75 of the
1,288 complaints about the 2019 Subaru Outback are about the
driver-assist systems — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
16,932 miles.
D
75
Complaints
11
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Warnings
2128.0%
Automatic Emergency Braking
1418.7%
Adaptive Cruise Control
1013.3%
Warning
1013.3%
Blind Spot Detection
56.7%
Warnings
56.7%
Assist
45.3%
Rearview System Braking
22.7%
Back Over Prevention
11.3%
Forward Collision Avoidance
11.3%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance across every Subaru Outback year
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 complaint #11688632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11688632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving my 2019 Subaru Outback North on [XXX] just North of Alanson, Michigan on [XXX] when it applied the brakes and made a noise similar to driving on the rumble strip. There were no vehicles in front of me. Scary and now I am nervous driving this car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11683119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warner Robins, GA
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Car will lane correct when it's not needed. And all warning lights will come on in car when it's very hot. Cannot access touchscreen - because it constantly glitches as if it's being touched passenger side window continues to roll up and down when you click auto control on window and will not stop. I am afraid to drive because of these Electrical issues.
NHTSA complaint #11655604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBoise, ID
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the display screen malfunctioned and flashed off and on. During the failure, the back-up camera became inoperable and created a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V935000 (Visibility). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11628838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Antonio, TX
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Parasitic drain cause by the CAN system, which causes the battery to randomly die, batter has been replaced, alternator and starter have been tested. When the battery has low voltage this also shuts down the cars safety features like forward Collision and cruise control. The head unit in the car is also malfunctioning, causing it randomly turn on and off while driving, button s being pressed on their own which is a huge distraction while driving. Subaru has not been willing to assist.
NHTSA complaint #11614755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Antonio, TX
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Parasitic drain cause by the CAN system, which causes the battery to randomly die, batter has been replaced, alternator and starter have been tested. When the battery has low voltage this also shuts down the cars safety features like forward Collision and cruise control. The head unit in the car is also malfunctioning, causing it randomly turn on and off while driving, button s being pressed on their own which is a huge distraction while driving. Subaru has not been willing to assist.
NHTSA complaint #11614755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yonkers, NY
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
The infotainment system on my 2019 Subaru Outback has failed. The problem arose suddenly. The system is randomly cycling through radio stations, the touch screen has stopped responding to being touched, the gps apps stopped working properly and across the board the unit no longer works. The touchscreen also appears to have bubbling under the surface of the screen, which may be contributing to the problem. This failure has deprived me of access to important apps -- gps, vehicle maintenance records, bluetooth phone calls. The constant beeping and cycling is an unwanted distraction. For now, the rear back up camera still seems to be working, but if I'm forced to turn off the touch screen, it obviously won't be of any help. I am bringing the car to the dealership tomorrow.
NHTSA complaint #11613471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving in the fast lane on Interstate 5 at a speed of approximately 70MPH, with cruise control on, during clear dry conditions, my automatic emergency brake system engaged and made my vehicle come to an abrupt and complete stop in the fast lane. I lost complete control of my vehicle. I was unable to steer or accelerate. Once I stopped, I was able to use my accelerator, but very quickly my vehicle abruptly stopped again and I could not steer it. After I stopped for the second time, I was then able to then accelerate slowly and pull off the freeway into the wide left shoulder. When I turned the car off and then back on again to get out of danger, I disengaged the cruise control, and I was able to get back on the freeway and out of the fast lane. It was a clear day, no clouds, no shadows, no birds, no vehicles right in front of me or next to me. There was NO warning lamp or alarms prior to the braking. There was no debris or excessive dirt on my windshield. My husband and I were certainly in danger of being rear ended at a high speed, but miraculously, the vehicles behind us were able to stop and/or pull into the left shoulder to avoid a collision. Not only were we at risk of serious injury or death, but there very easily could have been a multi-car pile up on the freeway with many people at risk of injury. My car is currently at my local Subaru dealership and they are investigating the problem. They have not been able to reproduce the issue yet, but are bringing in another specialist tomorrow. I felt this issue absolutely needed to be reported as it is a very serious safety issue. I do not trust my vehicle any more.
NHTSA complaint #11607847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lowell, VT
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Windshield cracked spontaneously while parked, March 29, 2024. Temperature was approx 28°F. This was the second time in 11 months this has happened. Safelite technician said it was caused by faulty windshield heater. The first one I paid for the replacement, the second one was under warranty from Safelite. But was told if it happened again they would not be responsible.
