2019 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 1,034 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 24 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 18 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpJul 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.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V587000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpApr 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.
If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V218000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureJun 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.
In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 19V493000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
204 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2026
The Starlink infotainment touchscreen in my 2019 Subaru Outback Touring has progressively failed. Visible bubbles have formed under the glass, consistent with screen delamination. The screen registers phantom inputs on its own without being touched ("ghost touch"), changing settings, and interrupting functions while the vehicle is being driven. The touchscreen has now become completely unresponsive to actual touch input. Because the head unit controls and displays the backup camera, this failure interferes with the rear visibility display when reversing, creating a safety concern. The ghost inputs also present a driver distraction while the vehicle is in motion. I first documented this problem and presented the vehicle for service at a dealership in April 2025, maybe even prior, and I have dated video documentation showing the progression of the failure since then. The condition has worsened over time regardless of weather, though symptoms intensify with heat and sun exposure. The failure also disables hands-free operation, including Bluetooth phone connectivity, voice commands, and navigation control. Functions designed to be operated hands-free while driving now cannot be used at all, which encourages manual phone handling for navigation and calls - defeating the vehicle's built-in distraction-prevention systems. I am aware this failure pattern (delamination, ghost touch, and unresponsiveness in Starlink units) is widely reported by other owners of 2019–2023 Subaru vehicles. No warning preceded the failure, and the vehicle has not resolved with restarts. Current mileage approximately 134,XXX. Failure began at approximately 60,XXX miles ~ November 2024.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2026
Driver controls for windows do not work for front windows .. Can not put windows down. Therefore if window on passenger side or driver side gets foggy, can not lower to see out Dealer has stated that there is dirt in window. Not dirt , bad window motor per my experience. This has been occurring for about 2/3 years.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2026
The touch screen monitor which controls the audio system, navigation, phone, and other car systems has delaminated. It turns on and off, makes phone calls, switches car systems like the audio, and turns off navigation. At best, it is a very annoying distraction. At worst, it is a safety issue when the screen is making emergency phone calls, canceling navigation, or turning on and off constantly and beeping and causing distraction to the driver. It is possible to turn the entire screen off, but it then randomly comes back on. A safety recall has been issued for 2018 but not 2019 Subaru Outbacks. I strongly urge you to consider a safety recall for the 2019 Subaru Outback as the very common screen delamination is widely known and causing issues for many Subaru drivers. The issue began in the summer of 2025 and has continued to be an issue, and is getting worse.
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2025
Windshield cracking for no reason.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2025
"Parasitic" draw. Battery replaced, less than year old, almost daily need to "jump" vehicle to start. Always have to have booster pack. Multiple mechanics trips. Dash screen touch option does not work, have videos of the screen randomly "fluttering" through various screens and or radio stations. Leave the radio off, will randomly come on, on its own.
Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2025
Failures of the radio Failures of the main head unit Nagivation errors and failures Display screens that go black, frozen
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 25, 2025
My name is [XXX] [XXX] Phone Number: [XXX] My complaint is with Subaru of America, 1 Subaru Drive, Camden, NJ 08103 Phone Number: 800-782-2783 I would like the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office to become involved with the two lemons/pieces of junk my wife and I have been sold. My Subaru is a 2019 Outback and my wife’s Subaru is a 2020 Forester. My ongoing problems with my 2019 Subaru Outback are as follows and in my opinion, I am driving a very unsafe car putting our lives at risk: 3 batteries prior to 80,000 miles resulting from a class action lawsuit filed against Subaru. Replacement of the ECM or Engine Control Module. Burns a quart of oil at the price of $11.00 per quart every 3,000 miles, that’s an engine problem. Right front axle broke and had to be replaced. After replacement of the right front axle, the right front axle seal, which is the axle replaced started to leak and I was charged to replace the axle seal due to a mechanics incompetence. I received a card from Subaru stating a windshield issue. Received another card regarding a fuel pump issue. A letter received this past week from an apparent CVT or continuously variable transmission issue. Now my radio stations jump around arbitrarily changing stations, tracks on my CD, and my hatch doesn’t open, but gets stuck shortly upon opening. This car is a lemon, a piece of junk and very unsafe. How many more problems are unknown to us and when will any of them occur while we are driving putting our lives in danger. If Subaru had any ethics character integrity or business morality they would have replaced this piece of junk. They are a horrible company to work with INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2025
The windshield of my 2019 Subaru Outback Touring Edition has begun to split and crack, starting at the frame. The crack split and spread in a matter of days. My car was sitting unused in the driveway when this occurred. The damage started where the windshield meets the frame and has spread. I am not able to drive the car safely other than to get the windshield repaired. I contacted Subaru, and they told me they will not honor their extended warranty to my car because their warranty is on for 2020 and newer Outbacks. I have researched and spoken to many other owners who complain that the 2019 Outback's windshield is just as dangerous as the 2020 model and that once it starts cracking, it is only a matter of time until it will fall apart. Subaru has installed a very expensive (about $1000 to replace and calibrate) yet faulty windshield in their cars without a willingness to correct their mistake.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2025
My Infotainment system randomly places phone calls, changes or cancels maps, and otherwise takes random actions that create distractions that makes for unsafe driving. It appears that the screen may be delaminating in multiple spots which would cause the above problems.
