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: visibility/wiper
326 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Jan 7, 2020
2019 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I LIMITED PURCHASED 1-'19. 1ST. BREAK: 2-'19: WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED UNDER WIPERS AT THE WIPER DEFROSTER HEATER ELEMENT. WINDSHIELD WAS FROSTED IN AM, STARTED MOTOR AND DEFROSTERS TO WARM AND PREPARE CAR FOR DEPARTURE. WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY. MADE APPT. WITH SUBARU, THEY DECLINED RESPONSIBILITY UNDER WARRANTY AND ADVISED TO HAVE INSURANCE REPLACE IT. WHILE WAITING FOR SECOND APPT. WITH A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP A SMALL PEBBLE IMPACTED UPPER RIGHT CORNER SO I JUST HAD INSURANCE COVER IT AS IT WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH AT THIS POINT. (3/27/19 INSURANCE REPLACEMENT WITH ORIG. SUBARU WINDSHIELD- $500 DEDUCTIBLE, $225 EYESIGHT RECALIBRATION). 2ND BREAK: 6-'19: WHILE DRIVING 50MPH ON 2 LANE ROAD A GRAVEL TRUCK PASSING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION DROPPED A VERY SMALL PEBBLE THAT WOULD HAVE NOT BROKE WINDSHIELD ON MY TOYOTA OR MAZDA BASED ON PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS. SMALL PEBBLE IMPACTED WINDSHIELD IN UPPER LEFT CORNER AND IMMEDIATELY SPREAD ACROSS AND DOWN IN SEVERAL SPOTS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT (6/10/19 REPLACEMENT UNDER 20/20 GLASS WARRANTY). REQUIRED ADDITIONAL 3RD REPLACEMENT AS SUBARU SUPPLIED DEFECTIVE RUBBER STRIPPING FOR SECOND REPLACEMENT. NOW WINDSHIELD AREA CREATES ADDITIONAL WIND/ROAD NOISE AND NEW RATTLE IN DASH AS RESULT OF 3 REPLACEMENTS. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE WINDSHIELD FIRST BREAK HOWEVER THEY WILL NOT UPLOAD. CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED THEM. THEY SHOW THE 'BURN MARKS' AT THE HEATER ELEMENTS.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 7, 2020
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE. THE NEXT DAY I CAME OUT AND THERE WAS A CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. IT WAS COMPLETELY FINE THE NIGHT BEFORE.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 6, 2020
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS IN FAIR WEATHER, A LARGE CRACK APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, STARTING AT THE BOTTOM NEAR THE WIPER, AND EXTENDING APPROXIMATELY 10-12 INCHES CURVING UP AND TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO APPARENT IMPACT OR NOISE PRIOR TO THE CRACK APPEARING. THE CRACK COMPROMISES SUBARU'S EYE-SIGHT SAFETY FEATURE AS WELL AS THE INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHIELD IN GENERAL, CREATING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT(S). I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH AAA PENDING SERVICE WITH SUBARU WHICH IS SCHEDULED ON 01/13/20 (ATTACHED CONFIRMATION FROM AAA)
Visibility/wiper, Jan 6, 2020
I RAN SOME ERRANDS ONE EVENING AND PARKED MY CAR WITH A COMPLETELY CRACK FREE WINDSHIELD, AND WHEN I GOT BACK TO MY CAR, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT TO CAUSE THE CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2020
BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 8/22/2019 AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE SITTING OUTSIDE OF OUR CARPORT ON 10/27/2019. THE CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE ACROSS TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MIRROR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. FEELING THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE IT FEELS LIKE THE WINDSHIELD IS UNEVEN ON TOP LIKE THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN STRESS ON IT.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 3, 2020
