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Problems · by component

2005 Subaru Outback electrical system problems

28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Subaru Outback cite electrical system, 10% of all 273 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

All 2005 Outback problems
Complaints
28
10% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Parasitic Battery Drain: When the vehicle is in use, the CAN system in the car relies on an electrical current to be operated as intended. When the vehicle is not being driven, the CAN system should enter a sleep mode in which it stops drawing significant electrical current. However, vehicle does not enter sleep mode when the car turns off, resulting in a "parasitic battery drain." Local Subaru dealer maintenance department has not been able to determine any way to fix. Battery drains completely after approx 1 week of nonoperation (and sometimes sooner) leaving me (owner) stranded and unable to start vehicle without obtaining a jump start. Has also required recurring battery replacement at a cumulative significant cost. Not sure what to do and do not want to sell to another person that would inherit this ongoing issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2021Electrical systemODI 11435958
“THE WIRING OF THE REAR HATCH DOOR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IS FAULTY AND THE WIRES BETWEEN THE CAR ROOF AND THE HATCH BREAK OVER TIME, DUE TO NORMAL HATCH FUNCTIONS (E.G. OPENING/CLOSING). DEPENDING ON WHICH WIRES BREAK, REAR-WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, BACK-UP LIGHTS FAIL, CAUSING A SAFETY CONCERN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2019Electrical systemODI 11187099
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. ..UPDATED 05/05/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 8/25/2017*JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2017Electrical systemODI 10943911
“REAR HATCH HARNESS WIRES ARE BROKEN/ FRAYED. BACKUP LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, AND THE REAR WIPER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. EVERY NOW AND THEM REAR DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK. HAZARD A LOT OF 2005-2009 OUTBACKS HAVE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 10883796
“THE WIRES THAT PASS THROUGH THE BODY TO THE LIFTGATE THAT OPERATE BRAKE LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, REAR WIPER, DEFROSTER, LOCK BREAK AND MAKE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT. MANY SUBARUS HAVE THIS ISSUE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 13, 2015Electrical systemODI 10705410
“REAR HATCH WIRES ON WAGON LIFTGATE THAT GO THRU RUBBER BOOTS HAVE DEFECTIVE INSULATION CAUSING WIRES TO BREAK IN MULTIPLE PLACES. SYSTEMS INCLUDE : BACK UP LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE, WIPER. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 28, 2015Electrical systemODI 10691268

Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Electrical systemReported Apr 11, 2019NHTSA 19V297000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.