2008 Subaru Outback Electrical System Problems
- 30
- 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
- airbag light · 10 records
- wiring harness · 7 records
- warning light · 6 records
- light comes · 5 records
- passenger airbag · 5 records
- rear hatch · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 10 |
| 30–60k mi | 7 |
| 100–150k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Air Bags · Electrical System
My vehicle has a problem with an intermittent airbag light illuminating, indicating an issue with the airbag system. Specifically in my case, it indicates that the overhead airbag indicator system is in a fault state. This is extremely common in this vehicle and age, with many other owners reporting the same issue with no recall action from subaru. This is a major safety issue with this car if not addressed and can…
ODI 11194124
Electrical System
The wiring harness passing from the vehicle body through to the hatchback is chaffing and has broken wires. I discovered this when my rear windshield wiper stopped working. After replacing the motor the problem persisted. Online search provided many reports of this phenomenon. I called subaru service and they are aware of the problem and report the fix is around $500-600 and entails replacing the wiring harness. I…
ODI 10968155
Electrical System
Ever since i purchased my car from carmax there have been problems with the ignition switch. There have been about 10+ times since i purchased the vehicle in dec. 2016 that i will put the key in the ignition, (while the car is parked and turned off, in order to turn it on) and the engine won't turn over. I have to toggle the gear shifter in order to get the car to respond and then the car will turn on. (only after i…
ODI 11208836
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Unknown Or Other
Wire harness going to rear hatch had multiple wires severed by repeated opening/closing of rear hatch. Lock and tail light wires were broken though. 4 other wires had their insulation cut and the conductor was exposed. In searching the net this appears to be a very common problem. Why hasn't a recall been issued? Failure of brake lights or tail lights are a safety issue.
ODI 10928062
Electrical System
Rear hatch wiring insulation failed after 8 years & 70,0000 miles resulting in (among many other problems) failure of all brake lights. Wires shorted out resulting in blown brake light fuse. There was no indication of failure of brake lights on any dashboard warning light. It is unknown how long this vehicle (known to have unsafe airbags) was also driven without brake lights. This is a known common failure point and…
ODI 10916370
Abs Warning Light · Electrical System · Engine · Traction Control System
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. The contact stated that the abs, traction control, engine, and other unknown warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
ODI 10898479
Air Bags · Electrical System
There's seems to be a common issue with the wiring on 2005-2009 subaru outback/legacy models that affects both the airbag and the locking mechanism. I have seen multiple threads online where the airbag indicator light comes on specifically indicating that the passenger airbag may be affected and sensors may be faulty? There is also a common error in the electrical system in which when you lock the car - all locks…
ODI 11102340
Electrical System
The dashboard lights blinked off & on and the heater stopped working, then started working again. This happened three times. It gives the appearance of involving a short circuit. This happened both when the vehicle was stationary and while moving.
ODI 10810672
Electrical System · Visibility/Wiper
Hvac fails to operate. Defroster will not operate. Symptoms accompanied by flashing control panel for hvac and radio. Widespread reports of this problem shared on car owner internet forums.
ODI 10775953
Air Bags · Electrical System
Bought a used 2008 subaru outback in april of 2015, and shortly afterwards began seeing the airbag dash light occasionally upon startup. The airbag light would remain on until the vehicle was turned off, and would often come on and stay on when the vehicle was started again. Overhead passenger airbag indicator also was malfunctioning, and did not indicate on or off. Vehicle was serviced at dealership on 3/22/2016,…
ODI 10851037
Electrical System
The wiring for the rear lift gate lock is broken. The same problem occurred in 2013. Definitely faulty design. Subaru says to replace the entire wiring harness to the lift gate for $500+.
