Dead battery

Have you tried contacting the AAA Battery Roadside service....I understand that it's not in every state, so, maybe that won't work...If it's available, call them... they will come directly to you, install a battery, check your system and guarantee that the battery will last three years unconditionally... after that, it's another 3 years.... AAA doesn't sell the battery service in all 50 states, but, they will warranty it for any state you're in. Don't know how you could have gone through four batteries since 2013.... I've had one battery in 4 1/2 years.. and my car has never failed to start. I imagine that you have had your alternator, starter, and electronic ignition checked..? HOW many miles are on your car???

Thank you for the suggestion, but apparently it's a parasitic drain from somewhere. The batteries get replaced only due to a warranty not because they won't take a charge and my total of 5 dead batteries have been in the last 20 months! My car only has 60,000 miles. There are tons of complaints about similar and possible parasitic drains online and I did get a direct phone number and have opened a case with Subaru America. We'll see how that goes. Thank you again.

just an update - the car was at the subaru dealer for 3 weeks! They registered the parasitic drain on the battery twice but couldn't find out where it's coming from. They have told me there is nothing more they can do since they can only check things when the "draw" is showing. Has anyone found a definitive location of a parasitic drain?

Similar problem lift gate opens overnight without key trigger, drains battery. Happen within 11 days of purchase jumped. After several jumps consulted dealer for repair 5,000 miles and again 7 more x . Never able to find a problem. Noticed same problem in Class action suit on web for 2018s mine is 2017. File with Subaru of America and write letter

I have a similar battery drain issue on my 2014 Subaru Outback - its its worse in the winter which is a significant problem living in Chicago. I've been told it could be the dash clock but they cant fix it.

As mentioned previously I had the CPU unit replaced and that did not correct the problem. However they replaced the entire dash cluster and that seems to have corrected the dead battery issue so far. Be sure to open a case with Subaru of America and don't let them close it until it's fixed. I fought this for almost 2 years, and months in two different dealerships. Frustrating but remain relentless.

my parasitic drain problem turned out to be the result of an aftermarket remote engine starting system. Once it was removed at the Subaru dealership, the car was fine. Until then i constantly had dead batteries. But it took Subaru 10 days to figure out what was wrong.

that sounds like our problem...it's like having a television that is using parasitic power to scan for the remote to ask it to turn on. thanks Guru, I'm sure this is right.

My father-in-law has gone through batteries with a 2012 Subaru that happens to have a remote starter. Sounds like you may have identified the problem.

Hello everyone. I know this is a very old topic but I have something to add to this. I have a 2018 Subaru Impreza and have had dead battery issues starting 6 months after I purchased the vehicle. In two years I've had the battery replaced twice with a new one at the dealership. I had a clandestine heart-to-heart with a Subaru employee today and was told some very interesting information. I posted my story on a Subaru Impreza Forum here: https://www.impreza5.com/threads/update-to- impreza-parasitic-battery-drain-issue.14821/ However, I do have a remote start in my vehicle, and although it was installed by Subaru, it was installed post Factory by the dealership. That's something else to think about, but it sounds like it may just be one too many parasitic loads for that poor little battery that Subaru beating like a $2 mule.

I had the same issue with my '16 Outback. Battery draining to dead within a few days of it sitting. This was after taking it in after the second episode and getting a new battery plus cable for it. The battery went dead again. I took it back in and they said everything checked out and there was nothing draining it. Basically they accused me of leaving a light on or leaving a door ajar. They did do an update- called it Battery Logic Update...said that should take care of it. 2 days later my car was dead. I finally called Subaru of America and was assigned a Resolution Specialist. She said I had to take back into the dealer so I did, but a different one this time, telling them I wasn't picking it up until they figured out what was wrong with it. S of A Resolution Specialist was also in contact with them. Again, they couldn't find anything wrong but agreed to let it sit at the dealership for a few days...it went dead on them too. Now they had something to work with and found a parasitic draw from the DATA COMMUNICATION CONTROL MODULE, which was pulling excessive amperage while the vehicle was parked. They replaced the "Telematics Unit (DCM)" as well as an Internal Backup Battery. They then let it sit for a couple days and it started right up. Hopefully this will end this bad battery saga, once and for all...

Thank you all for posting about this issue. I have a 2017 Forester, same thing, battery was going dead, I went to get gas one day, the battery died while I pumped my gas, the service tech at Subaru told me not to leave the key in the ignition while I pump! They checked it out, blamed it on a bad battery, replaced the battery, that was January of this year, battery is going dead again...

I have a 2018 Outback that I cannot leave the tailgate open for more than an hour. I thought it was just the tailgate but a door too will drain the battery. The last few days the battery was sounding like it was a bit of a struggle to start the car so I had the battery tested. They say it’s fine. After reading all the comments I’m thinking I had it tested after driving for 30 minutes and it was all charged up. But I think the test has to be after sitting because something is draining it. I live 3 hours from a dealership and would rather just buy a new battery!

I have had similar problems with my 16 Outback. Left the key in car in the on position and went back In an hour when I remembered and battery was dead. Just read on this search that it is common among the 16-20 Outbacks and Ascents. There now are a couple of lawsuits filed against Subaru for the issue. Glad I’ve not had the problems of others! We’ll see I guess...

We've had two Outbacks. Both had battery/electronics problems. My suggested solution? Buy no more Outbacks.

2019 Ascent has battery issues also. Luckily, It's leased. Will request new battery and see how long it goes. They just tested my original which is 1.5 years now, said it's good but it just died again today, so will show them class action article if they refuse to replace. Had to buy new heavy duty cables because first time it died my cables couldn't jump it. Had to call roadside. Will not be buying or leasing another Subaru.

GuruFJMXJ , thank you so much. I have the same problem and tested it myself. I have a video proving that when I remove the 7.5A fuse for DCM, part of the parasitic drain disappears. I will be trying to catch the other culprit. Then I am taking it to the dealer and pointing the exact causes. After they confirm and give me a price I will be sending the bill to SoA! Man was I the biggest fan of SUBARU. It all depends how are they going to handle the issue.

Here is the video on Youtube. https://youtu.be/UPBxswjdH3w

Two words: stupid design. I'm on my third battery on my 2016 Outback. They need to pay us back for this. https://chimicles.com/subaru-outback-and-ascent-dead-battery-class-action-investigation/

After many months of frustration, arguments with Subaru, and several trips to the dealer, they found a faulty “DCM” module which was draining the battery. They replaced it and the SUV has been fine for the past 4 months. I fairness, Subaru refunded the full $1200 for the DCM and the new battery.

I’m now having this issue too. Three year old battery drains overnight on my 2014 Outback 3.6 limited. Three times in the past few weeks. Never happened before. Brought battery into the auto parts store and their tester says it’s good. Letting them charge it up. Here’s the wrinkle: this started happening after water damage. The drain lines from my moon roof were clogged and water was draining in the floor and behind the dash. Made the speedometer go out. Got the drains cleaned out and Speedo started working again. What are the chances there is water damage to my electric system causing the battery to die?

For the person that was experiencing dead battery after leaving the rear hatch open, this is a known issue and is covered by TSB 07-179-20. It requires replacement of the PRG control module.