10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,145 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2019 Subaru Outback:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #136

Nov 282021

Outback

  • miles
2019 Subaru Outback. Two failed batteries in the space of one year. The first was on 2/11/21 with 21,520 miles on the car. We were on vacation in Florida and the local dealer (Bert Smith Subaru) in St. Petersburg confirmed that the battery failed and installed a new one. On 11/28/21, newer battery died. Local Dealer (Dean Team Subaru) performed a battery test, confirmed that the battery was bad and replaced it (with the same type of battery, 36000 miles). Being repeatedly stranded with a battery that is not working is a safety issue. We have a concern that there must be a larger electrical issue or that something is draining these batteries. We also have a concern that the battery is large and powerful enough for the vehicle. I have read of many Subaru Outback owners with similar issues.

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #135

Oct 202019

Outback

  • miles
2019 Subaru Outback purchased 7/10/19 during that fall and following winter had the battery die multiple times. We keep it in a garage where it does not freeze in the winter. Had to jump it to start each time. Finally took it to the dealership 4/29/20 with 4,669 miles on it to complain to dealership. They said that there was nothing wrong with the battery. They told us that it needed to be driven every couple of days to keep the battery charged to prevent the parasitic electrical draw from draining the battery. This was during the heart of the 'Stay at home/COVID' so we did not use it everyday. It continues to have the battery drain problem. Just this weekend 1/15/22 we had to jump the battery in our driveway to leave and drove 30 minutes to the store and expected the battery to keep the charge but after leaving the store found the battery dead again. Luckily we found a nice guy who offered to give us a jump. This is a continual problem.

- Eaton Rapids, MI, USA

problem #134

Nov 152021

Outback

  • miles
The battery failed for no apparent reason. After getting it jumped, it would fail to keep a full charge. Starting the car, it was always a gamble as to whether it would start-up or not. This lasted a month or so until the car battery was completely dead. I then had a tow truck come from my insurance to replace the battery.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #133

Jan 042022

Outback

  • miles
In Feb, 2021, I went to start my car in the garage. It was totally dead. It had just been in for 6 month svc 2 weeks earlier. I called dealership, they sent a tech to my home to get the car started. He said it was totally drained, left and came back later with a jumper system and got it started and drove it to the dealership. They installed a new battery and the tech said they were having trouble with original equipment batteries but this one should not have the problem. Now, Jan, 2022, the car is dead again. I am 79 and the sole caregiver to my wife who has dementia and cannot talk. At this moment, I have left a message for dealer service manager but have not received call back after 5 hours. It is just like the information posted on line about this Subaru issue.

- Bonney Lake, WA, USA

problem #132

Jan 012022

Outback

  • miles
Parasitic Battery Drain left battery dead and unable to start vehicle. This was caused by a defective DCM (Data Communication Module). This problem first surfaced within weeks of new car purchase and took about 6-months and several visits to dealer to remedy. I also replaced the oem battery with a new upgraded battery at my own expense. Recently the problem reoccurred as the DCM module again failed and created a parasitic drain. This has probably damaged the new battery which is only a year old as it was completely discharged. The dealer again fixed the problem but as before was initially skeptical that it was caused by user error or letting vehicle sit too long between use; both of the most problematic failures occurred when the vehicle was left parked for 2-weeks at parksleepfly hotels while on trips and returned to find dead battery.

- Lansing, NC, USA

problem #131

Mar 012021

Outback

  • miles
The battery will drain in under a week if the car is not driven. Subaru dealer gave me 3 batteries in 6 months. The battery tests fine, but discharges if the car sits for a week. Subaru USA gave $350 to go buy a top of the line battery and the issue persists with an Optima yellow top.

- Cornelius, NC, USA

problem #130

Dec 202021

Outback

  • miles
I have had battery failures in the last 34 months 3 times. I have reported this problem before. The dealer replaces my battery and gives advice about not driving enough. not keeping my fob the proper distance from the car. This is casing me to be concerned about safety issues. I know there is a class action 2020 for this problem but subaru needs to solve this issue. It is a computer on wheels and I realize that uses a great deal of electrical power but you should not be stranded because subaru refuses to solve their issues. My next step is to contact subaru but I doubt they will take any action. So I guess next step is to change cars. Its a shame as they charge a great deal of money for this car. I owned the first outback when it came out and had no problems. I am extremely disappointed in their cars now.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #129

Dec 142021

Outback

  • miles
Battery Drain....3 different times, car will not start, kills the battery 89 year old lady left to call for help with starting the car.

- Mcleansville, NC, USA

problem #128

Dec 132021

Outback

  • miles
The battery of my Subaru Outback appears damaged. My car's battery has died or shorted two times over the past two days. It had to be jump started for it to work, only for it to stall again. This puts I and my passengers at risk because the vehicle could've stalled while in motion. This problem has been confirmed by an independent service provider, the towing company. There were no warning signs or symptoms prior to this problem.

