The 2019 Subaru Impreza electrical cluster shows three dominant patterns. First, battery premature failure: owners report replacing batteries 3–4 times within 2–3 years of purchase, with failures occurring after just days of parking and minimal driving. Dealerships test for parasitic drain and report results within spec, but independent technicians suspect the CAN (control area network) module rather than batteries. Class-action litigation is pending.
Second, wiring harness damage from rodents. Multiple owners describe squirrels and mice chewing through soy-based wiring, triggering repeated check-engine lights. Damage recurs despite deterrent devices, disables cruise control, and forces safe-mode operation. A prior class action in Hawaii (filed November 2017) addressed the same soy-wiring rodent issue. Warranty excludes this damage.
Third, various electrical failures: an infotainment head unit that continuously reboots and cannot power off; ignition coil failure and blown fuse (post-recall 21V264000, suggesting possible installation or parts issue); headlight flicker with bulb burnout and gauge dropout, worsening after recall service; and unintended ignition key rotation during normal driving caused by knee contact, killing the engine. One owner documented the ignition-key issue occurring 5–6 times, sometimes leaving the car dead-stopped in traffic.
Failure modes owners describe
Battery premature failure / parasitic drain
Multiple owners report batteries dying within weeks to months of purchase or replacement, with some vehicles requiring 3–4 battery replacements in 2–3 years. Dealers have tested for parasitic drain and reported results within spec, but independent technicians suspect a defective electrical control system (CAN module) rather than bad batteries. Owners note failure occurs even after short parking periods (days), cold weather, or minimal driving. No obvious user error (lights left on, doors open).
When: Within weeks to months of purchase or prior replacement; some owners report multiple failures within 2–3 years
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dies when parked for 1–2 days; No warning except slightly longer engine cranking beforehand; No start condition; Repeated failures despite battery replacement
Codes mentioned: Parasitic drain testing reported by dealers
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement (multiple times). One owner purchased a Battery Tender to maintain charge while parked. Dealers claim 'within spec' parasitic drain.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action lawsuits pending against Subaru for premature battery failures. Recall 21V264000 addressed ignition coils but not this electrical drain issue.
Infotainment head unit (radio/display) constant rebooting
Head unit becomes nonfunctional, continuously reboots, and cannot be powered off. Started intermittently about a year into ownership, then resolved temporarily, but recurred permanently a couple months later. Power button unresponsive. Issue confirmed by independent service center.
When: Started approximately 1 year into ownership; recurred permanently months later
Symptoms owners cite: Head unit constantly reboots; Screen cannot be powered off; Power button non-responsive; Unit completely nonfunctional
Repairs/costs cited: Issue confirmed by independent service center; repair note indicates head unit replacement likely necessary
Ignition coil failure with blown ignition fuse
Engine shuts down suddenly during drive with check engine light illumination. Technician diagnosed blown 15 amp ignition fuse and damaged coil #4. Vehicle had undergone recall 21V264000 (November 2019) for defective coil packs. Owner suspects replacement coils or recall repair failure may have caused current failure. Recommendation includes replacement of spark plugs, coil packs, and ignition fuse.
When: At 59,784 miles; recall service performed November 14, 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Engine shutdown 30 seconds after check engine light appears; Sudden engine failure during drive
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific codes not provided)
Repairs/costs cited: Recommended replacement of ignition coil #4, spark plugs, coil packs, and 15 amp ignition fuse
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 21V264000 issued for defective coil packs with updated coil packs installed (November 14, 2019). Current failure suspected to be related to replacement coils or recall repair.
Rodent damage to soy-based wiring harness
Multiple check engine lights resulting from rodent chewing on soy-based wiring. Owner experienced three separate incidents within a short timeframe, including damage at initial purchase. Despite attempted rodent deterrents (noise devices, light devices, mint pouches), damage recurred after snowfall. Damage disables cruise control and affects engine temperature sensing, forcing safe mode operation. Owner questions whether vehicle should be retained given recurring nature.
When: Damage occurred at initial purchase, then approximately 2–3 years later (three incidents in several months)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Cruise control disabled; Safe mode activation; Engine temperature sensing failure; Affected vehicle performance
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (rodent damage-related)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports damage repair costs mounting; rodent deterrent devices (noise, light, mint) unsuccessful in preventing recurrence
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action lawsuit filed November 2017 in Hawaii regarding rodent damage to soy-based wiring. Warranty does not cover rodent damage.
Headlight flicker, bulb burnout, and gauge dropout after recall service
Multiple electrical symptoms including persistent headlight flicker and dimming with rapid bulb burnout, radio power loss, clock/fuel display reset, and speedometer/tachometer needle dropout. Owner reports symptoms worsened after recent recall service. Suggests electrical charging or power delivery issue.
When: Symptoms worsened after recent recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Headlight constant flicker and dimming; Rapid headlight bulb burnout; Radio losing power intermittently; Clock and fuel-range display reset; Speedometer and tachometer needle dropout (dropping to 0 before returning)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; worsening after recall service suggests recall work may have introduced issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for headlights mentioned; owner reports no resolution over one year
Key ignition position shift during normal driving
Knee contact with ignition key during normal driving causes unintended key rotation to off position, killing engine. Occurs multiple times (approximately 5–6 incidents documented), particularly during acceleration from parking lot. Leaves driver stranded or coasting, requiring restart in park.
When: Multiple incidents during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shutdown due to key rotation to off position; Loss of power steering and braking assist; Vehicle dead-stopped in traffic or coasted to roadside; Key restart delay requiring park position
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.