NHTSA complaint #11594721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windshield cracked spontaneously while parked, March 29, 2024. Temperature was approx 28°F. This was the second time in 11 months this has happened. Safelite technician said it was caused by faulty windshield heater. The first one I paid for the replacement, the second one was under warranty from Safelite. But was told if it happened again they would not be responsible.
NHTSA complaint #11594721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abingdon, MD
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The head unit in my vehicle is malfunctioning and causing a safety issue. The unit will flash on and off and change displays with distracting noises with no apparent cause. It has also caused my phone to call random contacts without warning which is causes a safety issue as I need to pull over and disconnect my phone from wi-fi to address the issue. I am unable to use my maps feature because of this issue as well. Finally, I am unable to safely back up using my camera as the screen has bubbled / discolored causing me to not be able to safely view the traffic or obstacles behind my car.
NHTSA complaint #11585367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rossville, GA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The infotainment system in my 2019 Subaru Outback glitched/ stops working randomly. I have a video of the touchscreen glitching and making selections betweens apps by itself. Also, I've started having random alerts pop up on the dash, such as: " obstacle ahead" when there is not an obstacle ahead or "roads may be icy" when it is 60 degrees outside. I reported it to Subaru, which they advised me to take it to Crown Subaru to have them take a look at it and they can submit a claim. I took it to the Crown Subaru & when I told them the problem, the lady that helped me stated, " yeah, this is common, I know exactly what your talking about." She then called another employee and told him she needed a quote for a infotainment center that was delaminating and was making selections on it's own. A week later I received a call from Subaru stating they would pay $500 of the bill as a one time goodwill gesture. The quote from Crown Subaru was for $900.
NHTSA complaint #11584803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rossville, GA
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
The infotainment system in my 2019 Subaru Outback glitched/ stops working randomly. I have a video of the touchscreen glitching and making selections betweens apps by itself. Also, I've started having random alerts pop up on the dash, such as: " obstacle ahead" when there is not an obstacle ahead or "roads may be icy" when it is 60 degrees outside. I reported it to Subaru, which they advised me to take it to Crown Subaru to have them take a look at it and they can submit a claim. I took it to the Crown Subaru & when I told them the problem, the lady that helped me stated, " yeah, this is common, I know exactly what your talking about." She then called another employee and told him she needed a quote for a infotainment center that was delaminating and was making selections on it's own. A week later I received a call from Subaru stating they would pay $500 of the bill as a one time goodwill gesture. The quote from Crown Subaru was for $900.
NHTSA complaint #11584803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Brunswick, NJ
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
windshield cracked and replaced
NHTSA complaint #11583508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Brunswick, NJ
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
windshield cracked and replaced
NHTSA complaint #11583508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jenkintown, PA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I subscribe to Subaru Star Link from the time I first purchased our Outback in 2019. The system does not continuously perform correctly. I have taken our Outback to the dealer and they try to recalibrate the unit, but it does not continue to perform correctly. In March of 2023 I was in an accident and Star Link did not notify the police. When we called the police they stated that they received no notification from Star Link. On February 23, 2024 youngsters tried to break into our Outback the Police saw this incident and expressed surprise that Star Link gave them no notification. Can not manage to get Star Link to continuously work. Unit does not give traffic warnings.
NHTSA complaint #11574412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jenkintown, PA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
I subscribe to Subaru Star Link from the time I first purchased our Outback in 2019. The system does not continuously perform correctly. I have taken our Outback to the dealer and they try to recalibrate the unit, but it does not continue to perform correctly. In March of 2023 I was in an accident and Star Link did not notify the police. When we called the police they stated that they received no notification from Star Link. On February 23, 2024 youngsters tried to break into our Outback the Police saw this incident and expressed surprise that Star Link gave them no notification. Can not manage to get Star Link to continuously work. Unit does not give traffic warnings.
NHTSA complaint #11574412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
My 2019 Infotainment systems has begun delamination from the outer glass on the back side. It is causing ghost operations of the systems. Access to my safety features are through the system.
NHTSA complaint #11563060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
I previously reported the deteriorating state of my head unit (which controls all features relating to the screen in my vehicle--including the backup camera). The head unit spontaneously "delaminated" in early August and now has a persistent "ghost touch" that has escalated to the point that the car now rapidly cycles through screen movements and features--all while making a persistent beeping noise that cannot be turned off (even if you adjust the volume knob down to zero). This is distracting beyond belief, and renders the car virtually undriveable. This is known issue to Subaru, and a class action lawsuit has been filed, but they appear to want to wait to see if they lawsuit is successful before they rectify the issue with owners. They have told me repairs would run close to 4k and the parts to fix the car are backordered for over a year. In the meantime, the car essentially cannot be driven, as loud and random beeping coupled with a constantly zooming and moving screen is highly distracting. The backup camera is also intermittently affected by the screen's delamination, rendering it unuseable.
