Subaru Outback Complaints (2019)

1,036 consumer complaints on file.

#11553594November 4, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
At this point I dont know what to do. This has been a reoccurring problem since I initially purchased the car. - Electrical Issues have been a problem since the day we purchased the vehicle. Initially thought it was our toddlers fault. Raised multiple times at multiple dealerships. I have yet to find a service center that can tell me why my car will not start other than they can tell something is draining the battery. No warnings. Safety is of concern, because one never knows when the issue will occur. For example, brand new battery died in parking lot of my kids school. - Fuel pump issues - took car on drive from LA to Las Vegas, with child. Car struggled to maintain speed. Exited in Barstow, CA. Parked at a Midas, which was closed, and was stranded with a toddler. After 3 hours of waiting in parking lot, was able to get car started. Drove to closest hotel. The following day, was able to get car back to midas where it was determined the fuel pump broke. Safety was at risk as my 3 year had to sit in 110 degree weather heat. Subaru did tow the car back to the closest dealership and fixed the fuel pump, and reimbursed me for the rental car. Car was in shop for over 2 weeks. Was not reimbursed for hotel or midas diagnostics.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552818October 31, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BATTERY DRAIN AFTER SITTING FOR 2 WEEKS. NEW BATTERY. DEAD AGAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552248October 27, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Defective Infotainment System. There is a known issue with the touchscreen Starlink system that can experience the dynamic or phantom input, i.e. a “ghost touch” that causes the system to change sources, shut off, reboot, or work intermittently or not at all. Even when the input does not change, the system emits the audible beep sound as if changes are being selecting via the touch screen. The distraction resulted in me taking my eyes off the road. The touch screen has ghost blobs or prints on the underside of the touch screen. Reported the issue to Subaru of America, who was already aware of the issue; they have received complaints for 2019-2023 models. The same issue was resolved via a class action suit for previous models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552257October 27, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, it was discovered that the battery power was drained. The battery was recharged; however, later the failure reoccurred. The battery was replaced but the failure continued to occur. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The contact stated that after removing the DCM fuse the failure was remedied however, other electrical features became inoperable. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552008October 26, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR HAS HAD 4 BATTERIES IN FOUR YEARS. THERE IS A VOLTAGE DRAIN TO THE "CAM" COMPUTER MODULE, AS IT FAILS TO GO INTO FULL SLEEP MODE. i WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE THINKING THEY WER BAD BATTERIES. YESTERDAY IT WAS DEAD AGAIN BUT THE BATTERY WAS GOOD JUST NEEDED CHARGING. HOWEVER, THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN AND BEEPER ALARM WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND STOP WHEN THE CAR STOPPED. IF I CONTINUE DRIVING IT STOPS AFTER ABOUT TWO MINUTES, BUT WILL SOUND OFF ONCE I STOP AND START DRIVING AGAIN FOR ANOTHER 2 MINUTES. THERE ARE NO SUBARU DEALERS WITHIN 100 MILES. THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER DIAGNOISTED THE PROBLEM STATING IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR 2018-21 OUTBACKS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551895October 25, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Battery keeps draining. Was reading about a known issue with DCM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551233October 22, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
I previously reported the deteriorating state of my head unit (which controls all features relating to the screen in my vehicle--including the backup camera). The head unit spontaneously "delaminated" in early August and now has a persistent "ghost touch" that has escalated to the point that the car now rapidly cycles through screen movements and features--all while making a persistent beeping noise that cannot be turned off (even if you adjust the volume knob down to zero). This is distracting beyond belief, and renders the car virtually undriveable. This is known issue to Subaru, and a class action lawsuit has been filed, but they appear to want to wait to see if they lawsuit is successful before they rectify the issue with owners. They have told me repairs would run close to 4k and the parts to fix the car are backordered for over a year. In the meantime, the car essentially cannot be driven, as loud and random beeping coupled with a constantly zooming and moving screen is highly distracting. The backup camera is also intermittently affected by the screen's delamination, rendering it unuseable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550705October 18, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Failing and malfunctioning head unit. This is a known problem with Subaru Outbacks. The inside is delaminating causing bubbles inside screen. The touch screen thinks you are touching it so it will skip stations, press all kinds of buttons on the menu screen, and even call contacts on your phone. I had to shut the radio off completely to a black screen as it’s dangerous while driving. I’ve been waiting almost a year for a replacement with no ETA from Subaru, told on “indefinite back order”. I paid the car off intending to keep it many years and purchased an extended warranty that is useless.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550417October 17, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The 2019 Subaru Outbacks have a Data Communication Module (DCM) which allows hands-free access to audio features of the car. The DCM (Generation 1) was designed to work on 3G networks and also provides access to Starlink which could be used in an emergency. With the deactivation of the 3G network, the DCM drains the car's main battery. Thus the car will not start if left unattended for any length of time. If the DCM is disabled by pulling the fuse, the hands-free features of the car are also disabled as well as Starlink. There is a class action lawsuit regarding this problem, however, it only covers the batteries that are damaged due to being drained and does NOT address the root cause of the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549264October 10, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
