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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

204 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2024
Lane DepartureUnknown Or Other

windshield cracked and replaced

NHTSA ODI #11583508

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

The battery has a substantial drain on it when the car is not in use. The car is not reliable to get from one place to another, especially if it sits for 24+ hours. The danger comes in that we may be left stranded in a remote area where no cell service is available. We often go to remote areas to camp. The vehicle and battery ha…

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The battery has a substantial drain on it when the car is not in use. The car is not reliable to get from one place to another, especially if it sits for 24+ hours. The danger comes in that we may be left stranded in a remote area where no cell service is available. We often go to remote areas to camp. The vehicle and battery have been inspected by the dealership and they recommended a larger battery due to a settlement in a class action lawsuit. However, this does not fix the battery drain. Another class action suit is in the process to address this situation. No symptoms or warnings for when the battery dies. Everything operates just fine until it does not. Absolutely unpredictable.

NHTSA ODI #11582912

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Having dead battery issues due to DCM drain when vehicle parked in garage. I replaced 2 batteries since November 2023 and last dead battery issue March 2024. Took it to dealer Brilliance Subaru and they said they found no problem. Went to another mechanic and they said draining 150 or more milliamps from DCM fuse #9 when they ta…

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Having dead battery issues due to DCM drain when vehicle parked in garage. I replaced 2 batteries since November 2023 and last dead battery issue March 2024. Took it to dealer Brilliance Subaru and they said they found no problem. Went to another mechanic and they said draining 150 or more milliamps from DCM fuse #9 when they take out milliamps returned to normal draw i think 20 or less but then i lose front speakers and bluetooth or more stuff. So thats not the fix.

NHTSA ODI #11582452

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2024
Unknown Or Other

While traveling early morning on [XXX] heading for Fall Vacation, we heard a loud pop in the car. Unsure as to what happened, my daughter who was in the back seat, noticed a crack in the windshield. The crack started in the lower corner on the passenger side. As we traveled the crack kept getting longer. This seemed strange beca…

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While traveling early morning on [XXX] heading for Fall Vacation, we heard a loud pop in the car. Unsure as to what happened, my daughter who was in the back seat, noticed a crack in the windshield. The crack started in the lower corner on the passenger side. As we traveled the crack kept getting longer. This seemed strange because it was very early morning and no other cars were around us at the time we heard the loud pop. Where we vacation is actually with some friends at their place on beach. Our friend had seen my car right after I had purchased it and she purchased her a Subaru Outback as well. When we finally arrived, we mentioned about our windshield and the same thing had happened to her car in the very same spot. I had this replaced when we returned home in Tennessee. Which cost me a $500.00 deductible. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11581468

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2024
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherInjury

I put my 2019 Subaru Outback in park, stepped out of my car and the car proceeded to unexpeectedly roll forward with the door knocking me to the ground. The back wheels of the car then ran over both my legs. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance company or anyone else. I sent a letter January…

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I put my 2019 Subaru Outback in park, stepped out of my car and the car proceeded to unexpeectedly roll forward with the door knocking me to the ground. The back wheels of the car then ran over both my legs. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance company or anyone else. I sent a letter January 1, 2024 to Subaru's Customer Advocacy Department, but have not received a response. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the car unexpectedly going out of gear after being placed in park. prior to this occuring.

NHTSA ODI #11579087

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2024
Electrical SystemSuspensionUnknown Or Other

Broken axle, ECM or engine control module, Replaced with third battery with only 77,000 miles. This car is a lemon and a total,piece of junk My wife’s 2020 Subaru Forrester has a console which is a complete hazard on the road. If you put anything on the console it doesn’t stay and slides off Talk about a complete distract…

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Broken axle, ECM or engine control module, Replaced with third battery with only 77,000 miles. This car is a lemon and a total,piece of junk My wife’s 2020 Subaru Forrester has a console which is a complete hazard on the road. If you put anything on the console it doesn’t stay and slides off Talk about a complete distraction and safety danger just because of lazy manufacturing and stupid engineers who can’t think their way out of a wet paperbag

NHTSA ODI #11577289

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

The head unit is malfunctioning due to bubbles behind the screen, causing various systems to act up. When a phone is plugged in for guidance it will randomly change the settings and guidance goes away. It will automatically call people. Radio stations and music turn on and off, and change by themselves. All of these are distract…

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The head unit is malfunctioning due to bubbles behind the screen, causing various systems to act up. When a phone is plugged in for guidance it will randomly change the settings and guidance goes away. It will automatically call people. Radio stations and music turn on and off, and change by themselves. All of these are distractions while driving, and negate the safety features of the in dash guidance and hands free phone features. This is a continuous problem.

NHTSA ODI #11576402

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Delamination on radio screen causing head unit to go crazy on its own. Identical issues reported in 2017/2018 models resulting in class suit vs Subaru… at this time Subaru dealership advised Subaru is not addressing the known defective head unit issue and quoting $2000 for replacement which is ridiculous for a 4-5 year old car. …

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Delamination on radio screen causing head unit to go crazy on its own. Identical issues reported in 2017/2018 models resulting in class suit vs Subaru… at this time Subaru dealership advised Subaru is not addressing the known defective head unit issue and quoting $2000 for replacement which is ridiculous for a 4-5 year old car. Assistance needed to have Subaru issue a recall and take ownership for its defective product.

NHTSA ODI #11576367

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2024
Exterior LightingPower TrainUnknown Or Other

I have had 3 dead battery issues with this car. Something is draining the battery while the car is off.

NHTSA ODI #11574544

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2024
Unknown Or Other

My subaru outback has been having an issue with a dead battery, every month for the past 4 months. My dealership has done 2 complete diagnostics, overloading the system, etc. They have come up with nothing on why my battery dies. When I have taken my car in to be checked, it's always with a new battery that is still good. I hav…

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My subaru outback has been having an issue with a dead battery, every month for the past 4 months. My dealership has done 2 complete diagnostics, overloading the system, etc. They have come up with nothing on why my battery dies. When I have taken my car in to be checked, it's always with a new battery that is still good. I have had 3 new batteries in the past 4 months, plus multiple charges. Something drains the battery within a month's time. This past visit to the dealership, I have refused to pick up my vehicle because I know it's going to die in a month. I can't live like this, not knowing when it will die. I am most particular about making sure doors and tailgate are completely closed. Is there anything more the dealership should be checking into? Any advice would be appreciated.

NHTSA ODI #11573784

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.

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