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
Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2023
I have owned this Subaru since September of 2019 and within the first year of buying it, while on a roadtrip with 3 other passengers who saw it happen, the windshield just split in the lower left side. there were no cars around to kick up rocks or debris so it seemed very odd. over time it spread and we inevitably had to replace it because the crack had gone across the entirety of the windshield. only a few months after replacing the windshield it split once again in the same spot in the lower left with no explanation as to why. the place where it split initially has no rock chips to explain the crack. after this I looked it up online and found out that many others have had similar experiences, so I decided to not even replace my windshield but to instead live with the crack that has once again spread clear across the car because I do not have the money to keep replacing $1000 glass every 3 months or so. The Subaru is an otherwise good car, but this problem is a bit ridiculous.
Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2023
Was parked outside and came home and put car in garage and found a huge crack in windshield, I did not have an accident or was windshield hit with anything this happened spontaneously!
Suspension, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2023
Under 50,000 miles all 4 wheel bearings needed to be replaced. Under 50,000 miles all 4 struts needed to be replaced. The door key would not work , the dealer had to fix the mechanism. The passenger window stops working suddenly, the dealer has to reset it all the time. The car braked in the middle of highway two time, I was lucky that no one hit me in the back. Under 65,000 miles control arm broke and did $8,400 damage. Car would not let me in on one of the parking, dealer could no help. Subaru from India was able to unlock the car and make it active again. Car lane keep assistant is like drunk driver. The dealer told me, that I need to buy a newer car. I have been to dealer every month.
Other or unspecified, May 1, 2023
In the last 8 months, I have replaced the windshield twice. I assumed it was due to rock strikes but neither time was a strike mark present. The second time I heard a loud pop and an approximately 8-inch crack appeared. I believe the material is either defective or too thin, especially after reading about numerous similar incidents. Subaru's response is to try to sell a windshield warranty. What will happen if someone's windshield shatters completely while driving? The date below is the latest, but this also occurred last year around July/August.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2023
The battery is depleted with no known reason. Even after a new battery is installed it stalls. And an internet search shows that Subaru knows this is their issue. When I contact Subaru they told me that I should drive it every day. That is a ridiculous statement. This battery issue creates a potential for a bad incident.
Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2023
Touchscreen control head has delaminated making the unit disfunctional. When reporting an injury accident to 911 the defect on the controlhead unit disconnected my 911 call for help without an input from me. The manufacturing defect of the screen has rendered the back-up camera useless. This is the same issue that occured with the 2018 models. Both the dealership and Subaru of America (SOA) are aware of the associated safety issues and have refused to correct the defective equipment. Both the dealership and SOA agree that this is unsafe and needed to be replaced. The milage at time of occurance was 76,000.
Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2023
Windshield cracked due to wiper deicer defect.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2023
Vehicle would not start after turning off the motor! This has happened 3 times until it would not start at all, which left myself and young girls stranded for 2 hrs until AAA arrived! The battery is good but something is draining the battery!!! Will take to Subaru dealership to diagnose the problem!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 21, 2023
Trunk popped open and will not close. Power rear gate latch control needed to be replaced. Couldn’t fully open or close trunk while driving or even after stopped
Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2023
My radio and navigation screen started getting bubbles under the screen. Now the screen goes crazy constantly changing radio stations and changing information on maps. The screen is suppose to be a touch screen and nothing works. It randomly calls people if you're connected to Bluetooth, changes to different apps, goes to different destinations on maps and changes setting features.
Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2023
The windshield cracks and chips excessively easy. I'm 47 years old and have never needed to replace a windshield til this vehicle and I've now had 4 cracks in the 2 years I've owned it as well as numerous chips. I know road hazard happens - but this has been excessive!
Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2023
In November 2022, I reported my radio unit was faulty due to a peeling covering for the radio. The resulting problems includes: flashing screen, continual beeping, self-navigating menu changes, making phone calls, sending messages, etc. I was told in early Nov it would 10 days before a radio would be available. In early December I called the dealership to inquire of the progress, now overdue. I was told it would be 10 days again and the representative told me he was going to re-roder it. In early January 2023 the radio began to flash, beep, and self-navigate menus including factory resetting itself while in operation. The covering at this point was peeling more. Explaining that it was no inoperable and was being covered with paper to avoid distraction while driving though the beeping was still happening. I called the dealership to inquire and was told no radio replacement was available and to call Subaru direct with my issues. I called Subaru directly and was told a radio replacement would be available in 10 days and to call back if I didn't hear from them. I called back with no response. I called several more times with no response. In early February 2023, I called an opened another case but was re-routed to the original case and was told radios were being replaced for orders in late October/early November and mine would likely be available soon and to call back in a few days if I did not hear back. I called several times without a response. The radio is flashing, beeping, self-navigating menus, turning on, turning off, turning on the radio, changing stations and volume while in motion making driving unsafe.