ODI 10715487
Electrical System
The wires in the boot between the hatch and body become brittle over time and can snap with hatch usage. I removed the boot and found one wire completely severed (operating the hatch lock which had stopped working). Others were frayed and required repair (including the wires for the brake lights). *tr
ODI 10713513
Electrical System
(vehicle has 112k miles) beginning approximately in the march 2015 timeframe, the radio controls/display began to malfunction intermittently. At first, the radio display would blink off/on, and then preset station buttons stopped/started working, then the cd/radio/aux control knob stopped/started working, etc. Controls from the steering wheel appear unaffected. There would be one problem on one day, which would…
ODI 10778443
Air Bags · Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Having airbag light coming on intermittently along with passenger airbag light. Mechanic said airbags probably are not functioning properly. Cost for repair would be between $350-$400. From reading other complaints, this is an easy and cheap fix but dangerous if it's not repaired. This should be a recall! *tr
ODI 10702116
Air Bags · Electrical System
I'm updating my 2/3/15 complaint 10680982. I contacted subaru directly on the same day and included a copy of the complaint i filed with nhtsa and my bill for the replacement of the overhead airbag control module. In the report the subaru tech said the unit was shorting out, showing code "26 for passenger?s airbag indicator failure and s8 airbag light on." i also gave subaru my tally of my first cursory search of…
ODI 10683065
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Recently replaced headlights did not illuminate on a return trip home. They turned off without warning while driving. According to the dealer, the wiring harness failed. *tr
ODI 10667011
Electrical System · Visibility/Wiper
Hvac / radio (cd 6 disc changer model) fast flashing, all functions stay enabled but can not be controlled from the panel. Can not turn on defrost unit or adjust temperature or radio controls while flashing occurs. This happens intermittently for a year and has gotten significantly worse where controls are unavailable for 20 minutes or more at a time. Dangerous situation in winter when you can not use the defrost…
ODI 10659053
Air Bags · Electrical System
The airbag warning light is frequently on for extended periods of time (days, weeks,months). The issue and subaru's unwillingness to address it are well documented in complaints filed with nhtsa by other subaru owners and on various subaru owner websites. For example, see http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2008/subaru/outback/air_bags/problem.aspx there is conflicting advice on whether illumination of the dashboard…
ODI 10761622
Air Bags · Electrical System
Air bag light in dashboard comes on and airbag light in overhead console does not display proper info. 55000+ hits in internet point to bad solder joints in overhead circuit board. Once loose resistors are re-soldered problem goes away. Dealers are charging up to $500 to replace overhead console. This problem of bad solder joints goes over several model years. Why has there not been a safety related recall over…
ODI 10622351
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Vehicle started showing signs of electrical problems 2 months ago when the rear view mirror homelink would only have power intermittently. Problem progressed to the reverse lights and now affects the headlights. The headlights went out at night as i was leaving a parking lot, a definite hazard. Have researched the problem on subaru online forums and discovered that the problem is that individual wires in the wiring…
ODI 10614682
Electrical System
Was driving vehicle in heavy snow, suddenly lost power, the dash light flashed, the instrument cluster needles moved as if the car was starting up. Could not restart engine, would not crank. All other electrical equipment worked. Sat in heavy snow for two hours (no tow trucks available until next day). Suddenly after attempting to restart after many failed attempts, it did. Drove it home fine. Stalled next day on…
ODI 10680831
Electrical System
The lights and the radio on the instrument panel constantly go off and on sitting still or moving i told the technician at the dealership and it has not stopped as of 6/7/2017
ODI 10993821
Air Bags · Electrical System
The airbags light is on intermittently. The tech at the subaru dealership said it was a problem in the connection in the map light console. He indicated the airbags would deploy correctly. It appears to be a common problem with 2008 outbacks and other posters have indicated the airbag system will not work if dashboard airbag light is illuminated. Apparently many folks have found a weak/aged solder point to be the…
ODI 10705057
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 subaru outback. While driving 5 mph, the audio and the whole panel related to the heat/air and defroster failed without warning. The contact stated that the audio and h-back control panel lights were blinking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage…
ODI 10785107
Electrical System
Wires in the rear hatch break repeatedly. Wiring harness comes from the roof and into the rear hatch; most of the wires worn and mechanic has spliced more than half including the antenna wire.
ODI 10537953