Subaru class action claims vehicles have defective electrical system

Subaru class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Four consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Subaru of America Inc. and Subaru Corp.
• Why: The plaintiffs claim Subaru sold vehicles with a defective electrical system.
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in New Jersey federal court.

A new class action lawsuit alleges Subaru sold certain vehicles with a defective electrical system that caused the battery to fail prematurely.

Lead plaintiff Christina Taylor claims Subaru sold vehicles with a defect that prevents one or more electronic control modules from entering or maintaining a proper low-power sleep state, resulting in excessive parasitic battery drain.

The plaintiffs argue Subaru has been aware of the alleged defect since at least 2014, as evidenced by a series of technical service bulletins to its dealerships and service technicians, and “large numbers” of consumer complaints. 

“Despite knowing of the defect, Subaru has not successfully remedied it,” the Subaru class action lawsuit says. 

The vehicles named in the class action lawsuit are model year 2021-2022 Subaru Outback, 2021-2024 Subaru Forester, 2021-2023 Subaru Legacy, 2021-2023 Subaru WRX, 2021-2022 Subaru Ascent, 2019-2023 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019-2024 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, 2022-2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness and 2019-2023 Subaru Impreza vehicles. 

The plaintiffs want to represent a nationwide class of all current and former owners and lessees of the Subaru vehicles named in the class action lawsuit. 

Subaru failed to disclose or remedy electrical defect, class action says

The class action lawsuit argues Subaru failed to disclose the electrical system defect to consumers prior to purchase and has not successfully remedied the problem despite knowing about it for years.

“While Subaru provides a three-year/36,000 mile warranty with each class vehicle and sells extended warranties of up to 10 years, Subaru engages in a pattern and practice of avoiding its warranty obligations with respect to the defect,” the Subaru class action lawsuit says.

The plaintiffs claim Subaru is guilty of breach of implied and express warranty, unjust enrichment and fraudulent concealment as well as violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and state consumer protection laws. 

They demand a jury trial and request declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of actual, consequential, statutory and punitive damages for themselves and all class members.

A consumer filed a separate class action lawsuit against Subaru in September 2024 over claims the automaker knowingly sold vehicles with defective side mirrors.

Are you a current or former owner or lessee of a Subaru vehicle that was equipped with a defective electrical system? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Bruce D. Greenberg of Lite DePalma Greenberg & Afanador LLC and Matthew D. Schelkopf and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf LLC.

The Subaru class action lawsuit is Taylor, et al. v. Subaru of America Inc., et al., Case No. 2:26-cv-04935, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

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