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE BOTTOM LEFT OR DRIVERS SIDE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO IMPACT ON THE WINDSHIELD OF ANY KIND. NO TRAFFIC AND SMOOTH HIGHWAY. TEMP WAS AROUND 30 DEGREES. STARTED OUT AS A 5 INCH CRACK FROM THE BOTTOM UP AND HAD A VERY SMALL DIVOT. THEN SPREAD TO A 15 INCH CRACK VERY QUICKLY. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH IN 24 HOURS AND THEY FILED A CLAIM WITH SUBARU. WITHIN 4 HOURS THE DEALERSHIP CALLED AND SAID CLAIM WAS DENIED. THEY SAID CRACK WAS CAUSED BY OUTSIDE FORCE DUE TO THE TINY DIVOT. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME JUST UNDER $700. NOT BEING HAPPY WITH THAT I CALLED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY VERY QUICKLY THREW $500 AT ME TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR. WHICH DOES NOT COVER THE ENTIRE COST OF THE REPAIR. THESE WINDSHIELDS SEEM TO HAVE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKING AND SUBARU IS BRUSHING IT OFF. THE EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY DOES NOT WORK WITH ANY OTHER WINDSHIELD, YOU MUST BUY THE FACTORY WINDSHIELD. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR WITH A SUBPAR WINDSHIELD. I'M NOT CONFIDENT THAT THE NEW WINDSHIELD THEY ARE INSTALLING WILL BE SAFE. PLEASE HELP IN THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BEING IGNORED BY SUBARU. THE DEALERSHIP HAS THE PICTURES OF THE WINDSHIELD FROM WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. I'M TRYING TO GET THEM, I WILL FORWARD THEM IF I GET THEM.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 30, 2019
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED, FIRST ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. CRACK STARTED HALFWAY UP NEAR WHERE IT IS GLUED AND THEN SPREAD OUT ABOUT 2 FEET DIRECTLY IN THE DRIVERS VIEW, VERY MINOR IMPACT ACCORDING TO SUBARU DEALER. FOUR DAYS LATER AN OTHER CRACK STARTED HALFWAY UP ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE ALSO NEAR THE GLUE POINT AND THEN SPREAD OUT ABOUT 2 FEET DIRECTLY IN THE PASSENGERS VIEW. CRACK ARE UNRELATED AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALER BOTH WERE FROM MINOR IMPACTS ALTHOUGH I CAN NOT SEE ANY INPACT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO NEITHER CRACK WAS THERE WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR THE NIGHT, BOTH WERE DISCOVERED IN THE MORNING.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 29, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE SITTING FACE FORWARD IN DRIVEWAY. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN PEORIA AZ WHO DENIED LIABILITY. I PURSUED WITH SUBARU AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD PAY (1 TIME ONLY). DEALERSHIP TOOK PHOTO'S. DATE OF 8/8 IS APPROXIMATE BUT WAS THE SAME DAY I PAID MY 1ST CAR PAYMENT.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 29, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN I PARKED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MY RESIDENCE, THE WINDSHIELD WAS FINE. WHEN I CAME BACK AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 28, 2019
I HAVE A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK PURCHASED DEC. 26, 2018. ON SEPT. 28, 2019, I NOTICED A SMALL STAR LIKE CRACK, ABOUT 3/16 THS OF AN INCH IN CIRCUMFERENCE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WAS ABOUT ONE INCH IN FROM THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE ROOF POST. THE NEXT DAY, SEPT. 29, 2019, THE STAR HAD RADIATED INTO A CRACK WHICH RAN ALL THE WAY INTO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD 4,615 MILES ON IT AND IT HAD NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD. I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS REFERRED TO A LOCAL WINDSHIELD REPAIR/REPLACEMENT SHOP. ON SEPT. 30, 2019 I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 395. I THEN HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE SUBARU DEALER TO HAVE "EYESIGHT" SYSTEM RE-CALIBRATED AT A COST OF $ 206. I DON'T RECALL THE WINDSHIELD BEING HIT BY ANYTHING ON SEPT. 28,2019 AND THE STAR CHIP WAS NOT THERE WHEN I LEFT HOME THAT MORNING.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 27, 2019
