{"source":"NHTSA vehicle owner complaint","officialApiUrl":"https://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/odinumber?odinumber=11377362","retrievedAt":"2026-11-05T03:29:15.538Z","count":1,"results":[{"odiNumber":11377362,"manufacturer":"Subaru of America, Inc.","crash":false,"fire":false,"numberOfInjuries":0,"numberOfDeaths":0,"dateOfIncident":"10/26/2020","dateComplaintFiled":"12/01/2020","vin":"4S4BSENC8K3","components":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM","summary":"SINCE PURCHASING CAR NEW IN 08/19, I HAVE BEEN STRANDED WITH A DEAD BATTERY 10 TIMES IN 12,000 MILES. THIS IS DUE TO 4  THINGS: 1. A POORLY DESIGNED KEY FOB WITH A  HYPERSENSITIVE BUTTON THAT OPENS THE HATCH UNINTENTIONALLY WHICH KILLS BATTERY; 2. COMPUTER MODULES THAT REMAIN FULLY 'ON', DRAWING AT LEAST 3.6 AMPS (MUCH MORE IF INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE ON) WHEN HATCH IS OPEN AND/OR DOOR IS OPEN OR AJAR WITHOUT MITIGATION FROM A TIMER AS LONG AS KEY FOB IS DETECTED.  SO IF I OPEN HATCH FOR DAY USE ACTIVITY, THE THE BATTERY DIES UNLESS I FIND A WAY TO DEACTIVATE THE FOB.  IF THE UNINTENTIONALLY BUMP THE HATCH BUTTON WHILE CAR IS IN SECURE GARAGE, HATCH IS OPEN AND BATTERY IS DEAD NEXT MORNING; 3. AFTER AN UNINTENDED HATCH OPENING RESULTING IN A DEAD BATTERY, MANUALLY CLOSING THE HATCH, JUMPING THE BATTERY, AND DRIVING RESULTS IN A LOUD, CONTINUOUS ALARM WITH NO DASH LIGHT IDENTIFICATION IN THE CAR FOR ONE MINUTE OR UNTIL CAR COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP, THEN ALARM RESUMES CAUSING GREAT ANXIETY AND DISTRACTION! ; AND 4. THESE PROBLEMS AND WHAT YOU MUST DO TO COMBAT THEM ARE NOT REVEALED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL NOR IN THE SALES AND PURCHASE PROCESS WHICH I FIND VERY DECEPTIVE!  DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS EITHER NOT INFORMED OR NOT FORTHCOMING UNTIL BACKED INTO A CORNER BY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.  SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS BEEN CONTACTED BUT WILL NOT RESPOND.  THEY CLAIM 'OPERATOR ERROR'.  I CLAIM DESIGN DEFECT.    I HAVE TO CARRY MY OWN JUMP START BATTERY BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BECAUSE CARGO AREA IS NOT ACCESSIBLE WITH A DEAD BATTERY, AND I MUST TREAT MY KEY FOB LIKE A HAND GRENADE IN ORDER TO KEEP FROM BEING STRANDED.  I CANNOT TRUST THIS CAR, NOR DO I HAVE MY WIFE DRIVE IT ANYMORE.","products":[{"type":"Vehicle","productYear":"2019","productMake":"SUBARU","productModel":"OUTBACK","manufacturer":"Subaru of America, Inc."}]}]}