YearToAvoid

2019 Subaru Outback Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 367 electrical system complaints for the 2019 Subaru Outback, 35% of its 1,034 total complaints. There are no related recalls on file. Owners most often report parasitic battery drain and infotainment freezes at low mileage.

Electrical System complaints
367
35% of 1,034
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
12,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the battery drains completely after the car sits parked for a day or two, sometimes requiring multiple battery replacements at very low mileage.
  • Some describe the navigation and radio head unit freezing or locking up, disabling the backup camera and other functions until the battery is disconnected or the unit is replaced.
  • Several report the infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay and Starlink, freezing and emitting a loud ringing sound until the vehicle is powered off and restarted.
  • One owner reported the forward collision detection system failing to stop the vehicle before hitting a parked car, with the airbag not deploying.
  • Others note adaptive headlights aimed too high, causing glare complaints from oncoming traffic, and changed cruise-control speed adjustment behavior.

When 2019 Subaru Outback electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 11, 2019, latest Sep 2, 2026.

2019 Subaru Outback electrical system complaints: complaints filed per quarter312019 Q12020 Q22021 Q22022 Q22023 Q22024 Q22025 Q22026 Q2
367 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2021 Q1 (31).

Electrical System recalls for the 2019 Subaru Outback

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Outback model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201061 (17%)
  2. 2011165 (25%)
  3. 201251 (17%)
  4. 201329 (10%)
  5. 201437 (18%)
  6. 2015130 (25%)
  7. 2016311 (48%)
  8. 2017396 (43%)
  9. 2018270 (33%)
  10. 2019367 (35%)
  11. 2020267 (30%)
  12. 202177 (26%)
  13. 202254 (12%)
  14. 202323 (26%)
  15. 202419 (19%)
  16. 202516 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2019 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA lists 367 electrical system complaints for the 2019 Outback, which makes up 35% of all 1,034 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2019 Subaru Outback electrical system?
No. NHTSA shows no related recalls tied to the electrical system complaints for the 2019 Outback.
At what mileage do 2019 Outback electrical problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 12,500 miles, though several owners reported battery drain issues under 5,000 miles.
What is the most common electrical complaint on the 2019 Outback?
Owners most frequently report parasitic battery drain that leaves the car unable to start after sitting for a day or two, along with infotainment and navigation system freezes.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.