2019 Subaru Outback Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,036 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,300miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the engine of the 2019 Subaru Outback, 4% of the 1,036 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,300 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 complaint #11388704, filed 2021-01, 26,313 miles“Engine does not brake when going downhill as the manual says it should. My previous outbacks (2006, 2011, 2017) did have engine braking. Regional service office suggested I place the car in cruise control in order to control the speed. Car picks up speed quickly, so using the brake pedal is the best option. However, the problem is no engine braking when there should be at least some. This is dangerous on any hill. Second, steering is problematic. First, there is to much play in the steering wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #11234867, filed 2019-07, 500 miles“Had my first oil change at 5,000 miles and at 9,600 my oil light came on. Went home and put 1 quart of oil in vehicle and was still down low. Took to dealer and they changed oil and noted I had still been low 1/2 quart. Filed case with suburu of america. Nowin process of oil consumption test, but, saw that dealership overfilled my oil so I had them drain it down to proper level and have to start calculation mileage again for test. Next problem. Passenger front door, froze in winter. Water inside car on floor. Water test done at dealership after major storm, and car flooded inside. …”
NHTSA complaint #11328283, filed 2020-06, 9,958 miles“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 complaint #11378594, filed 2020-12, 9,300 miles“First oil change at 5,850 miles no problem. After second oil change at 11,948 miles, vehicle became undrivable as it stumbles and loses power between 2,000-2,700 RPM. Dealer has repeated oil change 3 additional times as they are not certain if they may have overfilled the engine (known Subaru issue). They have also replaced the exhaust, catalytic converter, air filter, intake system, and transmission, all to no avail. Disconnecting the battery and grounding the cables to discharge all capacitors provided temporary relief, but the problem returned within 36 hours and 200 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11246032, filed 2019-08, 11,948 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11034240Jun 1, 2026This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) for certain vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines.
- 11033051May 1, 2026This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs B1571(REFERENCE CODE INCOMPATIBILITY IMMOBILIZER CM TO ECM) and B1572(IMM CIRCUIT EXCEPT ANTENNA CIRCUIT)…
- 11027982Jan 12, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
- 11027083Dec 8, 2025This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
- 11027081Dec 8, 2025This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH…
- 11025790Nov 20, 2025This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs P2096 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1) and P2097 (POST CATALYST FUEL TRIM SYSTEM TOO RICH…
- 11023536Sep 30, 2025In the interest of customer satisfaction Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage in the models listed. The extension will address…
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11019948Jun 26, 2025This Bulletin is to inform you of the availability of the new auxiliary USB terminal and adapter cord designed to address cases of intermittent communication loss when using…
- 11017456Apr 28, 2025This bulletin announces an application change to the Remote Engine Starter (RES) control unit on 2019 Outback & Legacy models.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 23 | 5% |
| 2021 | 21 | 7% |
| 2020 | 49 | 5% |
| 2019 | 39 | 4% |
| 2018 | 37 | 5% |
| 2017 | 44 | 5% |
| 2016 | 53 | 8% |
| 2015 | 47 | 9% |
| 2014 | 35 | 17% |
| 2013 | 67 | 23% |
| 2012 | 50 | 17% |
| 2011 | 85 | 13% |
| 2010 | 44 | 12% |
| 2009 | 15 | 14% |
| 2008 | 14 | 6% |
| 2007 | 15 | 12% |
| 2006 | 43 | 16% |
| 2005 | 10 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2019 Subaru Outback
387 complaintsElectrical system
364 complaintsOther or unknown
205 complaintsForward collision avoidance
36 complaintsSteering
36 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsLane departure
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsAir bags
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology