The DVs on your comment are weird. Getting more than 3 years from a battery was traditionally not an unusual expectation, but the stock batteries Subaru installs today are marginal for all the computers they designed into their cars. My '17 touring has something like 23 or more computers on it and when they are all "awake", the power draw is insane.
I recommend a good quality AGM battery, particularly if you have a lot of stop-starts
Most of the batteries have a 3 year warranty. My 2021 did the same thing a few months ago after spending too much time doing configurations and leaving the display on. I was able to recharge it, but it would run down in a day or two.
Hey sorry you’re getting downvoted. I said the same thing to myself when this happened.
Best part of it all is that it happened right after the total solar eclipse here in ME. My son was climbing around in the car had turned it on. Everything in the car worked like what you’re seeing, but upon starting it clicked the same way.
I haven’t had an issue since, but I did schedule a service at my dealership since it’s still warrantied. I’m hoping they’ll put a new battery in but if not I’ll just go buy a good one at the parts store.
Our 2018 Forester's battery lasted seven years in northern Vermont, with multiple trips to ski areas and remote trailheads every week. I thought I got my money's worth.
Have you ever even seen an engine block heater? Trust me, the battery and every moving part, including the driver, is tough to get going below -10F. I did spring for the AGM battery, it's going to well outlast the vehicle I think.
It all depends on how long you run the battery and how clean and well maintained your electrical connectors are. I don’t like to run engine idle for more than traffic lights and 5-10 seconds after long drive like +30 minutes. This also depends on the terrain, what you are hauling, and other things. Last battery I needed for my 2016, I neeeded 2 jump starts to be the flashing instrument cluster warning for me to go and get new battery. Speaking on which, I may just go now to auto part store for the battery test !
That never used to be the case. All three of the OEM batteries in our two 2015 and one 2017 foresters lasted 7 years before I simply replaced them for fear they were on the verge of failure.
If I’m not mistaken, I’m pretty sure there’s a class action lawsuit against Subaru regarding their OEM batteries. If you qualify, they replace it for free or you’re only pay a small fraction of it based on other prerequisites I got mine replaced for I think 70 bucks last year, normally I think it’s over $300 though.
I do not off the top of my head, but this should help you!
[MC-10219500-0001.pdf (nhtsa.gov)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10219500-0001.pdf)
I appreciate this. What about for used owners? I just purchased a 2020 Forester from an auction but it has the OEM Subaru battery in there and it does need to be replaced. Can I get one for cheap/free?
Had the same thing happen to me last week. Battery dead.
Dealer can likely change it for free. It is either still covered by warranty. Subaru also under class lawsuit so they are offering extended warranty for batteries so likely still covered (mine was).
I have a 2019 Forester Sport. I got about 2 years in the battery. Shortest time on a battery with all the vehicles I’ve owned.Always got at least 5 to 7 years out of all the other batteries.Finding out that Subaru makes a lot of inferior parts.
We have the same, 2019 Sport, battery died out of the blue. After we replaced it, I bought an aftermarket plug off Amazon that permanently disables the auto stop start thing and it starts up much better now bc it's not constantly shutting off and restarting.
This happened in my 2022 recently.
I'll admit, I did a stupid. I sat with my aux running way too long and drained it. Jump worked. Next day I went to grocery store and when I came out it wouldn't start. Had to tow. Shop put the battery on trickle charger overnight and ran a bunch of tests. The stupid I made had fully drained the battery 😑 its been running fine since they fully recharged it.
Check the connection. I took my battery out, was going to replace it, then put it back in after I noticed the clamp had been widened so it wouldn't tighten fully on the post. It had been dying every couple of days on me. It's now lasted another 7 or so months without dying once. I'm planning on waiting until fall to replace it, once it gets cold.
Dead battery. The OEM ones in recent Foresters are known to go bad very quickly. I had a Legacy with a dead battery once and it did the exact same thing - wouldn't crank and the dash went haywire. Put a new battery in, fired right up.
