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Subaru electrical problems

Owners have filed 4,493 complaints with NHTSA about the electrical system on Subaru vehicles — 13% of everything reported about the brand, across 25 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the Subaru Outback, worst in 2017.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

4,493

Complaints

13%

Share of all Subaru complaints

87

Crashes

141

Fires

Which Subaru models have the most electrical problems

Outback 2,289 50.9%

Worst in 2017

Forester 793 17.6%

Worst in 2019

Legacy 438 9.7%

Worst in 2016

Ascent 290 6.5%

Worst in 2019

Impreza 236 5.3%

Worst in 2013

Crosstrek 195 4.3%

Worst in 2019

WRX 70 1.6%

Worst in 2017

XV Crosstrek 51 1.1%

Worst in 2014

Solterra 29 0.6%

Worst in 2023

B9 Tribeca 26 0.6%

Worst in 2006

Trailseeker 26 0.6%

Worst in 2026

Worst Subaru model years for electrical problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2017 Subaru Outback 392 35% 30,000 D
2019 Subaru Outback 365 28% 13,000 C
2016 Subaru Outback 310 40% 40,475 F
2018 Subaru Outback 267 27% 16,500 D
2020 Subaru Outback 260 23% 4,992 C
2019 Subaru Ascent 161 29% 10,550 D
2019 Subaru Forester 135 12% 7,850 C
2015 Subaru Outback 128 20% 30,000 C
2017 Subaru Forester 106 13% 38,000 B
2020 Subaru Ascent 101 25% 5,900 C
2020 Subaru Forester 100 12% 2,000 B
2016 Subaru Forester 94 15% 39,589 C
2015 Subaru Forester 82 9% 40,000 B
2021 Subaru Outback 74 18% 2,150 C
2018 Subaru Forester 70 10% 9,417 A
2011 Subaru Outback 67 8% 60,993 C
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 53 15% 9,000 B
2016 Subaru Legacy 51 26% 51,000 C
2022 Subaru Outback 50 9% 25,000 B
2006 Subaru Outback 42 10% 100,000 B

Other Subaru problems

Electrical problems on other brands