2019 SUBARU LEGACY Electrical System Problems

The entertainment system got bubbles and stopped working only after 50,000 miles.

If the car is not driven every day the battery dies due to a parasitic draw. Subaru knows there is a problem with the DCM from these years but refuses to correct the issues which there are 3 that are known. Dcm constantly searches for 3g network that is no longer killing the battery, Subaru changed the recommended cold cranking amperage of the battery well after manufacture, and won't test without a new battery being installed, and they expect the consumer to pay for both the testing and battery, to meet certain epa standards they altered the function of the alternator so it doesn't charge the battery until the engine is warm and won't fully charge the battery.

Parasitic Battery Drain due to DCM fuse problem

Parasitic drain on battery leaves the car dead and unable to start with out a jump. Battery is only six months old. Replaced old battery because of this same issue.

The Starlink screen becomes uncontrollable and begins changing screens on its own making driving very distracting and losing all control of vital functions such as radio, gps and phone. I have no control over it. I have video of the incident but cannot figure out how to upload it. I k low previous year models were recalled for the same situation and I believe there is a class action lawsuit.

Infotainment system touchscreen failed and it became unstable. Bluetooth connected to phone failed, gos failed Yes Yes No

Radio is delaminating and causing random calls and radio changes while driving. Serious safety issue. Subaru covered a portion of the replacement but entire cost should be covered due to it being an obvious manufacturer defect.

Battery dies over and over again. I drive every day, I never leave lights on, and I am having to purchase a battery over and over again.

Infotainment system screen began bubbling. Then it started randomly selection icons by itself. Then it got to the point where it is unusable and constantly is making selections on its own. I can’t even make selections if I want to. Whole screen is effected. Subaru of America is aware and my dealer first denied knowing it was an issue but later admitted to me they have gotten several complaints of the same. Dealer ordered a replacement over a year ago and I have still not gotten a replacement because they keep telling me it is back ordered and that they put a rush on it. Still nothing in over a year. This problem also causes the battery to drain while parked. I had to put a brand new battery in and it still drains. A year or so after that, Subaru sent out a notice that they will reimburse for that issue. I don’t have any paperwork left from my replacement costs. Again, dealer denied knowing that the battery drains and later admitted they knew.

The Subaru models from 2019 have a known parasitic battery drain problem. My car will have a dead battery after a week not driving it, or even just 2 days in winter. The problem is confirmed by Subaru but not addressed in any way.

There is a recall for this issue in Subaru vehicles through 2018 but our 2019 Legacy has the same issue. The head unit very soon after purchase (brand new from dealer) started to delaminate and not respond to touchscreen interaction. Now it is so bad that it is as if the head unit is possessed. It changes radio and settings randomly, cycles the screen, makes random phone calls if a phone is connected, changes navigation (Android Auto) on its own and suddenly it's navigating you to Mexico... Even if we aren't using the screen it is dangerously distracting because it is constantly glitching. We are out of warranty so the dealer wants us to pay for this repair on our own. We want to see the recall expanded to include 2019 and later model years. According to numerous reports online, I know we are not the only ones. We also have issues with this vehicle's battery draining unusually fast but that is not as critical an issue as this head unit problem.

Stereo head unit has white spots all over screen. Radio skips stations, calls numbers on my phone when connected to the car, touch screen does not work properly not allowing to turn it on or off or stop random skipping of stations or activity. Unable to see back camera when in reverse due to multiple spots on touchscreen.

Battery replaced last year at dealer under battery class action lawsuit. Car was stored using a battery tender from May through January and put back into service with regular use several times a week. Today car failed to start. Have appointment with dealer tomorrow. A battery is not a permanent fix and does not instill confidence that you will not be left stranded. Subaru is aware there is a problem with their Starlink system and the use of 3g. The system keeps attempting to make contact using the defunct 3g network thereby draining the battery and stranding the vehicle.

