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 #296

Apr 122024

Outback

  • miles
The battery has a substantial drain on it when the car is not in use. The car is not reliable to get from one place to another, especially if it sits for 24+ hours. The danger comes in that we may be left stranded in a remote area where no cell service is available. We often go to remote areas to camp. The vehicle and battery have been inspected by the dealership and they recommended a larger battery due to a settlement in a class action lawsuit. However, this does not fix the battery drain. Another class action suit is in the process to address this situation. No symptoms or warnings for when the battery dies. Everything operates just fine until it does not. Absolutely unpredictable.

- Payette, ID, USA

problem #295

Mar 032024

Outback

  • miles
Having dead battery issues due to DCM drain when vehicle parked in garage. I replaced 2 batteries since November 2023 and last dead battery issue March 2024. Took it to dealer Brilliance Subaru and they said they found no problem. Went to another mechanic and they said draining 150 or more milliamps from DCM fuse #9 when they take out milliamps returned to normal draw i think 20 or less but then i lose front speakers and bluetooth or more stuff. So thats not the fix.

- West Dundee, IL, USA

problem #294

Dec 152023

Outback

  • miles
Touchscreen has delaminated and bubbled, and it begins to operate on its own, and is unresponsive to correction. This affects the Settings, Navigation, and Infotainment systems. At worst, it causes Navigation and Maps to be inoperative at critical times. At best, it is distracting to the driver while trying to get it responsive, back in control. Dealership wants $3K TO REPLACE ENTIRE SCREEN SYSTEM, which is excessive for a new vehicle.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

problem #293

Apr 072024

Outback

  • miles
Starlink system not have service. SOS button doesn't work. My safety and life after an accident may be at risk because the SOS system will not call for help

- Northbrook, IL, USA

problem #292

Mar 242024

Outback

  • miles
3rd battery in 2019 Outback. Park car and next day battery is dead. And fully dead. Does not even want to take a charge at times-??. 39000 on vehicle. Dealer could not find anything. Coincidently the passenger front window quits working also. There is no warning to this just next day vehicle will not start. All work is done at the Mandan nd Subaru dealership.

- Bismarck, ND, USA

problem #291

Mar 222024

Outback

  • miles
I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning matter regarding a 2019 Subaru Outback. This vehicle has a known factory defect that results in excessive electrical draw from one of the factory-installed systems (DCM), leading to drained car batteries. This issue poses a significant risk, especially in situations where the vehicle may fail in dangerous environments. Subaru has previously issued a recall for the same issue on earlier model years, indicating awareness of the problem. However, they have failed to extend this recall to the 2019 model, despite it being part of the same manufacturing series. This inconsistency in addressing the issue is deeply concerning and potentially puts consumers at risk. Given the potential safety implications and the manufacturer's failure to take adequate action, I urge your office to investigate this matter thoroughly. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your prompt action in resolving this issue and ensuring the safety of consumers.

- Gig Harbor, WA, USA

problem #290

Mar 122024

Outback

  • miles
My battery continually dies leaving me stranded. I have to carry a jumper box to be sure I can start my car and safely get home. From doing research, Subaru is aware of this problem from the tech bulletins they have posted. They should replace the DCM for their customers and update the program as well.

- Depew , NY, USA

problem #289

Jan 052024

Outback

  • miles
Broken axle, ECM or engine control module, Replaced with third battery with only 77,000 miles. This car is a lemon and a total, piece of junk My wife-??s 2020 Subaru Forrester has a console which is a complete hazard on the road. If you put anything on the console it doesn-??t stay and slides off Talk about a complete distraction and safety danger just because of lazy manufacturing and stupid engineers who can-??t think their way out of a wet paperbag

- Harleysville, PA, USA

problem #288

Mar 092024

Outback

  • miles
The head unit is malfunctioning due to bubbles behind the screen, causing various systems to act up. When a phone is plugged in for guidance it will randomly change the settings and guidance goes away. It will automatically call people. Radio stations and music turn on and off, and change by themselves. All of these are distractions while driving, and negate the safety features of the in dash guidance and hands free phone features. This is a continuous problem.

