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2019 Subaru Outback

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Outback years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Outback are substantially higher than the model-year median of 207.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

469 reports with mileage · 564 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 363 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 326 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports2 fire reports12 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

363 reports
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3,000 miles · Jun 29, 2022
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the battery was drained. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was jumpstarted and taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to an authorized dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The …

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The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the battery was drained. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was jumpstarted and taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to an authorized dealer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #11471547

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2022
Electrical System

First of all, I took my car in for an oil change 2 months ago, and they found nothing wrong with my car. However, yesterday, I attended a meeting away from my home. I was in the meeting in the morning for 2 hours. When I returned to my car, without any previous warning whatsoever, it would not start. My car is only 3 years …

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First of all, I took my car in for an oil change 2 months ago, and they found nothing wrong with my car. However, yesterday, I attended a meeting away from my home. I was in the meeting in the morning for 2 hours. When I returned to my car, without any previous warning whatsoever, it would not start. My car is only 3 years old. I tried to open the hatch to get my jumper cables, but it requires electricity, I also wanted to roll down my windows because it was so hot, but they also only work with electricity. So I could do nothing but call for help. I was lucky that I wasn’t stranded on some remote place where there was no phone signal. I would not feel comfortable going somewhere on my own in my car, until I know exactly what is causing this problem because I don’t think it is safe — and I could be stranded. I had to have my car jump started again this morning. So tomorrow morning, I am taking the car in to have the battery checked. On December 10, 2019 I took my car in to a Subaru Dealership because I had, had another problem with my Subaru Outback, where I opened my back hatch on two separate occasions, but I could not get it to close (in the rain). I believe I called StarLink for help. However, somehow, by random actions just turning the car off and on, and pushing the “close” button on the back door, it finally worked, but I still don’t understand how or why. I ended up stranded at a grocery store and an airport when this happened. When I took it in to get checked at a Subaru dealership, I was told they could find nothing wrong with it.

NHTSA ODI #11469086

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Battery drained. Will not hold a charge. From what I’ve been reading it seems there is a problem in the electrical system that is draining the batteries of these cars.

NHTSA ODI #11468797

13,563 miles · Jun 10, 2022
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, he was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he jumped started the vehicle and started up as needed. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The vehicle wa…

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The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, he was unable to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he jumped started the vehicle and started up as needed. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure and the battery was replaced for a second time. The contact stated he continues to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,563.

NHTSA ODI #11468577

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2022
Electrical System

AFTER 4 DAYS OF NOT DRIVING ..THE BATTERY IS DRAINED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. BATTERY TESTED BY MECHANIC AND HAS NO PROBLEM. MUST CARRY JUMPER CABLES OR A BATTERY CHARGER

NHTSA ODI #11466362

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2022
Electrical System

There have been numerous problems associated with battery drain and improper function of the vehicle's automatic lift gate. Starting with the first dead battery situation on 12/25/21, there have been a total of 6 dead battery situations with this relatively new, certified pre-owned vehicle. Two new batteries have been provided…

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There have been numerous problems associated with battery drain and improper function of the vehicle's automatic lift gate. Starting with the first dead battery situation on 12/25/21, there have been a total of 6 dead battery situations with this relatively new, certified pre-owned vehicle. Two new batteries have been provided through a AAA membership, but neither new battery has addressed the situation. The vehicle was taken to its place of purchase (Kendall Subaru of Eugene) on 02/02/22 to have a battery charge test conducted which was described by the dealership as the first and only course of action for the problem. The car passed Subaru's battery charge test and continued to have battery problems. Other than dealing with numerous dead batteries, improper function of the lift gate has also caused frustrating and unsettling conditions. For example, sometimes the automatic lift gate function on the vehicle's trunk won't work and the trunk will stay open. After force-closing the trunk, sometimes a loud beeping noise persists during driving of the vehicle for seemingly arbitrary and lengthy periods of time. Following is a list of dates when battery problems with this vehicle have occurred: 12/25/21; 12/27/21; 1/25/22; 3/21/22; 4/4/22; 5/22/22

NHTSA ODI #11465833

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2022
Electrical System

Battery got drained many times, especially after leaving car not running for a couple weeks. One time car did not start. Had to replace battery for a better one. Better battery (Optima) works better but still drains.

NHTSA ODI #11464310

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

Battery drained by approx 50 % in a 12 hour period preventing car from starting. No lights, radio or other electrical feature could be activated. This is the 3rd occurrence of this feature since I purchased the vehicle on 9-28-2020. Supposedly Subaru dealer, Patrick Motors, Worcester, MA replaced the battery in 2020 at that time…

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Battery drained by approx 50 % in a 12 hour period preventing car from starting. No lights, radio or other electrical feature could be activated. This is the 3rd occurrence of this feature since I purchased the vehicle on 9-28-2020. Supposedly Subaru dealer, Patrick Motors, Worcester, MA replaced the battery in 2020 at that time.

NHTSA ODI #11463908

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2022
Electrical System

Not driven in a few day (2-3), the battery is dead and need to be jump started again an again!!! VERY FESTRIGHTION!!! Purchased the car (lease sales) 3-1-21 apx. Should have been fix under warranty then before sales, problems very sense. Had to personally buy a jump-starter and charger for my safety. EXPENSIVE!!! as a safe…

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Not driven in a few day (2-3), the battery is dead and need to be jump started again an again!!! VERY FESTRIGHTION!!! Purchased the car (lease sales) 3-1-21 apx. Should have been fix under warranty then before sales, problems very sense. Had to personally buy a jump-starter and charger for my safety. EXPENSIVE!!! as a safety

NHTSA ODI #11463850

23,000 miles · Apr 26, 2022
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up intermittently. The contact stated that the failure had recurred three times however, she was able to restart the vehicle by jumpstarting the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where …

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The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start-up intermittently. The contact stated that the failure had recurred three times however, she was able to restart the vehicle by jumpstarting the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA ODI #11462236

Official recalls

3

21V587000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jul 29, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.

20V218000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Apr 16, 2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.

19V493000 · Structure

Jun 26, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Legacy and Outback vehicles. Spot welds located on the duct below the cowl panel may have been improperly applied, impacting the vehicle's body strength.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and repair or repurchase the vehicle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUH-93.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Outback problems