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
1,034 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Aug 21, 2023
Battery drain issue. The battery was replaced by dealer twice, and it drains down after about one month to two months. The car won't start and I need to call roadside service for a jump start several times a week. The dealer ran tests and says there is no unusual electronic drain when car is off, but didn't diagnose what the issue is--just replaced battery, and now after about 7 weeks I'm having same issue again.
Electrical system, Aug 20, 2023
The infotainment system suddenly started playing random songs, started switching from maps to music, going through stations on the radio etc..escalated to not accepting any touch commands and totally took over doing its own thing like making random phone calls, etc which I could not stop because it won’t accept touch commands. My husband thought I was in an accident because it kept calling him as I was driving on the highway and I couldn’t stop it from calling him and I also couldn’t answer it. Very dangerous as it gets loud at various times and suddenly will make a beep beep beep sound like it would if you were scrolling through stations. The service manager said this is a known issue in these cars and said it’s coming from behind the screen. He said we can try to turn it off by pushing the volume and station buttons at the same time but this only works for a few minutes then turns back on. He said the fix is like $2200 and everything is on back order so we are looking at months. His advice was to go to Best Buy and get a new radio. This is a $39,000 car with 32000 miles on it…but we followed his suggestion anyway and went to Best Buy and they said no way can they can do it because of the amplifier in the car. They said a new radio would not connect to the amplifier and Harman Kardon speakers and said it would be about $6000 to replace all of that.
Electrical system, Aug 16, 2023
Dcm / starlinks unit has a parasitic drain on battery that requires battery change every year. Car doesn't start unexpectedly. Not great for an outdoorsy car where we'd be more likely to be outside of cell signal.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2023
Driving normally with no other vehicles nearby, Crack developed in windshield almost half way up, from the left side, and within seconds crossed most of drivers side in a near direct line. This is the third windshield to Crack in a 12 month period. Both times replaced at my local Subaru Dealership where the vehicle was originally purchased. I have received a warning ticket from police for the prior crack, just before replacement due to safety issue. This newest crack is in drivers field of vision.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 8, 2023
Multiple cracked windshields: Sept 2022: 1st incident - heard loud rock hit. So not surprised when I found windshield cracked the next morning. Replaced. June 9, 2023: 2nd incident - No recollection of rock hitting windshield. Came back to car after it was parked in the heat and found the windshield split. Started at top and then formed a crack along top of windshield in both directions. I believe this was caused by the heat, not a rock. You'll see this in 3 attached photos June 22, 2023: Picked up car from having windshield replaced and a small pebble hit the windshield and it immediately cracked. You'll see this in 1 attached photo. --- I know that Subaru is using a thinner windshield so it works with their Eyesight technology but I believe it makes it more prone to crack from extreme heat and from tiny rocks. Maybe Subaru owners have complained about this on the internet. I am now afraid to drive my car for fear of the windshield cracking again. Subaru should be made to improve their windshields or pay for all of the broken windshields -- especially those that don't show rock damage.
Electrical system, Aug 1, 2023
Two batteries in my Subaru suddenly started draining completely within a few days of each other. One day my husband was on a busy street and the dashboard began flashing, the lights, dImmed, and the car started making an unusual beeping sound. Our mechanic called Subaru and was told that it could be a problem with a VCM fuse. He tested the car overnight and easily discovered the VCM fuse was the problem. The part to fix the problem has been back-ordered for two months and the local Subaru dealer says it will be at least two more months before the part arrives. Subaru has acknowledged that the car is not safe to drive. Subaru customer advocacy has told us that the repair is not covered under our power train warranty. The part costs $900. Plus, we have had to rent a car for over $1000 a month. Subaru wants us to bring the car to a dealer to confirm that the problem is the VCM. The dealership is quite a ways away and the cost of towing the car could be very expensive. I said that I would be willing to pay the cost of towing so long as Subaru agrees to reimburse me if the dealership finds that the problem is the VCM. Subaru will not pay the cost of towing and said they might not pay for the cost of repairing the VCM if that is the problem. They would decide that only after they saw the car. Although Subaru has known for years of the problems with the VCM, they have never issued a recall nor have they even informed us of the potential problem. (My daughter had the same thing happen a few years ago. At that time, the needed part was available and Subaru did not charge her). The defect with the VCM presents serious safety issues and now I will be without the car for at least two months and Subaru is not taking responsibility for the defect. I appreciate any help you can give me. Kathleen Engel
Electrical system, Jul 31, 2023
Car battery loses charge often due to parasitic DCM wire. Have been stranded often with my children despite buying new batteries. Battery, Alternator, everything tests fine. But there is an electrical issue. The radio and other electronics go on the fritz a week or two before each time the car needs a jump. it’s unreliable and unsafe.
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2023
There is a parasitic battery drain happening from somewhere in my Subaru Outback. I purchased a battery approximately 6 months ago because my previous one died. Today this one died. Nothing such as leaving lights on or anything else on my part precipitated this. It has not been inspected yet by the dealer. This seems to be a common thing based on research and needs to be a recall.
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2023
Battery failed to start vehicle. Jumped with another battery, checked that the charging system was operating. The next morning it would not start. Changed battery with a new one slightly larger, no problems. Found out later that there are so many functions that drain the smaller battery. I did not want to be on the road and unable to restart the vehicle. Others have had the same issues, there is a class action lawsuit with a settlement. Filed the required forms and was denied because I did not have a Subaru dealer replace the battery.
Electrical system, Jul 23, 2023
Battery drain. The vehicle battery will be dead after 2 days. I've needed charges over 15 times in 6 months. The battery was replaced twice and dealer said there was no parasitic drain when car is off, but offered no solution for fixing the car. I'm still having to call roadside services for a charge off and on. It's highly inconvenient and could be dangerous to not have any reliance on the battery. The car has less than 10,000 miles. I have been gypped into buying this car that isn't working properly. When will Subaru take these vehicles back or provide a solution for dealers to implement?
Electrical system, Jul 20, 2023
At roughly 57k miles, the infotainment system in my Subaru outback started flashing rapidly, thinking something was touching the top right corner of the screen. It changes the radio stations interrupts phone calls by transferring them off of the Bluetooth system, affects the navigation system by stopping the map, and eventually locks itself up and because unusable. Not only is this distracting to the driver, but it questions the integrity of all of the computer systems in the vehicle, including the Subaru EYESIGHT.
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2023
The head unit of the vehicle is experiencing delamination which is causing "phantom inputs" where the screen registers touches on without any user input. This causes constant audio sound effects to be played which causes driver distraction. The only way to resolve this is to turn off the head unit completely. The delamination also causes "bubbles" to appear on the touch screen interface which renders the backup camera near inoperable due to the video from the backup camera being obstructed; this effect is further compounded in sunny conditions since the "bubbles" exacerbate the glare. Subaru is aware of the problem and has issued a warranty for the 2018 model year vehicles as outlined in Service Bulletin 15-263-20. However, Subaru has failed to correct the problem in subsequent model years.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2023
Power Rear lift gate does not work on a consistent basis. It will work normally for several days, then without warning, not work. Will not work with remote or interior opening mechanism. Only the manual release in the rear will unlatch the rear gate, which is quite heavy to lift and not designed to be done so in a manual fashion. Unable to duplicate issue at Subaru dealer. Obviously, this is a know issue after reviewing similar complaints here.
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2023
"Infotainment" touch screen in front dashboard delaminating. What can be described as bubbles or splotches, sponaneously appear, and cause system to constantly register touches. Depending on location of "bubble(s)" highly dangerous and scary as system can randomly navigate, call, play music, etc. as if possessed by a ghost. Back up camera affected too. Anything which is attached to display can seemingly randomly switch, turn off, turn on, etc. Seems to be worse in hot weather. Can not turn off 'infotainment" panel/screen because system turns itself back on (as if registering the touch by a user).
