2019 Subaru Outback driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 20, 2025MOCrash4 injuredTowedAirbagsDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   While turning left from left turn lane, eyesight failed to detect oncoming traffic resulting in right front side impact. No warning, no braking action. This is an advertised safety system supposedly designed to prevent this type of accident. In addition, passenger side airbag deployed (no passenger in the passenger seat) but driver side airbag did not deploy. Newton's third law of motion says both should deploy. Significant injury occurred to the driver as a result.

   NHTSA complaint #11688632 · source
2. Filed Aug 26, 2025MIBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   I was driving my 2019 Subaru Outback North on [XXX] just North of Alanson, Michigan on [XXX] when it applied the brakes and made a noise similar to driving on the rumble strip. There were no vehicles in front of me. Scary and now I am nervous driving this car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint #11683119 · source
3. Filed Apr 19, 2025GADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSteering

   Car will lane correct when it's not needed. And all warning lights will come on in car when it's very hot. Cannot access touchscreen - because it constantly glitches as if it's being touched passenger side window continues to roll up and down when you click auto control on window and will not stop. I am afraid to drive because of these Electrical issues.

   NHTSA complaint #11655604 · source
4. Filed Dec 4, 202485,000 miIDDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

   The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the display screen malfunctioned and flashed off and on. During the failure, the back-up camera became inoperable and created a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V935000…

   NHTSA complaint #11628838 · source
5. Filed Sep 16, 2024TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   Parasitic drain cause by the CAN system, which causes the battery to randomly die, batter has been replaced, alternator and starter have been tested. When the battery has low voltage this also shuts down the cars safety features like forward Collision and cruise control. The head unit in the car is also malfunctioning, causing it randomly turn on and off while driving, button s being pressed on their own which is a huge distraction while driving. Subaru has not been willing…

   NHTSA complaint #11614755 · source
6. Filed Sep 9, 2024NYDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   The infotainment system on my 2019 Subaru Outback has failed. The problem arose suddenly. The system is randomly cycling through radio stations, the touch screen has stopped responding to being touched, the gps apps stopped working properly and across the board the unit no longer works. The touchscreen also appears to have bubbling under the surface of the screen, which may be contributing to the problem. This failure has deprived me of access to important apps -- gps,…

   NHTSA complaint #11613471 · source
7. Filed Aug 11, 2024ORDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   While driving in the fast lane on Interstate 5 at a speed of approximately 70MPH, with cruise control on, during clear dry conditions, my automatic emergency brake system engaged and made my vehicle come to an abrupt and complete stop in the fast lane. I lost complete control of my vehicle. I was unable to steer or accelerate. Once I stopped, I was able to use my accelerator, but very quickly my vehicle abruptly stopped again and I could not steer it. After I stopped for the…

   NHTSA complaint #11607847 · source
8. Filed Jun 17, 2024VTDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

   Windshield cracked spontaneously while parked, March 29, 2024. Temperature was approx 28°F. This was the second time in 11 months this has happened. Safelite technician said it was caused by faulty windshield heater. The first one I paid for the replacement, the second one was under warranty from Safelite. But was told if it happened again they would not be responsible.

   NHTSA complaint #11594721 · source
9. Filed Apr 26, 2024MDDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The head unit in my vehicle is malfunctioning and causing a safety issue. The unit will flash on and off and change displays with distracting noises with no apparent cause. It has also caused my phone to call random contacts without warning which is causes a safety issue as I need to pull over and disconnect my phone from wi-fi to address the issue. I am unable to use my maps feature because of this issue as well. Finally, I am unable to safely back up using my camera as the…

   NHTSA complaint #11585367 · source
10. Filed Apr 23, 2024GADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

    The infotainment system in my 2019 Subaru Outback glitched/ stops working randomly. I have a video of the touchscreen glitching and making selections betweens apps by itself. Also, I've started having random alerts pop up on the dash, such as: " obstacle ahead" when there is not an obstacle ahead or "roads may be icy" when it is 60 degrees outside. I reported it to Subaru, which they advised me to take it to Crown Subaru to have them take a look at it and they can submit a…

    NHTSA complaint #11584803 · source
11. Filed Feb 28, 2024PADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    I subscribe to Subaru Star Link from the time I first purchased our Outback in 2019. The system does not continuously perform correctly. I have taken our Outback to the dealer and they try to recalibrate the unit, but it does not continue to perform correctly. In March of 2023 I was in an accident and Star Link did not notify the police. When we called the police they stated that they received no notification from Star Link. On February 23, 2024 youngsters tried to break…

    NHTSA complaint #11574412 · source
12. Filed Jan 2, 2024KYDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    My 2019 Infotainment systems has begun delamination from the outer glass on the back side. It is causing ghost operations of the systems. Access to my safety features are through the system.

    NHTSA complaint #11563060 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology