2016 Subaru Outback complaints

The car does not recognize that it is in park, and the key gets stuck in the ignition frequently. The only fix is to repeatedly shift in and out of the park position until the key releases (which can take anywhere from 1 minute to 10 minutes -- it seems to get worse over time). It's a safety concern for various reasons: you can't exit your car quickly in case of emergency -- you can't just leave your vehicle with the keys in the ignition (dangerous/negligent/someone could steal your car). It's also concerning that the car doesn't recognize what gear it is in. This is a widespread issue across Subaru vehicles that is documented in many online forums. The issue was confirmed by the dealership that I went to on my vehicle specifically, but they also knew the source of the problem, before they even looked at the vehicle.

The car drains the battery to the point of not being able to turn the engine on after >10 minutes of playing the radio while the engine isn't turned on. Happened three separate times where I had to request a jump. I replaced the battery with a new one but the problem persists.

The original battery drained when a door is left open for an extended period of time. We replaced the battery in 2019 and also bought a battery booster because of this issue. We thought replacing the battery would fix the, however, the draining issue still occurs from time to time. We didn't think to file a complaint, but saw an article in the news describing the same issue we're experiencing and that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Subaru for this issue, so we decided to file a complaint.

Have had to replace battery twice. A short time leaving a light on drains the battery very quickly.

Several times the battery has been completely drained from something little like the back end opened or door open for a longer period

Battery drains when car is off and parked with no lights on, causing multiple jump starts to the car, and a need to buy a new battery.

Original battery dead in less than 2 years, needing replacement in January 2018. Subaru dealer advised replacement, local repair store confirmed it was dead. Purchased replacement local as dealer quote was over $300. The battery was dead, and replaced again in 12/2019, and again in 10/2020. These issues have left us stranded, often in cold/freezing weather. No sign of wearing or issues occurs until the vehicle just does not start. All of our other vehicles have never gone through batteries this frequently. Additionally, with the many batteries (4 total so far, in 6 years, and 80k miles) from multiple sources, I do not believe that defective batteries are the case

Passenger side front seatbelt locked up and became non-functional, unable to be used. This left our passenger without a safe or legal way to ride in the vehicle with all other seats being used. The part was replaced by the dealer under warranty

A small rock chip at bottom of the windshield, near the heated wiper park area, caused multiple cracks across the entire windshield. Replacement was required as visibility was impaired

The battery keeps draining and needing to be replaced. I need a new battery every 18 months or so. Also, please note that there is not one incident. There is a pattern of the battery needing to be replaced.

On my third ( 3 ) battery since 2016.

After having the 2916 Subaru outback detailed, the car wouldn't start, apparently if a door is left open for 10 minutes or more the battery drains, Jump started the vehicle and it starts right up

My battery dies intermittently and will not start until I receive a jump start. it seems to occur after day trips in the mountains,, but no emergency lights come on to indicate a low battery while driving. we have had to get an emergency jump start an now must carry around a spare battery charger to jump start my car. I've had the dealership look at this and they find no issues. I've had both my battery and alternator tested and they are still good. I stopped using my phone charger, thinking that may be the issue, but it still happens. I worry I'll be stranded somewhere and the Jumpstart battery won't be able to give me a kick. This has occurred at least 10 times and is increasing in frequency.

The electrical system drains the battery. It happened first in Feb 2020. Car was locked and could not be opened with manual key, so AAA Roadside Service had to use a bladder and bar to break in and open car, damaging the driver door. There is now constant road noise where it used to be a particularly quiet interior. The battery was completely drained and tested low so they replaced it. One year later, Feb 2021, the same thing happened despite the car being driven every day and the alternator working fine. Four months later it happened again, this time when the car was in long term parking at SFO Intl Airport June 29-July 5. Again they had to pry open the driver door to unlock, battery tested at 40%, alternator tested fine, and AAA replaced the battery still under warranty. We can no longer trust or rely on this car to start and I no longer lock the car in case the problem recurs - I have zero reason to expect it will miraculously stop happening. My wife wants to sell the car.