NHTSA complaint #11551233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Chester, OH
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
This is known issue with the electrical system that is associated with the touch screen controls. Without any driver input, the EyeSight driver assist system was shutoff. That system controls adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and lane departure features. Rebooting the Starlink touch screen restored those functions. The safety issue is that no audible warning gave indication that the safety features were disabled. Two icons appeared on the dash. There appears to be a class action suit that applies to the Starlink system for my model year. It is important to understand that this more than merely a problem with the entertainment features.
NHTSA complaint #11549264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is known issue with the electrical system that is associated with the touch screen controls. Without any driver input, the EyeSight driver assist system was shutoff. That system controls adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and lane departure features. Rebooting the Starlink touch screen restored those functions. The safety issue is that no audible warning gave indication that the safety features were disabled. Two icons appeared on the dash. There appears to be a class action suit that applies to the Starlink system for my model year. It is important to understand that this more than merely a problem with the entertainment features.
NHTSA complaint #11549264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Chester, OH
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
This is known issue with the electrical system that is associated with the touch screen controls. Without any driver input, the EyeSight driver assist system was shutoff. That system controls adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and lane departure features. Rebooting the Starlink touch screen restored those functions. The safety issue is that no audible warning gave indication that the safety features were disabled. Two icons appeared on the dash. There appears to be a class action suit that applies to the Starlink system for my model year. It is important to understand that this more than merely a problem with the entertainment features.
NHTSA complaint #11549264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Los Angeles, CA
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
On July 28th, my touch screen (head unit) in my Subaru Outback suddenly delaminated overnight. From that point foward, all systems connected to the head unit have been either unusable or intermittent--often dangerously so. My backup camera and blind spot indicators are randomly unusable; the GPS system turns itself on and off in use (and half the time, screen itself cycles through "ghost touches" and is unable to be directed in any way); my car calls random people through the Bluetooth system while driving, which is a major distraction, and Starlink is unusable. Internet searching has revealed a proposed class action lawsuit against Subaru for the known issues with their head units; the 2018 models were recalled, but as mine is a 2019, I have been told I'm ineligible for support with repairs and would need to pay 3k out of pocket. I can't sell the car with the level of defects it currently has, and driving the vehicle is at best irritating and at worst, dangerous (depending on how the head unit behaves that day). I purchased this car because I wanted to have a backup camera, blind spot indicators, access to GPS support, and more.
NHTSA complaint #11547191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Euless, TX
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Radio Headunit -- Freezes and has ghost inputs. Makes the unit unusable- no backup camera. Flashes and beeps constantly. You can not mute it or stop it. It seems to also cause the "Eyesight" to not behave normally
NHTSA complaint #11546313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Euless, TX
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Radio Headunit -- Freezes and has ghost inputs. Makes the unit unusable- no backup camera. Flashes and beeps constantly. You can not mute it or stop it. It seems to also cause the "Eyesight" to not behave normally
NHTSA complaint #11546313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Jose, CA
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The front windshield developed a star crack two inches above the base and in the middle. The crack then expanded upward and to the left, and down to the base. There is no evidence of an impact from any object. The windshield crack was treated with Silicone Repair. After one day another crack developed from the same source went upward and then to the left in one direction and also down to the base in another direction. This again was treated with Silicone Repair. I am contacting my insurance company to have the whole windshield replaced. Sine the Subaru Outback has Eyesight function this will need to be done through a dealer. This will be the second windshield replacement for this this vehicle for the same reason. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11529247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Jose, CA
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
The front windshield developed a star crack two inches above the base and in the middle. The crack then expanded upward and to the left, and down to the base. There is no evidence of an impact from any object. The windshield crack was treated with Silicone Repair. After one day another crack developed from the same source went upward and then to the left in one direction and also down to the base in another direction. This again was treated with Silicone Repair. I am contacting my insurance company to have the whole windshield replaced. Sine the Subaru Outback has Eyesight function this will need to be done through a dealer. This will be the second windshield replacement for this this vehicle for the same reason. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11529247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whiting, NJCrash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
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 complaint #11498852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thousand Oaks, CACrash
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
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 complaint #11494847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.