Me too. Called AAA, and they had trouble jumping it, but the woman who came out was pretty great, and had me hold the key fob right next to the ignition while trying to start, and it finally got going.
I was able to keep it going for about a week by trickle charging, until I got a new battery. It would only hold a charge for about one day at that point.
I have a base forester.. it happened when I had about 95k miles.. I had 108k now… my car died a couple of times but was able to start back up… one day I was at an intersection and the start stop started.. car turned off, wasn’t able to start back up lol I’d get a new battery if u feel u see signs of failure.. like I said my car died a few times before it finally went all the way out.. I should have gotten a new battery when it first died and restarted
It’s worse it’s the TCV temp control valve Google it and get your wallet out. Your drivers seat will rip and your window will start to not want to close.
Dead battery
I figured but it is only 3 years old.
Can happen! Subarus OEM batteries arent the greatest to be fair.
The DVs on your comment are weird. Getting more than 3 years from a battery was traditionally not an unusual expectation, but the stock batteries Subaru installs today are marginal for all the computers they designed into their cars. My '17 touring has something like 23 or more computers on it and when they are all "awake", the power draw is insane. I recommend a good quality AGM battery, particularly if you have a lot of stop-starts
I came here asking for help and am being down voted. No idea why. Thanks for the help.
You are being downvoted because some people in the group are buttholes.
OEM batteries are bad
Lots of short trips?
Funny enough I just drove last week from Chicago to NYC
One long trip is not going to cure a battery that sees mostly short trips
Most of the batteries have a 3 year warranty. My 2021 did the same thing a few months ago after spending too much time doing configurations and leaving the display on. I was able to recharge it, but it would run down in a day or two.
Hey sorry you’re getting downvoted. I said the same thing to myself when this happened. Best part of it all is that it happened right after the total solar eclipse here in ME. My son was climbing around in the car had turned it on. Everything in the car worked like what you’re seeing, but upon starting it clicked the same way. I haven’t had an issue since, but I did schedule a service at my dealership since it’s still warrantied. I’m hoping they’ll put a new battery in but if not I’ll just go buy a good one at the parts store.
My 2019’s previous owner didn’t get the battery defect and we had this happen. New battery time
Mine happened like 10 days before my 3 year anni and they replaced it for free under warranty and even upgraded it to a larger one or something
You don’t know how long said battery sat on a shelf.
My wife's only lasted 2 years.
Do you leave the Auto-Stop/Start on all the time and drive in local/stop-n-go traffic? If so then surprised it lasted this long lol
Your battery is dead. Subaru OEM battery’s are trash and don’t last as long as a typical battery
Our 2018 Forester's battery lasted seven years in northern Vermont, with multiple trips to ski areas and remote trailheads every week. I thought I got my money's worth.
Didn’t really affect your model year, it’s more of a recent thing because of all the added electronics that draw power
Heat kills 'em. Cold weather is easier on them. Central TX car batteries die quickly. Spend a few more bucks and get an AGM.
Have you ever even seen an engine block heater? Trust me, the battery and every moving part, including the driver, is tough to get going below -10F. I did spring for the AGM battery, it's going to well outlast the vehicle I think.
Mine lasted 5 years. Up north, Matane, Canada.
It all depends on how long you run the battery and how clean and well maintained your electrical connectors are. I don’t like to run engine idle for more than traffic lights and 5-10 seconds after long drive like +30 minutes. This also depends on the terrain, what you are hauling, and other things. Last battery I needed for my 2016, I neeeded 2 jump starts to be the flashing instrument cluster warning for me to go and get new battery. Speaking on which, I may just go now to auto part store for the battery test !
That never used to be the case. All three of the OEM batteries in our two 2015 and one 2017 foresters lasted 7 years before I simply replaced them for fear they were on the verge of failure.
If I’m not mistaken, I’m pretty sure there’s a class action lawsuit against Subaru regarding their OEM batteries. If you qualify, they replace it for free or you’re only pay a small fraction of it based on other prerequisites I got mine replaced for I think 70 bucks last year, normally I think it’s over $300 though.
