2019 Subaru Outback · symptom sheet
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails
- 133owner reports
- 14,500median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
886 of the 1,034 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 133 of those describe infotainment.
Tick what matches of 133 reports
Infotainment on other Outback years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Screen complaints read like a list of small betrayals. The display goes black or freezes, the backup camera shows nothing when you shift into reverse, CarPlay or Android Auto keeps dropping, or the radio changes volume on its own. Many owners had a software update that didn't fix it. A narrower sheet covers backup camera failures on their own, and another covers screens that freeze.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head unit or screen (102 reports), the camera (42 reports), the module (5 reports) and the software (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the electrical system covers the 2019 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
34 of the 133 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $1,700.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 5,000 and 55,000 miles, from the 40 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 12 service bulletins or notices for the 2019 Subaru Outback that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This Bulletin is to inform you of the availability of the new auxiliary USB terminal and adapter cord designed to address cases of intermittent communication loss when using Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto application connected via the auxiliary USB ...
This Service Information Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns.
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
8 more on the 2019 Subaru Outback page.
What owners wrote
“The head unit is delaminating making navigation, bluetooth connection, radio inoperable. The screen flashes through different screens which is a safety hazard. I filed a claim with Subaru Care and they offered only $500 assistance on a $1600 repair for a 2019 with about 78,000 miles.”
Filed Dec 6, 2024 · 78,000 miles
“With less than 7000 miles on the odometer, our Outback2019 radio system component started to malfunction and rotate thru channels. Sheehy Subaru of Springfield performed system update, but no change. The entire component was ordered but is now on back order. It is now almost 4 months and we don't trust other possible related components of the system (e.g., GPS) to function properly to feel safe driving this vehicle.”
Filed Jan 9, 2023 · 7,000 miles
“The touch screen has bubbles on it and a mind of its own. I can not use my phone, maps let alone the radio. The vehicle has only 11k miles on it. I am being told I am out of warranty and it will cost 2k to replace the head unit. Searching forums this is a common issue. The 2018 models ended with a class action. At this point they are not taking responsibility for the 2019.”
Filed Oct 24, 2022 · 11,000 miles
“Infotainment system screen is bubbling causing input to the user interface with no driver action. I consider this a safety issue due to the fact I can not turn the system off or deactivate it. The car starts playing music, making phone calls, changing navigation settings ect... This creates a persistent and strong hazard. I can not focus on the road, hear emergency sirens or other cars alerting with their horns.”
Filed Aug 23, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 133 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Windshield cracks or distorts 384 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 283 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 34 reports
- Windshield wipers stop working 31 reports