NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
15 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 16, 2025
Power Train
I was told by the dealer that my 2019 Outback had a cam carrier oil leak. At the time, my car had 50,700 miles on it. My drivetrain warrantee was for 5 years or 60,000 miles. I was over on the years but under on the miles. The repair was estimated to cost $4,500.00. The dealer said that this oil leak is common and even when …
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I was told by the dealer that my 2019 Outback had a cam carrier oil leak. At the time, my car had 50,700 miles on it. My drivetrain warrantee was for 5 years or 60,000 miles. I was over on the years but under on the miles. The repair was estimated to cost $4,500.00. The dealer said that this oil leak is common and even when repaired it could leak again. This is a design flaw that Subaru has not addressed. There are many articles on it. This has been a problem because Subaru uses a Boxter engine and this engine has historically always had problems with oil leaks that cannot be fixed. It was also disclosed that there was a chance that oil leaking onto the manifold or exhaust could cause a fire in the car which caused me alarm. My wife and I are seniors, and we cannot afford to get stuck in the car and perhaps with car on fire. The dealer could not do anything, so I called Subaru directly and spoke to their consumer advocate dept. (Incidentally, I had two previous repairs to the electrical system and computer system fixed by Subaru at no cost even though we were past warrantee. Subaru decided to extend the warrantee on the two previous issues.) After several calls Subaru told me that they would give me a $1,500 credit towards the $4,500.00 for the repair, which I said was not nearly enough and did not solve the problems. I explained that we are apprehensive about the car because the leak could happen again and there is a chance of fire. Subaru told me that the chance of fire is low and at an acceptable level. Any chance of fire is NOT acceptable to us. I was going to sell the car outright, but the oil leak would cause a major devaluation of the car, so I had it fixed and repaired last week. My ongoing concern is that this oil leak is a recurring hazard that can cause a fire. I believe this problem should have been handled through a no cost recall. The dealer said this is a common problem, but I could not get any further info on the issue.
NHTSA ODI #11687608
55,000 miles · Sep 12, 2025
Power TrainInjury
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle started reversing unintendedly while the gear shifter was in drive(D). The contact stated that the vehicle reversed on a steep road, drove onto a curb, and onto the poles that were lying down, and the vehicle stoppe…
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The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle started reversing unintendedly while the gear shifter was in drive(D). The contact stated that the vehicle reversed on a steep road, drove onto a curb, and onto the poles that were lying down, and the vehicle stopped. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained pain on the right side of the lower back but had not yet received medical assistance. The vehicle sustained damage. The vehicle was towed to the Executive Auto Body repair shop. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #11686851
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2025
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
My name is [XXX] [XXX] Phone Number: [XXX] My complaint is with Subaru of America, 1 Subaru Drive, Camden, NJ 08103 Phone Number: 800-782-2783 I would like the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office to become involved with the two lemons/pieces of junk my wife and I have been sold. My Subaru is a 2019 Outback and my wif…
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My name is [XXX] [XXX] Phone Number: [XXX] My complaint is with Subaru of America, 1 Subaru Drive, Camden, NJ 08103 Phone Number: 800-782-2783 I would like the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office to become involved with the two lemons/pieces of junk my wife and I have been sold. My Subaru is a 2019 Outback and my wife’s Subaru is a 2020 Forester. My ongoing problems with my 2019 Subaru Outback are as follows and in my opinion, I am driving a very unsafe car putting our lives at risk: 3 batteries prior to 80,000 miles resulting from a class action lawsuit filed against Subaru. Replacement of the ECM or Engine Control Module. Burns a quart of oil at the price of $11.00 per quart every 3,000 miles, that’s an engine problem. Right front axle broke and had to be replaced. After replacement of the right front axle, the right front axle seal, which is the axle replaced started to leak and I was charged to replace the axle seal due to a mechanics incompetence. I received a card from Subaru stating a windshield issue. Received another card regarding a fuel pump issue. A letter received this past week from an apparent CVT or continuously variable transmission issue. Now my radio stations jump around arbitrarily changing stations, tracks on my CD, and my hatch doesn’t open, but gets stuck shortly upon opening. This car is a lemon, a piece of junk and very unsafe. How many more problems are unknown to us and when will any of them occur while we are driving putting our lives in danger. If Subaru had any ethics character integrity or business morality they would have replaced this piece of junk. They are a horrible company to work with INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11676150
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2024
Exterior LightingPower TrainUnknown Or Other
I have had 3 dead battery issues with this car. Something is draining the battery while the car is off.
