2019 SUBARU IMPREZA Electrical System Problems

Description of the Problem: On or about [XXX], my 2019 Subaru Impreza experienced a sudden engine failure. The check engine light illuminated, and the engine shut off. Specifically, the check engine light came on approximately two minutes into the drive, and the engine shut off within 30 seconds of the light appearing. The vehicle was taken to Albany Subaru in Albany, CA, where a technician diagnosed the issue as a blown 15 amp ignition fuse and a damaged ignition coil (#4). Albany Subaru is recommending replacement of the spark plugs, coil packs, and the fuse. Albany Subaru has stated that "Subaru sent the recall out due to defective coil packs, and had the new updated coil packs installed. My tech is recommending to replace the coil packs due to the fuse blowing out and shorting out the current coil packs. The #4 coil was found damaged during the inspection." Connection to Recall: I am concerned that this current failure is related to the original defect addressed by Recall 21V264000. My vehicle had the recall service performed on November 14, 2019, to replace the ignition coils. It appears that the replacement coils, or an issue related to the recall repair, may have failed, leading to the blown fuse and further coil damage. I have asked the service technician at Albany Subaru to specifically determine if the current failure is in any way related to the original defect or the replacement parts installed under the recall. Safety Concern: This sudden engine failure poses a significant safety risk. A loss of engine power while driving can lead to a crash, especially at higher speeds or in traffic. In my experience owning many vehicles, I have never encountered issues with ignition coils, nor have I experienced this frequency of recalls. Vehicle Information: • Year: 2019 • Make: Subaru • Model: Impreza • VIN: [XXX] • Mileage: 59,784 miles Recall Information: • NHTSA Recall Number: 21V264000, Service date: Nov 14, 2019 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

Head unit constantly rebooting. Completely unable to use the head unit. No longer functional. Unable to power the screen off. Very distracting while driving especially at night. Power button no longer works. Started about a year ago, then randomly seemed to of temporarily resolved itself until a couple of months ago. Head unit is now 100% nonfunctional and constantly reboots. No warnings when first occurred. Issue has been confirmed by independent service center. Puts myself and others at risk due to the screen rebooting on repeat and no way to turn the screen off. Extremely distracting and unsafe

Three engine check lights due to rodent damage within two weeks, even when I first bought the car in South Florida it had damage due to rodents and that when I first found out they use soy for the wires, I had thought the dealership I got it from had replaced it all but no. Fast forward 2-3 years later in a different state I had gotten the first engine check light and thought it was due to bad repairs from the place I bought it from, I had thought after the first repair they got rid of the soy wiring since it was expensive but then I happened a second time 140 miles after I fixed the first one. It was then on that I realized these were recent damage and not old so I decided to buy some things to deter rodents since it’s cold now. And now comes to the third time it gets damaged after snowing and melting a little. I haven’t even driven more than 10 miles and I already have to spend more on repairs. I might even have to get rid of the car altogether if this keeps happening. This damage means cruise control is off due to the car now being in a safe mode and also it cannot tell how hot or cold it is so overall running of the car is gonna be worse off. I’ve put noise/ light devices in the engine bay and also mint pouches made to deter mice and such and still had issues

This is my first car and im completely disappointed I purchased it bc of safety. My car battery keeps dying I purchased my car in 2019 and since then i have changed it 4 times. I keep taking it to the dealer and telling them is a parasitic drainage and nothing yet. On top of that the recall for the headlights over a year and nothing. Im never buying a subaru again!

I believe my car having some issues with fuel system, gasoline delivery, cooling down and exhaust system, electrical system:ignition. This vehicle only has 15,606 miles on it and should not be giving me this kind of problem.

Electrical issue affecting the headlights, radio, clock, gauges. Headlights constantly flicker/dimming, also causes the bulbs to burn out rapidly. Radio constantly losing power Clock/miles left in tank display resets occasionally The the speedometer and tachometer display loses power dropping all the needles to 0 for a second before popping back. These issues got worse after the last recall was done

The battery dies sporadically when the car has been parked for a short time or a day or two. No telling when it will happen, but suddenly the car will not start. Subaru dealer says there's nothing wrong, but obviously there is. This has happened three times already, once in 25- degree weather with a 15-degree wind chill. I have checked all the lights and keep the headlights turned off, as I don't drive at night. So far this has happened only when the car is parked, but what if it happens when I am driving? Date given below is the third incident. The others were in late January and February.

Vehicle was purchased new by original owner. Battery died at 5,709 miles and was replaced by dealer. I purchased the vehicle as a CPO. Second battery died at 8,077 miles and was replaced by dealer. Third battery died at 8,836 miles and was replaced by dealer. Old batteries were disposed of by dealerships, surely, and are not available for inspection. Safety concern is chiefly of failure when the vehicle is off, not during driving. Problem has been confirmed at each dealership visit. Note that there are several class-action lawsuits pending against Subaru for prematurely dying batteries. No warning was given by vehicle except for a slightly longer engine start the time before catastrophic draining of battery and failure of engine start. Though anecdotal, non-Subaru technicians feel it's not defective batteries but rather a defective electrical system, specifically the controller area network.

Purchased Impreza Limited 10/31/19. On 1/23/21, car would not start. AAA said battery not good & installed a new battery. On 7/4/21 car would not start; battery jumped by AAA. On 9/10/21 car would not start. AAA said battery not good & installed a new battery again—3rd battery since I purchased car. On 7/22/21 Subaru of Morristown said they checked for parasitic drain, and told me it is “within specs.” They said I don’t drive enough miles. End of July 2021 I (a senior woman) purchased a Battery Tender which I must attach to the battery whenever the car is parked in my garage.

The battery dies after just sitting in my home after a day.

THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AND BEING STARTED ON A WEEKLY BASIS UNTIL RECENTLY WHERE WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED

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

Mileage: 22,000

ABOUT 5-6 TIMES MY KNEE HAS BUMPED THE KEY DURING NORMAL DRIVING, TURNING IT IN THE OFF POSITION. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND WHILE TURNING. IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY WHILE ACCELERATING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A SURFACE STREET. IT HAS LEFT ME DEAD STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR HAVING TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO RESTART THE CAR BECAUSE I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO RESTART IT.

Mileage: 40,872

DUE TO THE ECO FRIENDLY SOY BASE PARTS IN SUBARU VEHICLES, WE HAVE FALLEN VICTIM TO SQUIRRELS CHEWING ON THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 6 MONTHS. SUBARU STATED THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WE HAVE BEEN LEFT WITH THE BURDEN OF THE COST. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT SOMEONE HAS REPORTED SUCH A PROBLEM, AS A CLASS ACTION WAS FILED 11/2017 IN HAWAII REPORTING THE SAME ISSUES WITH RODENTS AND SUBARU'S SOY BASED PARTS.

AFTER HAVING THE CAR 10 MONTHS BATTERY KEPT DYING. SUBARU REPLACED THE FIRST BATTERY WITH A NEW ONE EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO. THAT BATTERY JUST DIED ON FEB 8 AFTER NOT BEING DRIVEN FOR 3 DAYS. I NEEDED TO GET IT JUMP STARTED. SUBARU WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AND TOLD ME TO GET A "SECOND OPINION." THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT A MEDICAL CONDITION.

Mileage: 5,680