For the past 6 months out key has become very hard to remove. The ignition system will not disengage and release the key. Multiple methods have been tried and sometimes are effective. Placing the car into park, then neutral, back to park and so on eventually releases the key. The service center said to play with the breaks and shifters to fix the issues. I’ve been reading of multiple problems that keep occurring with these cars.

Unable to remove key from ignition when car is parked. I am unable to leave car without threat of it being stolen. An internet search indicates this is a common problem and repair cost can be several hundred dollars

Battery has died several times over the past few months. The last time (7/3/21) within 48 hours of being fully charged. Subaru replaced the battery several months ago, so it’s a fresh battery. They did not mention the electrical system problems they know about and have known about since 2017.

Over the last 7-8 months. Has gotten progressively worse. With car parked and turned off cannot get key out of ignition. Have to sometimes restart car and move it forward and backward and that doesn’t always release key after turning off. Or move shift lever from park to drive many times and that doesn’t always work. Or turn ignition key back and forth and pushing in on it . Does it on both level parking and inclined parking Has taken as long as 15 minutes to be able to get key out and leave my car. Called three dealerships . One said yes he’s heard of it happening , other to 2 other Subaru dealerships said they have to diagnose the problem . I found 3 technical service bulletins on Nhtsa web site referring to identical problem . It was called “shift lever complete “ for 2016 Subaru Outback and Legacy.Service bulletin# 16-112-18R

The ignition sensor is faulty and doesn't consistently recognize when the car is in park, and as a result, will not release the key from the ignition. After some research, many other Subaru owners have experienced this same issue.

On 8/30/2018, the car wouldn’t start after it was driven to a parking lot. The battery was jumped, car taken home, and then the battery was charged at local car parts store. On 6/7/2021, the car wouldn’t start after two days of no use. The battery was jumped and driven for 30 min. On 6/12/2021, the battery was replaced, and driven intermittently 6/12 and 6/13. On 6/16/2021, the car wouldn’t start with no panel or indicator lights working at all.

The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the battery had failed on several occasions after starting the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery warning light intermittently flashed during the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to three separate independent mechanics and had the battery replaced however, the failure persisted after each battery replacement. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where the technician discovered that the radio was causing an electrical drain on the battery which could render the battery defective. The battery was replaced for a fourth time and the radio was disconnected however, two weeks after the repair, the battery failed again and the vehicle was returned to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

For the past four years the car has insufficiently charged the battery. On two occasions the car would not start and had to be jumped. At first I attributed it to something I may have done like leaving an interior light on, but after the second incident I found out that other owners of the same car were having similar problems. I called the dealer and they said it might help to install a higher CCA rated battery.I replaced the original battery in 2018 with a higher rated Interstate CCA battery. That battery was also over time not being charged sufficiently and I took it back to the Firestone dealer who installed another Interstate Brand battery replacing it in 2020 under warranty. I called the dealership again and they said there was no reported issues with Subaru Outbacks insufficiently charging and that I just had to drive the car more frequently. So far the car has failed to start on 5 occasions, stranding either myself or my wife, twice in unsafe situations. I now routinely have to charge the battery in my garage about once a month to keep it operational, even after driving the car frequently. On 5/3/2021 I took the car back to the dealer for some service work. I asked again if there was any fix for the charging issue. They tested the battery and recorded that it "came up as deeply discharged". They said there was "No abnormal draw found ---vehicle charging normally."

The issue I am reporting is an issue with the electrical system that is causing battery to drain to dear overnight. This past Sunday I experienced a completely dead battery without any warning lamps or messages and no prior symptoms to indicate battery was not charging. After replacing the battery the next day, the car started with no problem. However, the next morning that brand new battery was dead. After jump-starting and allowing to run for a period of time to recharge the battery, I turn the car off and restarted several times. Once again, the next morning the battery was completely dead. Upon replacement of the newest battery, I checked the vehicle to ensure that nothing was left on that would cause the battery to drain overnight. There appears to be some type of "parasitic drain" within the electrical system that is causing this rapid battery drain. Luckily, this did not take place while my family and I were traveling which would have potentially placed us in a position which would have put our safety at risk. After researching information regarding this on the internet, it appears to be a known problem with my year and model vehicle.

Lately when i put the car in park I can not remove the key. I need to either play around with the shift lever or usually start the car, back up, and forward and try again until I get the key out. Not a good solution. I have been reading about the problem of the defective shift selector and the associated service bulletin # 16-112-18R. I would like to get this fixed rather than using the on-line suggestions of jumpering the switch which seems like a possible safety problem. Because this is happening due to a defective shift selector I think Subaru should be picking up the cost to make this right. The car has only 45,000 miles on it. I have contacted Subaru but ahve not heard back from them yet. The dealer cost to repair this is approximately $600

Key does not come out of ignition after turning car off. Gets stuck frequently (almost everytime I drive the car).

Continual drain causing battery to go dead we are on battery number 4 since buying the vehicle new in August 2016 Have taken it to 2 different dealers and are told there is nothing wrong. Have been stranded multiple times both day and night causing unsafe environment while trying to wait for a jump start

My battery dies often and doesn’t seem to hold a charge as long as a typica new car I’ve had to jump it 6 times in the last 8 months- Regarding the side marker lane assist- it has been diagnosed as a loose sensor and had been re adjusted by dealership multiple times but end up failing again a couple weeks later.

During winter vacation in Upper Michigan my 2015 Subaru Outback did not start, (I'm from Illinois appox 45 miles west of Chicago) nothing electrical in it worked at all. Battery was totally drained. There were no problems prior to this happening. Went to try to start vehicle the next morning and to no avail. We did happen to find someone who was able to jump start our vehicle. Had to buy a new battery.

My 2016 Subaru OUTBACK has experienced 6 separate incidents where my vehicle battery was inexplicably drained, and hence the entire electrical system was shut down. I was unable to start it without an external boost in each occasion. Fortunately these incidents posed no safety threat to me or others as the car was parked at my home, or in a parking lot. Unfortunately, the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by my Subaru Dealer, Gillman, in Schertz, TX although extensive diagnostics were performed on 2 occasions by Gillman. My OUTBACK has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps illuminated because of a total electrical failure, and no other symptoms of the problem prior to the 6 failures. The dates for the 5 incidents of total electrical failure are the following: (1) 6/18/2018 at 1240 Kahili Street, Kailua, HI. AAA replaced my original Subaru battery (I do not have original AAA receipt, but other documentation) (2) 10/13/2018 at 1240 Kahili Street, Kailua, HI. AAA replaced my battery. (3) 9/16/2019 at 306 FM 621, San Marcos, TX. AAA replaced my battery. (4) 7/27/2020 at 648 Sydney Circle, New Braunfels, TX. AAA replaced my battery. (5) 9/5/2020 at 648 Sydney Circle, New Braunfels, TX. AAA replaced by battery. (6) 10/7/2020 at 648 Sydney Circle, New Braunfels, TX. Gillman Subaru removed an aftermarket device for corrosion protection installed by SERVCO Subaru, Honolulu.

Battery failure numerous times, battery replaced 1/02/19. Battery drain several times during 2017 through 2021 .

Windshield spontaneously developed a crack; there had been no impact to the vehicle or windshield.

On two occasions, car would not start. Road service was able to start it by jumping. Third occasion of no start a jump start did not work. The battery was about three years old. I was unaware of the five year warrantee so I brought the battery to a auto parts store to have it check. Was told it won't accept a charge but the charging system was good. I purchased a new battery but about a year later the same dead battery issue happened. Checking to make sure that I did not leave a door open or any electrical component on, I jumped started the car. BUT each time I start the car, I hold my breath hoping it will start. I even purchased a portable charging kit just in case I am unable to get road service.