Other or unspecified, May 15, 2025
I was driving 75mph in heavy, morning traffic. I was behind a large tractor trailer, switching lanes. My car’s ‘obstacle ahead’ warning was attempting to slow me down or stop me. The air pressure inside my car changed suddenly and I could feel the pressure difference. Then there was a huge explosion. It sounded like my back windshield broke. Instead, it was my sunroof. It had exploded outwards from the inside. It just shattered and blew up spontaneously.
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2025
Subaru did not notify consumers or aftermarket retailers that the Subaru battery in my vehicle was underamped. As a result, I unknowingly bought an underamped battery from Autozone to replace my dying battery in 2024, b/c their records indicated it was the right battery. I found out in 3/25 from Subaru service about the underamped battery issue when my car was dying. Autozone can’t replace it because their system (info they get from Subaru) says this is the right battery, because Subaru didn’t notify anyone. Subaru will not replace the battery for free because it’s not a Subaru battery. I have an internal service memo from 2023 that states what the right battery should be. However, Subaru didn’t notify the public or companies and so several people are probably driving around with underamped aftermarket batteries. I should not have to pay for a new battery, I should have received notice in 2023 about this issue and then I would have replaced it with the right Subaru battery. The battery I replaced in 2024 was the original Subaru underamped battery.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2025
Screen is delaminating. Becoming unresponsive at times. Making ghost touches, phone calls, opening apps, messing with GPS. Seems unsafe when it could be going haywire and especially using GPS trying to navigate traffic.
Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2025
The infotainment center not working. It makes ghost options. Examples: calls people arbitrarily. Changes radio stations out of the blue. Maps goes nuts when try to use navigation. Screen has bubbles. SOA has only offered to front 1/2 the cost of the fix when even the dealership advised this is a defect/ known issue. I probably haven’t even listed all the issues but it makes the radio/navigation/ starlink service unusable at this point unless I pay out to fix with no real assurance this will not occur again
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2025
The Infotainment system has been glitching repeatedly with each drive I take; I am unable to operate any functions. This interferes with CarPlay. I reported this to the dealership and they informed me I would get a notice of recall in the mail. That was almost 2 months ago.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2025
The head unit on the vehicle has an issue where it bubbles and it’s causing the touch screen to spaz out, change sources, etc creating a terribly distracting driving experience and you are unable to turn it of. The screen flashes, the radio changes stations, it messes with the navigation rendering it useless, etc. it’s a known issue and Subaru settled a class an action lawsuit related to it for 2018 models but has not issued recalls to for any year models. They should fix the issue on all models. It has been going on for months.
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2025
the center console screen begins developing subsurface oil spots at 100,000 miles. these cause glare, inhibiting visibility, and phantom touches, inhibiting use of the system. this loss of ability to control the primary information system in the vehicle produces safety issues in distractions to the driver and inability to access vehicle information such as the map. I recently had a low fuel warning come on while traveling, which takes over the whole screen; because the screen was causing phantom touches, i could not dismiss it and continue using the map to navigate to a gas station. i risked being lost in winter in deep rural wisconsin, as my phone didn’t have signal and my car was my only local map this is a well known issue on Subaru owner fora, and the company refuses to recall or even warrantee the problem since it happens just after the 5y/100k mile turnover. mine began a month ago, at mile 101,086.
Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2025
This is a recurring issue that has started significantly impacting my infotainment system. The screen malfunctions by pressing random buttons, hanging up calls, changing the radio station, and repeatedly attempting to connect and disconnect Bluetooth. When this happens, there's nothing I can do to stop it because the screen is entirely unresponsive to my touch. It's not only frustrating but also dangerous and very distracting while driving.
Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2025
infotainment unit delamination. Plus radio stations skip stations constantly and phone through infotainment unit is messed up. Unit turns on and off. Then sometimes it is fine.
Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2025
Navigation Screen/STARLINK Multimedia screen malfunctions due to bubbling. Screen must remain turned off. Cannot use navigation and cannot use hands free phone. If I try to use any function the screen automatically scrolls through various function including randomly launching functions such as dialing numbers on my phone. I took the car to the dealer and they said it is "common" but not a recall and not covered by warranty because my car is now out of warranty
Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2024
I own a 2019 Subaru Outback. I have had to replace the windshield four times, every time it was replaced with Subaru Glass, as recommended by Subaru. The windshield cracks at not centered, they appear from either the top or bottom of the windshield with not impact site. I have asked for them to review the framing and have been continually told it is fine. The windshields have all cracked within a two year period. The last one which occurred a couple days ago appeared after the car going through a pot hole on the street.
Other or unspecified, Dec 18, 2024
Infotainment head unit is delaminating. This issue causes "ghost touches" where the system randomly selects options or changes settings without user input. The delamination appears as bubbles or dots behind the screen that cannot be wiped off. This is a safety issue as these "ghost touches" make selections, changes, and phone calls on the infotainment system while driving.
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2024
The surface of the interior touch screen display on my 2019 Subaru Outback Touring that controls the radio, navigation, phone, vehicle settings and information, and rear backup camera assistance developed bubbles and presses buttons on its own. It toggles between apps, calls people, changes radio stations, adjusts volume, discontinues map routes, removes backup camera footage, and beeps at random and while driving. As a driver or passenger I am unable to control these functions because the touch screen is not functional. The safety of myself and others has absolutely been put at risk: a once reliable backup camera is no longer consistently functional; the route I set in the driveway disappears, reappears, and changes destination locations while I'm driving; at times the screen toggles and beeps quickly, will not stay turned off, and creates an unavoidable visual and audible distraction. Phil Long Subaru inspected my vehicle, confirmed that this is a known issue with United Radio part #AL58A, and quoted the repair at over $1600. Subaru of America has not issued a recall despite two class action lawsuits for this issue and an existing recall for the same issue on earlier models. SOA offered a one time credit of $1200, which leaves me on the hook for $500 for their defective manufacturing, and no guarantee that the replacement part has been modified to address the issue or extended warranty on the part in case this happens again. There were no warnings, messages, or symptoms of the problem prior to failure. The bubbles appeared around October 2024 and the ability to consistently control the display was lost immediately.
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2024
The infotainment system or head unit has gone haywire! The car calls random people from my phone book and hangs up, plays the radio changing channels every 5 seconds switching to the map and then to settings and changing dash from Mph to Kph and so on and so forth. This is dangerously distracting and there is no way to turn it off. I have to disable my phone to drive the car. None of my buttons on the screen work. Unfortunately no warranty and the cost is almost $2,000 to replace the unit…but will it just happen again in 4 years? Completely unsafe for my teenage son to drive and I thought I was buying the safest car on the road at the time. This is unsafe and unnecessary….we would be happy if we had a way to just turn it all off!
Other or unspecified, Dec 3, 2024
This vehicle, and many others as I've read in forums, experiences uncontrollable radio station and apps changes automatically and will not stop. Why it's not safe: The radio screen flashes between several screens on it's own. It changes stations, it changes to different apps, then the screen locks and you cannot reset it. It also beeps with every change, over 100 beeps per minute, like a morse code message. Imagine that on a 9-hour road trip. It is a major annoyance and distraction as the driver is constantly focused on trying to get this radio/equipment to work properly. It forces your attention off the road. And it will not stop! It changes radio stations, if powered off, it turns itself on. And Subaru refuses to acknowledge the issue, or offer a replacement. They pretend they never heard of the issue, yet its easily found in forums. For $1000 I can get a different OEM radio, from the same manufacturer, and who knows how long it will be before it happens again? We (subaru owners) need help with this and a recall. I can't tell you how many times I've drifted out of my lane trying to make the beep beep beep stop after hour after hour! Navigation and apps are useless, as the radio will change them to different input sources without notice, and all day long. Yes, this is a safety issue. You cannot just turn it off. It turns itself back on. Even if you turn down the sound from the radio, the beep beep beep of the apps changing cannot be silenced. It only occurs when the vehicle is on. All the time. Everytime. Every day. Every trip. Please help.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2024
Head unit delaminating after Data Control Module repair in 2023. Head unit is entirely inoperable and poses a safety risk to driver by turning radio on and off, switching stations, raising and lowering volume level, and affecting the eyesight periodically. Head unit can be turned off after multiple attempts, however powers back up on its own continuing the previously mentioned issues.