Starting in late October 2023 I began having multiple dead batteries despite replacing the battery and having the battery tested on several occasions and it tested fine. Frustrated with the inconvenience I decided to google the problem and discovered information on the car’s DCM searching for the 3G network which no longer exists. The constant search, even when the vehicle is off causes the battery to die. I am a caregiver and my clients depend on me to be at their homes when I’m scheduled to be there. They depend on me to use the bathroom, to be fed, to be kept safe, to be transported to doctors appointments and other places among other things. My regular mechanic as well as a mechanic at Anchor Subaru both confirmed the DCM was causing the battery to drain. There was no warning at all.

My Legacy has a battery drain issue. I was told by the dealer it is a DCM. I have already replaced my battery and the car is dead with a new battery installed. This dead battery issue has left me stranded which I feel is extremely unsafe. If I can’t find someone to jump me, I could be left stranded again and New England weather is nothing to joke about.

Had to jump start the car with the original Subaru several times in 2020 and 2021, to the point that I carry a portable battery starter kit. In 2023, 1/16/23, at inspection I broke down and bought a new battery before I was aware of the recall. No problem. Come 1/1/24 I go to start my car and the battery is dead dead dead. The DiHard battery is 1 year old. I have had to jump start the car 3 times this year, and it is 1/7/24. The vehicle has 36,000 miles on it. I had the battery tested today at National Tire & Battery, where I purchased the battery on 1/16/23, and it is operating within parameters. But that's to be expected since I had driven the car there. This is not a battery issue. It has to be an electrical system issue. I have an appt. with Subaru on 1/22/24 to investigate the issue.

Subaru Starlink system constantly drains battery, leaving driver and passengers stranded. The Starlink is constantly looking for a 3G network, and my area has updated all 3G networks to 5G. After shutting car off, the Starlink will continuously search and drain battery so it will not start. The only temporary fix is to remove the fuse and disable the module. The Starlink is supposed to help in the case of an emergency, but it cannot help if the battery is dead. dealerships have acknowledged the problem but will only offer a fix for the replacement of the module for a sum of about $ 1,300.00.

The "infotainment system" screen is delaminating. I can not see my surroundings when in reverse. The system is paired with my mobile telephone and randomly calls persons in my contact list without my requesting it do so. The radio can not be turned off and it consistently makes noises as if it is attempting to scan different radio stations. These defects first appeared at 34,000 miles, well below the 36,000 mile warranty period.

Battery's keep dying we've went through 3 in the last 6 months,we've been told it's a faulty dcm module ,I put the latest date this happened in the date below

Touch screen driver information system has random display and audible warnings. Audio and navigation display cannot be controlled and does random radio channels and map displays. The screen developed bubbles under the front panel that appears to activate the touch sensor for the display. This condition is very distracting to the driver and might cause unsafe vehicle operation. The display changing and beeping during driving causes an unsafe situation. It also impacts the ability to use and see the rear view camera as the display is distorted due to the delamination/bubbles. This problem was identified by many Subaru Legacy and Outback owners in 2018 which led to a recall and warranty extension for repairs. The radio/nav display is manufactured by Harmon. It was widely reported in 2019 and the problem persists. Subaru contends that the display bubbles are caused by liquid contamination of the display, but this has not occurred in our vehicle, and dealers will not accept responsibility for the defective displays.

Car wont start after having a new battery (only 2 months old) put volt meter on battery and reads 5.76 volts. Put 2 amp charger on it for an hour and car starts and voltage meter shows 12.26 volts after i shut it off. This is clearly an electrical problem that Subaru is trying to put off as a battery issue. This car only has 22 thousand miles on it and it is unreliable.The dealer says there is nothing wrong but anybody that knows anything about cars will disagree.

