2011 Subaru Outback Electrical System Problems
- 55
- 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.
Among these 55 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- passenger side · 6 records
- beam headlights · 5 records
- brake light · 5 records
- both sides · 5 records
- light bulbs · 4 records
- lost power · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 18 |
| 30–60k mi | 16 |
| 1–30k mi | 10 |
| 100–150k mi | 3 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
This vehicle must have an electrical problem. Since this auto was purchased i have experienced low beam head light failure four time...two were covered under warranty. The taillights/stop have been replaced three times. Lights are an essential part of safety on the road. Subaru has a problem which they have not come up with any remedial help for the consumer.
ODI 10777788
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
I purchased the car (2011 outback) new in october of 2011. Since then headlights have been replaced at least 4 times and now (september 2015) other exterior lights are starting to fail. It appears this is a common problem. I replaced the driver's side headlight less than a month ago and it is already burned out again. This is a repeated problem and it seems that we're getting less and less life out of the headlights…
ODI 10775901
Electrical System · Service Brakes
The battery was not producing power after 4 yrs. Service. Replaced battery without any complications other than the fact that the electronic parking brake is nonfunctional. Search for error codes using obdii was non-productive. A brake should work whenever needed, not when the computer (or other peripheral device) decides when it should work. The electric parking brake should be eliminated from automobile design.…
ODI 10761838
Electrical System
Driver's side headlight bulb burned out three times in three weeks, harness apparently needs to be replaced. Common problem on legacy wagons and vehicle is out of warranty. Lots of deer around here, so two headlights are a safety item for sure.
ODI 10778071
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Visibility/Wiper
We were coming home from a fireworks display at night and my son told me to turn on my lights which already had done, and the low beams on both sides and the marker lights didn't work. I tried turning switch to all positions and they still didn't come on. The high beams work okay and turn signals front and back & brake lights work. We drove home with the fog lights which still work. We need the car to go on vacation…
ODI 10747854
Electrical System
My 2011 subaru outback has had a continue problem with light bulbs(headlight - brake light - parking lights) burning out. This model does not have a diagnostic light telling you when a light has burned out. And when i asked the subaru service rep about the diagnostic light, he said that even the 2015 models don't have one. At my 60k service, the subaru service dept. Had to replace a parking light. Two weeks later, i…
ODI 10726320
Electrical System · Power Train
Driving on highway at approx. 65 miles per hour. Heard loud clicking and engine lost power. I was just able to get off the highway without being hit by others. There was no warning lights or anything before this happened. The car has received regular checkups/oil changes and was not due for another oil change yet.
ODI 10717067
Electrical System · Engine
Merging and accelerating onto interstate and engine cut out for approx 3 seconds with no engine power. Check engine lights illuminated and stayed lit. Drove ok after that. This is a repeat of the same problem that occurred three different times last year. Dealer advised both then and now that an electrical harness connector was working itself loose and they will tighten it. No assurances given that it won't re-occur…
ODI 10692493
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Car was just inspected sept 2014. Three light bulbs replaced. Prior to this, we have been replacing lightbulbs every few months. It is expensive because we cannot change the front lights ourselves....it had to go into the shop. We actually now store bulbs in the glove box because the headlights burn out so often. Our mechanic said subaru has a problem with its wiring harness. Subaru needs to step up and address this…
ODI 10641100
Air Bags · Electrical System · Seats
With no passenger seated, the seat belt chime started ringing. To try to stop it, i latched the passenger seat belt. Chiming continued. I notice the air bag warning light was lit. I drove the car straight to my subaru dealer and was told the passenger side air bag sensor had failed. I was also told the only way to fix it was to replace the seat at well over $1000. I was still left with the problem of the seat belt…
ODI 10621363
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline · Vehicle Speed Control
1st incident 1/10/2014- leaving a stop light car would not accelerate and vdc, cel and brake light flashing. Sat on the side of the road for about 1/2 hour. Husband came to pick us up and tried starting the car. The car started and was able to drive w/o further issue. Check codes and had misfire cyc 1,2,3,4. Local mechanic could find nothing wrong cleared codes. Husband noticed both drl lights were blown. Replaced…
ODI 10562754
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Purchased this car 7/2011. No problem with exterior headlights until about one year after purchase. Highbeams are fine. Never had to replace them. Running lights have never had an issue. Around 11/2012, regular headlights(both bulbs in the headlight housing )have been repeatedly replaced. In oct 2013, both bulbs on driver side were replaced. Went several weeks later for my state safety sticker, the small bulb needed…