WHILE STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT, ON A CITY STREET, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY BROKE. THE BREAKING WAS UNPROMPTED AS NO OBJECT WAS HEARD OR SEEN TO HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD; A REVIEW CONDUCTED BY THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF NEARBY CAMERA FOOTAGE CONFIRMED THIS AS WELL. THE SAME ISSUES NOTED BY MANY OTHERS IN THE THIRD CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST SUBARU REGARDING THEIR FAULTY WINDOWS EXACTLY DESCRIBES OUR SITUATION. THE LOCAL POLICE WERE CALLED ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT TO FILE THE REPORT. ADDITIONALLY, A CALL TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP WAS MADE, IN WHICH THEY STATED THEY WERE "UNAWARE" OF ANY ISSUES WITH THEIR WINDOWS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR, CAUSING US TO PAY $837.99 OUT OF POCKET. DOCUMENTS CAN BE PROVIDED SHOULD THEY BE NEEDED TO FURTHER THIS COMPLAINT.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 27, 2019
WENT OUT TO GARAGE TO GET INTO MY 2019 OUTBACK AND NOTICED CRACK ON DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. STARTS DOWN LOW ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT AND TRACKS UP AND OVER. CRACK WAS NOT THERE WHEN I PARKED THE CAR THE NIGHT BEFORE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 24, 2019
I HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AFTER LESS THAN 2 MONTHS OWNERSHIP OF MY 2019 OUTBACK. I CONTACTED SUBARU AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE IT WITH SUBARU PARTS, AND HAVE THE NEW WINDSHIELD SYNCED WITH MY "EYESIGHT" SO IT WOULD WORK PROPERLY. FRANKLY I COULDN'T AFFORD TO SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY SO I JUST WENT AND GOT AN AFTER-MARKET WINDSHIELD. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN IT HAPENED, OUT OF NOWHERE. MEANWHILE I AM OUT ALMOST $400 FOR SOMETHING I THINK SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. I OWN 2 SUBARU'S ...BOTH 2019, AND FELT LIKE I WASN'T TREATED PROPERLY BY SUBARU.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 24, 2019
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL EVENT WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE WINDSHIELD SHEARED OFF COMPLETELY. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY, THIS OCCURRED DURING THE DAY IN MAY AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 23, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON
Visibility/wiper, Dec 23, 2019
A SPONTANEOUS CRACK APPEARED ON 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHAT STARTED OUT AS A SPELL CRACK, ABOUT 4 INCHES LONG, HAS NOW PROGRESSED TO ALMOST 12 INCHES IN A DAY.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 15, 2019
I HAVE OWNED MY OUTBACK FOR 6 MONTHS. IN THAT TIME I HAVE HAD MY WINDSHIELD CRACK 2 TIMES WITH NO APPARENT DAMAGE. THE FIRST TIME WAS 2 WEEKS AFTER OWNERSHIP, DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, NOT IMPACT FROM ANYTHING AND IT JUST CRACKED. SECOND WAS TONIGHT, DRIVING HOME I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A LARGE DRIP, NEXT THING I KNOW MY WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED ON THE BOTTOM NEAR THE DEFROSTER. I LOOKED ALONG THE CRACK AND THEIR IS NO CHIP OR EVIDENCE OF IMPACT.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 6, 2019
