Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Subaru Legacy submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words
The battery has died several times and had to be replaced over the years due to a likely slow drain issue that Subaru is well aware of and was part of a class action suit against them.
The key frequently gets stuck in the ignition. It takes several attempts to release the key. Turning the wheel to ensure the wheel isn’t locked and turning the ignition/car on does not help release the key from ignition.
the key gets stuck in the ignition and you have to slide the shifter back in forth till it unlocks. I'm showing recall on other Subaru but not on mine ? or at least my year of car. why is that ? everyday its takes longer and longer to get the key to release.
The car had been going on several local stops. Car was in the middle of a main thoroughfare ready to turn on to interstate ramp when the car completely stopped functioning. Battery light came on briefly before the vehicle became completely non-responsive. Among other things non-functioning, Emergency lights would not work, electric park brake would not engage. Could not get out of car to flee danger as car would freely roll and no way to stop except to hold brake with foot pressed. Ultimately car was chocked and jumped by AAA tow truck. Technician said battery was dead but alternator was working when he started it up. After 3 days of diagnostics, Subaru dealer cannot find a fault which let the new auto battery simply drain to nothing state and thus make the car non-responsive. Thank the good Lord this did not happen after turning on to the interstate.
Vehicle's batter discharges to the point where the vehicle has to be jumped or battery charged up. The vehilce had two batteries replaced in a span of 6 months and after the last repalcement I checked the batter about one month later and found the battery dead, 11.7 volts, I recharged the battery and made an appointment with the Subaru dealer in Santa Fe, NM. They checked the battery, which I could have done, said I needed to drive the vehicle once or twice a week for an hour to maintain the battery. This is not consistant with other Subaru's and other vehicle I have owned and I remind you that this is a brand new battery. In looking online I did notice there have been some complaints about the battery and charging systems drawdown above the normal levels. Subaru would not check the drawdown level of the vehicle.
I have a problem of the car not starting several times now. If I do not drive it for several days the battery has to be jumped. I have purchased a jump starter to have in my car to make sure I am not stranded. If I do not have this I would be stuck. I noticed this after I bought the car and the dealer replaced the battery since it was under warranty in 2020. Now I have no warranty and the issue continues. I got a oil service last month at my dealership and my paperwork said everything is ok with my battery and connectors. I did not have the issue then since I was driving more. I noticed the other models have had the issue and got recalled for the part I think is called the (CAN ) that keeps the battery charged when it is parked. I believe the car has a problem I need to be checked. I told the dealership several years ago that I do not drive the car too much now and they told me to purchase a jump starter, but did not seem to take me seriously when I told them the car is still not starting when it sits for several days. I hope this is reported to the company too.
The car's battery does not recharge the battery adequately, or retain a charge for a reasonable amount of time. I have a jumpstarting device that I keep in the car because the battery dies so frequently. There are no after market parts in the car, or modifications apart from maintenance performed by Subaru.
Complete Battery drainage started when the car had about 30k miles. Batery was replaced around December 2020 at owners expense. Within a year the baterry drainage started happening again, randomly, after parking. Subaru dealer suggested to keep replacing baterry. Issue has not been reproduced by service department; it randomly happens. It has not been inspected by others.
Left town for 3 weeks and upon return the battery was dead. This happened the last time the car was not driven for several weeks, in Spring of 2020. A new battery was purchased at that time, even though the original battery was only ~3.5 years old. The current battery is only 2.5 years old and should be able to hold a charge for 3 weeks. Every time the car goes for an extended time without being driven, something in the electrical system drains the battery. Its very frustrating and time consuming to deal with.
Battery went dead had it charged - went dead shortly after. Replaced battery and within a year of replacing with a brand new battery it is dead again. Car was on side of the road where I parked it. There is a Class action suit on the battery life but if we need to keep doing this every year or so that is a problem. Called the dealer to see if there is anything they can do to alleviate the problem and they really have no answer. First battery lasted about 2-3 years Second battery lasted about a year and will probably go two with several jump starts along the way as was the case with the first.
Unexplained battery drain on my 2017 Subaru Legacy. Had to jump the vehicle on two different occasions. Brought the vehicle to the dealer and was told I needed a new battery. Cost to me was $235.78. I now hear that there has been an issue with Subaru batteries and a class action lawsuit has been filed. How do I join the lawsuit or file for a reimbursement for the battery I had to buy?