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2023
Was driving with little to no traffic on route 65 PGH Pa there was a very loud pop/crack I did not see anything. After a few minutes a crack started from the very bottom of the windshield and goes up about 4 inch then spreads into 2 cracks that are approx 16 inches each there is no visible point of impact the window we’ll be seen by windshield repair co on Friday Jan 27 2023 the crack and bang startled me and could have caused me to wreck and the integrity of the windshield is no longer what it should be and if cont to drive could blow in
Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2023
I have a 2019 Subaru Outback. The Navigation unit is having Ghost touches making it impossible to focus while driving the car. The Unit Ghost touches every button on the screen while driving and when a mobile device is connected it automatically makes calls to the contacts with the Ghost touches. Many users have reported these issues.
Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2022
Battery is persistently dead , have brought to Subaru dealership replaced battery 1 month after we got it Nov 2021 , and then checked again and told “not driving enough to charge battery “ we have to jump battery at least twice a week
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2022
While sitting vehicle was sitting in my locked garage got into vehicle and noticed a large crack in center of windshield had appeared without incident called my Subaru dealership that I purchased vehicle from they made an appointment and I took vehicle to the service manager and he took a quick look and pointed to windshield and said it was a stone chip. I could not see the chip he was talking about and he stated he would have to call Subaru manufacturer himself to see what they thought. This is the 2nd time I have had to take brand new car in for repair for a situation not caused by I’ll care
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2022
The touch screen has bubbles on it and a mind of its own. I can not use my phone, maps let alone the radio. The vehicle has only 11k miles on it. I am being told I am out of warranty and it will cost 2k to replace the head unit. Searching forums this is a common issue. The 2018 models ended with a class action. At this point they are not taking responsibility for the 2019.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2022
Battery has failed twice, original battery was replaced, then the 1st replaced battery has died. A new battery and the software update needed asap.
Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2022
battery was working and vehicle driven to a location. When returning to vehicle and trying to start battery was found 100% discharged and tested to 0% charge left leaving driver stranded. I had to get battery tested to see what the issue was, contacted dealer who had me bring the vehicle in and they tested battery, charged and stated OK. I questioned the situation as, how can it be OK, if the issue was not found. Then a software update was performed and I was told battery would not be an issue now. Vehicle taken to Bowser Subaru on 8-25-22 at 1:00pm. No paperwork or work orders were provided to me. Service was at no charge
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 15, 2022
2019 Subaru Outback. On 8/9/22 I was Driving on interstate and a tiny crack appeared in mid to lower left corner of windshield. Called dealer immediately because it is my second windshield—the first one was covered in 2020 under warranty after It spontaneously cracked. On 8/9/22 I called my insurance while driving (hands free) and they made same day appointment but Safe Lite could not repair the windshield because by the time I got there the crack had expanded, making it a full replacement. There is no recall but already a lawsuit involving 2017-2019 models of Subaru Outback windshields. Trying to get Subaru to replace it again. There needs to be a recall! Windshields should not crack spontaneously or so easily. Thank you!
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2022
The head unit of the vehicle has malfunctioned causing the following: - Touch screen is non-responsive - Rearview camera is blurry/difficult to see out of making backing up dangerous - The entertainment unit has deleted paired phones making connecting a phone impossible The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer and they recommended ordering a new head unit.
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2022
The temperature outside was below freezing and I was running the defrost on the highest temp. There was a loud pop and I thought maybe something had hit the windshield, but there was nothing. Then a few days later I noticed a crack emerging just above where the wiper rests. It proceeded to move up, then out in a T, then curl around and meet itself, it has just continued to spread. The dealership (Rogers Subaru, Lewiston, ID) traced the cracks with a pen but was not able to find any damage aside from the crack.
Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2022
I just bought my 2019 Outback less than a month ago in perfect condition. One morning when I was leaving for work I noticed a crack about 6 inches long in the windshield. The crack is rapidly spreading, it tripled in size in less than 3 weeks. I believe my windshield is defective.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2022
At about 35,000 miles the car would not start. Had the battery checked and was told it was fine. Subaru garage could not find a parasitic drain. Replaced the battery and the car still would not start reliably. Took the car back to the Subaru garage and they had it for 5 days and at first said the DCM needed to be replaced then they back tracked and said the car was fine and they could not find anything wrong with it. Subaru garage told me to contact Subaru and they would give me a $500.00 "gift card" and I could bring it back and they could put in an AGM battery and a battery tender. The car would not start a total of approximately 8-10 times unless it was kept on a trickle charger. I did not want to have to rely on plugging my car in all the time. We sold the car because we could not have an unreliable vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 18, 2022
The windshield on the Outback do not hold up. I have replaced my windshield 2 times. About to replace for a 3 time. All within 13 months. All Subaru windshields. I’m a cautious driver and do not drive close to others. A rock has hit the windshield but it automatically cracks over 8 inches. Not repairable. I’ve never had this problem with my other vehicles.