Electrical System owner reports
Based on 3 owner reports that included mileage.
| Problem | Severity | Lower mileage | Middle mileage | Higher mileage | Relation to your mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System owner reports | Moderate severity | 82,500 mi | 120,000 mi | 122,500 mi | Reported mileage range is unknown |
Check this specific car
- 1Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.
Sources and limits
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“The DCM on our 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is causing a parasitic drain on the battery. It left us stranded several times. We replaced the battery twice in the past 15 months. There is a class action lawsuit against Subaru for this exact problem, but they won't replace it on our vehicle because it has over 45,000 miles. A defective DCM is a widely known problem with many Subaru models. We never received notice of this problem from Subaru, nor were there any warnings, messages, or indications that this was a problem, until we took it to a mechanic for service, who sent us to a Subaru dealer because it had to be repaired by them.”
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“Purchased in August 2024, had to get a new battery 2 days after purchase & then went to the dealership January 2025 because my battery kept dying & I was stranded at the airport late night. They acknowledged is has a parasitic draw but did not notate the source. They claimed I needed a new battery when my previous Subaru branded battery was only 5 months old. The new battery was almost $600 which is double/ triple a store branded equivalent. I purchased yet another battery but non-Subaru branded since theirs did not last even 6 months. Still have been experiencing the same issue. I pulled the dcm fuse and let my car sit for several days as a test. The battery did not die with the dcm fuse removed. The front speakers and Bluetooth are linked to the dcm fuse so they do not work if it is unplugged.”
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. The contact stated that after moving the vehicle 10 feet from a pile of snow in cold weather, the vehicle restarted but failed to run and then shut off after 2 minutes. The contact changed the 12-Volt battery. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the “Service 12-Volt Battery” message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the inverter connector was corroded. The wires underneath the vehicle had been damaged due to water, salt, and sand, causing the vehicle to become inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V0800000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and offered partial claim assistance, but the owner declined. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. The VIN was not available.”
Source recordEvidence: Medium confidence
The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.
“The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power in the middle of the roadway. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the battery. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with head gasket failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.”