Battery drains resulting in no start condition. Taken to dealer and they say all is fine but problem happens over again. On second battery and need to purchase a third now because of this issue.
Battery is draining and going dead even though battery and starter are new and battery is good. Needs to be jumped to start randomly, leaving me stranded. Has been happening for over a year despite battery replacement and starter replacement. No warning lamps or messages prior to failure, just won't turn over. Understand class action saying its a software problem, but Subaru never contacted us to correct this. Last time it occured is listed below
The battery frequently dies. Has had to be replaced multiple times. The mechanic has checked and doesn’t know why.
The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while attempting to remove the key from the ignition, the key remained stuck in the ignition. The contact restarted the vehicle, shifted to reverse and back to park, and was able to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The mechanic stated that sometimes the key might get rusted, causing it to be difficult to remove from the ignition. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Battery draining. Car won't start
My battery is constantly draining and having corrosion. I have replaced the battery 3 times in 5 years
Hello! We have a 2017 Subaru Legacy 2.5I LM that was purchased used in 2018. Since the purchase of the vehicle, we have had to replace the battery 3x. The vehicle cannot seem to hold a charge, despite frequent use. Neither the car dealership we sold the vehicle to nor the Subaru dealership can seem to figure out what the issue is, however, it does seem to possibly align with this vehicle having battery charge issues. Feel free to connect for service records or additional info.
Car keeps destroying cells in the battery. Car has died multiple times from sitting over night and has gone through 3 batteries in 3 years. Battery terminal has also corroded away. Car has failed to start many time. Seems to to be a battery drain issue with my car. Subaru has acknowledged the problem and reimbursed me for one of my batteries but I feel this isn't enough. I cannot rely on the car because I fear it will leave me stranded.
Repeated failure to start due to dead battery. Original battery replaced and replacement battery continued to die 2 or 3 more times. $250 electrical testing by Subaru specialty shop found nothing out of spec. Two American Automobile Association service calls found nothing out of spec. Concerned about getting stranded when traveling outside of your home area. No warning lights during drives prior to battery failing to start car. Most recent failure was in September, 2021.
Car seems to have an electrical issue. Battery dies several times a year. Sometimes, you can jump it, but not always.
I do not know what caused the fire, but maybe the battery or something electrical. The car stalled and the. I re-started the car and no warning lights came on the dashboard. I then parked the car. Upon exiting I noticed the front driver’s hood smoking. I went into the bank was parked at and within minutes my car was in flames. The entire engine burned and my car is totaled. A fire marshal was coincidentally on scene and documented the entire event. Currently, this car is under investigation by both my insurance company Liberty Mutual and also Subaru. No warning lights were lit on the car. A fire and police report have been filed, and I have many pictures. If this car had gone on fire in my garage my house would also have burned.
In 4 1/2 years of ownership I have had to replace the battery three times and the front window twice. My other car travels more miles over similar roads and has had no issues. The Subaru has been in the shop for window replacement and the recalibration of the safety system twice. It has been in the shop at least four times for battery issues.
BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2017 AND I HAD MY BATTERY REPLACED 2.5 YEARS LATER DUE TO LOW BATTERY, MULTIPLE JUMPSTARTS, FAILURE STARTING, AND SEVERE CORROSION. THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY WAS FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN 6 MONTHS IT HAD SEVERE CORROSION. DURING SERVICE THE CORROSION WAS CLEARED, BUT RETURNED BY THE TIME THE NEXT SERVICE WAS DUE. I WAS ASKED TO PAY $57 TO CLEAR THE CORROSION WHICH I DECLINED BECAUSE I THOUGHT SINCE I GOT THE BATTERY BY THE DEALERSHIP THEY WOULD DO IT FOR FREE. 2 SERVICES LATER (1 YEAR) THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDS BATTERY SERVICE AT $90 DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. WITHIN THAT YEAR, I'VE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH LOW VOLTAGE. SUBARU HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY CORROSION AND THEY KEEP PUSHING A PAY-FOR BATTERY SERVICE.
BATTERY DRAIN
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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