This bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM) for certain vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Subaru Outback engine problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Outback | 25 |
| 2016 Outback | 33 |
| 2017 Outback | 14 |
| 2018 Outback | 15 |
| 2019 Outback (this page) | 16 |
| 2020 Outback | 18 |
| 2021 Outback | 7 |
| 2022 Outback | 8 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This 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) are detected by Keyless Access with Push Button Start(KACM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This 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 BANK 1) are detected by the Engine Control Module (ECM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Outback engines in these complaints show recurring problems across multiple systems. Oil leaks from the pan, head gasket, and cam carrier seals appear between 30,000 and 82,000 miles, with one owner burning through a full oil refill in under 5,000 miles. Some dealers attribute leaks to fuel pump failure (covered under recall 21V587000), but one owner paid $5,000 for cam carrier repair only to face additional engine work shortly after.
Unintended acceleration while stopped at lights is reported as an intermittent issue—the engine races to 8,000 RPM and only shifts to Park stops it; putting the car in Neutral does nothing. Dealers cannot reproduce the problem. Separately, owners describe hesitation and stalling at highway speeds, plus acceleration failure when pulling into traffic, sometimes linked to fuel pump recall service.
Exhaust system leaks allowing carbon monoxide into the cabin are cited; one owner notes Subaru issued service programs for the same defect on 2015-2018 models but dealers deny 2019 coverage. A single case reports complete TGV assembly failure at 48,000 miles, disabling safety features. Early mileage complaints also mention abnormal coolant odor in the cabin that mechanics cannot diagnose.
Same Subaru Outback engine reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Oil leaks and low oil pressure
Upper and lower oil pan, head gasket, and engine seal leaks causing low oil pressure warnings. In one case, engine oil was burned through entirely within 5,000 miles of refill. Cam carrier seeps noted in another complaint, with owners advised to monitor oil levels.
When: 82,000 miles (case #1); 30,578 miles (case #6); 42,000 miles (case #10)
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil pressure warning light; Oil leaks visible; Rapid oil consumption/burning; Oil seepage from cam carrier
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement ordered in case #1; cam carrier repair cost ~$6,000 cited in case #10; cam carrier repair already performed for ~$5,000 in case #7 with ongoing engine issues
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 21V587000 mentioned in case #1 regarding fuel system; no recall action noted for oil leaks or cam carrier seeps
Hesitation, stalling, and acceleration loss
Engine hesitation at highway speeds causing near-stalls, intermittent acceleration failure when pulling into traffic, and general stumbling/lack of power on demand. One owner noted the issue became more frequent after fuel pump recall service.
When: 82,000 miles (case #1); early mileage reported in case #5; timing after recall service in case #11
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation at 45 MPH when accelerating; Vehicle nearly stalled; Intermittent failure to accelerate; Engine stumble; Stalling on multiple occasions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce intermittent issues; case #1 linked to fuel pump failure and oil seal leaks
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 21V587000 (fuel pump); case #11 reports issue worsened after fuel pump replacement
Unintended rapid acceleration
Engine revs unexpectedly to high RPM (up to 8,000) while stopped at traffic lights or intersections, with firm brake application unable to stop the surge. Only placing vehicle in Park stops the acceleration. Neutral ineffective. No check engine lights present.
When: Intermittent at stops; no mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid unintended acceleration while stopped; RPM racing to 8,000; Brake pedal pressed but car lunges forward; Only Park stops acceleration, not Neutral; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cannot reproduce; owner maintains detailed log of incidents
Exhaust system leaks and carbon monoxide intrusion
Front exhaust pipe bellows cracking and exhaust manifold cracks allowing exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide, to enter the passenger cabin. Owner notes this mirrors prior Subaru service programs for 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 models, suggesting a design pattern across multiple years.
When: Not specified for 2019 model; prior programs covered 2015-2018 models
Symptoms owners cite: Cracked exhaust manifold/bellows; Carbon monoxide entering cabin; Exhaust smell in cabin, especially at low speeds and when stopped
Repairs/costs cited: Local dealer diagnosis confirmed but denied full warranty coverage; Subaru of America offered only 25% cost coverage in case #3
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Program WUJ-95R (2015-2016 models); Warranty Extension WI22-013 (2017-2018 Foresters); no documented recall expansion for 2019 model year
Tumble Generator Valve (TGV) assembly failure
TGV assembly within the intake manifold failed catastrophically at only 48,000 miles, disabling EyeSight driver-assist safety features and triggering engine warning lights. Owner characterizes this as a critical component failure well before reasonable service life.
When: 48,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine warning lights illuminated; EyeSight safety features disabled; Catastrophic engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified
Abnormal coolant odor in cabin
Abnormal coolant smell detected inside the passenger cabin. Multiple dealer visits unable to identify cause. Early failure at very low mileage.
When: 4 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal coolant odor in cabin
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics unable to provide diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no repair action taken
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2019 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2019 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 32,420 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Subaru/Outback.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.