The following information announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 5 Denso CP25 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2026 Subaru Outback electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2026 Subaru Outback have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of November 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2022 Outback | 51 |
| 2023 Outback | 16 |
| 2025 Outback | 9 |
| 2026 Outback (this page) | 4 |
What stands out
Of the 21 model years of Subaru Outback we track for electrical problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (4).
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides instruction for use of a new reprogramming procedure to optimize the Denso Gen 5 CP25 Audio and Navigation system utilized in the models listed. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides a step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin procedure announces a revised diagnostic procedure for DTC B28A6 INTERNAL STEREO CAMERA COMMUNICATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
New car with only 965 miles. At 580 miles the car when I started it said safety eyesight system not working. I shut off car and restarted it and system connected itself. Today I was on highway doing 62mph and the entire dashboard, information and safety features displays went completely black without any warning. I was able to control car and system rebooted itself after a minute or so. I Contact…
Driving on rte 81 south in the area of wilkes - barre when all of the sudden my entire dash electrical system went completely black, nothingwas showing, no gas, no speed ometer, date,time , blinkers, lane change etc. And the navigation screen turned lime gree. About 30 seconds later the lime green turned black. I had no electronics at all. I was in the middle lane doing 55-65 and could not…
HVAC system heating to dangerous levels and still radiating heat into the cabin even after HVAC system was turned off. To mitigate, direction was changed to feet. Temperatures of over 100 degrees F were observed for sustained periods. Issue is intermittent, however it was reproduced consistently when it was cold outside (cold being cooler than 55 degrees F). I set the temperature to 65 degrees F…
I bought my 2026 Subaru Outback 3/20/2026, I plugged in my FIXD sensor into the OBDII port of my new car and there was nothing available. I made an appointment with Austin Subaru to check why the OBDII port was not working and my assigned rep told me that they were having issues with all of their 2026 Subaru Outbacks, I signed in for my appointment on my arrival 4/7/2026 and the following day I…
Had electrical trouble with your 2026 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2026 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2026/Subaru/Outback.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.