2019 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 1,034 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 24 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 18 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJul 29, 2021
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Campaign 21V587000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpApr 16, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.
Campaign 20V218000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureJun 26, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Spot welds located on the duct below the cowl panel may have been improperly applied, impacting the vehicle's body strength.
In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and repair or repurchase the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUH-93.
Campaign 19V493000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
363 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jun 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the battery was drained. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was jumpstarted and taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to an authorized dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.
Electrical system, Jun 13, 2022
First of all, I took my car in for an oil change 2 months ago, and they found nothing wrong with my car. However, yesterday, I attended a meeting away from my home. I was in the meeting in the morning for 2 hours. When I returned to my car, without any previous warning whatsoever, it would not start. My car is only 3 years old. I tried to open the hatch to get my jumper cables, but it requires electricity, I also wanted to roll down my windows because it was so hot, but they also only work with electricity. So I could do nothing but call for help. I was lucky that I wasn’t stranded on some remote place where there was no phone signal. I would not feel comfortable going somewhere on my own in my car, until I know exactly what is causing this problem because I don’t think it is safe — and I could be stranded. I had to have my car jump started again this morning. So tomorrow morning, I am taking the car in to have the battery checked. On December 10, 2019 I took my car in to a Subaru Dealership because I had, had another problem with my Subaru Outback, where I opened my back hatch on two separate occasions, but I could not get it to close (in the rain). I believe I called StarLink for help. However, somehow, by random actions just turning the car off and on, and pushing the “close” button on the back door, it finally worked, but I still don’t understand how or why. I ended up stranded at a grocery store and an airport when this happened. When I took it in to get checked at a Subaru dealership, I was told they could find nothing wrong with it.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2022
Battery drained. Will not hold a charge. From what I’ve been reading it seems there is a problem in the electrical system that is draining the batteries of these cars.
Electrical system, Jun 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, he was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he jumped started the vehicle and started up as needed. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure and the battery was replaced for a second time. The contact stated he continues to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,563.
Electrical system, May 27, 2022
AFTER 4 DAYS OF NOT DRIVING ..THE BATTERY IS DRAINED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. BATTERY TESTED BY MECHANIC AND HAS NO PROBLEM. MUST CARRY JUMPER CABLES OR A BATTERY CHARGER
Electrical system, May 23, 2022
There have been numerous problems associated with battery drain and improper function of the vehicle's automatic lift gate. Starting with the first dead battery situation on 12/25/21, there have been a total of 6 dead battery situations with this relatively new, certified pre-owned vehicle. Two new batteries have been provided through a AAA membership, but neither new battery has addressed the situation. The vehicle was taken to its place of purchase (Kendall Subaru of Eugene) on 02/02/22 to have a battery charge test conducted which was described by the dealership as the first and only course of action for the problem. The car passed Subaru's battery charge test and continued to have battery problems. Other than dealing with numerous dead batteries, improper function of the lift gate has also caused frustrating and unsettling conditions. For example, sometimes the automatic lift gate function on the vehicle's trunk won't work and the trunk will stay open. After force-closing the trunk, sometimes a loud beeping noise persists during driving of the vehicle for seemingly arbitrary and lengthy periods of time. Following is a list of dates when battery problems with this vehicle have occurred: 12/25/21; 12/27/21; 1/25/22; 3/21/22; 4/4/22; 5/22/22
Electrical system, May 12, 2022
Battery got drained many times, especially after leaving car not running for a couple weeks. One time car did not start. Had to replace battery for a better one. Better battery (Optima) works better but still drains.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 9, 2022
Battery drained by approx 50 % in a 12 hour period preventing car from starting. No lights, radio or other electrical feature could be activated. This is the 3rd occurrence of this feature since I purchased the vehicle on 9-28-2020. Supposedly Subaru dealer, Patrick Motors, Worcester, MA replaced the battery in 2020 at that time.
Electrical system, May 9, 2022
Not driven in a few day (2-3), the battery is dead and need to be jump started again an again!!! VERY FESTRIGHTION!!! Purchased the car (lease sales) 3-1-21 apx. Should have been fix under warranty then before sales, problems very sense. Had to personally buy a jump-starter and charger for my safety. EXPENSIVE!!! as a safety
Electrical system, Apr 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up intermittently. The contact stated that the failure had recurred three times however, she was able to restart the vehicle by jumpstarting the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2022
Rear tailgate fails to open consistently making it impossible to enter or exit the vehicle from the rear, through the rear tail gate door (the 5th door). Nine times we have brought vehicle back to authorized Subaru dealerships over the last two years of ownership in Hanover Ma-Planet Subaru; San Francisco -Serramonte Subaru and lastly in San Diego- Kearny Mesa. The rear tail gate does not open consistently while pressing the open button on either of the key fobs or from trying the driver's side interior release button or while attempting to use the hatch release button at the exterior rear of the vehicle. Many times we have tried all three standard methods to open the rear tail gate but with no success making this rear tail gate feature on this mid size SUV useless. This problem has been verified at Planet Subaru, Hanover, Ma and at Serramonte Subaru S.F. Could not duplicate it at our last appointment in Kearny Mesa San Diego in 2022 but it still continues to be a real problem. On multiple occasions, the car battery had been inadvertently drained because the rear tail gate did not close completely and the dash warning light confirmed this to be the case. Subaru adjusted the closing mechanism/replaced it and this seems to have solved the closure issue but not the opening function of the tailgate. The problem surfaced soon after our initial purchase of vehicle in July of 2020. Car is available for inspection.
Electrical system, Apr 19, 2022
The battery died for no apparent reason. I have since discovered that there are/has been class action lawsuits against Subaru for this very reason. This has the potential for putting family members at risk by stranding them. There were no signs or warnings before this occurred, and the dealer told us there was nothing wrong.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2022
The battery has gone dead 4 (four) times. The dealer checked it twice and said nothing was wrong with it. We have had to replace the battery ($178.07) but it also went dead. Three times, the car was in our garage, had been driven within a couple of days and the keys were not left in the car. Once it died when I had driven to the next town and had popped into a store for not more than 10 minutes and my husband had to leave work to come jump the car. We have found out that this is a persistent problem with some Subaru models and we feel the dealer did not disclose this. We now have to keep the car on a trickle charger ($74.18) and have to remember to disconnect when we leave and reconnect when we get back. Also, the passenger window cannot be lowered from the driver's side and the dealer didn't even look at it.
Electrical system, Apr 11, 2022
Battery keeps dying, replaced once already battery keeps draining, Simmons Rockwell Subaru of Elmira NY stated that the battery on the subaru won't last a week if the car isn't driven.
Electrical system, Apr 10, 2022
My 2019 Subaru Outback has electrical battery and key fob issues. Generally I drive this vehicle daily and the car battery is alright. We go to visit our children and I park in a airport parking lot for about a week and when we return the battery is either dead or indicates needs charge. The key fob does not operate and have to resort to actual key. Vehicle indicates key fob battery needs replacement. Went to dealer and key fob batteries replaced under warranty. Just a few months later key fob not working and got message to replace batteries. Have Subaru Starlink and would not open vehicle doors. I am 77 years old and find this to be difficult to manage. Have replaced key fob batteries multiple times. Vehicle battery not holding charge if vehicle not driven for a week or more to say the least is frustrating. These problems having been occurring from the time we purchased this vehicle.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Apr 6, 2022
The battery has continued to discharge and today it was dead. Accepted a jump to start however I'm not sure it will hold a charge. I understand that battery drain is a common problem. I am also on my third windshield and this seems strange, unon investigating a see where other owners have reported windshield problems.
Electrical system, Feb 11, 2022
I purchased this car in 2019 and I have brought into into the dealership because it keeps dying and I have to jump it. It will die several times a day and this has been a consistent problem since I purchased the car. I have made the dealership aware and they have inspected the car 4 times and I am always told that there is no issue that they can find with the car.
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2022
The battery dies often. Liftgate opens spontaneously. Dealer replaced battery, issue persists. Vehicle is available for inspection; it isn't going anywhere right now! Battery failed 3 times in 2 weeks, and is dead right now. The vehicle is useless. No warnings. This has been a problem for the last year.
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2022
Bought car November 2019. New battery April 2020. Losing charge February 2021 got another battery. Reliable Subaru, Springfield, MO recommended trickle charge every night. Car losing charge June 2021. Reliable Subaru put in new battery. Again recommended trickle charge every night. August 2021 car dead and would not start. Reliable Subaru towed in and put in another new battery. December 2021 car was not started in four days and was dead, had to be jumped. 1/17/22 within four hours of drop off, Auto Nation West, Golden, CO determines the DCM unit which is connected to the Starlink system was,in fact, a parasitic drain. It is drawing more than it should. Fixed 1/20/2022 2/1/22 parked car n garage at 8:33 pm. Returned to vehicle at approximately 7:30 pm on 2/4/22. The key fob produced no response from the car. The car was dead— no lights, nothing. Called roadside assistance. The car was jumped the following morning.
Electrical system, Jan 31, 2022
The battery keeps draining, leaving us without a vehicle. After numerous jump starts, the dealership replaced the first battery. Within a few months, the new battery has the same issues. So back to the dealership, now with the knowledge that many Subaru owners are experiencing the same issue with their Outbacks.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the battery was inadvertently drained, and the vehicle would not start. After recharging the battery, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who indicated that the battery was not faulty. The battery was recharged but the rear hatch door would not open while pressing the open button on both the key fobs, the driver’s side seat panel button, or while attempting to use the hatch button at the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the only way to open the rear hatch door was by using the emergency release inside the hatch space. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2022
I am leasing a 2019 Subaru Out back which has a battery drain issue. The most recent incident occurred on Jan. 21st 2022 when the battery failed after having been at the dealers for the 2 days prior to fix this problem. This was the fourth time the battery has gone dead in the past year. I have read articles that say the electrical system is draining the battery which is inadequate to handle the demands. I don't know that Subaru has a solution to this problem. Being left in a parking lot or remote location is a dangerous situation during these Winter months.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jan 23, 2022
Sudden Acceleration Defect has occurred several times with last incident Friday 21Jan2022. Each time I have had the brake pedal engaged, yet vehicle fails to stop, and accelerates on it’s own, causing me to go through stop signs with potentially dangerous outcomes for pedestrians, other vehicles, barriers. Dealer appointment rescheduled for Monday 24Jan2022. No inspections to date. No warnings- the first time I thought I may have caused it by accidentally touching the accelerator, but now I know that is not the case. First occurrence was in Dec 2021, exact date not known, happened in a parking lot.
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2022
Battery keeps draining. We jumped it two days ago and already it's dead again. We've checked all lights and other systems for user error--it's not us, it's the car! I'm scared to go anywhere remote for fear of getting stranded, especially now that it's winter in New England!
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2022
We left our Outback at the airport and went on a 4 day vacation. When we came back on December 5,2021 the car would not start and the battery was in a deep failure. The battery had approximately 32,000 miles on it and was the original battery. Took home, put on charger and on December 7, 2021 the vehicle still would not start and had to be jumped. The Subaru dealer replaced the battery under warranty with a larger cranking battery. Fail Code L0XXF4Q-3J8KGD1. A month later and less than 1,000 mile later, the battery failed again. It was jumpted and taken to the dealer. They said they found no problem and replaced it with a "courtesy" battery as a ONE TIME only fix. I had to buy a portable jumper because I'm afraid the car will fail again. There are many instances on the Subaru website of other owners having this problem due to electrical failure. I did notice that my "welcome chime" only turns on some of the time, which leads me to believe that the vehicle is not shutting down properly every time.