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Electrical systemPart report

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 2025-12

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026629%
20251316%
20241615%
20231719%
20225211%
20217626%
202025929%
201936435%
201826733%
201739243%
201630948%
201512725%
20143215%
2013238%
20123713%
20116710%
2010339%
20092322%
20083415%
20072015%
20064215%
20052810%
200489%
200378%
200243%
200132%
200084%
199987%
199865%
199745%
199612%

Other parts of the 2024 Subaru Outback

Other or unknown
29 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
18 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Lane departure
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Latches, 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