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

problem #127

Dec 122021

Outback

  • miles
Abnormal draining of battery when I dont drive for a couple of days leaving me stranded due to my medical immobility. This has been ongoing for the past six months.. Several instances of where I have had to jump start it only to find the battery dead in a few days Have alerted dealer on issue and will need to be checked when I take it in for the Fuel Pump recall for which I was put on a waiting list as they did not have the parts in"??" A very annoying problem with the battery even had to have it jump started thi evening. Unrelable

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #126

Oct 142021

Outback

  • miles
My car is a 2019 Subaru Outback. It has less than 20,000 miles on the odometer. This morning is wouldn-??t start. I called for a jump and when the service person arrived, they told me the battery was dead. They gave it a jump and I let the car run for an hour. After parking the car a couple of blocks away, I tried to start it again. Nothing. Now I have to have it towed to the dealership.

- Bayside, NY, USA

problem #125

Sep 292021

Outback

  • miles
Twice the vehicle-??s battery went dead leaving my wife stranded. Contacted local Subaru dealer and they replaced the battery under warranty. The service manager told my wife that the reason the battery went dead was that she was not driving it enough. My wife drives the car every day so that is not the problem. When the battery was tested under load it showed the battery had failed and that was the reason it went dead. The battery was defective.

- Brunswick, ME, USA

problem #124

Sep 212021

Outback

  • miles
The car battery has been abnormally draining when I don't drive the car for 2-3 days leaving me stranded at home. Subaru claims I'm not driving my car enough and need to drive it at least 40 mins a week. They refuse to admit any problems. I put 1000 miles on the car a month so can't understand how a 2019 Car battery drains after just a few days. I believe the car has an electrical issue that's draining the battery. I'm most concerned if this happens when I can't get a jump start and become stranded.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #123

Sep 022021

Outback

  • miles
The battery in my 2019 Subaru Outback died without warning, just under 13,000 miles, on Aug. 26, 2021. AAA replaced the battery, which had only 3.7 volts remaining, at a cost of $156 for a 6-year battery. Exactly one week later, on Sept. 2, 2021, my new battery died. Another call to AAA, whose technician said the new battery was completely drained. He jumped the battery for me and checked the starter and alternator, which were fine. I drove directly to the Subaru dealer yesterday afternoon and they still have my car. I don't know for certain what the problem is, but based on owner complaints (and a class-action suit) I found online it appears that the problem is in the CAN unit, which in 2015-2020 Outbacks (and other Subarus as well) fails to put the car's electrical system to sleep when the engine isn't running, thereby draining the battery. I am very afraid of being stranded without the ability to get help quickly.

- Highland, CA, USA

problem #122

Aug 112021

Outback

  • miles
Not sure if it-??s the battery itself or the alternator but the battery keeps draining and I have to keep calling to have the vehicle jump started. The vehicle is available for inspection and safety will be of concern if this continues to happen and I am out on the road somewhere remote. The dealer offered to test the battery but did not confirm the issue has occurred in other vehicles. There were no warning lights nor messages.

- Charlotte , NC, USA

problem #121

Apr 152021

Outback

  • miles
The battery has drained six times since April 15, 2021. Available for inspection upon request. Risk factors for safety: unable to get husband and mother to medical appointments; unable to leave residence for ANY reason; potential for stranding in unsafe areas. Problem has been addressed with dealership who has not identified a specific problem, from June 11, 2021. No inspection by anyone other than service department at dealership who stated "Inspected customer concern, found battery and charging system testing good, found no parasitic draw for power. Found vehicle operating as designed (June 11, 2021). Of course battery was charged after it was driven 60 miles to dealership! There have been NO warnings of any kind. First of six failures occurred on April 15, 2021.

- Burgaw, NC, USA

problem #120

Oct 022020

Outback

  • miles
In Oct 2020 (12055 mi) and June 2021 (17059 mi) the battery drained overnight while parked in the garage. I was able to jump it the first time. Second time it had to be towed. Dealer replaced the battery both times.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

problem #119

Aug 022021

Outback

  • miles
My battery died overnight. I jumó started and took it to Subaru who said I needed a new battery. My car has 28k miles and under 3 years since I bought it. They replace the battery and same thing happened 2 days later. I keep having to jumó start my car every other day and they don-??t seem to know what the problem is.

- Los Angeles , CA, USA

problem #118

Jul 312021

Outback

  • miles
Have had 2 batteries fail in 2 1/2 years. New battery installed and my electrical system is failing. Can't lock my car unless fob is in an RFID bag, has not started several times, and has refued to open several times for about a minute. Will be taking car back to dealer to see if they can fix the problem.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #117

Jul 262021

Outback

  • miles
I received a 2019 Subaru Outback on 15 July 2021. The vehicle was sold by a dealer, and gone through the Subaru vehicle certification process, which includes checking the electrical system. I kept the vehicle off the road while I got the vehicle registered and insured, running it for a few minutes every three days. I planned to take the first road trip on 26 July 2021, after the paperwork had been completed. The vehicle would not start, and no power was available for electrical components. Checking the battery with a multimeter indicated voltage had dropped to 4V. I contacted the selling dealership, and they indicated they would pay to replace the discharged battery.

- Hollis, NH, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »