2019 Subaru Outback: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Mar 28, 2023 · 60 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the Navigation System failed to operate as needed. The instrument panel failed to illuminate properly. The contact stated that he attempted to turn off the vehicle; however, the push to start failed to operate. Additionally, when the contact attempted to lock the vehicle using the key fob, the vehicle failed to lock, and the alarm failed to engage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was inspected; however, the part to do the repair was on backorder. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60.

Filed Dec 13, 2022 · Electrical · TX

This model of vehicle has persistent electrical issues resulting in the vehicle dying or being unable to start. Replacing the battery does not resolve the issues. Placing the keyfob in Faraday cages to prevent drain also does not resolve the issues. Charging the battery to full before using the vehicle temporary delays the issues but 3-10 days later the vehicle will die again. The vehicle has undergone examination by a Subaru certified maintenance dealer and they insist no issue can be found and the vehicle passes all checks. Most recently the vehicle died within a few days of getting a complete check out and passing all tests. This affects safety because a vehicle dying from electrical failure may cause an accident due to an absence of power steering, braking, etc. The vehicle may also strand motorist in compromising environmental conditions such as extreme cold, heat, etc.

Filed Nov 10, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 3,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The key fobs were inoperable. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a low charge and the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.

Filed Sep 22, 2022 · Electrical, Locks · 27,097 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the garage, she was unable to open the door with the key fob. The contact stated that she was able to open the front driver’s side door with the key manually. The contact stated she was unable to start the vehicle. The contact's boyfriend attempted to jump start the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,097.

Filed Apr 26, 2022 · Body, Electrical · CA

Rear tailgate fails to open consistently making it impossible to enter or exit the vehicle from the rear, through the rear tail gate door (the 5th door). Nine times we have brought vehicle back to authorized Subaru dealerships over the last two years of ownership in Hanover Ma-Planet Subaru; San Francisco -Serramonte Subaru and lastly in San Diego- Kearny Mesa. The rear tail gate does not open consistently while pressing the open button on either of the key fobs or from trying the driver's side interior release button or while attempting to use the hatch release button at the exterior rear of the vehicle. Many times we have tried all three standard methods to open the rear tail gate but with no success making this rear tail gate feature on this mid size SUV useless. This problem has been verified at Planet Subaru, Hanover, Ma and at Serramonte Subaru S.F. Could not duplicate it at our last appointment in Kearny Mesa San Diego in 2022 but it still continues to be a real problem. On multiple occasions, the car battery had been inadvertently drained because the rear tail gate did not close completely and the dash warning light confirmed this to be the case. Subaru adjusted the closing mechanism/replaced it and this seems to have solved the closure issue but not the opening function of the tailgate. The problem surfaced soon after our initial purchase of vehicle in July of 2020. Car is available for inspection.

Filed Apr 10, 2022 · Electrical · PA

My 2019 Subaru Outback has electrical battery and key fob issues. Generally I drive this vehicle daily and the car battery is alright. We go to visit our children and I park in a airport parking lot for about a week and when we return the battery is either dead or indicates needs charge. The key fob does not operate and have to resort to actual key. Vehicle indicates key fob battery needs replacement. Went to dealer and key fob batteries replaced under warranty. Just a few months later key fob not working and got message to replace batteries. Have Subaru Starlink and would not open vehicle doors. I am 77 years old and find this to be difficult to manage. Have replaced key fob batteries multiple times. Vehicle battery not holding charge if vehicle not driven for a week or more to say the least is frustrating. These problems having been occurring from the time we purchased this vehicle.

Filed Feb 7, 2022 · Electrical · GA

Bought car November 2019. New battery April 2020. Losing charge February 2021 got another battery. Reliable Subaru, Springfield, MO recommended trickle charge every night. Car losing charge June 2021. Reliable Subaru put in new battery. Again recommended trickle charge every night. August 2021 car dead and would not start. Reliable Subaru towed in and put in another new battery. December 2021 car was not started in four days and was dead, had to be jumped. 1/17/22 within four hours of drop off, Auto Nation West, Golden, CO determines the DCM unit which is connected to the Starlink system was,in fact, a parasitic drain. It is drawing more than it should. Fixed 1/20/2022 2/1/22 parked car n garage at 8:33 pm. Returned to vehicle at approximately 7:30 pm on 2/4/22. The key fob produced no response from the car. The car was dead— no lights, nothing. Called roadside assistance. The car was jumped the following morning.

Filed Jan 28, 2022 · Electrical, Locks · 30,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that on multiple occasions, the battery was inadvertently drained, and the vehicle would not start. After recharging the battery, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who indicated that the battery was not faulty. The battery was recharged but the rear hatch door would not open while pressing the open button on both the key fobs, the driver’s side seat panel button, or while attempting to use the hatch button at the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the only way to open the rear hatch door was by using the emergency release inside the hatch space. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000

Filed Jan 14, 2021 · Electrical · 8,000 miles · UT

We have had several battery issues. Now something is causing the key fob to stop working, dome lights won't turn on and tire pressure sensors don't work. It's been fixed once by subaru and broke again within a week. They said it had to do with a fuse in the computer biu or something but the car is unsafe and subaru won't do anything about it. The has had problems since we bought it brand new. Currently has 29k but started having problems with the battery within weeks of purchase.

Filed Dec 1, 2020 · Electrical · 12,000 miles · WA

Since purchasing car new in 08/19, I have been stranded with a dead battery 10 times in 12,000 miles. This is due to 4 things: 1. A poorly designed key fob with a hypersensitive button that opens the hatch unintentionally which kills battery; 2. Computer modules that remain fully 'on', drawing at least 3.6 amps (much more if interior lights are on) when hatch is open and/or door is open or ajar without mitigation from a timer as long as key fob is detected. So if I open hatch for day use activity, the the battery dies unless I find a way to deactivate the fob. If the unintentionally bump the hatch button while car is in secure garage, hatch is open and battery is dead next morning; 3. After an unintended hatch opening resulting in a dead battery, manually closing the hatch, jumping the battery, and driving results in a loud, continuous alarm with no dash light identification in the car for one minute or until car comes to a complete stop, then alarm resumes causing great anxiety and distraction! ; and 4. These problems and what you must do to combat them are not revealed in the owner's manual nor in the sales and purchase process which I find very deceptive! Dealer service department is either not informed or not forthcoming until backed into a corner by specific questions. Subaru of america has been contacted but will not respond. They claim 'operator error'. I claim design defect. I have to carry my own jump start battery behind the driver's seat because cargo area is not accessible with a dead battery, and I must treat my key fob like a hand grenade in order to keep from being stranded. I cannot trust this car, nor do I have my wife drive it anymore.

Filed Mar 11, 2020 · Electrical · 8,000 miles · MD

Problem: keyless pushbutton start. Would not start car on vacation. Vehicle manual very confusing. After several nerve racking minutes (1/2 to 45 minutes of trying). No other way known to start car. This was not a battery issue! Vehicle was stationary after fueling up at gas station.