IllustrationBATTERY FAILED AND WILL NOT RECHARGE. HAD TO REPLACE IT. OUTBACK IS ONLY 27 MONTHS OLD. FAILED AFTER SHORT TRIP TO LIBRARY. HAD TO HAVE IT JUMPED TO GET HOME.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
3730–25K
7725–50K
1050–75K
575–100K
4100–150K
0150K+
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 reportsTHE ELECTRIC PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS GOING UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING....THINKING SOMETHING WAS STUCK IN THERE,, I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND THERE WAS NOTHING BLOCKING IT BUT I FINALLY GOT IT SHUT.. THEN, LATER IN THE WEEK, AFTER HAVING THE REAR GATE OPEN FOR ABOUT 15 MINS. LOADING IT, THE CAR WAS DEAD. IT HAD …
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THE ELECTRIC PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WAS GOING UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING....THINKING SOMETHING WAS STUCK IN THERE,, I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND THERE WAS NOTHING BLOCKING IT BUT I FINALLY GOT IT SHUT.. THEN, LATER IN THE WEEK, AFTER HAVING THE REAR GATE OPEN FOR ABOUT 15 MINS. LOADING IT, THE CAR WAS DEAD. IT HAD TO BE JUMPED. ONCE RUNNING, THE BEEPER WOULD NOT STOP BEEPING IN THE REAR GATE. I COULD NOT OPEN THE REAR GATE, SO I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR A RESET. TODAY, AS GOT IN IT AND ONCE STARTED, THE ELECTRIC EYE WAS DISENGAGED ALONG WITH BST ON STARTUP. THE CAR IS GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON APRIL 21ST.
CAR BATTERY OFTEN DIES - ESPECIALLY IF I OPEN THE DOOR EVEN FOR 5 MINUTES. IT OFTEN WON'T START AND THE REAR GATE OFTEN DOES NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. IT HAS EVEN OPENED ON ITS OWN. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SAYS THE FACTORY BATTERY IS NOT ADEQUATE TO POWER THE CAR WITH ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THEY REPLACED ORIGINAL BATTERY BECAUSE…
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CAR BATTERY OFTEN DIES - ESPECIALLY IF I OPEN THE DOOR EVEN FOR 5 MINUTES. IT OFTEN WON'T START AND THE REAR GATE OFTEN DOES NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. IT HAS EVEN OPENED ON ITS OWN. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SAYS THE FACTORY BATTERY IS NOT ADEQUATE TO POWER THE CAR WITH ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THEY REPLACED ORIGINAL BATTERY BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. THE BATTERY TESTED WELL BELOW WHAT THE SUBARU MANUAL SAYS IT SHOULD. I AM THE FIRST OWNER (CAR WAS A DEALERSHIP LOANER) AND THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I GOT IT IN 2020.
OUTBACK WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 1919. IN MID JANUARY OF 2020 I HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED TWICE. TOOK IT TO DEALER. THE VEHILCE MILAGE WAS UNDER 2000. THEY DID A "PARASITE" CHECK TO LOOK FOR ELECTRICLE LEAKS. FOUND NONE SUGGESTED I ATTACH A BATTERY TENDER IN WINTER. SO I DID. AS LONG AS I KEEP THE TENDER ATTACHED IN THE…
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OUTBACK WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 1919. IN MID JANUARY OF 2020 I HAD TO HAVE IT JUMP STARTED TWICE. TOOK IT TO DEALER. THE VEHILCE MILAGE WAS UNDER 2000. THEY DID A "PARASITE" CHECK TO LOOK FOR ELECTRICLE LEAKS. FOUND NONE SUGGESTED I ATTACH A BATTERY TENDER IN WINTER. SO I DID. AS LONG AS I KEEP THE TENDER ATTACHED IN THE WINTER, THE VEHICLE STARTS- SO FAR.
IN 2019THE BATTERY ON THE VEHICLE DRAINED WHILE ON A CAMPING TRIP TO THE DESERT, WHICH LEFT US STRANDED. WE GOT IT JUMPED AND DROVE HOME. SUBARU DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD INSTALL NEW COMPUTER SOFTWARE TO FIX. IN 2021, WE TOOK CAR TO SUBARU FOR 36K CHECKUP. THEY SAID THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT B…
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IN 2019THE BATTERY ON THE VEHICLE DRAINED WHILE ON A CAMPING TRIP TO THE DESERT, WHICH LEFT US STRANDED. WE GOT IT JUMPED AND DROVE HOME. SUBARU DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD INSTALL NEW COMPUTER SOFTWARE TO FIX. IN 2021, WE TOOK CAR TO SUBARU FOR 36K CHECKUP. THEY SAID THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT BEING STRANED AGAIN IF WE GO TO REMOTE DESTINATIONS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
BATTERY DEAD, NO ELECTRICAL FUNCTION FROM CAR
2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BATTERY FAILURE. *LD *JS
VEHICLE PURCHASED Q2 2020. BATTERY HAS COMPLETELY DISCHARGED TWICE DESPITE NOTHING BEING LEFT ON AND VEHICLE IN CONSTANT USE. BATTERY JUMP STARTER UNABLE TO DETECT ANY VOLTAGE AND COULD NOT JUMP BATTERY.
REAR HATCH DOOR BEING OPENED DRAINED BATTERY TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED. THE REAR HATCH WAS ONLY OPEN FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS WITH NO LIGHTS OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ON. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT JUMP STARTING IT UNTIL A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 30,000 MILES.
COMPLETELY DEAD BATTERY WHEN GOING OUTSIDE TO START THE CAR. REMOTE NOT ABLE TO OPEN LOCKED CAR - ALL FUNCTIONS OFF BEFORE LAST ENGINE SHUTDOWN. THIS 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS 5800 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY RECHARGED 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST 8 MONTHS OR SO - THE LAST 2 TIMES BEING 1 WEEK APART. THE CAR IS PARKED IN …
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COMPLETELY DEAD BATTERY WHEN GOING OUTSIDE TO START THE CAR. REMOTE NOT ABLE TO OPEN LOCKED CAR - ALL FUNCTIONS OFF BEFORE LAST ENGINE SHUTDOWN. THIS 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS 5800 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY RECHARGED 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST 8 MONTHS OR SO - THE LAST 2 TIMES BEING 1 WEEK APART. THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 40' THIS TIME OF YEAR.
Official recalls
321V587000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.