Battery drains for any small electrical left on appears to be electrical defective

My car's battery dies frequently for no apparent reason. No faults have been reported by the dealer or repair shops during service calls. I had to purchase a jump starter in order to be able to start and operate my car.

IN JUNE 2020 I COMPLAINED THAT MY BATTERY DRAINED TO THE POINT WHERE CAR WOULD NOT START A FEW TIMES CAUSING ME TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. I TOOK CAR TO MY SUBARU DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE BATTERY WAS OK AND ALTERNATOR WAS CHARGING. I INSISTED THE BATTERY BE REPLACED AND IT WAS. THROUGHOUT THE REST OF 2020 AND INTO 2021 I STILL EXPERIENCE BATTERY DRAINING. I TRY TO DRIVE THE CAR EVERY WEEK SO THE BATTERY WILL NOT GO DEAD. THE BATTERY DOES SEEM LOW AS THE STARTER MOTOR SOUNDS LIKE IT TURNS SLOWER THAN USUAL. DUE TO COVID-19, I HAVE NOT BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO SUBARU YET TO HAVE THE CAR EVALUATED. I AM RAISING THE COMPLAINT HERE BECAUSE I AM SEEING ONLINE THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.

FREQUENT AND UNEXPLAINED BATTERY DRAIN. THE CAR HAS 47,520 MILES AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AND HAVE HAD 2 INCIDENTS WHERE THE BATTERY HAS COMPLETELY DIED LEAVING US STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY.

FREQUENT BATTERY REPLACEMENT IN 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK PURCHASED 9/29/2016. DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY ON 12/11/2017, DEALER REPLACED AGAIN ON 3/22/2019 WITH SUBARU BATTERIES BOTH TIMES. I REPLACED IT AGAIN ON 1/01/2021 WITH A WALMART BATTERY. MADE THIS COMPLAINT ON 5/15/2021. 3 BATTERIES IN 4 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS SEEMS TO INDICATE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM

COMPLETE DRAINING OF BATTERY JUST SITTING THERE FOR NO REASON... WE SEE THIS IS AN ENORMOUS PROBLEM WITH OUTBACKS, AND WE HAVE ONE WITH GREAT PROBLEMS LEAVING US STRANDED !

THE BATTERY BARLEY STARTS THE CAR. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TWO TIMES. WE HAVE TO CARRY A BATTERY STARTER PACK WITH USE, BECAUSE IT WILL NOT START SOME TIMES.SO WE HAVE TO JUMP IT. WE DO NOT TRUST THE CAR TO START. THE BATTERY HAS GOOD CLEAN CONNECTIONS, IT JUST SEEMS TO LOOSE IT CHARGE WHEN IT SITTING.

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY TWICE ALREADY IN 4 YEARS

BATTERY WENT BAD AFTER BEING REPLACED JUST 3 MONTHS PRIOR. THEY DIDN’T WANT TO ADMIT IT.

THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED IN 2017 (I PAID) FOR THIS 2016 OUTBACK. IN NOVEMBER 2020, DURING OIL CHANGE, SUBARU DEALER STATED BATTERY NEED TO BE REPLACED, I PAID AND REPLACED BATTERY. LAST WEEK, MAY 2021, DURING OIL CHANGE, SUBARU DEALER STATED THAT BATTERY "FAILED" AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY FOR NO CHARGE. IT APPEARS THE BATTERY IS DRAINING RAPIDLY 24/7 BECAUSE OF A LIKELY SOFT WARE PROBLEM.

