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Subaru Electrical Recalls Involve Stalling, Power Loss and Fire
⚠ 1 carries a park-outside (fire risk) advisory.
Loss of drive power and stalling recur across Subaru’s electrical notices, with Crosstrek and Impreza appearing most often. The October 2019 and April 2021 notices cover certain 2017–2019 Impreza and 2018–2019 Crosstrek vehicles whose ECM may keep ignition coils powered after shutdown. Certain 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles instead have an instrument panel harness clearance problem. Other notices concern converter terminal corrosion in certain 2019–2022 Crosstrek Hybrids and a battery ECU fault in certain 2026 Solterra vehicles. The 2019–2022 Ascent heater-ground defect carries fire precautions, while certain 2018 Legacy and Outback vehicles have fuel-display software errors that can contribute to running out of fuel.
Warning signs to watch for
- December 2022 Ascent heater recall: visible smoke or a smoke smell from the dash or driver’s footwell.
- October 2019 and April 2021 Impreza/Crosstrek ignition-coil recalls: engine stalling.
- August 2023 Crosstrek/Impreza harness recall, June 2026 Solterra battery ECU recall, and February 2023 Crosstrek Hybrid charging recall: loss of drive power.
- November 2018 Legacy/Outback fuel-display recall: the low-fuel warning may not illuminate at the intended level, and miles-to-empty may remain positive with an empty tank; stalling is also described.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
One notice carries parking precautions: the December 2022 Ascent heater recall tells owners to park away from structures and avoid leaving the vehicle unattended with its engine running. If smoke is noticed or smelled from the dash or driver’s footwell, it instructs owners to stop operating the vehicle immediately and turn off the ignition. The other six notices do not tell owners to stop driving: both ignition-coil recalls, the 2024 Crosstrek/Impreza harness recall, Solterra battery ECU recall, Legacy/Outback fuel-display recall, and Crosstrek Hybrid charging recall.
What the free repair involves
Free remedies include ECM updates with coil inspection or replacement in the ignition-coil notices; harness inspection, a clamp, and damage-dependent repairs for 2024 Crosstrek/Impreza; battery ECU software for Solterra; meter software for Legacy/Outback; and a converter bracket plus corrosion-dependent harness and terminal replacement for Crosstrek Hybrid. The supplied Ascent excerpt does not specify its repair or price.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 4 |
| medium | 2 |
Models affected most
Where owners report electrical system problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under electrical system for the Subaru models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Electrical system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Subaru Outback | 265 |
| 2019 Subaru Ascent | 160 |
| 2020 Subaru Ascent | 101 |
| 2019 Subaru Crosstrek | 53 |
| 2018 Subaru Legacy | 40 |
| 2018 Subaru Crosstrek | 32 |
| 2019 Subaru Impreza | 19 |
| 2021 Subaru Ascent | 18 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2026 | Subaru Solterra and Toyota BZ May Lose Drive Power | high |
| Aug 4, 2023 | Subaru Crosstrek, Impreza Wiring May Cause Power Loss | high |
| Feb 14, 2023 | Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 12-Volt Battery Charging Issue | medium |
| Dec 8, 2022 | Subaru Ascent Cabin Heater Fire Risk · park outside | critical |
| Apr 15, 2021 | Subaru Impreza and Crosstrek Risk Ignition Coil Short Circuit | high |
| Oct 18, 2019 | Subaru Crosstrek, Impreza Risk of Engine Stall | high |
| Nov 1, 2018 | Subaru Legacy and Outback Fuel Gauge Software Error | medium |
Common questions
Which Subaru electrical recall tells owners to park away from buildings?
The December 8, 2022 recall for certain 2019–2022 Ascent vehicles gives that instruction. It also says to avoid leaving the engine running unattended and to stop operating the vehicle immediately and turn off the ignition if dash or driver’s footwell smoke is noticed or smelled.
How do the two Impreza and Crosstrek ignition-coil remedies differ?
The October 2019 notice specifies an ECM update and coil inspection, with replacement as necessary. The April 2021 notice specifies an ECM update and coil replacement. Both describe exhaust-pipe replacement under stated conditions, but the 2019 notice requires confirmed coil damage and a specified stored code.
Can the Legacy or Outback display remaining range with an empty tank?
The November 1, 2018 notice says certain 2018 Legacy and Outback vehicles may display positive miles-to-empty despite an empty tank. The low-fuel warning may also illuminate at the wrong remaining fuel level. Dealers reprogram the combination meter software free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.