CONSTANT SMELL WHEN USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS (FRONT) AND WASHING FLUID. HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES THEY ASSURE ME IT IS NORMAL. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A LEAK SOMEWHERE THAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE AND IT MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW.
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
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.
What owners actually said
1,033 reportsTHE WINDSHIELD RANDOMLY CRACKED AFTER SPRAYING THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID ON IT. THE CRACK CONTINUED TO GROW BIGGER THROUGHOUT A COUPLE DAYS AND REACHED A LENGTH OVER 1 FOOT BY THE SECOND DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT WAS SPRAYED WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID.
2 CRACKS IN THE FRONT WINDSHEILD APPEARED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. DID NOT NOTICE ANY CHIPS BEFORE THE CRACKS STARTED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 10000 MILES ON IT AND THERE ARE 2 SEPARATE CRACKS. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHEN THE CRACKS APPEARED.
I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE MY 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK SINCE JUNE OF 2020. I RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM SUBARU. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT RISK FOR A CRASH IF NOT REPAIRED. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO I CONTACTED SUBARU OF EL PASO WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AS INSTRUCTED IN THE RECA…
Read full complaint
I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE MY 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK SINCE JUNE OF 2020. I RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM SUBARU. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT RISK FOR A CRASH IF NOT REPAIRED. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO I CONTACTED SUBARU OF EL PASO WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AS INSTRUCTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, TO SCHEDULE AND COMPLETE THE SAFETY REPAIR. I WAS INFORMED AT THAT TIME THAT THE REQUIRED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE SUBARU AGENT WAS UNABLE TO LET ME KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. I HAVE RECEIVED NO FOLLOW-UP FROM SUBARU SINCE THAT TIME. THE REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND EXPANDED ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD CONTACTED HER INSURANCE COMPANY WHO AUTHORIZED THE REPL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND EXPANDED ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD CONTACTED HER INSURANCE COMPANY WHO AUTHORIZED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD FOR THE SECOND TIME. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.
THE FIRST WINDSHIELD FROM MANUFACTURER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A CHIP WHICH DEVELOPED INTO A FOOT OF CRACK OVERNIGHT. WITHIN A WEEK, THE CRACKS WENT IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. EVEN THE CAR WAS STATIONED FOR DAYS (QUARANTINE), THE CRACKS WERE STILL DEVELOPING. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE BY SUBARU ON JULY 16…
Read full complaint
THE FIRST WINDSHIELD FROM MANUFACTURER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A CHIP WHICH DEVELOPED INTO A FOOT OF CRACK OVERNIGHT. WITHIN A WEEK, THE CRACKS WENT IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. EVEN THE CAR WAS STATIONED FOR DAYS (QUARANTINE), THE CRACKS WERE STILL DEVELOPING. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE BY SUBARU ON JULY 16TH. IT WAS CHIPPED A WEEK LATER DRIVING UNDER 45 MPH. AGAIN, THE CHIP BECAME A 5-INCH CURVY CRACK OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY, THE NEW CRACK DEVELOPED AND DIFFERENT CRACKS APPEARED WITHIN 3 DAYS. THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT WITH ANY OBJECT CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK EASILY AND IMMEDIATELY. IT HAS BECOME A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN.
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, TOTALING MY 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. BOTH MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER REPORTED HITTING THE DASHBOARD OR THE WINDSHIELD. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER'S HEADREST ENDED UP ON THE DRIVER'S LAP. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE FRONT AUTO WAS ABO…
Read full complaint
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, TOTALING MY 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. BOTH MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER REPORTED HITTING THE DASHBOARD OR THE WINDSHIELD. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER'S HEADREST ENDED UP ON THE DRIVER'S LAP. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE FRONT AUTO WAS ABOUT TO START FORWARD OR HAD STARTED FORWARD WHEN THE SIGNAL LIGHT HAD JUST TURNED GREEN.. THE POLICE REPORT IS ATTACHED, WITH A LETTER FROM THE MERIDIAN, IDAHO POLICE DEPARTMENT. MY CONCERNS ARE 1) SHOULD THE AIRBAGS HAVE DEPLOYED AND 2) SHOULD THE DRIVER'S HEADREST HAVE DETACHED FROM THE SEAT? IF THE DRIVER'S CONTACT INFO IS NEEDED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEAN TEAM VOLKSWAGEN OF BALLWIN (15121 MANCHESTER RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011) WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEAN TEAM VOLKSWAGEN OF BALLWIN (15121 MANCHESTER RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011) WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, 7 MONTH LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.*DT WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED.*JB
WHILE HEADING HOME FROM A TRIP DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 69 IN MICHIGAN OUR WINDSHIELD DECIDED TO START CRACKING. WE DID NOT HEAR ANY IMPACT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE OCCASIONAL BUG. OF COURSE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WAS.A ROCK OR FOREIGN OBJECT HAD IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD. WRONG. I HAVE ALWAYS FEARED WHEN …
Read full complaint
WHILE HEADING HOME FROM A TRIP DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY 69 IN MICHIGAN OUR WINDSHIELD DECIDED TO START CRACKING. WE DID NOT HEAR ANY IMPACT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE OCCASIONAL BUG. OF COURSE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE WAS.A ROCK OR FOREIGN OBJECT HAD IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD. WRONG. I HAVE ALWAYS FEARED WHEN GETTING HIT BY A ROCK THE WINDSHIELD WOULD CRACK. MY WIFE ACTUALLY WITNESSED THE CRACKING PROCESS THINKING AT FIRST IT WAS RAIN AGAIN HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. WITHIN 200 MILES THE CRACK ESCALATED FROM A COUPLE INCH CRACK TO ALMOST A 2 FOOT CRACK STARTING TO MAKE A U-SHAPE AROUND THE EYE-SIGHT CAMERA SYSTEM. I WOULD HATE TO THINK A BUG'S IMPACT WOULD CAUSE SUCH DAMAGE.
BRAND NEW 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK WINDSHIELD MAJOR CRACKING DAMAGE FROM SMALL STONE IMPACT OR JUST A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING? UNREASONABLE AND NOT RIGHT AT ALL.
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.
Illustration