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

2019 Subaru Outback purchased 7/10/19 during that fall and following winter had the battery die multiple times. We keep it in a garage where it does not freeze in the winter. Had to jump it to start each time. Finally took it to the dealership 4/29/20 with 4,669 miles on it to complain to dealership. They said that there was nothing wrong with the battery. They told us that it needed to be driven every couple of days to keep the battery charged to prevent the parasitic electrical draw from draining the battery. This was during the heart of the 'Stay at home/COVID' so we did not use it everyday. It continues to have the battery drain problem. Just this weekend 1/15/22 we had to jump the battery in our driveway to leave and drove 30 minutes to the store and expected the battery to keep the charge but after leaving the store found the battery dead again. Luckily we found a nice guy who offered to give us a jump. This is a continual problem.

NHTSA ODI 11447690

The battery failed for no apparent reason. After getting it jumped, it would fail to keep a full charge. Starting the car, it was always a gamble as to whether it would start-up or not. This lasted a month or so until the car battery was completely dead. I then had a tow truck come from my insurance to replace the battery.

NHTSA ODI 11446943

Parasitic Battery Drain left battery dead and unable to start vehicle. This was caused by a defective DCM (Data Communication Module). This problem first surfaced within weeks of new car purchase and took about 6-months and several visits to dealer to remedy. I also replaced the oem battery with a new upgraded battery at my own expense. Recently the problem reoccurred as the DCM module again failed and created a parasitic drain. This has probably damaged the new battery which is only a year old as it was completely discharged. The dealer again fixed the problem but as before was initially skeptical that it was caused by user error or letting vehicle sit too long between use; both of the most problematic failures occurred when the vehicle was left parked for 2-weeks at parksleepfly hotels while on trips and returned to find dead battery.

NHTSA ODI 11446280

In Feb, 2021, I went to start my car in the garage. It was totally dead. It had just been in for 6 month svc 2 weeks earlier. I called dealership, they sent a tech to my home to get the car started. He said it was totally drained, left and came back later with a jumper system and got it started and drove it to the dealership. They installed a new battery and the tech said they were having trouble with original equipment batteries but this one should not have the problem. Now, Jan, 2022, the car is dead again. I am 79 and the sole caregiver to my wife who has dementia and cannot talk. At this moment, I have left a message for dealer service manager but have not received call back after 5 hours. It is just like the information posted on line about this Subaru issue.

NHTSA ODI 11446368

The battery will drain in under a week if the car is not driven. Subaru dealer gave me 3 batteries in 6 months. The battery tests fine, but discharges if the car sits for a week. Subaru USA gave $350 to go buy a top of the line battery and the issue persists with an Optima yellow top.

NHTSA ODI 11445867

I have had battery failures in the last 34 months 3 times. I have reported this problem before. The dealer replaces my battery and gives advice about not driving enough. not keeping my fob the proper distance from the car. This is casing me to be concerned about safety issues. I know there is a class action 2020 for this problem but subaru needs to solve this issue. It is a computer on wheels and I realize that uses a great deal of electrical power but you should not be stranded because subaru refuses to solve their issues. My next step is to contact subaru but I doubt they will take any action. So I guess next step is to change cars. Its a shame as they charge a great deal of money for this car. I owned the first outback when it came out and had no problems. I am extremely disappointed in their cars now.

NHTSA ODI 11444937

Battery Drain....3 different times, car will not start, kills the battery 89 year old lady left to call for help with starting the car.

NHTSA ODI 11444110

The battery of my Subaru Outback appears damaged. My car's battery has died or shorted two times over the past two days. It had to be jump started for it to work, only for it to stall again. This puts I and my passengers at risk because the vehicle could've stalled while in motion. This problem has been confirmed by an independent service provider, the towing company. There were no warning signs or symptoms prior to this problem.

NHTSA ODI 11443705

Abnormal draining of battery when I dont drive for a couple of days leaving me stranded due to my medical immobility. This has been ongoing for the past six months. . Several instances of where I have had to jump start it only to find the battery dead in a few days Have alerted dealer on issue and will need to be checked when I take it in for the Fuel Pump recall for which I was put on a waiting list as they did not have the parts in???? A very annoying problem with the battery even had to have it jump started thi evening. Unrelable

NHTSA ODI 11443536

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the horn inadvertently actuated without warning. The contact also stated while starting the vehicle, the horn would sound intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as a remote start module failure. The remote start module was replaced however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact stated that the manufacturer and dealer stated that the remote start system needed to be removed from the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11437240

My car is a 2019 Subaru Outback. It has less than 20,000 miles on the odometer. This morning is wouldn’t start. I called for a jump and when the service person arrived, they told me the battery was dead. They gave it a jump and I let the car run for an hour. After parking the car a couple of blocks away, I tried to start it again. Nothing. Now I have to have it towed to the dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11436806

Twice the vehicle’s battery went dead leaving my wife stranded. Contacted local Subaru dealer and they replaced the battery under warranty. The service manager told my wife that the reason the battery went dead was that she was not driving it enough. My wife drives the car every day so that is not the problem. When the battery was tested under load it showed the battery had failed and that was the reason it went dead. The battery was defective.

NHTSA ODI 11435103

The car battery has been abnormally draining when I don't drive the car for 2-3 days leaving me stranded at home. Subaru claims I'm not driving my car enough and need to drive it at least 40 mins a week. They refuse to admit any problems. I put 1000 miles on the car a month so can't understand how a 2019 Car battery drains after just a few days. I believe the car has an electrical issue that's draining the battery. I'm most concerned if this happens when I can't get a jump start and become stranded.

