCAL SYSTEM - Low Battery; DEAD Battery. My Subaru Trailseeker was purchased on 1st June 2026. During the first two months I noticed the comment "Low Battery" as I started the vehicle. (It is possible that I missed some "Low Battery" alerts as these flash on the dash screen momentarily as I press the Start Button). Then on 2nd August 2026 I could not start the vehicle at all and my battery tested DEAD. I jump started the vehicle and recharged the 12V DC Lead battery to…

    NHTSA complaint #11754468 · 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