- Westminster, CO, USA

problem #287

Mar 012024

Outback

  • miles
Delamination on radio screen causing head unit to go crazy on its own. Identical issues reported in 2017/2018 models resulting in class suit vs Subaru-?? at this time Subaru dealership advised Subaru is not addressing the known defective head unit issue and quoting $2000 for replacement which is ridiculous for a 4-5 year old car. Assistance needed to have Subaru issue a recall and take ownership for its defective product.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #286

Mar 042024

Outback

  • miles
The battery keeps draining/dying and I need to constantly jump start the car. I-??ve replaced the battery and it keeps happening.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #285

Mar 042024

Outback

  • miles
The DCM component failed and is available for inspection by the dealer. When a manufacture has knowledge of a component that has a record of failure but ignores the need for replacement; it becomes a safety concern. Any problem when neglected is a potential safety issue. The dealer has confirmed the DCM is responsible for causing the engine battery to fail. No warning. No mention in vehicles regular maintenance schedule. The dealer reports SOA advised the service department to stock DCM's.

- Schofield, WI, USA

problem #284

Sep 052023

Outback

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the entertainment system randomly restarted without warning, froze, and then became unresponsive. The system was uncontrollable and was transitioning from one program to another independently. The entertainment system affected Eyesight warnings, back up camera, and the GPS. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

- Tuskahoma, OK, USA

problem #283

Feb 252024

Outback

  • miles
Repeatedly DEAD BATTERY. Experiencing premature parasitic battery drain in Outback, I had to jump the car every morning.

- Hummelstown, PA, USA

problem #282

Jan 252024

Outback

  • miles
My 2019 Subaru outback has a defective screen. The screen has begun to delaminate from the inside and causes the screen to jump around and not be able to stay on one screen. The power button also seems to not be working and is cause the radio to turn on and off. Because of those two issues, the radio screen jumps around and turns off and on, posing a major safety risk. I tried taking the car to the place I bought it and a Subaru dealer, and they will not help financially or with the repair even though they have this issue with other year models of the same car. Picture is attached. Has sense gotten worse.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #281

Feb 162024

Outback

  • miles
DCM is a parasitic drain on the battery according to the dealership. Replaced battery twice. The "fix" online is to pull the fuse but starlink and hands free won't work without it.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #280

May 012023

Outback

  • miles
Faulty dcm causing parasitic drain on battery causing dead battery every two days. New battery did not solve problem.

- Mora, NM, USA

problem #279

Feb 082024

Outback

  • miles
Repeated dead battery. Have replaced battery to no avail.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #278

Apr 012022

Outback

  • miles
Starling system that also controls the hands free voice control for phone and navigation has a data control module that is trying to connect to an out dated relay or 3g phone tower. Because the system cannot connect the car continues to loop itself in its programming to keep trying. The continuous retrying eventually drains the battery causing the car to not start. The fix within the Subaru Outback forum has a fix to remove the data control module fuse. When this fuse is remove the hands free calling and navigation is also disabled. Repeated attempts for Subaru to replace or update the starlink system is not acknowledged and it-??s claimed that Subaru does not recognize that there is an error in the starlink programming or system that causes a battery drain.

- Findlay, OH, USA

problem #277

Dec 132021

Outback

  • miles
2019 SUBARU OUTBACK Purchased new 10/10/2018. December 13, 2021 Original Battery Dead Replaced by Firestone cost $164.51 - 53,931 miles. June 8, 2023 Dead Battery - Towed to Firestone - Replaced Battery. December 28, 2023 - Dead Battery Vehicle wouldn-??t start - Recharged Battery. January 7, 2024 - Dead Battery Vehicle wouldn-??t start - Recharged Battery. January 9, 2024 - Firestone Tested Battery - Could not diagnose problem cost $37.99. January 12,2024 - Subaru Dealer performed Battery Draw Test Cost $170 - Concluded DCM (Data Communications Module needed to be replaced) - 88,009 miles. February 1, 2024 Currently still waiting on DCM Back-order to arrive at the Subaru Dealer. Cost to replace DCM $800. Subaru has many class action lawsuits on its 2015 - 2020 Vehicles over dead battery failures but is not offering a recall replacement of the DCM causing the failures. Also, the reimbursement for a dead battery has expired leaving owners of these vehicles to replace this DCM part on their own expense. Without replacing this part leaves the owner waking up every day not knowing if their vehicle will start.

- Moseley, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »