10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,235 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2019 Subaru Outback electrical problems

electrical problem

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2019 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 6 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #207

Jun 172021

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I would have experienced the same battery issues for the last 14 months. 12 months ago I purchased a back up charged starting battery that I use on a monthly basis. Subaru did advise of the battery warranty extension of which I took advantage of today I-??ve seen the other complaints in the nature site and being from the automotive industry myself, I believe that when you look back to the DCM issues from 2016 to 2018 and the latest issues on the 2023 you-??ll find a common thread it-??s not just a button. One key thing is that units of measure for the tire pressure monitoring system Arbitrarily change while you were in operation from psi to kilopascals. It indicates to me that there is still some Telematic related event and the vehicle isn-??t sure where it is at a given time so it sets the units and the time to what amount to mountain time Canada. Just thought I-??d give you a hint. I do believe you-??ll find that and that poses a big challenge for the SOS button. If you can-??t locate the vehicle or it isn-??t where they think it should be, may not be the button.

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

problem #206

Nov 242022

Outback

  • miles
I was in a parking lot pulling into a parking spot. My car sped with full power over a curb barrier and hit a parked car in front of me. The force was strong enough to push the car I hit back several inches. My airbag did not deploy. The forward obstacle collision detection did not work. My safety could have been at risk if this happened while on the road or freeway. There were no warnings that day, however a week or so earlier when I tried to drive the car it would not start (new battery installed approx 3 months ago) and all lights on the dash came on. I tried to start it a few times but after smelling gas I left it. Later that day it started with no problems. The car is up to date on services/recalls. It is scheduled for inspection with my insurance company on 11/30/22.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #205

Aug 042022

Outback

  • miles
Problem started Aug 4, 2022. I went to start the car & the battery was dead. Jumped it, ran errands. Two days later dead battery again.Kept happening even though no lights left on when car turned off. Finally called dealership & they said battery was bad so it was replaced.3 weeks later battery went dead after car sat unused for 24 hrs. Was told car needed to be driven everyday to keep battery charged. I'm retired & don't drive everyday. Dealer then advised it was due to the control area network (CAN) system in the car & to contact Subaru of America. Apparently it doesn't go into sleep mode & drains the battery when the car isn't in use. Subaru is not being up front about this & it's dangerous.

- Parsippany , NJ, USA

problem #204

Nov 122022

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

the horn randomly gives several short beeps during vehicle operation. It seems to happen when the vehicle is stopped at red lights. This began after the dealer installed the Subaru OEM remote car starter.

- Norwich, CT, USA

problem #203

Oct 022022

Outback

  • miles
The car's battery is draining fast and the car's electric system stopped working after I replaced the battery three times. The car is currently inoperable.

- Dulles , VA, USA

problem #202

Apr 012022

Outback

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The key fobs were inoperable. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a low charge and the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.

- Jenkintown, PA, USA

problem #201

Sep 092022

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Navigation screen is delaminating and bubbling under the touch screen. It would cause navigation touch screen to detect phantom inputs and cause radio/telephone to do random actions (ie. calling random people, cycle radio stations, map zoom in) that is very distracting to driver. Screen would be completely unresponsive to touch input or button input.

- San Carlos, CA, USA

problem #200

May 012022

Outback

  • miles
The audio unit is malfunctioning, it constantly makes distracting intermittent tone sounds, continuously flashes and changes between AM, FM, Sirius and Bluetooth modes, makes random autonomous phone calls, touchscreen doesn't respond to touch, sound will randomly spike at high volumes. All of this makes it extremely distracting to safely drive the car. This has been happening since last June 2022. We leased this vehicle new then purchased it when the lease was expired. Diablo Subaru in Walnut Creek, CA advises the part is on back order and none are in stock. They admitted that a different customer dropped off their 2019 Subaru Outback now over 45 days and they don't have the replacement audio unit for it and they know of several other customers with the same problem of year, make & model. Subaru of America offered to pay $1,700 towards the $2,700 repair. Our car has 34k miles on it.?

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #199

Oct 292022

Outback

  • miles
vehicle battery continues to fail due to unusual electrical activity, requires a jump to start.

- Brookfield, WI, USA

problem #198

Jul 152022

Outback

  • miles
Original battery failed 7/2022. As stranded AAA installed new battery. New battery gets drained while car is off within a few days. Subaru class action lawsuit states dealer to provide new battery replacement and provide diagnostic procedures. Dealer diagnosed the problem as excessive draw on battery when car off. However dealer refuses to provide supposed ecu flash to car unless a new subaru battery is purchased. Class action lawsuit does not contain any language stating customer must have a subaru provided battery in car to receive flash. Further class action language specifically provides relief and compensation when owners are -??stranded-?? as a result of drained battery. This would supercede any implied requirement that owner would have had to locate and bring car to a authorized subaru dealer for repair. This subaru issue is in fact a safety issue as owners are caught in unsafe situations ie shopping malls, parking lots, gas stations with a dead battery. The car obviously has a defect in engineering and replacing batteries does not alleviate the underlying issue.