NHTSA ODI #11574544
Mileage unknown · May 5, 2023
EnginePower TrainFire
The car got stuck in 1st gear and shortly after a fire began between the engine and transmission. The car became fully engulfed and it blew up.
NHTSA ODI #11520684
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2022
Power TrainSteering
Took in 2 yr old car relating to vehicle veering to the right, ticking helicopter noise on driver side. Took to Continental Subaru Anchorage Alaska on 11/2/22. For tire change over, alignment, oil change and for diagnostics on noise. I was told that my vehicle needed a complete driver side cx axle replacement. After axle was in…
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Took in 2 yr old car relating to vehicle veering to the right, ticking helicopter noise on driver side. Took to Continental Subaru Anchorage Alaska on 11/2/22. For tire change over, alignment, oil change and for diagnostics on noise. I was told that my vehicle needed a complete driver side cx axle replacement. After axle was installed, they said they heard another noise and that it was my transmission, and now it needs replaced. I didn't get alignment according to papers. This car is 2 yrs old. 2019 bought in 2019 at Christmas or 2020. Why is transmission out? Low miles and drivers are very safe! I was given a rental till transmission could be ordered and replaced.
NHTSA ODI #11492168
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2022
Power Train
Travelling on the freeway and tapped brakes to disengage the adaptive cruise control due to slowing traffic ahead. The anti-lock brakes came on and the car came to a complete stop even though I had only tapped the brake and taken my foot off the brake. After coming to a stop the car was still running, but the transmission was co…
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Travelling on the freeway and tapped brakes to disengage the adaptive cruise control due to slowing traffic ahead. The anti-lock brakes came on and the car came to a complete stop even though I had only tapped the brake and taken my foot off the brake. After coming to a stop the car was still running, but the transmission was completely out and the car wouldn't move. Was disabled on freeway until the Highway Patrol came and pushed me off the road.
NHTSA ODI #11469629
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2022
Power Train
Chain slippage according to Subaru Repair Service. They can't really give an reasonings as to why the slippage has occured. Says transmission is slipping as a result. Car isn't safe to drive and wheels do not turn properly. Haven't drove car in months because of this issue.
NHTSA ODI #11458561
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2022
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
Sudden Acceleration Defect has occurred several times with last incident Friday 21Jan2022. Each time I have had the brake pedal engaged, yet vehicle fails to stop, and accelerates on it’s own, causing me to go through stop signs with potentially dangerous outcomes for pedestrians, other vehicles, barriers. Dealer appointment re…
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Sudden Acceleration Defect has occurred several times with last incident Friday 21Jan2022. Each time I have had the brake pedal engaged, yet vehicle fails to stop, and accelerates on it’s own, causing me to go through stop signs with potentially dangerous outcomes for pedestrians, other vehicles, barriers. Dealer appointment rescheduled for Monday 24Jan2022. No inspections to date. No warnings- the first time I thought I may have caused it by accidentally touching the accelerator, but now I know that is not the case. First occurrence was in Dec 2021, exact date not known, happened in a parking lot.
NHTSA ODI #11448521
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2022
Power Train
I am trying to submit a complaint to the electronically with no success. Is there an email address that I can send my complaint directly to? The complaint in its entirety takes up one 8.5 by 11 inch-sized paper, I need enough space for 3494 characters. Not enough space given to explain my situation. In order for the context…
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I am trying to submit a complaint to the electronically with no success. Is there an email address that I can send my complaint directly to? The complaint in its entirety takes up one 8.5 by 11 inch-sized paper, I need enough space for 3494 characters. Not enough space given to explain my situation. In order for the context of the complaint to be understood, it must be read from top to bottom. As I have no idea where this is going, nor to whom, I am hoping to hear back from someone. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11447586
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 ↗