THE BATTERY RANDOMLY DRAINS DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE IT WON'T START, IF IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN A FEW DAYS. WE REPLACED THE FACTORY BATTERY WITH A LARGER AFTERMARKET BATTERY WHEN THE CAR WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD, BECAUSE IT KEPT GOING DEAD. THE FACTORY SERVICE DEALER TOLD US THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS, SO WE ENDED UP REPLACING THE BATTERY ON OUR OWN. THE NEW BATTERY HELPED, BUT IT'S NOT A END ALL IF THE CAR HASN'T BEEN STARTED FOR A FEW DAYS. SOMETIMES IT NEEDS TO BE JUMPED IN ORDER TO START IT. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY AND WE KNOW THAT IT'S AN ISSUE WITH THE OUTBACK'S.

BATTERY DRAINS MUCH MORE QUICKLY THAN NORMAL. I HAVE REPLACED IT 3 TIMES IN 5 YEARS.

BATTERY IS DRAINED WHILE PARKED.

I HAVE A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. I BOUGHT IT 2019. I HAD THE CAR 2 WEEKS 7/2019 AND I DROVE IT 25 MINUTES TO TRAIN STATION. TURNED IT OFF AND TRIED TO START IT AND IT WAS DEAD. TOOK IT IN AND DEALER REPLACED BATTERY. ON SATURDAY 4/3/21 WENT TO START MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND IT WAS DEAD. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID I DONT DRIVE IT ENOUGH.

I LEFT MY HOME TO GO GET GAS A FEW MINUTES AWAY. AFTER I FILLED UP AT THE PUMP, MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES, AND ASKED A GAS STATION ATTENDANT FOR HELP. HE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND HE PUSHED MY CAR BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT SO I COULD CALL SOMEONE FOR A JUMP. HOWEVER, WITHIN THE FEW MINUTES OF TRYING TO START MY CAR AND BEING PUSHED, THE BATTERY DRAINED SO QUICKLY THAT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND INOPERABLE. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR BACK INTO PARK, AND THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE DIDN'T WORK EITHER BECAUSE THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO ELECTRICITY LEFT IN THE CAR. THIS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN HAVE BEEN ANY LONGER THAN A 5 MINUTE TIMESPAN. THE PARKING SPOT I WAS IN HAD A SLIGHT SLOPE TO IT, SO SINCE I COULDN'T PUT THE CAR IN PARK OR USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL SOMEONE ARRIVED TO HELP ME. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR TO EVEN CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. LUCKILY I HAD A PASSENGER THAT COULD GET OUT AND ASSIST, ESPECIALLY SINCE I COULDN'T OPEN ANY WINDOWS EITHER. WHEN HELP ARRIVED, THEY WERE ABLE TO JUMP THE CAR SO I COULD DRIVE BACK HOME. HAD I BEEN ALONE THOUGH, I WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY OUT OF LUCK - I WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE CAR PRESSING THE BRAKE, OR RISK GETTING OUT AND HAVING THE CAR ROLL AWAY. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION - I CANNOT BELIEVE THE POWER COULD DRAIN SO QUICKLY TO THE POINT THAT I COULDN'T EVEN PARK THE CAR. I PURCHAS

REPEATED FAILURE TO START STEMMING FROM A DEAD BATTERY, DESPITE DAILY OR MORE OFTEN TRIPS. WHEN PARKED TEMPORARILY TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL, THE CAR FAILED TO START. RECEIVED A 'JUMP' TO RESTART. WILL MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE BATTERY (OR WHATEVER SERVICE THEY OFFER) FOR THE THIRD BATTERY IN LESS THAN 3 YEARS. BATTERY IS DISCHARGING BEFORE MY EYES; VOLT METER ON THE BATTERY SHOWS A DECREASE OF 0.01VOLTS/PER 10 SECONDS.

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN PULL OUT THE KEY AFTER PARK THE CAR.

FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 4 TIMES BECAUSE IT KEPT DYING ON ME. I ALWAYS THOUGHT I HAD FAULTY BATTERIES UNTIL I READ AN ARTICLE ON THE PROBLEM WITH THE OUTBACK.