- Mahwah, NJ, USA

problem #197

Oct 082022

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The touch screen has bubbles on it and a mind of its own. I can not use my phone, maps let alone the radio. The vehicle has only 11k miles on it. I am being told I am out of warranty and it will cost 2k to replace the head unit. Searching forums this is a common issue. The 2018 models ended with a class action. At this point they are not taking responsibility for the 2019.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #196

Oct 212022

Outback

  • miles
Battery dead. Got jumped. A week later has now happened again. I just replaced the battery with brand new in May-??22, as previous battery had quit on me three times within a week or two in April - May-?? 22 My previous Subaru Outback 2014 had same issues and I had replaced that battery three three times within a year ! Accused garage of selling me old batteries and used parts!

- Boston , MA, USA

problem #195

Oct 172022

Outback

  • miles
New battery will not hold a charge. Electrical system drains battery when vehicle is turned off.

- Roosevelt, UT, USA

problem #194

Feb 082021

Outback

  • miles
I bought the vehicle in April 2019, the battery had to be replaced in February 2021. In September 2022 I starting having the same battery issues where it was constantly dying. I took it in to Subaru and they said the ECM was draining the battery and needed to be replaced which would be $1,000. I looked into the battery issue and Subaru has a class action lawsuit involving batteries prematurely dying. It also says that electrical issues are causing a parasitic pull on the batteries. So replacing the battery doesn't actually solve the problem. The suit settled and is replacing batteries, reimbursing battery costs and extending their warranties. But it does not address the actual electrical issues. Subaru has known of the electrical issues for years that are affecting multiple makes and have refused to acknowledge or address the issue.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #193

Oct 112022

Outback

  • miles
My battery has died over 7 times in the 3 years I have owned it. No systems were left on. It runs one day and won-??t start the next. It shows the battery light. This first happened 6 months after owning the car leaving me stranded waiting for roadside assistance and causing me to miss work. It has happened 3 times in the past year. As I type this I am stranded again waiting for someone to come and give me a jump and praying that it will start once I get out of the grocery store. I-??m afraid to go anywhere for fear of being stranded in a dangerous place. I always carry jumper cables with me now! The second issue is that it runs out of gas when there is a 30 miles left to empty notice. I ran out of gas in the left lane of a major highway at 4:45 pm bringing a friend home from the hospital. The gas station was 7 miles away. I was stranded there, waiting on Subaru tow service for hours until the police sent their own tow truck. It was very dangerous but I know better than to trust it now. It cost me 185 dollars. I was told this was a problem with 2018s but they thought they fixed it!

- Tryon, NC, USA

problem #192

Aug 082022

Outback

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the display and back-up camera were inoperable. Additionally, the radio was operating intermittently. The contact stated that calls were being made independently without the phone being connected. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was condensation on the display. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the head display needed to be replaced but was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

- Newark, CA, USA

problem #191

Oct 042022

Outback

  • miles
Battery randomly dies. Replaced OEM battery with aftermarket and issue still occurs.

- Clearfield, PA, USA

problem #190

Sep 292022

Outback

  • miles
Battery continues to drain while parked. Vehicle was taken to dealer and told it's a common problem and car cannot sit for several days without charging the battery. Replaced OEM battery with new Optima battery. After 6 months dead battery issue is worse and now battery is dead after sitting for a day even after driving for several hours. We have turned off all dome lights and are careful to not leave the doors or hatchback open any longer than necessary. Engine cranks slowly even after stopping for fuel. I called Subaru dealer in White Bear Lake, MN to inquire about the problem and schedule an appointment but dealer has not returned my call. We cannot drive the vehicle without concern of being stranded.

- Forest Lake, MN, USA

problem #189

Nov 102021

Outback

  • miles
Battery is failing more than 10 times during the course of the last 9 months.i bought the car brand new in 10/2021 It is a common issues on the same year. 50k miles. The battery will die if not driven everyday. Brand new battery with the same issues. It-??s draining the battery while turned off bc the electrical system is too much.

- Lancaster , PA, USA

problem #188

Sep 182022

Outback

  • miles
I attempted to start my car, and found that the battery was completly dead. There had been no signs of battery trouble / fatigue prior to this incident. Due to this sudden, unexpected failure, I had the car towed to the nearest Subaru dealer, for cause and repair. World Subaru tested the battery and found it was damaged. They used analytics to determine the cause of the battery damage to be the "telematic module", which they claim was defective. They replaced the battery and telematic module, claiming both were defective. Since the telematic module is part of the car's computer system, I beleive it has an effect on vehicle safety.

- Little Silver, NJ, USA

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