What 1,029 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Subaru Outback Wilderness

While turning left from left turn lane, eyesight failed to detect oncoming traffic resulting in right front side impact. No warning, no braking action. This is an advertised safety system supposedly designed to prevent this type of accident. In addition, passenger side airbag deployed (no passenger in the passenger seat) but driver side airbag did not deploy. Newton's third law of motion says both should deploy. Significant injury occurred to the driver as a result.

NHTSA ODI 11688632

Purchased a low mileage, 2019 Subaru Outback Limited, had 16,407 miles on vehicle, had accident damage reported by CARFAX. At 27,383 miles an oil leak in valve cover gasket was discovered, Subaru fixed leak under warranty, engine removed. Upon driving the vehicle home following repairs, the car lunged forward through the garage door, into the garage, and damaged vehicle and garage interior as I approached the garage. Sudden acceleration occurred. Vehicle taken on flag bed to Subaru shop for repairs and investigation of incident by Subaru of America. Insurance company provided damage/repair estimate.

NHTSA ODI 11498852

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.

NHTSA ODI 11494847

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at a slow rate of speed and parking the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control and crash into a brick wall. During the incident, the brake pedal was pressed but the vehicle did not stop. The driver sustained a left shoulder injury. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was not yet towed. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that previously the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration problems while driving at highway speeds with and without cruise control activated. In addition on several occasions, the collision avoidance system had erroneously activated while driving at highway speeds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failures and no service was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 24,000.

NHTSA ODI 11436780

My 2019 Subaru Outback unintentionally accelerated. I was sitting in my SUV waiting for an electronic gate to open at my storage unit. I was about 10-15 feet in front of the gate. My foot was firmly on the brake and the car was in drive. I have been at this gate many times. This time, before the gate could fully open, the car raced forward at top speed into the gate. Damaging my bumper and terrifying me! The gate did stop the car. I felt like a ghost had slammed a foot on the gas pedal!!! The breaks did nothing. The Subaru floor mat was attached with 2 pegs and sticks like velcro to the carpet. Thank God I was not at a crosswalk or in front of a building - I would have killed myself or someone else! I reported this to my local dealer and they referred me to Subaru of America. The dealer had my car for 6 weeks and S.O.A. sent a team to inspect the car for 6 hours. Customer service after 6 weeks said my car was fine. That no issues were found! They will not provide me with a list of tests completed or what was reported by the "Black Box" on board. All I have is a email from Peter at Customer Service (that was my 3rd and final rep.) that that is all the information that he has or can get and the care is fine to drive! If that is so, why is there a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT against them!

NHTSA ODI 11427658

Drove into the Walgreen's parking lot, made several low speed turns to arrive at the west side of the building. Pulled into an empty parking space. Entered parking space at very low rate of speed and proceeded to brake to a full stop. Moved shift lever with the intent to move transmission from Drive to Park and despite my foot still being on the brake, the car suddenly lurched forward, drove over the curb and sidewalk, crossed sidewalk and hit the side of the store (a brick wall). Car bounced back to a midpoint of the sidewalk. Engine was still running but car came to a full stop. I turned off the engine. Two Walgreen employees came out to see if I was OK (they heard the impact). I told them I was but later my chest hurt and I found a bruise suggesting impact with the steering wheel. Entire front of car is damaged. There were no warning notifications from the car (no parking or forward collision warnings). My right foot never left the brake pedal. The "unexpected acceleration" lunge forward occurred with the attempted shift of the transmission from Drive to Park. The transmission ended up being in Neutral when the car finally stopped moving. Floor mat was in the normal position, secured by the built-in pins, had not shifted and was not near the brake or accelerator (gas) pedal. Cruise control was not turned on. This was a routine trip to a local store.

NHTSA ODI 11419921

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE AT SLOW SPEED, PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. BRAKING FORCE WAS UNABLE TO OVER COME THE ACCELERATION. FORTUNATELY NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE. A SCARY SITUATION, CONFIDENCE LOST IN THE VEHICLE.SUBARU NORTH AMERICA CLAIMS "THE VEHICLE IS SAFE AND OPERATING AS DESIGNED."

NHTSA ODI 11374689

2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DESIGN OR MALFUNCTIONING OF TECHNOLOGY. THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADJUSTED SPEED. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET TO 45MPH AT WHICH POINT, THE VEHICLE SPEED UP AND CRASHED INTO THE CAR AHEAD. THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11270790