2019 Subaru Legacy battery drain. The car would not start, it was jumped in February 2023. In March, the car would not start and it was jumped and taken to the Subaru Serramonte dealer, a claim was filed for the extended warranty and the battery was replaced at no charge. In April 2023, the car would not start, it was jumped and taken to the dealer, the battery was replaced at no charge. In June 2023, the car would not start, it was jumped and taken to dealer where it is now not jumpable and the dealer says the electrical system is draining the battery through the On Star system. There is a 2-month back order on the part, at which time the car is not usable. The dealer claims they cannot disconnect the On Star system due to safety issue.

Frequent battery charge draining requiring external charging/jump starts

I have owned my car since January 2019. I replaced the battery in November 2022 because the car wouldn't start after being left home for a week with no one driving it. In January 2023, I had to replace my battery because the car wouldn't start after not driving it for a weekend. I was told the battery was faulty. Now, on March 1, 2023, my car won't start again since no one drove it yesterday. The fob won't even open the doors. I have heard that there is a lawsuit open over my car make, model, and year because of a battery drain problem.

If the car is not driven for multiple days, the battery completely dies. Recharging the battery resolves temporarily. Replacing the battery does not resolve the battery draining quickly. Dealer mechanic confirmed there is no unexpected drain on battery. There are no warning lights or messages.

Touch screen driver information system has random display and audible warnings. Audio and navigation display cannot be controlled and does random radio channels and map displays. The screen developed bubbles under the front panel that appears to activate the touch sensor for the display. This condition is very distracting to the driver and might cause unsafe vehicle operation. The constant display changing and beeping may also stimulate seizure symptoms for affected people also causing unsafe operation. This problem was identified by many Subaru Legacy and Outback owners in 2018 which led to a recall and warranty extension for repairs. The radio/nav display is manufactured by Harmon. It was widely reported in 2019 and the problem persists. Subaru contends that the display bubbles are caused by liquid contamination of the display, but this has not occurred in our vehicle, and dealers will not accept responsibility for the defective displays.

Battery keeps draining and dying. Replaced battery in October 2021, December 2021 and February 2022. Battery dead again June 2022.

Battery dies if car not used for a period of time. No telling when this will happen. Problem worse when ambient temperature cold but has happened in summer as well. Sometimes when not driven for a week but other times just a couple days. Has not stranded me yet, but not hard to imagine leaving at an airport and coming back to a dead car in a dark parking structure. Not even enough power to open the doors with fob. Taking it to dealer in a couple weeks for recall(fuel pump) and this problem. They may replace battery but as in other Subarus I figure the problem will persist.

IN OUR 3 YEAR OLD SUBARU LEGACY THE BATTERY IS DYING IF WE DO NOT START THE CAR EVERY TWO DAYS. ON THE THIRD DAY THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND NEEDS TO BE JUMPED. i TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND THERE WAS NO ISSUES FOUND.. i HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ONGOING FOR OTHER SUBARU MODELS WHERE THERE IS A BATTERY DRAINAGE PROBLEM.

Purchased used vehicle in October 2020 with 1800 mileage. In April 2021 at 4000+ miles the vehicle (garage-kept) would not start. Attempted to recharge the battery 3 times over several days but it would not maintain the charge. Needed to call Roadside Assistance and have vehicle towed to the dealership (25 minutes away from my home). Dealership service department drained/dead battery and replaced with new battery.

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2019 SUBARU LEGACY 3.6R LIMITED AND 3 MONTHS LATER WITH APPROXIMATELY 900 TOTAL MILES THE BATTERY DIED TWICE WHILE PARKED.

Mileage: 900

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU LEGACY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE "CHECK MOTOR ENGINE" AND TWO OTHER UNKNOWN INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEARNY MESA SUBARU (858-278-7100, LOCATED AT 4797 CONVOY ST, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111) WHERE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60.

Mileage: 60

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED ON ITS OWN TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WITH NO ISSUE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUTNAM SUBARU (LOCATED AT 85 CALIFORNIA DR, BURLINGAME, CA 94010, (888) 697-0962), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400.

Mileage: 2,400