2019 Subaru Outback Engine Problems

I am reaching out regarding the cam carrier leak on my 2019 Subaru Outback. After researching this issue, I discovered that cam carrier leaks are extremely common among Subaru vehicles equipped with the boxer engine, especially Outbacks from this generation. Many owners have reported the same exact issue, often at relatively low mileage, with repair costs commonly ranging between $3000 - 5000 What has been most discouraging is learning that Subaru dealerships and technicians openly acknowledge how common this problem is, yet Subaru has not issued a recall or meaningful warranty extension to help loyal customers facing these expensive repairs. This does not appear to be caused by neglect or misuse, but rather by a known design issue involving the sealant used on the cam carriers.

NHTSA ID

11736217

Incident

May 5, 2026

Front exhaust pipe bellows cracked, allowing exhaust gases including carbon monoxide to enter the passenger cabin. This is the same defect Subaru acknowledged in Service Program WUJ-95R (2015-2016 models) and Warranty Extension WI22-013 (2017-2018 Foresters). The failure pattern extends to 2019 model year vehicles and should be investigated for a recall expansion. This is a design flaw, consistent problem across multiple years, and a dangerous problem that needs to be addressed. My local Subaru dealer diagnosed and acknowledges the issue but won't cover it. Subaru of America won't cover the full cost--only 25%. Thank you for your help.

NHTSA ID

11734436

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated and almost stalled. The failure was intermittent but caused the vehicle to stall on several occasions. The check engine warning light and the low oil pressure warning lights recently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and the contact was informed that oil was leaking from the upper and lower oil pan, the head gasket, and other engine seals. The contact was aware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V587000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact researched and became aware that a failure of the fuel pump could lead to other failures with the engine oil seals. The contact stated that the fuel pump had been ordered; however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ID

11719040

Incident

Jan 4, 2025

Mileage

82,000 mi

The Tumble Generator Valve (TGV) assembly within the intake manifold failed on my 2019 Subaru Outback at only 48,000 miles causing catastrophic engine failure. This is a critical engine component that is expected to last significantly longer than the vehicle's current low mileage. The premature failure of this part triggers engine warning lights and disables key driver-assist safety features (such as EyeSight), creating a distraction and potential hazard while driving. This indicates a material defect in the TGV components used in this model year, causing catastrophic failure well before reasonable service life expectations.

NHTSA ID

11712860

Incident

Jan 13, 2026

Good Morning. I am the victim of a lemon of a car, a 2019 Subaru Outback and no one, I mean no one wants to get involved with exposing this disgraceful uncaring car manufacturer. I am forwarding the 10, yes 10 issues with this dangerous piece of junk I am unfortunately driving putting our lives at risk!! Please see the information below and my hope is that you will care enough to expose and help us get a resolution with this horrible company manufacturing rolling death traps. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] Listed below are the continuing problems with my 2019 Subaru Outback which was purchased new: 3 new batteries in a mileage span of 40,000 or 50,000 miles up to 80,000 miles. These replacements were done at no cost as a result of a class action lawsuit. A windshield settlement which only extends the warranty mileage and not an automatic replacement. Talk about a huge safety risk if this windshield just cracks or breaks, especially if on a major highway. A fuel pump settlement which only extends the warranty mileage and not an automatic replacement unless the fuel pump fails. Very unsafe in my opinion. What if the fuel pump fails while on a major highway. This puts us and our safety at serious risk if this fuel pump were to fail especially going at a high rate of speed. Engine burns a quart of oil, by the way at $11.00 per quart every 3,000 miles which is not normal, and in my opinion, is an engine problem. Replacement of an ECM or Engine Control Module. Received a letter about the VCT or variable control transmission, more ridiculous problems going on. A broken right front axle replaced and then that same axle which was replaced by an incompetent mechanic, the axle seal on the replaced axle started leaking and I was charged $100 for that incompetence. Just this past week, the car was in for a radio issue with radio stations and the cd arbitrarily jumping around only to find out the radio needs to be replaced. While on my way to the dealership my tire press INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATI

NHTSA ID

11684247

Incident

Dec 15, 2022

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 ID

11676150

Incident

Jul 10, 2025

2019 Subaru Outback passenger side cam carrier started to seep at 42k miles. 63K continues to seep and Subaru suggested monitoring oil levels. Estimated cost to fix $6k. If leak gets worse and/or proper monitoring of oil in the engine is not done could lead to engine failure and costly repairs.

