2019 Subaru Outback
Common Problems
Ranked from 614 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
14 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Battery issues leading to complete discharge
409complaintsSafety riskElectricalBatteries completely drain and fail to start the vehicle, often multiple times within a short period.
- 2
Battery Drain and Failure
224complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe battery frequently drains or fails, causing the vehicle to stall or require jumpstarting.
$150–$700est. parasitic-drain diagnosis + battery · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Infotainment System Delamination and Malfunction
28complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe infotainment system delaminates, causing the screen to bubble and malfunction, leading to random button presses and screen changes.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Battery Parasitic Drain
17complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe Digital Communication Module (DCM) causes the battery to drain even when the vehicle is turned off, leading to frequent need for jumpstarts.
$150–$700est. parasitic-drain diagnosis + battery · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Windshield Cracking Without Impact
16complaintsMedium severityOtherThe windshield cracks without any apparent impact, especially in colder temperatures, posing a visibility hazard to the driver.
- 6
Infotainment System Random Functionality Issues
15complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe infotainment system malfunctions, causing random changes in radio stations, GPS, and other settings, creating a safety hazard.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Random Malfunction of Head Unit
10complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe head unit malfunctions randomly, causing distractions and affecting the functionality of various systems.
- 8
Windshield Cracking and Spreading
7complaintsHigh severityOtherWindshields have cracked and spread without any apparent cause, significantly impacting visibility.
- 9
Windshield Replacement Issues
7complaintsMedium severityOtherWindshields have repeatedly cracked and required replacement, leading to ongoing costs and inconvenience.
- 10
Engine Cam Carrier Oil Leak
4complaintsHigh severityEngineThe cam carrier oil seal fails, causing oil leakage and potentially leading to engine failure.
$200–$1,600est. oil-leak repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Battery Failure Due to Parasitic Draw
3complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe battery frequently fails due to continuous parasitic draw from the Data Communications Module (DCM), rendering the vehicle unusable.
$150–$700est. parasitic-drain diagnosis + battery · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe forward collision avoidance system malfunctions, failing to provide necessary warnings or braking assistance.
- 13
Service Brakes Failure
2complaintsMedium severityBrakesThe service brakes fail to function properly, leading to unexpected vehicle movement and potential accidents.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Steering and Suspension Issues
2complaintsLow severitySteeringIssues with steering and suspension, including sudden acceleration and loss of control, have been reported.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.