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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

What owners actually said

1,033 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2022
Electrical System

I bought the vehicle in April 2019, the battery had to be replaced in February 2021. In September 2022 I starting having the same battery issues where it was constantly dying. I took it in to Subaru and they said the ECM was draining the battery and needed to be replaced which would be $1,000. I looked into the battery issue a…

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I bought the vehicle in April 2019, the battery had to be replaced in February 2021. In September 2022 I starting having the same battery issues where it was constantly dying. I took it in to Subaru and they said the ECM was draining the battery and needed to be replaced which would be $1,000. I looked into the battery issue and Subaru has a class action lawsuit involving batteries prematurely dying. It also says that electrical issues are causing a parasitic pull on the batteries. So replacing the battery doesn't actually solve the problem. The suit settled and is replacing batteries, reimbursing battery costs and extending their warranties. But it does not address the actual electrical issues. Subaru has known of the electrical issues for years that are affecting multiple makes and have refused to acknowledge or address the issue.

NHTSA ODI #11488924

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2022
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

My battery has died over 7 times in the 3 years I have owned it. No systems were left on. It runs one day and won’t start the next. It shows the battery light. This first happened 6 months after owning the car leaving me stranded waiting for roadside assistance and causing me to miss work. It has happened 3 times in the past yea…

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My battery has died over 7 times in the 3 years I have owned it. No systems were left on. It runs one day and won’t start the next. It shows the battery light. This first happened 6 months after owning the car leaving me stranded waiting for roadside assistance and causing me to miss work. It has happened 3 times in the past year. As I type this I am stranded again waiting for someone to come and give me a jump and praying that it will start once I get out of the grocery store. I’m afraid to go anywhere for fear of being stranded in a dangerous place. I always carry jumper cables with me now! The second issue is that it runs out of gas when there is a 30 miles left to empty notice. I ran out of gas in the left lane of a major highway at 4:45 pm bringing a friend home from the hospital. The gas station was 7 miles away. I was stranded there, waiting on Subaru tow service for hours until the police sent their own tow truck. It was very dangerous but I know better than to trust it now. It cost me 185 dollars. I was told this was a problem with 2018s but they thought they fixed it!

NHTSA ODI #11488805

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2022
Visibility/wiper

WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. STARTED AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND GRADUALLY CONTINUED TOWARD THE CENTER. IF IT CONTINUED IT COULD AFFECT MY DRIVER VISION AND THE "EYE SIGHT" SAFETY SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO SAFELIGHT FOR REPLACEMENT. THEY MENTIONED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE IT WITH AN A…

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WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. STARTED AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND GRADUALLY CONTINUED TOWARD THE CENTER. IF IT CONTINUED IT COULD AFFECT MY DRIVER VISION AND THE "EYE SIGHT" SAFETY SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO SAFELIGHT FOR REPLACEMENT. THEY MENTIONED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE IT WITH AN AFTERMARKET BRAND. THE SUBARU WINDSHIELD WAS TOO THIN (THEIR OPPINION BASED ON PREVIOUS REPAIRS).

NHTSA ODI #11488234

24,000 miles · Oct 5, 2022
Back Over PreventionElectrical SystemEquipment

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the display and back-up camera were inoperable. Additionally, the radio was operating intermittently. The contact stated that calls were being made independently without the phone being connected. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was condensation on t…

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The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the display and back-up camera were inoperable. Additionally, the radio was operating intermittently. The contact stated that calls were being made independently without the phone being connected. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was condensation on the display. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the head display needed to be replaced but was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #11488060

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2022
Electrical System

Battery randomly dies. Replaced OEM battery with aftermarket and issue still occurs.

NHTSA ODI #11487851

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceVisibility/wiper

Spontaneous crack of the front windshield, unsafe to drive for fear of collapse into car or during a collision.

NHTSA ODI #11487541

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2022
Seats

The drivers' seat mounting frame began to fail. This was noticeable because of a squeaking/creaking sound from the seat. The authorized dealer I went to confirmed this was the problem and there is a technical service bulletin from Subaru indicating this is a problem component. Because my car was only a few months out of warranty…

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The drivers' seat mounting frame began to fail. This was noticeable because of a squeaking/creaking sound from the seat. The authorized dealer I went to confirmed this was the problem and there is a technical service bulletin from Subaru indicating this is a problem component. Because my car was only a few months out of warranty, I had to pay nearly $1,000 to have this part replaced. I believe driver's seat mounting components are an essential part of the safety of the vehicle but Subaru has not recalled this part which is known by them to fail prematurely.

NHTSA ODI #11487192

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2022
Electrical System

Battery continues to drain while parked. Vehicle was taken to dealer and told it's a common problem and car cannot sit for several days without charging the battery. Replaced OEM battery with new Optima battery. After 6 months dead battery issue is worse and now battery is dead after sitting for a day even after driving for seve…

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Battery continues to drain while parked. Vehicle was taken to dealer and told it's a common problem and car cannot sit for several days without charging the battery. Replaced OEM battery with new Optima battery. After 6 months dead battery issue is worse and now battery is dead after sitting for a day even after driving for several hours. We have turned off all dome lights and are careful to not leave the doors or hatchback open any longer than necessary. Engine cranks slowly even after stopping for fuel. I called Subaru dealer in White Bear Lake, MN to inquire about the problem and schedule an appointment but dealer has not returned my call. We cannot drive the vehicle without concern of being stranded.

NHTSA ODI #11487177

27,400 miles · Sep 29, 2022
Visibility

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the front windshield cracked. The contact stated that the windshield was not impacted to cause the crack. The contact stated that the crack had been expanding. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer however, t…

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The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the front windshield cracked. The contact stated that the windshield was not impacted to cause the crack. The contact stated that the crack had been expanding. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the cause for the windshield cracking was determined. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that the repair was denied by the manufacturer because the warranty had expired. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact stated he researched online and found that the 2015 and 2016 Subaru Outback were repaired due to a class action lawsuit. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA ID Number: 10188151 (Manufacturer Communication Number: 12-192-15R) (Structure, Visibility). The approximate failure mileage was 27,400.

NHTSA ODI #11487077

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2022
Electrical System

Battery is failing more than 10 times during the course of the last 9 months.i bought the car brand new in 10/2021 It is a common issues on the same year. 50k miles. The battery will die if not driven everyday. Brand new battery with the same issues. It’s draining the battery while turned off bc the electrical system is too much…

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Battery is failing more than 10 times during the course of the last 9 months.i bought the car brand new in 10/2021 It is a common issues on the same year. 50k miles. The battery will die if not driven everyday. Brand new battery with the same issues. It’s draining the battery while turned off bc the electrical system is too much.

NHTSA ODI #11487016

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