Symptom explainer · every vehicle on the site
Battery dies or the car will not start
Most reported: 2017 Subaru Outback with 336 reports. Across the 571 model years on this site with at least five, owners filed 13,033.
- 13,033owner reports
- 571model years affected
- 36,175median miles
- 135involved a crash
- 279involved a fire
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
Which cars report it most · By model · When it happens · What it is and what to do
The 25 vehicles with the most reports
Each row is one model year. The bar is its count of dead battery reports; the share is how much of that car's complaint file this problem takes up. Bigger sellers draw more reports, so read the share alongside the count. Red dots mark crashes and fires in these reports; amber marks a recall on the same system.
- 12017 Subaru Outback2 crashes1 fire33637% of its complaints30k mi
- 22019 Subaru Outback1 crash28327% of its complaints14k mi
- 32016 Subaru Outback1 crash23837% of its complaints40k mi
- 42020 Subaru Outback1 crash21023% of its complaints8k mi
- 52018 Subaru Outback1 firerecall17021% of its complaints19k mi
- 62015 Chrysler 2004 crashes1 firerecall1598% of its complaints66k mi
- 72016 Honda Pilot1 crash1 firerecall1599% of its complaints50k mi
- 82017 Honda CR-V1 crash1428% of its complaints20k mi
- 92014 Honda Accord1 crash3 firesrecall14116% of its complaints53k mi
- 102019 Subaru Ascent1 firerecall13731% of its complaints12k mi
- 112022 Hyundai Ioniq 51 firerecall12832% of its complaints20k mi
- 122024 Jeep Wrangler2 firesrecall11716% of its complaints13k mi
- 132015 Honda Accord1 firerecall11419% of its complaints52k mi
- 142021 Jeep Wrangler3 crashes3 firesrecall11312% of its complaints32k mi
- 152017 Chevrolet Volt2 crashes1 fire11116% of its complaints62k mi
- 162019 Jeep Cherokeerecall1087% of its complaints21k mi
- 172021 Ford Bronco Sport5 firesrecall10715% of its complaints43k mi
- 182017 Chrysler Pacifica1 firerecall1067% of its complaints35k mi
- 192018 Jeep Compass1 crash2 firesrecall10311% of its complaints36k mi
- 202018 Chrysler Pacifica2 crashesrecall9511% of its complaints26k mi
- 212023 Hyundai Ioniq 52 crashes1 firerecall9525% of its complaints16k mi
- 222022 Kia EV62 crashesrecall9334% of its complaints40k mi
- 232025 Hyundai Ioniq 5recall9131% of its complaints8k mi
- 242020 Subaru Ascent1 firerecall9028% of its complaints7k mi
- 259019% of its complaints30k mi
Where it dominates the complaint file
Model years with at least 25 reports, ranked by the share of all their complaints that describe dead battery. That takes most of the sales-volume effect out (small sellers still swing more).
- 12897% of its complaintsfew mileages
- 26149% of its complaintsfew mileages
- 32019 Jaguar I-PACE2 firesrecall6645% of its complaints26k mi
- 42016 Subaru Outback1 crash23837% of its complaints40k mi
- 52017 Subaru Outback2 crashes1 fire33637% of its complaints30k mi
- 62022 Kia EV62 crashesrecall9334% of its complaints40k mi
- 72022 Hyundai Ioniq 51 firerecall12832% of its complaints20k mi
- 82023 Kia EV6recall4331% of its complaints11k mi
- 92019 Subaru Ascent1 firerecall13731% of its complaints12k mi
- 102025 Hyundai Ioniq 5recall9131% of its complaints8k mi
By model, every year together
The 12 models with the most reports. Each chip is a model year; the darker chip is its worst year.
- Subaru Outback1,396
- Honda Pilot417
- Honda Accord414
- Honda CR-V386
- Ram 1500373
When it happens
5,510 of the 13,033 reports state a mileage. The middle half fall between 14,500 and 61,900 miles; the median is 36,175. Each column is a 20,000-mile band.
Reports by model year
Every report of dead battery, grouped by the model year of the car. 135 involved a crash and 279 a fire. 98 people were hurt.
What owners describe
Share of the 13,033 reports that use each phrase. One report can use several.
What got replaced
Reports that name the part, across every vehicle.
What it is and what to do
What is usually involved
Three parts share the job. The Car Care Council describes the battery storing the energy, the starter turning that energy into the force that cranks the engine, and the alternator producing current to replace what the starter used and to run the electrical loads once the engine is going. A fault in any of them can end with a car that won't start. The other common cause in these reports is a drain: something that keeps drawing power after the car is locked, so a healthy battery runs flat overnight. Owners here name the battery, alternator, starter and various electronic modules.
What a shop checks first
A battery test comes first, and the council suggests testing every fall and considering replacement once a battery is three years old or more. If the battery tests fine and still dies, ask whether they checked how much current the car draws while it's parked and locked, since a module that never goes to sleep won't show up on a battery test. Warning signs the council lists for this system include dimming headlights and interior lights, a battery or check engine light, and accessories that stop working.
When to stop driving
A car that won't start isn't dangerous where it sits. The risk is a charging fault that lets the car start but then runs the battery down while you drive, which can end with the car shutting down on the road. If the battery light comes on while driving, head somewhere safe and get it looked at before you rely on the car again. Hybrids and EVs have a separate 12-volt battery that runs the lights and electronics, and NHTSA notes it's very different from the high-voltage pack.
What to tell the mechanic
Say how long the car sat before it died, whether it happens in all weather, and what you've added (dash cams, chargers and remote starters all draw power). List every battery and alternator replacement with dates. If a warning or message appeared before it went dead, write down what it said.
Recalls, bulletins and warranty
When a drain turns out to be common on one model, the fix may come as a dealer bulletin. Automakers must file those bulletins with NHTSA, and you can read them by searching your year, make and model at NHTSA's recall page. The FTC's advice on warranty claims applies here: keep records of every repair and visit, since the manufacturer can ask for them and a claim without them may be denied.
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints on the 1,040 vehicle model years that have a page here, grouped by the word patterns described on the method page. A vehicle needs five matching reports to be counted in this ranking. Checked Sep 27, 2026. All problem explainers.