NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
39 reportsClear category filter30,578 miles · Aug 17, 2022
Engine
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated the low lever oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and he stated that the oil was low in the engine and more oil was added to the engine. The contact stated that in less than 5,000 miles the vehicle had …
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The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated the low lever oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and he stated that the oil was low in the engine and more oil was added to the engine. The contact stated that in less than 5,000 miles the vehicle had burned all the oil in the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not able to get a diagnosis on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 30,578.
NHTSA ODI #11479856
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2022
Engine
Battery died following limited use.
NHTSA ODI #11471033
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2021
Engine
Frequently while stopped at traffic light, fast food pickup line, or intersection engine begins rapid unintended acceleration with RPM racing as high as 8K. The brake pedal is firmly pressed yet the car attempts to lunge forward. The only way to stop the acceleration and return the car to normal idle is to place the car in par…
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Frequently while stopped at traffic light, fast food pickup line, or intersection engine begins rapid unintended acceleration with RPM racing as high as 8K. The brake pedal is firmly pressed yet the car attempts to lunge forward. The only way to stop the acceleration and return the car to normal idle is to place the car in park while the engine is racing. Placing the car in neutral does not stop the acceleration. I stop well behind vehicles ahead of me, but on one occasion nearly rear-ended a Porche! Dealer cannot reproduce problem since it is only intermittent. I keep a log of incidents with time, driving circumstances, and other data. No warning lights appear and no accidents have yet happened. I have reported problem several times to dealer with no resolution.
NHTSA ODI #11435909
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2021
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
Certain year models of Subaru vehicles suffer from ‘sudden and unexpected acceleration’. We know since it has happened to us and, research shows, many, many other people. Waiting for the automatic garage door to open, the vehicle experienced the sudden and uncontrollable acceleration. This resulted in extensive damage to the veh…
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Certain year models of Subaru vehicles suffer from ‘sudden and unexpected acceleration’. We know since it has happened to us and, research shows, many, many other people. Waiting for the automatic garage door to open, the vehicle experienced the sudden and uncontrollable acceleration. This resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, garage and contents in the garage. What will Subaru do when this happens at a crosswalk?
NHTSA ODI #11428666
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
Car battery has failed no less than three times. Upon failure, car is completely inoperable. Used Subaru roadside assistance to jump the car. The battery has drained on more than one occasion. No inspections. No warnings or prior symptoms before the dead battery. Available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA ODI #11417398
9,000 miles · Jan 20, 2021
Air BagsEngineCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HIS VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE (SEATED AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) SUSTAINED 2 FRACTURED RIBS, 2…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HIS VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE (SEATED AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) SUSTAINED 2 FRACTURED RIBS, 2 FRACTURED VIBRATES AND HAD SURGERY ON HER BOTH LUNGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOW LOT. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.
NHTSA ODI #11388978
26,313 miles · Jan 18, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine
WE HAD AN ONCOLOGY APPOINTMENT, PARKED AS NORMAL. AFTER THE VISIT ABOUT 90 MINUTES LATER, WE ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START, HORN WON'T BLOW AND WE'RE PRESENTLY AWAITING A JUMP FROM AAA. THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE AS NO SYSTEMS WORKED WITHOUT THE BATTERY.
NHTSA ODI #11388704
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine
VEHICLE WILL NOT START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET PROBLEM CORRECTED BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAVE FAILED. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED FOR MORE THAT 5 MONTHS NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11385048
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
SUBARU OUTBACK 2019 IS UNDER WARRANTY - PURCHASED 4-6-2019 12/3/2020 CAR WHICH IS IN THE GARAGE WOULD NOT START. BATTERY WAS DEAD/DRAINED,INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. WENT BACK OUT AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND JUST CLICKS WOULD NOT START. 2. CALLED SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO JUMP AND ST…
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SUBARU OUTBACK 2019 IS UNDER WARRANTY - PURCHASED 4-6-2019 12/3/2020 CAR WHICH IS IN THE GARAGE WOULD NOT START. BATTERY WAS DEAD/DRAINED,INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. WENT BACK OUT AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND JUST CLICKS WOULD NOT START. 2. CALLED SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO JUMP AND START THE BATTERY GOT CAR STARTED, LET IT RUN FOR 40 MINUTES. THEY DID NOT CHECK THE ALTERNATOR BUT WE ASKED THEM TO. TURNED THE CAR OFF AFTER 40 MINUTES AND PUT THE CAR BACK IN THE GARAGE.- 12/4/2020 - MORNING - CAR STARTED, WENT TO MY DESTINATION. RETURNED HOME, TURNED OFF THE CAR NOTICED CLICKING SOUNDS FOR 5 MIN WHICH I HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE. 12/4/2020. CALLED CAR SERVICE DEPARTMENT: THEY RECOMMENDED TO BRING THE CAR TO CHECK THE BATTERY ETC. WHICH I DID.. NOTE: BETWEEN DEC 4 AND DEC 13 HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR REGULARLY. DEC. 13, 2020 - SUNDAY - 2ND TIME CAR WOULD NOT START DROVE CAR TO GROCERY STORE. CAME OUT OF STORE .. CAR WOULD NOT START. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSIST. JUMP START MY CAR. AFTER JUMP START CAR, I DROVE CAR AT LEAST 1/2 HR TO 45 MIN AND CAME HOME, LEFT THE CAR RUNNING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR AT LEAST 45 MI . CAME HOME AND SET UP AN APPOINT AT SERVICE DEALERSHIP FOR 11:30 ON DECEMBER 14. DEC. 14, 2020 - MONDAY -DROVE HOME FROM DEALERSHIP, CONTINUED TO DRIVE CAR FOR A F ABOUT 25 MILES. ARRIVED HOME - TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WHEN I TRIED TO START CAR TO PARK IT IN THE GARAGE, CAR STARTED BUT THE STARTER MOTOR WAS VERY SLUGGISH AT THE ONSET. DEC 16, 2020 - TRIED TO START THE CAR WHICH IS IN THE GARAGE AND IT WOULD NOT START, TOTALLY DEAD ..NO LIGHTS. SEND ATTACHED LETTER TO MANAGER OF SERVICE. NO RESPONSE YET.
NHTSA ODI #11383879
9,300 miles · Dec 8, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System
RANDOM LACK OF ACCELERATION AND ENGINE STUMBLE; FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM SIDE STREET NEARLY BEING HIT BY ON-COMING CAR. SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME MORE FREQUENT AFTER ENGINE FUEL PUMP WAS CHANGED DUE TO RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11378594
Official recalls
3Jul 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Apr 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Jun 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