2019 Subaru Outback Powertrain (other) Problems

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 ID

11687608

Incident

Sep 8, 2025

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 ID

11686851

Incident

Sep 11, 2025

Mileage

55,000 mi

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

I have had 3 dead battery issues with this car. Something is draining the battery while the car is off.

NHTSA ID

11574544

Incident

Feb 28, 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

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 ID

11492168

Incident

Nov 2, 2022

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 ID

11469629

Incident

Jun 10, 2022

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 ID

11458561

Incident

Sep 7, 2021

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 ID

11448521

Incident

Jan 21, 2022

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 ID

11447586

Incident

Nov 11, 2018

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, FACING FORWARD ON HER INCLINED ICED DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER RIVERHEAD BAY SUBARU (1521 OLD COUNTRY RD, RIVERHEAD, NY 11901: (631) 727-4000) AND SHE WAS INFORMED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ICE AND THE NO USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,214.

NHTSA ID

11412986

Incident

Feb 19, 2021

Mileage

26,214 mi

ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 9TH, 2020 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS ON AN INTERCHANGE FROM ONE FREEWAY TO ANOTHER WHEN I SUDDENLY HEARD A 'CRACK'. AS I ARRIVED TO WORK A FEW MINUTES LATER I NOTICED THAT MY WINDSHIELD NOW HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT. I LOOKED FOR A POINT OF IMPACT THINKING A PROJECTILE MIGHT HAVE HIT IT BUT I DID NOT FIND ONE. AT THAT POINT I REMEMBERED THAT I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE INTERCHANGE AT THE TIME AND THAT THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO SEND ANY PROJECTILES FLYING BACK. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY WINDSHIELD AS THERE WAS NO OTHER CAUSE FOR THE CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT SPUTTERS OR AS IF TRANSMISSION DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS CAUSING A DELAY IN PICK UP AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LACK OF ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ID

11382970

Incident

Dec 9, 2020

Mileage

34,000 mi

UNKNOWN ORIGIN. CURRENTLY APPROXIMATE MILES 12500. TRAVEL 450-550 MILES PER WEEK, 400-450 MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 10,000-11,000 MILES I STARTED NOTICING A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEALING/WHINING ONLY WHILE IN MOTION. IT STARTS AROUND 20-30 MPH, AND EITHER GOES AWAY OR BECOMES UNNOTICEABLE AFTER ~50 MPH. COULD NOT PINPOINT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. WHEN SCHEDULING REGULAR MAINTENANCE, DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED OF NOISE. AT THE TIME OF MAINTENANCE, SERVICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATED SAID NOISE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT WAS THE CARRIER BEARING. HE DID NOT MAKE IT SOUND URGENT, THAT IT WAS "MORE OF AN ANNOYANCE RIGHT NOW" AND WOULD CAUSE "MORE SERIOUS ISSUES EVENTUALLY ".

NHTSA ID

11281956

Incident

Nov 23, 2019

Mileage

10,000 mi

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. NOW ENTERING 3 WEEKS AND 600 MILES OF TROUBLESHOOTING AND TEST DRIVING BY THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS STILL UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE, AS 2000-2700 RPM IS THE HEART OF THE POWER BAND THAT IS ALWAYS USED WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11246032

Incident

Aug 7, 2019

Mileage

11,948 mi