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2023
Battery goes dead after vehicle not driven for a few days.
Structure, Jul 15, 2023
Pressed the button on the electronic liftgate to have it raise. Half way through raising, it beeped 3 times and started closing. Had 3 dogs in the back of the vehicle and the lift gate started to close on one of them. I put my left arm underneath to stop it from closing where the lift gate put a lot of pressure on my forearm. The lift gate stopped and I was able to push it back up. Injury seems to be minor but will have it checked. Feels like it impacted the nerves going to the thumb and pointing finger. This is not the first time we had lift gate issues and have multiple videos demonstrating the problems at hand. This is the first time it actually caused injury.
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2023
The infotainment center is consistently cycling through radio stations and apps. Driving down the road you see this consistent blinking as it cycles through. Cannot not turn the unit off. Tentative date is November 2023 for the unit to be replaced. 10 months from start of problem that has gotten progressively worse.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 11, 2023
One day I got in my car an there was a crack on my windshield and there was no rick chip or any indication of an impact to the windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2023
I got in my car after a few hours of paddle boarding, and there was a large crack in the windshield (not even a chip prior to this) which started from the very bottom of the windshield. It cracked while it was just parked. I checked to see if someone had chipped it while driving by (unlikely in a small parking lot with such low speeds) but there are no chips. I took it to the dealership and the service man said he's never seen one randomly crack from the bottom like this. It has continued to expand QUICKLY anytime it is parked outside in the sun (usually it is in a parking garage, but if I go anywhere, it sits in the sun). The cracks are significant and make it unsafe for much driving. I've done my best to keep it from spreading because I just had to replace the windshield 10 months ago from another non-accident, non-chipped random break and $1,200 to replace it is a LOT to have to pay twice in 10 months.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2023
After a picnic with friends, I got in my car which had been parked for probably 3 hours on the street. While removing the very flexible, lightweight sun protectors I had placed in my windshield, it tugged slightly at the rearview mirror which broke off the inside of my windshield, taking a large chunk of windshield with it. As I drove home, it cracked more from the spot which had broken with the mirror. There was no way to fix my mirror or eyesight system without fixing the windshield, so I had to replace the windshield which cost almost $1,200 (including the eyesight "recalibration").
Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2023
Windshield just cracked from mirror straight down middle to hood. No accident… happened while parked in personal garage. Looks like a history of faulty windshields. Is Subaru paying yet?
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 28, 2023
Driving in pouring down rain on a highway during rush hour. Car starts to loose power, gets worse and worse. Difficult to change lanes to pull over nearly causing several accidents. Car eventually just stops. Will not restart.
Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 27, 2023
The front windshield developed a star crack two inches above the base and in the middle. The crack then expanded upward and to the left, and down to the base. There is no evidence of an impact from any object. The windshield crack was treated with Silicone Repair. After one day another crack developed from the same source went upward and then to the left in one direction and also down to the base in another direction. This again was treated with Silicone Repair. I am contacting my insurance company to have the whole windshield replaced. Sine the Subaru Outback has Eyesight function this will need to be done through a dealer. This will be the second windshield replacement for this this vehicle for the same reason. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Electrical system, Jun 23, 2023
MY19 Subaru Outback 3.6R. Battery died after being a vacation for about one week. Replaced with a brand new battery. About one month later went on vacation again for about 4-5 days, the battery was again completely dead. The car has an issue in which it is draining the battery when parked - this could result in unexpected failure of critical vehicle electrical systems due to operating in a low voltage state or potentially leave someone stranded. A new vehicle like this should not be draining a new car battery because it is not being ran for a 7 day period. Subaru needs to issue a recall to fix this battery draining issue.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact was able to start the vehicle after several attempts; however, the vehicle was sluggish and was running rough while driving. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle was experiencing low fuel pressure, and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable. The contact stated that the fuel pump was previously replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V587000 (Fuel system, Gasoline) in 2021. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,500.