Really Upset about 2020 Outback

I went to start my 2020 Outback. Foot on the break and pushed the starter button and it went ballistic. Lights flashing on the instrument panel and rapid clicking under the hood. Could not even get it out of "Park". Turned on high beams and tried horn which worked just fine, so the battery is good. Called Subaru roadside service and tow truck operator googled to find out how to get it out of park and into neutral. Towed to dealer on Friday afternoon and there it sits. Only has 16,000 km (10,000 mi) on it.

To say I am upset is an understatement. I take my Outback down some really poor trails and two tracks with a lot of them being beyond cell phone coverage. In fact I use the Outback not quite off road but close. Having it fail could literally leave me stranded in the bush.

This is my second outback. The first one was stellar. The reason I bought the new one was because I need 100% reliability.

Your thought or ideas would be appreciated.

Grouseman

High beams and horn working does not necessarily mean the battery is good. You could still very well have a battery issue. Amp draw on startup is way more than headlights or horn.

Thanks Stealthee. The battery is only 20 months old.

Thanks Stealthee. The battery is only 20 months old.
Doesn't matter. Unless a Voltmeter check, you're just guessing.

Think you would need to do a load test as I don't believe a simple voltage test is that reliable.

Yea. Static test, cranking test, load test.

OK folks. Problem solved. It was in fact the battery so you were correct that the headlights/horn test is not a very good one. Hard to believe the factory installed battery only lasted 20 months. I'm looking at buying a jump starter to take with me into remote locations. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated. Does any one know how to do a load test with a simple VOM? Maybe put a resistor in series with the VOM??