--- title: "2015-2019 Subaru Outback Key Fob Battery" description: "The 2015-2019 Subaru Outback key fob takes a CR1620 (2015-2016 flip-key remotes); CR2032 on later push-button-start Limited/Touring smart keys. Check which key your trim uses coin cell. How to open the fob without breaking it, and which substitutions actually work." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/key-fob-battery" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # 2015-2019 Subaru Outback Key Fob Battery Type and Replacement The 2015-2019 Subaru Outback key fob takes a CR1620 (2015-2016 flip-key remotes); CR2032 on later push-button-start Limited/Touring smart keys. Check which key your trim uses coin cell. How to open the fob without breaking it, and which substitutions actually work. **Quick answer**: The 2015-2019 Subaru Outback key fob takes a CR1620 (2015-2016 flip-key remotes); CR2032 on later push-button-start Limited/Touring smart keys. Check which key your trim uses coin-cell battery, available at any pharmacy, hardware store, or online for a few dollars. ## Replacing the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback key fob battery - Pry the fob open gently at the seam with a small flathead screwdriver or a coin, working around the edge. Many fobs have a hidden release slot near the key ring or emergency-key blade. - Note the battery orientation (usually positive side up) before removing the old cell. - Avoid touching the new battery's faces with bare fingers; skin oils can shorten its life. - If the fob doesn't work after replacement, check that the battery is seated fully and the contacts weren't bent. Most vehicles do not need re-pairing after a battery change. ## Which Subaru Outback model years does this cover? These key fob battery specifications apply to every Subaru Outback built from 2015 through 2019, the BS (5th generation), mid-size wagon/crossover. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2015 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015) - [2016 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2016) - [2017 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2017) - [2018 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2018) - [2019 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2019) ## What changed during the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2015 | Full redesign: all-new FB25, 3.6R moves to CVT, EyeSight driver-assist available for the first time on Outback | | 2018 | Facelift: revised front/rear styling, updated Starlink infotainment, standard EyeSight on most trims | | 2019 | Final year of this generation; last model year covered by the FB-engine oil-consumption settlement window | ## 2015-2019 Subaru Outback key fob battery: common questions ### What battery does the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback key fob take? A single CR1620 (2015-2016 flip-key remotes); CR2032 on later push-button-start Limited/Touring smart keys. Check which key your trim uses coin cell. ### Can you use a CR2032 instead of a CR2025 in a 2015-2019 Subaru Outback key fob? This fob takes a CR1620 (2015-2016 flip-key remotes); CR2032 on later push-button-start Limited/Touring smart keys. Check which key your trim uses, so start there. The two cells share a 20 mm diameter but differ in thickness, and the thicker one does not always seat in a housing built for the thinner. ### How do you open a 2015-2019 Subaru Outback key fob? Slide out the mechanical emergency key first, which usually releases a catch, then part the halves with a plastic pry tool or a coin wrapped in tape. A screwdriver will mark the case and can crack the seam. ## Sources - [sportsubarusouth.com, Subaru Outback oil type by model year](https://www.sportsubarusouth.com/subaru-research/subaru-outback-oil-type/) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2019 Outback 2.5L FB25 oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2019/subaru/outback/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-fb25-4/1000/) - [awdadventure.com, Subaru Outback tire fitment by year (2015-2019)](https://awdadventure.com/pages/lifted-subaru-tire-size-charts) - [Rohnert Park Transmission, Subaru Outback CVT problems guide by model year](https://rohnertparktransmission.com/blog/subaru-outback-cvt-problems-guide) - [Subaru Battery Settlement, official settlement site (2015-2020 Outback coverage)](https://www.subarubatterysettlement.com/) - [Consumer Reports, 2015 Subaru Outback reliability (CVT complaint)](https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/outback/2015/reliability/) - [classaction.org, Subaru windshield settlement given preliminary approval (Khona/Powell case background)](https://www.classaction.org/news/subaru-windshield-settlement-given-preliminary-approval-reimbursements-extended-warranty-available) - [Reddit r/subaru, 2019-2020 CVT warranty extension to 10 yr/100k thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/comments/1ltsv9m/20192020_us_cvt_warranty_extension_to_10/) ## Other Subaru Outback generations - [2020-2025 Subaru Outback key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/key-fob-battery) - [2010-2014 Subaru Outback key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2010-2014/key-fob-battery) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/key-fob-battery). ## More for the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/oil-reset) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.