NHTSA ID

11671848

Incident

May 19, 2023

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The computer control system showed low tire pressures. While the passenger’s seat was occupied, there was an abnormal dinging sound detected. The message that the seat not activated message was displayed. The contact stated that the battery drained, and the vehicle failed to start. The starting system had drained the battery. The contact had Triple AAA check the vehicle, and the DCM made an abnormal popping sound. The ABS, radio, and CD warning lights were flashing. The transmission, GPS, and undercarriage messages were illuminated. The computer screen had burned out and was inoperable. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle abruptly stopped without driver input. The steering wheel became inoperable and was uncontrollable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the DCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11631374

Incident

Dec 15, 2024

Mileage

55,000 mi

BATTERY failures and being stranded due to parasitic loads from DCM.

NHTSA ID

11616926

Incident

Sep 27, 2024

3rd battery in 2019 Outback. Park car and next day battery is dead. And fully dead. Does not even want to take a charge at times…. 39000 on vehicle. Dealer could not find anything. Coincidently the passenger front window quits working also. There is no warning to this just next day vehicle will not start. All work is done at the Mandan nd Subaru dealership.

NHTSA ID

11579197

Incident

Mar 24, 2024

2019 Subaru outback many issues bought the car for safety for my newborn child in 2019. Has had multiple issues windshield keeps cracking. The steering column manual lever keeps collapsing causing unreliable steering and safety issues could possibly cause injury/death due to accident. The other major issue is there is now a head gasket leak in a car that only has 55,000 miles it's under on the miles for warranty but 3 months over for time. Try to work with the dealership and Subaru America to no resolve of the issue they offered a minor discount they should be covering the whole thing I have owned many cars brand new going over 100,000 miles plus with no such issue of a head gasket. I am a disabled Marine corps military veteran and the cooperation from Subaru as supposedly number one safest vehicle was not what I expected. If Subaru doesn't fix this it will be my last Subaru ever and this was my first not a great impression by any means.

NHTSA ID

11570774

Incident

Nov 15, 2023

2019 Subaru outback with 55,000 miles has a head gasket leaking 3 months over the warranty. But within the mileage. Also the steering column manual lever adjustment collapses intermittently causing severe safety issues and/or an accident.

NHTSA ID

11570770

Incident

Nov 16, 2023

I have 2019 Outback Subaru. I just paid 5k to get the cam carrier fixed in November, now i am being told my motor is going out and i have to get additional work done to the cam carrier. I got my car in October of 2019 with 3/miles, my car has a little of 91k miles. Why do i have to come out my pocket almost 10k with this car being a 2019. I am very angry, beyond words. Subaru is coating people alot of money. I would never tell anyone took get a Subaru.

NHTSA ID

11568630

Incident

Jan 29, 2024

Ignition and battery failure - unable to unlock certain parts of the car, all electrical is dead This is the second incidence in 6 months. Not weather dependent. One incidence in June and another in January. Entered car, pressed ignition button, no ignition, the icons all lit up in red on the indicator dash. Previously AAA indicated that the battery was totally dead, no amps, appeared to be an electrical problem and not strictly a battery problem according to AAA. At dealership they performed a "drain test." They told me that is all they could do. Customer Service gave me a battery for "free." I don't know if it was a used battery or a new one. This time I will pay for the battery to make sure it is new. No words of why this occurred to my car were stated. They just pushed the repair invoice towards me with the keys and said I was ready to go. This time when I called they told me they could only do the "drain" test again. I knew I had to investigate since they were not helping me find the source of the problem. This could be a major problem if one was locked in the car and the electrical failed. Worse yet if a fire occurred and one could not get out, death could occur. When I left the car after the ignition did not work, the ignition light on the ignition button stayed on. (lit up in red) Please help me out with this. The auto is a Touring Outback - year 2019.

NHTSA ID

11568080

Incident

Jan 23, 2024

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 ID

11520684

Incident

May 5, 2023

2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER FEELS SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS AND FEELS UNSAFE IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11510308

Incident

Mar 6, 2023

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 ID

11498852

Incident

Dec 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The key fobs were inoperable. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a low charge and the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.

NHTSA ID

11493073

Incident

Apr 1, 2022

Mileage

3,000 mi

vehicle battery continues to fail due to unusual electrical activity, requires a jump to start.

NHTSA ID

11491486

Incident

Oct 29, 2022

The vehicle has developed an exhaust leak which allows exhaust to enter the cabin of the vehicle especially at lower speeds and when stopped. There is a crack which develops in the exhaust manifold which causes this issue. This is a known problem and there have been recalls in the past with this exact same issue for Subarus with the same engines. This poses a safety issue given the exposure to Carbon Monoxide.

NHTSA ID

11486663

Incident

Sep 26, 2022

Unknown battery and blind spot issues

NHTSA ID

11486213

Incident

Jul 21, 2022

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 ID

11479856

Incident

Aug 6, 2022

Mileage

30,578 mi

Battery died following limited use.

NHTSA ID

11471033

Incident

Jun 26, 2022

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 ID

11435909

Incident

Oct 7, 2021

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 ID

11428666

Incident

Jul 16, 2021