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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.

About this comparison →

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
8,700 miles · Aug 3, 2019
Visibility/wiper

WE WERE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR. THE PASSENGER SLAPPED AT A MOSQUITO WITH HIS OPEN HAND AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH A LOUD SOUND AND WITH A SPIDER WEB PATTERN ON IMPACT THE PASSENGER'S HAND WAS NOT RED, DID NOT HURT, AND DID NOT DEVELOP A BRUISE. THIS WAS HIGH IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAN…

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WE WERE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR. THE PASSENGER SLAPPED AT A MOSQUITO WITH HIS OPEN HAND AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH A LOUD SOUND AND WITH A SPIDER WEB PATTERN ON IMPACT THE PASSENGER'S HAND WAS NOT RED, DID NOT HURT, AND DID NOT DEVELOP A BRUISE. THIS WAS HIGH IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER AND THE CRACKS ARE SPREADING ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR IS A 2019 SUBARU AND HAS LESS THAN 9000 MILES ON. IT WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2018 AND WAS NOT DRIVEN DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THE WINDSHIELD WAS FREE OF ANY DINGS OR SCRATCHES. THIS IS BEING REPORTED BECAUSE OF OUR CONCERN THAT IF A SIMPLE SLAP ON THE INSIDE CAN BREAK THE WINDSHIELD, A ROCK THROWN BY ANOTHER VEHICLE COULD COME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND HIT A PERSON. WE HAVE A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT GUARANTEE SO THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE REPLACED AT NO COST, BUT WE ARE NOT COMFORTABLE HAVING IT REPLACED WITH AN ORIGINAL SUBARU WINDSHIELD. I HAVE PICTURES BUT I CANNOT GET THEM TO DOWNLOAD TO THIS SITE.

NHTSA ODI #11241534

1,713 miles · Jul 25, 2019
Visibility/wiper

CAR WAS PARKED IN COVERED CAR PORT OVERNIGHT. IN MORNING, A HORIZONTAL CRACK HAD APPEARED IN FRONT WINDSHIELD. CRACK IS 18-24 INCHES LONG. RUNNING FROM PASSENGER SIDE PILLAR TO AREA NEAR CENTER OF WINDSHIELD. ABOUT 18 INCHES UP FROM DASH

NHTSA ODI #11234900

500 miles · Jul 25, 2019
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other

ENGINE DOES NOT BRAKE WHEN GOING DOWNHILL AS THE MANUAL SAYS IT SHOULD. MY PREVIOUS OUTBACKS (2006, 2011, 2017) DID HAVE ENGINE BRAKING. REGIONAL SERVICE OFFICE SUGGESTED I PLACE THE CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE SPEED. CAR PICKS UP SPEED QUICKLY, SO USING THE BRAKE PEDAL IS THE BEST OPTION. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM…

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ENGINE DOES NOT BRAKE WHEN GOING DOWNHILL AS THE MANUAL SAYS IT SHOULD. MY PREVIOUS OUTBACKS (2006, 2011, 2017) DID HAVE ENGINE BRAKING. REGIONAL SERVICE OFFICE SUGGESTED I PLACE THE CAR IN CRUISE CONTROL IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE SPEED. CAR PICKS UP SPEED QUICKLY, SO USING THE BRAKE PEDAL IS THE BEST OPTION. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS NO ENGINE BRAKING WHEN THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST SOME. THIS IS DANGEROUS ON ANY HILL. SECOND, STEERING IS PROBLEMATIC. FIRST, THERE IS TO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SECOND, WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL, THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN, ESPECIALLY ON CURVES. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO WORK AT CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT'S VERY TIRING. THE THIRD ISSUE IS IN REGARD TO THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM SHOWING INACCURATE SPEED LIMITS. I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPORTED AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY 2019. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE MAY 31, 2019.

NHTSA ODI #11234867

68 miles · Jul 24, 2019
Unknown Or Other

BOUGHT JULY 6 @SUBARU OF PORT RICHEY FOUND IT HAD 1 UNREPAIRED RECALL ON IT, SUBARU WUH93 NHTSA'S #19V493000, DAYS AFTER I HAD TAKEN POSSESSION. THEY SOLD ME AS NEW A CAR WITH A RECALL GIVING ME KEYS AND SENDING ME HOME. SUBARU HAS CONFIRMED ALL DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL WUH93. HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS AND COPIOUS E-MAILS, …

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BOUGHT JULY 6 @SUBARU OF PORT RICHEY FOUND IT HAD 1 UNREPAIRED RECALL ON IT, SUBARU WUH93 NHTSA'S #19V493000, DAYS AFTER I HAD TAKEN POSSESSION. THEY SOLD ME AS NEW A CAR WITH A RECALL GIVING ME KEYS AND SENDING ME HOME. SUBARU HAS CONFIRMED ALL DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL WUH93. HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS AND COPIOUS E-MAILS, TO UPHOLD MY CLAIM. I WANT THEM TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR BREAKING U.S.C 49 - 30112(A)(3). C.F.R.301120(I) AND SELLING, AND DELIVERING (KEYS) A VEHICLES TO AN ELDERLY COUPLE, WITH SAFETY RECALLS ON IT, TO DRIVE HOME,. AND THEN DAYS LATER NOTIFY ME OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11234511

5,000 miles · Jul 22, 2019
Steering

WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FROM 40-70 MPH, AND MAKING A TURN TO RIGHT OR LEFT, THE STEERING WILL SUDDENLY OVER STEER TOWARDS THE DIRECTION OF THE TURN, GIVING A FEELING OF LOSS OF CONNECTION BETWEEN STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR'S WHEELS. FEELS LIKE TOO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. HAVE TO OVER CORRECT THE OTHER DIRECTION TO GET STEER…

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WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FROM 40-70 MPH, AND MAKING A TURN TO RIGHT OR LEFT, THE STEERING WILL SUDDENLY OVER STEER TOWARDS THE DIRECTION OF THE TURN, GIVING A FEELING OF LOSS OF CONNECTION BETWEEN STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR'S WHEELS. FEELS LIKE TOO MUCH PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. HAVE TO OVER CORRECT THE OTHER DIRECTION TO GET STEERING FEEL AND CORRECT DIRECTION FOR THE CAR BACK. DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11233962

3,400 miles · Jul 20, 2019
Unknown Or Other

THE CERTIFIED SUBARU WINDSHIELDS ARE TOO THIN. THEY BREAK WITH LITTLE TO NO IMPACT. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE TWO SO FAR WITH ONLY 3400 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. HAVE I MENTIONED HOW EXPENSIVE THESE WINDSHIELDS ARE TO REPLACE, UPWARDS OF $1600. I KNOW SUBARU HAD A PREVIOUS GLASS RECALL, BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK, INTO THE 2019 WINDSH…

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THE CERTIFIED SUBARU WINDSHIELDS ARE TOO THIN. THEY BREAK WITH LITTLE TO NO IMPACT. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE TWO SO FAR WITH ONLY 3400 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. HAVE I MENTIONED HOW EXPENSIVE THESE WINDSHIELDS ARE TO REPLACE, UPWARDS OF $1600. I KNOW SUBARU HAD A PREVIOUS GLASS RECALL, BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK, INTO THE 2019 WINDSHIELDS.

NHTSA ODI #11233572

12,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Unknown Or Other

FRONT WINDSHIELD SUSTAINED A SMALL CHIP IN THE UPPER AREA BEHIND THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY TURNED INTO A HUGE CRACK EXTENDING ACROSS AND DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE 15-16 OUTBACKS REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD. THE FACT THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING THIS EASILY FROM A SM…

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FRONT WINDSHIELD SUSTAINED A SMALL CHIP IN THE UPPER AREA BEHIND THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND HAS SUBSEQUENTLY TURNED INTO A HUGE CRACK EXTENDING ACROSS AND DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE 15-16 OUTBACKS REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD. THE FACT THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING THIS EASILY FROM A SMALL CHIP LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THEY DID NOT FIX THE ISSUES FROM THE PREVIOUS 15-16 MODEL YEAR WINDSHIELD DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #11232585

6,558 miles · Jul 15, 2019
Visibility/wiper

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I CAME OUT OF MY HOME TO GET READY TO DRIVE WHEN I NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. IT BEGINS WITH A VERTICAL SPLIT OF THE GLASS WITH NO SIGN OF A POINT OF IMPACT FROM DEBRIS. CAUSE: UNKNOWN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THAT I HAD NOT BEEN DRIVING NOR HAD A ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIE…

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MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I CAME OUT OF MY HOME TO GET READY TO DRIVE WHEN I NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. IT BEGINS WITH A VERTICAL SPLIT OF THE GLASS WITH NO SIGN OF A POINT OF IMPACT FROM DEBRIS. CAUSE: UNKNOWN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THAT I HAD NOT BEEN DRIVING NOR HAD A ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD. THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD TAKE THEM A WEEK FOR THEM TO GET A REP AND SERVICE MANAGER TO INSPECT. THE CRACK HAD SINCE GROWN BY THE TIME THEY SAW THE VEHICLE. THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE WINDSHEILD.

NHTSA ODI #11232110

6,300 miles · Jul 15, 2019
Visibility/wiper

SPONTANEOUS WINDSHIELD CRACK THAT ORIGINATED DIRECTING UNDERNEATH WINDSHIELD WIPER ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE. WINDSHIELD WAS CLEANED HOURS BEFORE CRACK APPEARED, AND NO IMPERFECTIONS WERE OBSERVED; VEHICLE NOT DRIVEN OR MOVED. GOT IN VEHICLE IN EVENING AND CRACK WAS PRESENT EXPANDING ALMOST THE ENTIRE SIDE OF PASSEN…

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SPONTANEOUS WINDSHIELD CRACK THAT ORIGINATED DIRECTING UNDERNEATH WINDSHIELD WIPER ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE. WINDSHIELD WAS CLEANED HOURS BEFORE CRACK APPEARED, AND NO IMPERFECTIONS WERE OBSERVED; VEHICLE NOT DRIVEN OR MOVED. GOT IN VEHICLE IN EVENING AND CRACK WAS PRESENT EXPANDING ALMOST THE ENTIRE SIDE OF PASSENGER VIEW.

NHTSA ODI #11231950

50 miles · Jul 14, 2019
Structure

PANEL ABOVE DRIVER PEDALS FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE GAS OR BREAK PEDAL. THE PANEL WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND MISSING HOLDING CLIPS AND SCREWS.

NHTSA ODI #11231804

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