2019 Subaru Outback Problems & Complaints

Avoid8.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Outback at the same age

Owners have filed 1,036 complaints about the 2019 Subaru Outback with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 8.4× as many as a typical Outback model year at the same age, which makes the 2019 one of the Outback years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the windows, wipers & sunroof (386 complaints, typically around 11,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

1,036complaints
3recalls
24crashes
2fires
18injuries
0deaths

Most common 2019 Subaru Outback problems

Share of the 1,036 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Subaru Outback complaints by model year

’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26467912711120717114393902732771292261063606522942972085106439198161.0k901298465891048319
Owner complaints per model year, Subaru Outback. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Outback years: 1996, 2004, 2003. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2022. Compare all years →

2019 Subaru Outback recalls (3)

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 21V-587 · Jul 29, 2021 · 175,968 vehicles

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.

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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 20V-218 · Apr 16, 2020 · 188,207 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

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.

Structure

NHTSA recall 19V-493 · Jun 26, 2019 · 2,107 vehicles

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.

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.

What 2019 Subaru Outback owners say

Windows, wipers & sunroof all 386 →

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, her windshield had cracked on four separate occasions due to minor road debris. The first crack was a diagonal crack that formed on the lower corner of the driver-side windshield. The second crack was like a spider's web that formed on the upper passenger's side of the windshield. The third crack was a diagonal crack that formed in the middle of the passenger's side windshield. The fourth crack was a Z-shaped crack that formed in the middle of the windshield right below the eyesight camera. The contact stated that each crack obstructed her vision while driving. The contact had the first two windshields replaced at Subaru of Richmond (9177 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23294) and Hyman Bros. Subaru (11960 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, VA 231130) respectively. …

Windshield · 5,000 miles · Oct 2018

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). …

Windshield · 27,000 miles · Sep 2022

Electrical system all 364 →

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The computer control system showed low tire pressures. While the passenger's seat was occupied, there was an abnormal dinging sound detected. The message that the seat not activated message was displayed. The contact stated that the battery drained, and the vehicle failed to start. The starting system had drained the battery. The contact had Triple AAA check the vehicle, and the DCM made an abnormal popping sound. The ABS, radio, and CD warning lights were flashing. The transmission, GPS, and undercarriage messages were illuminated. The computer screen had burned out and was inoperable. The contact stated while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle abruptly stopped without driver input. The steering wheel became inoperable and was uncontrollable. …

55,000 miles · Dec 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, or while the vehicle was parked, the Infotainment system and screen made abnormal sounds with the screen flashing. The contact stated that the Navigation and Bluetooth also malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a malfunctioning audio unit that needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the repairs were not completed because the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000. The contact stated that the failure mileage was actually 43,000. The issue with the display causes a distraction while driving. The dealer was contacted several times but with no remedy. The dealer only states that they are waiting for the parts but has no provided an ETA.

43,000 miles · Apr 2022

Driver assistance all 47 →

Drove into the Walgreen's parking lot, made several low speed turns to arrive at the west side of the building. Pulled into an empty parking space. Entered parking space at very low rate of speed and proceeded to brake to a full stop. Moved shift lever with the intent to move transmission from Drive to Park and despite my foot still being on the brake, the car suddenly lurched forward, drove over the curb and sidewalk, crossed sidewalk and hit the side of the store (a brick wall). Car bounced back to a midpoint of the sidewalk. Engine was still running but car came to a full stop. I turned off the engine. Two Walgreen employees came out to see if I was OK (they heard the impact). I told them I was but later my chest hurt and I found a bruise suggesting impact with the steering wheel. Entire front of car is damaged. …

Warnings · 6,000 miles · Jun 2021 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at a slow rate of speed and parking the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control and crash into a brick wall. During the incident, the brake pedal was pressed but the vehicle did not stop. The driver sustained a left shoulder injury. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was not yet towed. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that previously the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration problems while driving at highway speeds with and without cruise control activated. In addition on several occasions, the collision avoidance system had erroneously activated while driving at highway speeds. …

Adaptive cruise control · 24,000 miles · Aug 2021 · crash · 1 injury

2019 Subaru Outback engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.5L 4-cylCVTAWD25 / 32 / 28
3.6L 6-cylCVTAWD20 / 27 / 22

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Subaru Outback a good car?

Based on 1,036 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Outback rates avoid: 8.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Outback at the same age. It is one of the Outback years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2019 Subaru Outback?

The windows, wipers & sunroof — 386 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield. Next are the electrical system (364) and driver assistance (47).

How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Outback have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2019 Subaru Outback, the most recent from July 29, 2021 (fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Outback?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 2004 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018 and 2022. See the full Subaru Outback years comparison.

At what mileage do 2019 Subaru Outback problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 10,000 miles; 96% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.