2024 Subaru Outback Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 15%of 104 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,800miles
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electrical system of the 2024 Subaru Outback, 15% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,800 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Sirius XM Ads are popping up on infotainment screen caused me to become distracted while operating my vehicle. I had to remove my eyes from the road to find the button to close the ad, then click on the ad to remove it from my screen. It has popped up twice in the last two weeks.”
NHTSA complaint #11701126, filed 2025-11“When backing up at night in the dark, the backup camera is useless as the display is too dark to tell where I am going. There have been several times when I almost backed into the ditch or into a pond. My 2017 Subaru Outback backup camera was quite clear even on a dark night, so I never had an issue with backing up at night. My new Outback is dangerous when reversing at night. This needs to be fixed!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11588119, filed 2024-05“Was doing 55-60 mph in left lane of highway. Suddenly and without warning the car is decelerating, cannot accelerate any more, all warning lights suddenly flashing on dashboard. I was able to get over to the far right emergency lane, turn car off and put on hazards and started calling Subaru roadside assistance. While doing so I suddenly saw smoke coming out from under the hood. I got out of the car and continued my talk when the smoke suddenly turned to flames from under the hood and I called 911. …”
NHTSA complaint #11724586, filed 2026-03“The malfunction I am concerned with is the battery and the battery charging system (alternator, engine control module). I purchased this car new in July of 2024. However, last month the battery drained to a point where I had to jump it to start it. I drove with the hope that the alternator would charge the battery. Yet, it did not. Within the last four weeks, I proceeded to have to jump the car almost every time I started the car, including every stop when running errands around town. …”
NHTSA complaint #11680258, filed 2025-08“Sirus XM advertisements, whilst driving, taking over display, despite opting out of all possible options, disablement and NEVER purchasing the satellite radio service or wanting it in vehicle. I paid for the car, now I have to be subject to distracting advertising that requires user input even though I already have carplay open with driving directions. Advertising should be optional and there MUST be a way to opt out and it should not be forced or require interaction while car is operational (assuming it is opt in, which it most certainly was not in my case). …”
NHTSA complaint #11703105, filed 2025-12Related service bulletins
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026"This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the…
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the…
- 11036819Aug 31, 2026This bulletin announces an inspection procedure for the Smart Rear View Mirror Assembly.
- 11036804Aug 21, 2026This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- 11036807Aug 20, 2026This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is…
- 11036803Aug 20, 2026This bulletin announces a reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head…
- 11036796Aug 13, 2026This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the…
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 2024 Subaru Outback
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsForward collision avoidance
18 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsLane departure
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2024 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