Subaru Outback fuel pump problems

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

My 2022 Subaru Outback Premium has had repeated intermittent stall/no-start events. The exact failed component is UNKNOWN, but the issue appears related to the fuel system, engine control, electrical system, or heat-related sensor/relay failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The first event occurred while parked: the engine shut off/would not start, while the dashboard and screen remained powered. After about 30 minutes, it started again. A later event occurred while driving: the engine suddenly shut off, but the dashboard and infotainment screen stayed on. I could not restart the engine for about 10 minutes. When it restarted, the vehicle would not accelerate past about 30 mph, suggesting reduced-power/limp mode. This created a serious safety risk because the vehicle lost motive power while in traffic. The vehicle was taken to a Subaru dealership. The dealer diagnosed the high-pressure fuel pump as failing and replaced it under the powertrain warranty. About one month later, the same issue occurred again while parked: the vehicle shut off, all dashboard warning lights illuminated, and it took several minutes before it would restart. The dealer then stated the battery was weak and replaced the battery. The new battery tested good after replacement. One week later, the issue returned again. A consistent pattern is that the problem occurs when it is hot outside and the vehicle has been running for more than one hour. The vehicle has been inspected by a Subaru dealership multiple times. The problem has not been reliably reproduced by the dealer, but the dealer previously confirmed a failing high-pressure fuel pump and later a weak battery. Warning lamps appeared at the time of failure, including multiple dashboard lights/check engine-type warnings after the engine shut off. There were no consistent warning messages before the stall/no-start events.

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

Car wouldn't start in parking lot, 40k miles. I never took the car in to the dealer and received a notice about a fuel pump replacement/recall/repair. I diagnosed this problem myself. The VIN lookup on subarus website says that the problem was addressed/repaired when it clearly was not and I never received any paperwork or verbal statement from subaru saying they performed that work when I went in for an oil change or to repair the battery problem. The battery still drains extremely fast as well. So neither the battery charging work, or the ***supposed and unverified*** fuel pump work have been done on this car. Not good. Also - the original subaru el cajon dealership closed and then reopened with "new ownership" as a subaru dealership. This all appears extremely crooked.

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 82,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated and almost stalled. The failure was intermittent but caused the vehicle to stall on several occasions. The check engine warning light and the low oil pressure warning lights recently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and the contact was informed that oil was leaking from the upper and lower oil pan, the head gasket, and other engine seals. The contact was aware that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V587000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact researched and became aware that a failure of the fuel pump could lead to other failures with the engine oil seals. The contact stated that the fuel pump had been ordered; however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Sep 1, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · PA

Good Morning. I am the victim of a lemon of a car, a 2019 Subaru Outback and no one, I mean no one wants to get involved with exposing this disgraceful uncaring car manufacturer. I am forwarding the 10, yes 10 issues with this dangerous piece of junk I am unfortunately driving putting our lives at risk!! Please see the information below and my hope is that you will care enough to expose and help us get a resolution with this horrible company manufacturing rolling death traps. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] Listed below are the continuing problems with my 2019 Subaru Outback which was purchased new: 3 new batteries in a mileage span of 40,000 or 50,000 miles up to 80,000 miles. These replacements were done at no cost as a result of a class action lawsuit. A windshield settlement which only extends the warranty mileage and not an automatic replacement. Talk about a huge safety risk if this windshield just cracks or breaks, especially if on a major highway. A fuel pump settlement which only extends the warranty mileage and not an automatic replacement unless the fuel pump fails. Very unsafe in my opinion. What if the fuel pump fails while on a major highway. This puts us and our safety at serious risk if this fuel pump were to fail especially going at a high rate of speed. Engine burns a quart of oil, by the way at $11.00 per quart every 3,000 miles which is not normal, and in my opinion, is an engine problem. Replacement of an ECM or Engine Control Module. Received a letter about the VCT or variable control transmission, more ridiculous problems going on. A broken right front axle replaced and then that same axle which was replaced by an incompetent mechanic, the axle seal on the replaced axle started leaking and I was charged $100 for that incompetence. Just this past week, the car was in for a radio issue with radio stations and the cd arbitrarily jumping around only to find out the radio needs to be replaced. While on my way to the dealership my tire press INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATI

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · PA

My name is [XXX] [XXX] Phone Number: [XXX] My complaint is with Subaru of America, 1 Subaru Drive, Camden, NJ 08103 Phone Number: 800‑782‑2783 I would like the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office to become involved with the two lemons/pieces of junk my wife and I have been sold. My Subaru is a 2019 Outback and my wife’s Subaru is a 2020 Forester. My ongoing problems with my 2019 Subaru Outback are as follows and in my opinion, I am driving a very unsafe car putting our lives at risk: 3 batteries prior to 80,000 miles resulting from a class action lawsuit filed against Subaru. Replacement of the ECM or Engine Control Module. Burns a quart of oil at the price of $11.00 per quart every 3,000 miles, that’s an engine problem. Right front axle broke and had to be replaced. After replacement of the right front axle, the right front axle seal, which is the axle replaced started to leak and I was charged to replace the axle seal due to a mechanics incompetence. I received a card from Subaru stating a windshield issue. Received another card regarding a fuel pump issue. A letter received this past week from an apparent CVT or continuously variable transmission issue. Now my radio stations jump around arbitrarily changing stations, tracks on my CD, and my hatch doesn’t open, but gets stuck shortly upon opening. This car is a lemon, a piece of junk and very unsafe. How many more problems are unknown to us and when will any of them occur while we are driving putting our lives in danger. If Subaru had any ethics character integrity or business morality they would have replaced this piece of junk. They are a horrible company to work with INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 13, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

Car stalled in traffic. The engine was cranking but it would not start. Had AAA tow off the road and to my home. Car sat for 10 days waiting for a fuel pump (thought this was the problem). After sitting for 10 days the battery was totally dead! New fuel pump installed battery was jumped but could not start the car. After 2 hours on the charger the battery still did not have enough energy to turn over the engine. Car is in a certified service shop (Wilhelm). Battery replaced and same starting issues with the new battery and the new battery is discharging at a very high rate even though the car is not starting. Bought the car used in 2023 so I have no knowledge of the history of the car. Service provider running factory diagnostic testing but so far no determination as to cause of the high rate of discharge. Verified that the fuel pump is fully operational. What we know is that with a fresh fully charged battery and a working fuel pump the car will not start and remain running. The engine stops and the battery drain is excessive.

Filed May 27, 2025 · Electrical · SD

Purchased 2019 Subaru outback June 2019. Have had multiple batteries replaced. Approximately every year at least the battery fails and I am left stranded. January 2021 the fuel pump was not working properly and they said that was from low drain on the battery but that when the car went to sleep, the draw was normal so they didn’t do anything. February 5, 2025 I was in for an oil change and everything was working well. March 17, 2025 battery going dead again. I got a jump and drove to the dealership. They said that they replaced the DCM and installed the new battery. It is now May 27, 2025 and my car will not start again not even with the jump. Called the dealership and they said I have to pay for a tow which is 45 miles away and I am not under Warranty any longer so I will have to pay for it. He also suggested that I call my local tow company and get them to try to jump it.

Filed Apr 12, 2025 · Transmission · TX

Purchased used with just over 60k miles & have had less than a year. Vehicle still under 80k miles. Told transmission needs replaced but found service records from previous owner which shows fuel pump replaced twice at about 20k mile intervals & I am just under 20k miles past previous pump replacement. Vehicle does not run at the moment & warranty company refusing to help.

Filed Sep 28, 2024 · Fuel system · OH

After driving approximately 240 miles since our last stop, we stopped for gas. The car would not start. It sounded like it was trying to turn over but couldn't. Even when we let up on the start button the vehicle was still trying to start until we hit the button again (this is not normal). All battery functions were still working. The car only had about 38,500 miles on it. After trying multiple times to start it and googling, we suspected a fuel issue. We had the car towed to a local Subaru dealer. The dealer confirmed the fuel pump was the problem and replaced the part. More research revealed a fuel pump recall for certain production dates of the 2019 Subaru Outback, but ours is not currently part of the recall. We contacted Subaru and reported the issue. They opened a case for it. When we picked up the car, Subaru had paid for the repair. In hindsight, we are lucky the car did not stall while driving on the interstate at 70mph as that could have caused serious issues and injury to ourselves and/or others. There were no warning lights or other symptoms on that day. There had been some starting issues approximately 1-2 months earlier, but we had replaced the battery and thought that fixed it. We asked for the part but the Subaru dealer where the repair was made kept the part. In addition to the safety concerns, this incident also resulted in personal financial burden as we were around 600 miles from home enroute to a vacation destination and had to uber to a car rental place, rent a car and pay for one night in a hotel. We believe the recall needs to be expanded to include more production dates. By expanding the recall, we hope this would prevent others from having to go through this situation and be at risk. We also hope Subaru would be required to reimburse us for the out-of-pocket expenses that resulted from this issue and provide an extended warranty.

Filed Feb 20, 2024 · FL · crash

Two incidents of unprovoked acceleration 1st incident: approximately March 2021 Slowly backing up at a gas station and experienced sudden acceleration causing the car to hit a metal guard at the fuel pump. This resulted in damage to the vehicle requiring repair. 2nd incident: 12/2023 Slowly entering a parking space when there was sudden acceleration causing the vehicle to to go over a concrete curb across a grassy median to hit an unoccupied car parked directly across. This resulted in damage to the bumper and damage to the car it hit. Police were called but they were busy and this happened in a parking lot so an incident number was obtained and insurance information was exchanged between driver and other vehicle owner.