2009 Subaru Outback Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 22%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Subaru Outback, 22% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car intermittently bucks/chugs while driving and then stalls. All the lights flash on. It is difficult to restart. It has happened on the highway and local streets. It also idles very rough when at stops or in park and shudders like it wants to stall - sometimes it does. This has been going on for 2 months now. The first time, I was stopped at a red light and it stalled creating a hazardous situation. My mechanic has attempted to fix it and then he has taken it to the local Subaru dealership where it has spent almost 2 months off & on while they fixed it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11414502, filed 2021-04, 117,000 miles“The brake lights, hatch lock, wiper and other electrical components on the rear part of my Subaru 2009 Outback stopped working or working erratically. I checked the rubber boot containing the rear wiring harness for damage and discovered 13 out of 14 wires were either completely broken, or the insulation was worn, exposing bare conductor. In addition to the rear electrical issues, I replaced the bulbs for the headlights at least four times in a two year period. The am channel on my radio no longer receives signals. …”
NHTSA complaint #10786005, filed 2015-10, 99,500 miles“Started my car at night to find out my headlights would not turn on, but the safely lights were still on. Upon further inspection, the brake lights and reverse lights would not work either. The lights above my rear license plate had been out for a couple of weeks also so I am not sure if that is related as well. Looked on-line to find out many other Subaru Outback owners had a similar problem and suggested looking at the harness that housed many electrical wires on the upper corners of the hatchback. Many of the wires were either broken or loose. …”
NHTSA complaint #10520538, filed 2013-06, 48,000 miles“Car intermittently stalls and is hard to restart. Happens randomly with no check engine light or code in the ecu. Has happened on the highway at interstate speed and while stopped. Will not restart immediately. Rough idle at restart then back to normal. Mechanic was unable to recreate the problem and thus unable to repair. Creates potentially dangerous situation when stalling on the highway, intersection, etc.”
NHTSA complaint #11329080, filed 2020-06, 154,000 miles“When locking the vehicle, the rear lift gate will not lock. Subaru dealership found a broken wire leading to the rear lift gate actuator, and fixed. June 2015, problem occurring again. Just looked, and wire was broken again (found by removing passenger side rubber boot covering wires between lift gate and body). Will try to fix myself, this time.”
NHTSA complaint #10731633, filed 2015-07, 72,290 milesRelated recalls
- 19V297000Apr 11, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Outback 2005–2014, Legacy 2005–2014, WRX 2008–2014 +3 more
- 16V738000Oct 13, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013…Covers: Subaru Outback 2007–2009, Impreza 2008–2014, Forester 2009–2013 +1 more
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 29% |
| 2025 | 13 | 16% |
| 2024 | 16 | 15% |
| 2023 | 17 | 19% |
| 2022 | 52 | 11% |
| 2021 | 76 | 26% |
| 2020 | 259 | 29% |
| 2019 | 364 | 35% |
| 2018 | 267 | 33% |
| 2017 | 392 | 43% |
| 2016 | 309 | 48% |
| 2015 | 127 | 25% |
| 2014 | 32 | 15% |
| 2013 | 23 | 8% |
| 2012 | 37 | 13% |
| 2011 | 67 | 10% |
| 2010 | 33 | 9% |
| 2009 | 23 | 22% |
| 2008 | 34 | 15% |
| 2007 | 20 | 15% |
| 2006 | 42 | 15% |
| 2005 | 28 | 10% |
| 2004 | 8 | 9% |
| 2003 | 7 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 8 | 4% |
| 1999 | 8 | 7% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2009 Subaru Outback
30 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology