Yep, our family's Crosstrek had the same issue when new. Installed a Napa AGM battery which fixed the issue. Subaru's batteries are garbage.

 

I just got my third battery. This time, it’s an EverStart Maxx. I give up on Subaru batteries, too. I’m not even going to try to have them deal with it. They said they don’t have anyone to come out, three miles away.

 

It should still be covered by the warranty unless you have more than 36k miles on it.

 

You are still on warranty so that will cover the battery replacement.

It drained on my last year that I have to jumpstart my trek. Incidentally, my i-data-start remote starter has to he reprogrammed since it restarted after the battery died.

Subaru batteries cant keep up with the cold. Ill go for Interstate batteries if I have the choice.

 

You are still on warranty so that will cover the battery replacement.

It drained on my last year that I have to jumpstart my trek. Incidentally, my i-data-start remote starter has to he reprogrammed since it restarted after the battery died.

Subaru batteries cant keep up with the cold. Ill go for Interstate batteries if I have the choice.

Costco sell Interstate, AGM and flooded at good prices.

 

Update,,, The Subaru dealer ran some tests and the battery was bad. The battery was replaced and they bought it back to our home. No charge.

 

The stock batteries are junk and Subaru will replace them under warranty. I know someone who already had his battery replaced under warranty twice in 5 years.

It's great if you don't mind being stranded once in awhile and you never want to pay for batteries. However, considering I drive up into snow country when it can easily be -20F, I don't want to find out my battery can't cut it then. My almost 3 year old stock battery was showing signs of discharging faster after not being driven for a week or two, so I decided to replace it with an Odyssey AGM. Expensive, but good peace of mind.

Check voltage at battery after sitting overnight. If you get 12.5 VDC or higher after sitting the battery is fine. If 12.0 VDC or lower replace immediately. In between is your call.

This is true as long as the car is driven regularly and the battery is at full charge when you shut down the engine and check it the next day. Since 12.4 is full charge, by all means 12.0 the next morning is bad. 12.0 is only 50% charge!

A load tester is a good thing to have too. After being fully charged, the battery voltage should not drop below 11.0 during the test (simulates engine cranking). If it does, replace immediately.

 

Sounds like you have a good dealership. I agree that the stock batteries arent that great. My 2019 Limiteds battery is almost 4 years old. Will be looking to replace it early 2023.

 

You are lucky you got 4 years out of it. I've replaced my 2017 with two batteries in six years.

 

Auto stop/start (AS/S) and sporadic, short-distance, multiple-start trips will quickly kill these Q85 Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) batteries in our Crosstreks. Aftermarket AGM batteries can better withstand and recover from constant parasitic losses and deep discharges. Also, greater battery reserve capacity and cold cranking amps are always better.

If your Crosstrek still has the OEM Panasonic Q85 battery and your driving routine is predominantly comprised of infrequent trips with few miles driven, consider using a smart battery charger like a NOCO GENIUS5 or C-TEK MXS 5.0 to top-off and maintain your Crosstrek's battery state of charge.

 

Auto stop/start (AS/S) and sporadic, short-distance, multiple-start trips will quickly kill these Q85 Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) batteries in our Crosstreks. ....

Default switch on 2021 up makes it an even field of GREENS.

 

I've got a 2021 Limited and I have determined that as long as the battery is still covered by Subaru warranty, I'll let them handle it. Once that expires, I'll replace with an AGM. Here in western NY, sometimes is gets cold enough that it does sap the battery charge, but not too often

 

Living in Arizona if a battery is going to die it will do it when it starts to get hot right before summer. I have never had a battery last longer than 3 years doesn't matter the price point. My battery died 2 months out of warranty and I bought my car in May so right when it was getting hot. Your battery died sooner than I would have expected good that it is under warranty.

 

I think there is a pretty big history of folks having problems with their OEM batteries. Some folks found the OEM batteries ok. My 2018 battery lasted three yeas and I replaced with AGM. Take a look using the search function to read more stories on this issue.

 

Yep, our OEM Panasonic battery died pretty quickly. I replaced it with an Odyssey Extreme. They're expensive but last much longer than regular batteries and handle extreme conditions well (e.g. sub zero temps in the mountains).

And, no, I haven't installed one in the Lotus yet...

 

I prefer AGM if price differential is not too big. Will not pay double for an AGM.
Brand makes a difference. Never gotten two years from a Walmart battery. Five or six samples over 35 years. Think cheap price = cheap battery.
I like to replace batteries when the crank starts to get slower. Check voltage at battery after sitting overnight. If you get 12.5 VDC or higher after sitting the battery is fine. If 12.0 VDC or lower replace immediately. In between is your call.
A weak cell puts a load on the charging system. Always charging to get voltage up to 13.5 or so with engine running. Belts and alternators suffer. Plus gas mileage.
Costco is my go to.