WE SUSTAINED A CRACKED WINDSHIELD FROM A SMALL STONE IMPACT WHILE TRAVELING AT 60MPH ON A MULTI-LANE HIGHWAY. THE ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE GOOD, WITH NO OBVIOUS DEBRIS ON ROAD, AND ONLY PASSENGER CARS IN FRONT AND NEXT TO US SUGGESTING STONE MAY HAVE COME FROM ANOTHER CARS TIRE TREAD. THE IMPACT LEFT A SMALL (~1MM) CRATER ON PASSENGER SIDE ABOUT MID-WAY UP AND ~2 INCHES FROM EDGE, BUT GENERATED A CURVED CRACK NEARLY A FOOT IN LENGTH (AND STILL EXPANDING) AND REACHING ALL THE WAY TO THE EDGE OF WINDSHIELD. I OWNED A 2007 SUBURU FOR OVER TEN YEARS PRIOR TO THIS VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED MANY MINOR GRAVEL IMPACTS ESPECIALLY POST-WINTER STORM AND NEVER SUSTAINED DAMAGE REQUIRING WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. LIKEWISE WITH OVER 40-YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH NUMEROUS CARS I HAVE NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD FAIL GIVEN IMPACT BY SMALL STONE. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT AND PRESENTS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT IS HIGH BECAUSE SENSORS REQUIRE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FROM SUBURU AND CHANCE OF SUBSEQUENT FAILURE IS ALSO HIGH GIVEN REPLACEMENT WOULD LIKELY ALSO BE DEFECTIVE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 3, 2019
VEHICLE HAD TWO SPONTANEOUS CRACKS WITHIN THE FIRST 1700 MILES OF USE.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 19, 2019
LESS THAN 5 MONTHS OLD AND THE WINDSHIELD RANDOMLY STARTING CRACKING ON PASSENGER SIDE UNDER VIPER. I HAVE NOT KNOWN ANYTHING TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK HAS NOW MOVED OVER THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 16, 2019
BROKEN WINDSHIELD. THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPACT AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF IMPACT YET MY WINSHIELD ON A 5 MONTH OLD CAR IS CRACKED. ITS APPROXIMATELY 10 INCHES AND CIRCULAR FROM THE TOP DOWN BEHIND THE REARVIEW MIRROR. I NOTICED THE CRACK WHILE PARKED. POSSIBILITY AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. ALSO THE HEAT FROM BEING PARKED ON THE HOT DRIVEWAY MAY HAVE BROUGHT OUT THE FLAW.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 11, 2019
WINDSHIELD HAS SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED TWICE IN 6 MONTHS, ONCE WHEN DRIVING DOWN AN IN TOWN ROAD, ONCE WHEN SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT ALL DAY WHILE I WAS AT WORK.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 11, 2019
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED DURING THE YEAR'S FIRST FREEZE. CAR WAS GARAGE PARKED AND NO IMPACT OCCURRED. SUBARU PROVIDES NO SUPPORT FOR THIS ISSUE, SO I'M JUST GOING TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A BROKEN WINDSHIELD AND TAKE ON THE ASSOCIATED RISKS.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 8, 2019
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD WINDSHIELD CRACKS APPEAR THREE TIMES IN THE SIX MONTHS WE HAVE OWNED IT (PURCHASED NEW). BOTH THE DEALER AND THE GLASS REPAIR SHOP INDICATE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL. IN THE FIRST TWO INSTANCES, THERE WAS A MINOR IMPACT WITH A SMALL PEBBLE OR BIT OF SAND AT CITY SPEEDS (LESS THAN 40 MPH) AND IN THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, THE CRACK APPEARED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT OBVIOUS IMPACT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. NONE OF THE IMPACTS WERE SUFFICIENT, IN MY ESTIMATION, TO CAUSE DAMAGE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD, BUT, IN ALL CASES, THE CRACK SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD WITHIN MOMENTS. BASED ON OTHER REPORTS ON THE INTERNET, IT WOULD APPEAR THE WINDSHIELD ON THESE VEHICLES IS POORLY DESIGNED AND/OR MANUFACTURED, CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 6, 2019
I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND HAVE DRIVEN IT LESS THAN 6,000 MILES. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO CRACKS OR DINGS IN IT AS OF TWO DAYS AGO AND COMING OUT TO MY CAR THIS MORNING THERE IS NOW AN 18 INCH HAIRLINE CRACK. THERE IS NO IMPACT AREA AND NO ROCKS HAVE HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING IT. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THIS IS SPONTANEOUS BREAKAGE, ESPECIALLY READING THESE OTHER COMPLAINTS. THE WINDSHIELD HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED AND THE WEATHER HAS BEEN MILD. THIS IS UNREAL.