26 complaints reported

2019 Subaru Legacy Electrical System

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
26
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jun 2025

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2025
May 2025

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2025
Apr 2025

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2025
Nov 2024

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2023
Sep 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2024
Sep 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2024
Sep 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2024
Aug 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2020
May 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: May 2024
Feb 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2024
Jan 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2023
Jan 2024

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2024
Dec 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc. Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 9999 TBD TBD, Manufacturer: ODI Demo Co
Incident: Sep 2023
Oct 2023

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2023
Jul 2023

Frequent battery charge draining requiring external charging/jump starts

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2023
Jun 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2023
Feb 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2023
Jan 2023

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2022
Aug 2022

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2022
Aug 2022

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2022
Jun 2022

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2022
Apr 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2019
Jan 2022

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2021
Jul 2021

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2021
Oct 2019

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 SUBARU LEGACY, Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2019

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Quick Summary

The 2019 Subaru Legacy has 26 Electrical System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.