 

Depends which Walmart battery. The Everstart Maxx are rated very highly in trst and I have had very good luck with both tem and Interstate.

 

There are also several chain auto parts stores and battery stores that will test your battery for free.

 

Seems right. After almost getting stranded in the mountains, the cost wasn't really a factor.

 

As I'm sure you know, you can improve the dead battery odds in your favor by having one of those new-fangled battery booster packs on board. I've used my NOCO battery booster pack twice in last 3 weeks, boosting other people's dead car batteries.

Nonetheless, I'll still be replacing my Crosstrek's Panasonic Q85 battery with an Odyssey Extreme AGM battery before this new year is over.

 

Perhaps try a specialist battery supplier in your area. If I can get an Odyssey Extreme for my new-to-me Lotus I'll be very happy.

 

I just got the Performance version. I'm sure it's better than the stock battery. CCA are impressive.

 

Odyssey is currently not making a 35 sized battery in the Extreme line. Only in the Performance line.

 

I have a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. Bought brand new from Subaru dealership, three month ago. Over the weekend, the car went into immobilizer mode, completely died in the garage. The next day it happened, again. I called Subaru road assistance twice in a row. They came to jumpstart. It started with a few mins of charge. The guy said, “yea, it’s the battery.” Sent to the Subaru dealer the same day. They said “the car is fine, we ran all the tests, it’s fine, we can’t find anything wrong, we can’t fix it; besides you want to pay the battery on your own cost.” You are kidding me! Brand new Subaru, I have not even get the first oil change yet, **** battery! I filed a report with Subaru customer support, but man! What the heck!! You buy a brand-new car supposed to be RELIABLE and not dealing with things like that in THREE months!!!

 

I wonder if it has to do with how the batteries are treated after they are installed, presumably at the factory. If they get completely drained during shipping or while at the dealer (e.g. being a display model in the showroom) that could seriously damage the battery. I'd say you have a claim under warranty. Get an independent test from, say, Autozone.

 

Yup. A load tester can tell you whether the battery was damaged. They aren't expensive. The load tester simulates the draw of engine cranking. If the voltage drops below 11V during the test, the battery should be covered under warranty. If the battery passes the test, then you have a different problem.

 

I use this to load test the battery;
Ediag YA201 Car OBD2 Diagnostic Scan Tool Auto Scanner Code Reader Check Engine 822195000081 | eBay

 

I prefer something more low tech like this:

Amazon.com: NEIKO 40510A Car Battery Tester | 100 AMP 6 and 12 Volt Automotive Load Checker | CCA Analyzer : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy NEIKO 40510A Car Battery Tester | 100 AMP 6 and 12 Volt Automotive Load Checker | CCA Analyzer: Voltage Testers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

When I had my prius, about 2nd year into it, I had issues with battery (12v) being weak first thing in the morning. Dealership couldn't replicate my issue. Googled/Youtube and found the diagnostic mode.

Took pictures and video and suddenly dealership was able to replicate the issue.

New battery. Lasted 11 years.

Looks like crosstrek has something similar.

Subaru Crosstrek Service Manual - Service diagnostics mode Operation - Entertainment

www.sucross.com

 

You can read about it on the Forester forum where there have been reports of TCV failures, and check out some of the four-digit price quotes to replace it:

('19+) - 2019 + Thermo Control Valve Assembly - and...

Hi folks, We have a 2019 Forester which is under 3 years old but has about 90,000 KMs (we're in Canada). This means it is outside of the new vehicle warranty, but still within the 5 yr/100K major component coverage which covers the engine, transmission, etc. The check engine light came on over...

www.subaruforester.org

Based upon the following TSB, it appears that only the 2021 Crosstreks may be affected by the faulty TCV:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10208664-0001.pdf

 

I just went thru this problem. My 2018 50th anniversary crosstrek battery went out. It lasted 4 years so I purchased a new battery from Subaru dealership. I had problems with it and brought it in twice, they wouldn’t exchange. They claimed their testing showed battery to be fine. I went and purchased a red top EMG battery and brought to dealership to put in and reset the technology. I haven’t had a problem since. I believe Subaru’s battery’s are garbage and they stiffed me with one and I lost $190. I gave them back the battery for disposal, however I regret it now because the next elderly couple needing a battery will probably pay $190 for that piece of garbage.

 

Yep, the consensus here, of those who have had battery problems, is that the OEM is crap. Probably shaving off a few ounces to meet CAFE standards but not fun when you're up a mountain in snow and the car will barely start. It's supposed to be an off road car...

I'm a fan of the Odyssey Extreme AGM.

 

Yep, brand new 2023 Crosstrek. Already had my battery replaced 6 months in at my 2nd oil change. It was a shock to say the least. Now I'm out here trying to learn all I can before this one craps out on me too.