This bulletin announces the availability of the DCM Bypass Box designed to be used as an alternative replacement part for Data Communication Module (DCM) in vehicles with no active STARLINK subscription. There will be a warranty extension for the DCM up to 8 years (96 months) or 150,000 miles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Subaru Outback equipment problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the equipment at roughly $500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See equipment across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$500
| Model year | equipment complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Outback | 4 |
| 2019 Outback (this page) | 4 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering equipment 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.
T16 VoLTE Warranty Extension (15-318-24R) Frequently Asked Questions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on a new reprogramming procedure (FOTA) to optimize the Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units (H/U) utilized in the models as listed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin addresses the reprogramming file availability and a software update installation procedure to provide optimization to the new Harman Gen 3.1 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models as listed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the availability of the DCM Bypass Box designed to be used as an alternative replacement part for Data Communication Module (DCM) in vehicles with no active STARLINK subscription.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had equipment 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 equipment problem on the 2019 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the equipment typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, equipment issues most often appear around 63,000 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 $500 for equipment 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 equipment?
No active recalls currently cover equipment 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.