NHTSA ODI 11433981

The battery in my 2019 Subaru Outback died without warning, just under 13,000 miles, on Aug. 26, 2021. AAA replaced the battery, which had only 3.7 volts remaining, at a cost of $156 for a 6-year battery. Exactly one week later, on Sept. 2, 2021, my new battery died. Another call to AAA, whose technician said the new battery was completely drained. He jumped the battery for me and checked the starter and alternator, which were fine. I drove directly to the Subaru dealer yesterday afternoon and they still have my car. I don't know for certain what the problem is, but based on owner complaints (and a class-action suit) I found online it appears that the problem is in the CAN unit, which in 2015-2020 Outbacks (and other Subarus as well) fails to put the car's electrical system to sleep when the engine isn't running, thereby draining the battery. I am very afraid of being stranded without the ability to get help quickly.

NHTSA ODI 11431610

Not sure if it’s the battery itself or the alternator but the battery keeps draining and I have to keep calling to have the vehicle jump started. The vehicle is available for inspection and safety will be of concern if this continues to happen and I am out on the road somewhere remote. The dealer offered to test the battery but did not confirm the issue has occurred in other vehicles. There were no warning lights nor messages.

NHTSA ODI 11430750

The battery has drained six times since April 15, 2021. Available for inspection upon request. Risk factors for safety: unable to get husband and mother to medical appointments; unable to leave residence for ANY reason; potential for stranding in unsafe areas. Problem has been addressed with dealership who has not identified a specific problem, from June 11, 2021. No inspection by anyone other than service department at dealership who stated "Inspected customer concern, found battery and charging system testing good, found no parasitic draw for power. Found vehicle operating as designed (June 11, 2021). Of course battery was charged after it was driven 60 miles to dealership! There have been NO warnings of any kind. First of six failures occurred on April 15, 2021.

NHTSA ODI 11429209

My battery died overnight . I jumó started and took it to Subaru who said I needed a new battery . My car has 28k miles and under 3 years since I bought it . They replace the battery and same thing happened 2 days later . I keep having to jumó start my car every other day and they don’t seem to know what the problem is .

NHTSA ODI 11428136

In Oct 2020 (12055 mi) and June 2021 (17059 mi) the battery drained overnight while parked in the garage. I was able to jump it the first time. Second time it had to be towed. Dealer replaced the battery both times.

NHTSA ODI 11428177

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the battery was drained, and the vehicle would not start-up. The vehicle required a jump start each time the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that there was no failure with the battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11427880

Have had 2 batteries fail in 2 1/2 years. New battery installed and my electrical system is failing. Can't lock my car unless fob is in an RFID bag, has not started several times, and has refued to open several times for about a minute. Will be taking car back to dealer to see if they can fix the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11427342

I received a 2019 Subaru Outback on 15 July 2021. The vehicle was sold by a dealer, and gone through the Subaru vehicle certification process, which includes checking the electrical system. I kept the vehicle off the road while I got the vehicle registered and insured, running it for a few minutes every three days. I planned to take the first road trip on 26 July 2021, after the paperwork had been completed. The vehicle would not start, and no power was available for electrical components. Checking the battery with a multimeter indicated voltage had dropped to 4V. I contacted the selling dealership, and they indicated they would pay to replace the discharged battery.

NHTSA ODI 11426768

Car would not start or turn over. Battery was dead. I called Subaru and a person came over to jump my vehicle. I left it running for 30 minutes to recharge the battery. This happened two times in the last few years but I never reported it to Subaru, and had my neighbor hook his car up for a jump. Also note the GPS has locked up several times in the past and not worked until I shut the car off and restarted everything. I just kept getting the arrow going in the circle.

NHTSA ODI 11426335

Electrical system problems causing battery drain. After jumping the battery observed flickering, eyesight system turning on and off while driving. Rear lift gate won’t open

NHTSA ODI 11426352

My 2019 Outback has had 2 incidents where the battery was dead without an explanation. There are 24000 miles on it. The most recent incident occurred less than a week after the dealer serviced the vehicle. The service included a battery test and I was told it tested good. The car was parked in my home garage, and from all indications, no lights were left on, doors/tailgates open etc. This was confirmed when the Subaru STARLINK roadside assistance provider came to jump the vehicle. Immediately after the vehicle was started, I took it to the dealer and requested a battery check. They showed the battery was good but deeply discharged, so left it on a charger for over an hour while I waited. In speaking to the service representative at the Subaru dealer, I was told that on new cars, alternators no longer charge a battery, but simply maintain the existing charge level. They claimed that a light or something of that nature was left on, a door left open, etc. I am certain this was not the case, as I keep all interior light switches in the off position, and once the vehicle was charged, no lights were on. Also, no doors were open or ajar when this happened. I requested they check the electrical system to diagnose the cause of the battery drain, but they explained this would not be covered under warranty since the battery had tested ok. The dealer recommended that I keep a trickle charger on it when parked at home to prevent recurrences. I don’t feel this is an acceptable solution for a vehicle that is merely two years old with minimal miles and fully under warranty. While I was inconvenienced by this and had to arrange a ride to an appointment as a result, it did not create an immediate safety issue (this time). A similar set of circumstances occurred in late March of 2021 when I was out of town visiting a family member. At that time, I also was not able to determine a cause. Since that was the first occurrence, it didn’t create the same level of concern.

NHTSA ODI 11425921

Had to charge battery 3 times in order to start the vehicle. Took to dealer and they put in a new battery at no charge. Concerned the battery will need to be replaced in the future. Appears to be an electrical drain especially using the tailgate. Dealer said they did a hard reset whatever that means.

NHTSA ODI 11425609