Affected Years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 Subaru Outback. Our law firm is also investigating 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 Subaru Outback for the same issues.
These issues seem to arise from defects in the Wiring Harness/Battery.
If you recently purchased a Subaru Outback and it has demonstrated some electrical system issues, Guardian Lemon Law wants you to know that you are not alone. In fact, your SUV could legally be considered a lemon if it meets the requirements that we will outline below. We understand that it can be frustrating and confusing to try to figure out if your Outback is a lemon under the California Lemon Law. So, if you have faced these issues or issues with the electrical system in your Subaru Outback, please reach out to our team today for professional guidance on filing a lemon law claim. Our pros will help you understand the process, to let you know that we can sue Subaru for selling you a defective, lemon Subaru Outback.
Please know that when you need a lawyer experienced in Subaru Outback electrical system issues lemon law cases, Guardian Lemon Law is ready to help you get this issue resolved. We are here to assist you in getting this figured out, including representing you in court against Subaru. And we want you to be sure to ask us about our Zero-Fee Guarantee.
California Lemon Law Basics
What is commonly referred to as the Lemon Law in California is more accurately a bill that was passed into law by the California legislature in 1970. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, as it was known at that point, is now commonly called the Lemon Law. Most consumers believe it is only meant to cover newly purchased cars. However, it applies to items like appliances, new homes, and similar items. The primary focal point of the law is that it holds the manufacturer of the product responsible for honoring their express warranty on the item they have built and sold. Any item you are trying to determine if it is a lemon must qualify by meeting the eligibility requirements for coverage under the Lemon Law. When you need a Subaru Outback lemon law attorney, Guardian Lemon Law should be your first call. We bring decades of combined experience and expertise in resolving lemon law issues to each claim we handle.
Compensation For A Lemon Law Car
When you hire Guardian Lemon Law and we win your lawsuit for a Subaru Outback that is a lemon, you will at least receive a replacement of the vehicle you are having issues with. Alternatively, you get a refund for the purchase price of the vehicle. When we file your Subaru Outback electrical system issues lemon law lawsuit, the choice of which compensation is awarded to you is yours.
If you choose the refund of the purchase price, or what most people call a buyback of the automobile, you are entitled to the full cost you paid for the vehicle, including the cost for the title, fees, etc. The manufacturer will reduce the offer for the miles you placed on the vehicle before the issues began, which resulted in the lawsuit. This is similar to paying for the mileage you put on a rental car. If you choose to have the vehicle replaced, the unit must be the same model or financially equitable to the model they are taking back.
The other items that we will pursue as part of the damages are your out-of-pocket expenses. Things like lost income while handling the issues and taking the vehicle to Subaru to deal with, as well as any related expenses like towing, car rental fees, or ride share expenses when you did not have the car. In California, the manufacturer is also responsible for the legal fees incurred by the customer that the court deems to be reasonable. When we win, Subaru will pay those.
Does My Subaru Qualify Under Lemon Law?
For any vehicle to qualify as a lemon and be eligible for replacement or refund, there are a few criteria that must be met.
- The vehicle cannot have been used improperly or abused in any manner
- The vehicle must be covered under the manufacturer’s new car warranty or certified pre-owned warranty
- There have been a reasonable number of attempts to repair the issue with the car. This is defined as two attempts for a safety issue and four attempts for non-safety-related defects. Or the car was unavailable for use because of the lemon issue for a total of 30 days
- The defect that exists on the vehicle must be considered substantial, meaning it impacts the use, safety, or value
Guardian Lemon Law will provide you with a lemon lawyer to sue Subaru for electrical system issues in your car when the manufacturer cannot get it repaired.
The Specific Issues And Defects On The 2018-2021 Subaru Outback
The majority of the issues relate to recurring 12V battery drain. The cause is often referred to as parasitic drain, meaning that it is a car function that is draining it during periods when you aren’t running it. There can also be malfunctioning sensors and electronics that are causing the issues. The results from these malfunctions and issues can vary from a minor inconvenience to a significant safety hazard, as drivers have reported that:
- The frequent drain indicates the car is searching for wireless service (3G) with the Starlink DCM failing to enter sleep mode, and draining the battery as it tries to establish network connectivity.
- The battery is considered by many to be underpowered for what it has been asked to do
- The ECU has shown signs that it incorrectly manages the alternator, not fully charging the battery while the car is running
In short, owners of these vehicles who once trusted and relied on the technology and safety features become unable to trust the warnings and alerts that are generated after suffering many false alerts, having the backup camera fail, or experiencing the vehicle shutting off because of these issues that the dealership appears to be unable to repair.
The common repairs for this issue are straightforward.
- Replacement of the battery with a larger unit with increased capacity
- Replace the fuse on the DCM, or remove it entirely, thus stopping the network search during off-hours
- Software updates are available to address the DCM issue and the charging logic. Reports on its success are somewhat ambiguous.
- Purchase and install a battery tender so that the battery gets a charge when not in use
There was a class action lawsuit filed on this issue, so there may have been changes to the warranty allowing Subaru to implement fixes as a result of the outcome.
The Time Limit To File A Lemon Lawsuit Or Claim In California
The Statute of Limitations in California for filing a Subaru Outback electrical system issues lawsuit or Lemon Law claim, as of 2025, has two different target dates. The first one is one year from the expiration of your original factory warranty. The second time limit is six years from the date you took delivery of your vehicle. The earliest of the two dates is your time restriction to file your claim or lawsuit. We encourage you to reach out to Guardian Lemon Law today to have a case review completed so that you know exactly how much time you have to make a decision.
Our Promise To Every Guardian Lemon Law Client
Our initial consultations with anyone who needs help are always going to be free. There is no obligation for you to hire Guardian Lemon Law after that meeting. If you have been working with another law firm and they fail to meet your needs, you have the right to change lawyers. In these instances, we offer a free second opinion on your case. You can evaluate us and how we respond, and we will be forthright in what we tell you about your case, including the potential for getting compensation from Subaru.
Guardian Lemon Law offers clients a Zero-Fee Guarantee, meaning we will never ask for upfront legal fees before taking a case. You will never have to worry about out-of-pocket money being required before we go to work. Our guarantee extends all the way to the end of your case. If we do not win your case, we will not bill you for our services and expenses. Please make it a priority to reach out to Guardian Lemon Law when you need a law firm that will take on Subaru and hold them accountable after you were sold a lemon Outback.
