2005 Subaru Outback Electrical System Problems
- 25
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- license plate · 8 records
- check engine · 8 records
- engine light · 7 records
- cruise control · 6 records
- rear hatch · 5 records
- plate lights · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 9 |
| 100–150k mi | 8 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
The wiring of the rear hatch door electrical components is faulty and the wires between the car roof and the hatch break over time, due to normal hatch functions (e.g. Opening/closing). Depending on which wires break, rear-windshield wipers, license plate lights, back-up lights fail, causing a safety concern.
ODI 11187099
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 subaru outback. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving 25 mph on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000. ..updated 05/05/17 *bf the consumer stated the failure was caused by the pedal assembly. The consumer repaired the vehicle. Updated 8/25/2017*js
ODI 10943911
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
Rear hatch harness wires are broken/ frayed. Backup lights do not work, and the rear wiper works intermittently. Every now and them rear defroster doesn't work. Hazard a lot of 2005-2009 outbacks have.
ODI 10883796
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
The wiring for the license plate lights failed in the upper right hatch hinge boot causing the license plate lights to not operate. The purple wire had broken inside the boot area. The purple wire is extremely small gauge for a location that is opened and closed often. *tr
ODI 10683449
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Wiring located on the rear passenger side between the hatch door and body (in the protective boot) was severed as a result of poor quality wiring and design. Wires were stress-severed and nearly severed by normal operation of opening/closing the wagon rear door. Apparently this is a common issue as discovered by visiting online forums. *tr
ODI 10682597
Electrical System
Rear hatch wires on wagon liftgate that go thru rubber boots have defective insulation causing wires to break in multiple places. Systems include : back up lights, license plate, wiper. *tr
ODI 10691268
Electrical System
The wires that pass through the body to the liftgate that operate brake lights, tail lights, rear wiper, defroster, lock break and make a short or open circuit. Many subarus have this issue. *tr
ODI 10705410
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
While driving on the highway at 65 mph, the car would not accelerate. The check engine light came on and the cruise control light flashed. Once the car was turned off and restarted, the accelerator again engaged. This is an extremely dangerous (and common in subarus) malfunction. I was fortunate enough to be able to pull over on the side of the highway without incident. *tr
ODI 10662542
Electrical System · Structure
Wires passing through rear hatch to rear lift gate crack and break from opening and closing. Rear lift gate lock not working, wire is broken in two. Wires for rear lights are cracking and about to sever as well. *tr
ODI 10644113
Electrical System
Rear wiring harness that passes from cabin to hatch door has several wires broken causing rear door lock and lights failures. *tr
ODI 10700976
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
Just after getting off i-43 near sheboygan on frontage road my car lost all power and no acceleration on gas pedal. Check engine light came on and cruise control light was blinking. I had to shift to neutral and pull over to a shoulder. Turned the car off for couple of minutes while i check under the hood. Started the car just fine but check engine light was still on and cruise was blinking. Subaru mechanic read…
ODI 10615713
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Service Brakes
Subaru outback 2005: the wire harness to the rear tailgate failed and shorted out the brake lights and reverse lights, creating a safety hazard while driving. *tr
ODI 10610243
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Vehicle Speed Control
While traveling in heavy flow rush hour multi-lane traffic at around 65 mph and at merging point of multi higher exchange with near zero shoulder or stopping lane, the car suddenly lost response from accelerator pedal. I manage to coast to a stop just between the triangle space separating two of the major highways varying two separate direction with very heavy traffic at high speed on both sides (nearly getting…
ODI 10564484
Body · Electrical System · Visibility/Wiper
Soon after purchasing the car, i realized that the rear wiper was not functioning. After checking an online owners forum i found that there is a common problem with the functions in the rear lift gate such as inoperable brake lights, rear wipers inoperable, and other items. This problem seems to be caused by the degradation of wire insulation and breakage of wire. Upon further investigation i discovered my own…
ODI 10524556
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
My back up lights and license plate lights were not working. Found the wires between the light gate and body of car were breaking one by one. Also my antenna wires were broken on other side same location. Was surprised to see this. Wires usually don't wear out like this i wouldn't think. *tr
ODI 10508946
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Low beams replace several time, replaced both recently and both went out at the same time in the dark on they way to work. Lights in dashboard constantly flashing on and off, abs, battery, brake. Speedometer jumping all over the place. Been happening over a month or so. Very upset can't figure out what it is. *tr
ODI 10574154
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Without any accident, under normal usage, the vehicle's license plate lights failed. The problem was traced to a break in a conductor (wire) contained in a wiring harness that connects the vehicle to the rear hatch through a rubber bellows. Once the bellows was retracted, the broken wire was found along with twelve (12) other wires that were all nearly broken: their insulation was cracked and several wires…
ODI 10511568
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
Rear wiper failure was first noticed followed by failure of the license plate light, the wiring harness in the rear lift gate has multiple broken wires where the door hinges. Appears that the wiring insulation becomes hardened and brittle, and will break instead of flexing. There are several other wires in the harness that are showing bare wire but have not yet broken. This is what all the harness enables and will…
ODI 10554733
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
While driving my outback lost suddenly lost all acceleration. The check engine light immediately came on and the cruise control light began to blink. The car continued to move forward but decelerated to about 15 mph which nearly resulted in my being rear ended. I was able to get to the side of the road where i turned the car off and turned it back on. After doing this the car behaved normally expect the check engine…
ODI 10484032
Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline
Sitting at stop light - light changes green - no acceleration. Car will move at idle speed creep through intersection. Pull over stop turn car off. Restart w accelerator working but cruise control indicator flashing and check engine light on. Error code indicates pedal position sensor and dealer says entire pedal assembly needs replaced. New 'drive-by-wire' accelerator system for subaru in 2005. Repair: ~$200 with…
ODI 10435555
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling
Second time this has happened. When in a stopped position and intend to pull out, motor running, but gas pedal does not engage. Push all the way to floor - still nothing. In order to correct, must turn off engine and disconnect battery cable so vehicle can reset itself. Also had problem when sitting still where vehicle began idling as if accelerator being pressed down - lasted 5-10 seconds then backed off. When…
ODI 10433565
Electrical System · Visibility/Wiper
The rear windshield wiper stopped working due to a bad electrical connection that occurs where the hatchback opens up. The wires fray and break from normal usage of the hatchback, causing loss of power to the rear windshield wiper, defogger and backup lights. I have experienced this problem and there a numerous blogs and videos on the internet showing this problem, this should be recall item for all 3rd generation…
ODI 10659732
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Vehicle Speed Control
I have been having a problem with my car for the 2-years and has been getting worse. The throttle pedal at times will become non-responsive and the engine idle cannot be controlled. At this time the check engine light is on with a code. P2138. I have taken the car to the dealer with no luck they could not find anything wrong. The car has left me stranded several times and i had to limp or be towed home. The rpm can…
ODI 10435609
Electrical System
It started with the dome light sometimes working and other times not,then the remote to open doors. I changed battery and fuse, did not help. So everything is locked and unlocked manually. Next it was the seat belt bell. It will go on when your driving when belt is on. Now it won't chime at all just the light flashes. Next it was the head lamps. Changed one, then immediately the other went out. The head lamps are…
ODI 10248531
Electrical System
Immediately following heavy rain storms, my 2005 subaru legacy wagon had problems starting and running. The hole car shacks really bad. I know two other people with the same problem. My dealer said many people have come in with a 2005 with that same problem. It started at 18k and still haven't been about to fix after 80k. The engine 'stutters' or 'misfires'. I cant get my check engine light to come off. *tr
ODI 10356914