ODI 10689604
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
I was on vacation driving home. Was at about 300 miles into a 400 mile trip. Driving 68 mph on a divided highway. Temp approx. 85 degrees, sunny day. Attempted to pass a vehicle on a hill. Accelerated about max acceleration and vehicle completely cut off all power when acceleration attempt occurred. I had to pull over immediately w/o any power. Tried to re-start the vehicle without success. Car did turn over for…
ODI 10568017
Electrical System
The navigation system and radio began to experience problems with the volume control. The system refused to change channels or allow you to control the volume. It either blasted to ear-splitting volumes or stopped working all together. *tr
ODI 10515992
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Low beam headlights keep burning out both sides. Lights burn out independently of each other. So far have replaced lights 3 times 6 in total. Problem reported as an issue in subaru forumn
ODI 10716348
Electrical System · Engine
This car is a subaru outback 2.5i manual 6spd transmission. While at a stop light with car idling, the rpm's get very low and car dies. Starts back up right away, but then after idling for 15-20 seconds, the car will die again. Concerned that this may happen while driving as i have read reports of many other models of the same car doing the same thing while driving. The dealer says there is nothing wrong and they…
ODI 10505730
Electrical System
I received a recall from subaru, on april 2013, that require to replace immediately my remote starter. I contacted twice the dealer, subaru of evanston, skokie, ill and after 2-3 months they did nothing. Subaru of america has a web address where a customer can not reach them. *tr
ODI 10521132
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Manufacturer recall number wqe41; nhtsa recall number 12v602000.puddle lights for 2011 subaru outback. In january 2013, i received a recall notice from subaru. . Since receiving the recall notice, i have made numerous, really, numerous, attempts to have this recall addressed by my local subaru dealer. All attempts to have this recall addressed have been unsuccessful. I have been repeatedly told that the parts are on…
ODI 10971626
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Vehicle Speed Control
I was driving at 65 mph with the cruise control on and all of sudden the cruise disengaged, check engine light, brake, and traction control lights lit up on the instrument panel. The car's loss of speed could have caused an accident as the loss of speed was fairly dramatic. Disconnected the battery to see if that would help, it did, but only for a day. It happened again today 12/17/2012. *tr
ODI 10489068
Electrical System
As i was passing another vehicle the car made a loud clunk and i lost power to the engine. I was in the opposite lane of a two lane road and had to squeeze my way back into my lane before a head on collision with an on coming car. After i safely got to the side of the road it was determined that the car had no ignition connection. The car would turn over but not run. When the car was towed to the dealership and…
ODI 10487475
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
I am on my third set of headlight bulbs car is 23 months old and bulbs keep burning out. Never had a problem like this. Many other owners have the same issue and no resolution has been found. This is the low beam bulbs that burn out. Not at the same time usually within 2-4 weeks of each other. *tr
ODI 10475296
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he noticed that the fuse box was filled with dirt. The contact expressed serious concerns about the possibly of the vehicle stalling or resulting in a fire. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as intended. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure,…
ODI 10435193
Electrical System · Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
There is an interference with the car audio system. There is an 'am' type buzzing sound that comes thru the speakers at random times. Sometimes it is very low in volume and is sporadic. Earlier this month while driving out of town for a [redacted], the buzzing was very loud and continued whether the radio was on am, fm, cd, satellite and even continued when we turned the radio off. This loud buzzing sound went on…
ODI 10447507
Electrical System · Power Train
2011 subaru outback. Consumer states vehicle rolled down the street without the key in ignition and engine off *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle finally came to rest in his neighbor's yard. The consumer then noticed the gear shift was in drive. The consumer stated according to the manual, the key was not supposed to come out of the ignition, unless the gear shift was in park and the engine was off. The consumer…
Crash reported
ODI 10479021
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
After owning this car for less than one year, i had to change the left headlamp. I do my own work and have never had as much trouble with changing a bulb than i have with this outback. I had no idea that this would become a "routine" service, alternating from left to right headlamp(s). After changing out the 5th one (3 left headlamps & 2 right headlamps) i phoned the dealer to see if there had been a recall, tsb or…
ODI 10650509