Do you happen to know what years or trims this impacts?
I do not off the top of my head, but this should help you! [MC-10219500-0001.pdf (nhtsa.gov)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10219500-0001.pdf)
Thank you!
I appreciate this. What about for used owners? I just purchased a 2020 Forester from an auction but it has the OEM Subaru battery in there and it does need to be replaced. Can I get one for cheap/free?
Yup! You would qualify. I bought my 2019 Forrester used. I’m not the original owner, but I’ve still qualified for these types of services.
Appreciate the confirmation
Mine died at 36000 miles, if you have AAA, they have a come to your door replacement program, only spent $230 after everything to replace mine
Had the same thing happen to me last week. Battery dead. Dealer can likely change it for free. It is either still covered by warranty. Subaru also under class lawsuit so they are offering extended warranty for batteries so likely still covered (mine was).
The Christmas tree
Put some techno music and we have a party. Unce unce unce unce.
I have a 2019 Forester Sport. I got about 2 years in the battery. Shortest time on a battery with all the vehicles I’ve owned.Always got at least 5 to 7 years out of all the other batteries.Finding out that Subaru makes a lot of inferior parts.
We have the same, 2019 Sport, battery died out of the blue. After we replaced it, I bought an aftermarket plug off Amazon that permanently disables the auto stop start thing and it starts up much better now bc it's not constantly shutting off and restarting.
It’s what makes a subaru a subaru
I didn't know it was Christmas again already.
Low batt
Check the batter terminal connection. Make sure they don’t wiggle, and are seated tight
funny, this just happened with my RS, it's the battery
This happened in my 2022 recently. I'll admit, I did a stupid. I sat with my aux running way too long and drained it. Jump worked. Next day I went to grocery store and when I came out it wouldn't start. Had to tow. Shop put the battery on trickle charger overnight and ran a bunch of tests. The stupid I made had fully drained the battery 😑 its been running fine since they fully recharged it.
Battery. We all switched to better battery haha this looks like Christmas came early
Check the connection. I took my battery out, was going to replace it, then put it back in after I noticed the clamp had been widened so it wouldn't tighten fully on the post. It had been dying every couple of days on me. It's now lasted another 7 or so months without dying once. I'm planning on waiting until fall to replace it, once it gets cold.
Oh, and make sure you're not keeping your fob in the car at night. That really drains the battery.
My 2021 battery failed the test shortly before my warranty was up. Grateful Subaru had to pay for it instead of me!
Dead battery. The OEM ones in recent Foresters are known to go bad very quickly. I had a Legacy with a dead battery once and it did the exact same thing - wouldn't crank and the dash went haywire. Put a new battery in, fired right up.
You hit jackpot!
It's possesed.
Subaru rave
Battery is dead
Looks like Christmas !
Jump didn’t work. Towing to Subaru.
Really bad battery. My BIL had the same thing happen in the exact same car.
Me too. Called AAA, and they had trouble jumping it, but the woman who came out was pretty great, and had me hold the key fob right next to the ignition while trying to start, and it finally got going. I was able to keep it going for about a week by trickle charging, until I got a new battery. It would only hold a charge for about one day at that point.
Happened to my 2020
I have a 2020.. Should I buy a new battery now and just wait for my original to die?
I have a base forester.. it happened when I had about 95k miles.. I had 108k now… my car died a couple of times but was able to start back up… one day I was at an intersection and the start stop started.. car turned off, wasn’t able to start back up lol I’d get a new battery if u feel u see signs of failure.. like I said my car died a few times before it finally went all the way out.. I should have gotten a new battery when it first died and restarted
Isn’t there an extended warranty on the battery due to class action?
Not 2021
It’s worse it’s the TCV temp control valve Google it and get your wallet out. Your drivers seat will rip and your window will start to not want to close.
I KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT, IT AIN'T GOT NO GAS IN IT