This is known issue with the electrical system that is associated with the touch screen controls. Without any driver input, the EyeSight driver assist system was shutoff. That system controls adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and lane departure features. Rebooting the Starlink touch screen restored those functions. The safety issue is that no audible warning gave indication that the safety features were disabled. Two icons appeared on the dash. There appears to be a class action suit that applies to the Starlink system for my model year. It is important to understand that this more than merely a problem with the entertainment features.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548669October 6, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to start-up. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due the battery not operating as designed. The battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the Data Control Module (DCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The DCM was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,941.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548364October 5, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My battery died and I replaced it. Suddenly my radio/screen system started to malfunction. It no longer works at all other than interrupting phone calls by switching from car to phone speaker. I have no access to any safety features. Now my brand new battery of one month isn’t working. When I had an oil change at the dealership last month, they were familiar with the issue but stated there was a recall on the exact issue for a different year. They said I’d have to pay $1000 for a new radio interface. My question is why is the radio/screen and the battery failing at the same time? Why is there a recall one year off and my car is costing me a fortune and so much time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548488October 5, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated she avoided crashing into another vehicle however, the vehicle struck the curb before coming to a stop. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side tire was damaged and became flattened. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the tire was replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 47,122. The VIN was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548303October 4, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Diagnosis from Dealer - DCM is causing a draw on battery during sleep mode will need new DCM to be replaced to stop draw on battery. Battery is drained after a couple days of not driving the car. Battery was replace in May 2023. Safety issue if somewhere where car can not be jumped.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547329September 29, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Subaru outback had been parked in my garage for a few days. When I decided to move it, I backed out of my garage and noticed that my car had this squiggly crack on my windshield. I see this happen to a lot of subaru owners. Called about getting a defective windshield replaced and was told no. After seeing thaf theres been a lot of complaints of the similar issue. Issue happened on 9.28.23
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547191September 28, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On July 28th, my touch screen (head unit) in my Subaru Outback suddenly delaminated overnight. From that point foward, all systems connected to the head unit have been either unusable or intermittent--often dangerously so. My backup camera and blind spot indicators are randomly unusable; the GPS system turns itself on and off in use (and half the time, screen itself cycles through "ghost touches" and is unable to be directed in any way); my car calls random people through the Bluetooth system while driving, which is a major distraction, and Starlink is unusable. Internet searching has revealed a proposed class action lawsuit against Subaru for the known issues with their head units; the 2018 models were recalled, but as mine is a 2019, I have been told I'm ineligible for support with repairs and would need to pay 3k out of pocket. I can't sell the car with the level of defects it currently has, and driving the vehicle is at best irritating and at worst, dangerous (depending on how the head unit behaves that day). I purchased this car because I wanted to have a backup camera, blind spot indicators, access to GPS support, and more.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547214September 28, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start immediately as designed. The contact was able to start the vehicle after several attempts. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure recurred. The dealer diagnosed that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V587000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 20V218000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11546679September 26, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Small rock impact at top passenger side of the windshield spidered beyond repair in about 30 minutes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11546313September 25, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Radio Headunit -- Freezes and has ghost inputs. Makes the unit unusable- no backup camera. Flashes and beeps constantly. You can not mute it or stop it. It seems to also cause the "Eyesight" to not behave normally
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11546010September 22, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Minor rock strike from road driving on 09/15/23. This resulted in a crack about 8" long on passenger side of window. In 7 days, the crack has grown to about 36" and has fractured in multiple locations. The crack continues to grow even while the vehicle is stationary and not experiencing severe weather events. This is due to a poor bracing of the window on the top frame portion of its mounting location on the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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