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.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2021
Windshield cracked right down the middle for no reason. No accident, inclement weather, no trees or anything near the driveway
Electrical system, Oct 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the horn inadvertently actuated without warning. The contact also stated while starting the vehicle, the horn would sound intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as a remote start module failure. The remote start module was replaced however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact stated that the manufacturer and dealer stated that the remote start system needed to be removed from the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown.
Visibility, Oct 18, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated when approaching the vehicle, he noticed a horizontal crack on the driver’s side windshield. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Electrical system, Oct 14, 2021
My car is a 2019 Subaru Outback. It has less than 20,000 miles on the odometer. This morning is wouldn’t start. I called for a jump and when the service person arrived, they told me the battery was dead. They gave it a jump and I let the car run for an hour. After parking the car a couple of blocks away, I tried to start it again. Nothing. Now I have to have it towed to the dealership.
Service brakes, Air, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 14, 2021, crash
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. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failures and no service was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 24,000.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 13, 2021
I have only had the car for two years, but a number of chips and abrasions have occurred with the windshield. I have had at least 4 of the chips repaired, which is highly unusual compared with my other vehicles. About a week after the final repair, while driving, a large crack (approximately 48 inches) appeared over the drivers side window. When I called the dealer, I was told that the windshields are "prone to cracking." The dealer said that Subaru has not instructed them to do anything regarding these complaints. The replacements are very expensive and involve recalibrating all of the safety equipment in the windshield.
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 10, 2021
Two windshield cracking incidents in 6 months, from no apparent cause. Interferes with “eyesight” system.
Engine, Oct 7, 2021
Frequently while stopped at traffic light, fast food pickup line, or intersection engine begins rapid unintended acceleration with RPM racing as high as 8K. The brake pedal is firmly pressed yet the car attempts to lunge forward. The only way to stop the acceleration and return the car to normal idle is to place the car in park while the engine is racing. Placing the car in neutral does not stop the acceleration. I stop well behind vehicles ahead of me, but on one occasion nearly rear-ended a Porche! Dealer cannot reproduce problem since it is only intermittent. I keep a log of incidents with time, driving circumstances, and other data. No warning lights appear and no accidents have yet happened. I have reported problem several times to dealer with no resolution.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact had received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V578000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for the recall repair. The contact then received a call from the dealer that the appointment was canceled due to parts not being available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 5, 2021
while driving heard a POP from windshield area. Didn't observe anything. Within a mile windshield started to crack from the bottom molding area, passenger side, Spread approximately 16 inches in moments. Nothing had hit the windshield. Dealership was contacted and windshield was replaced, and EyeSight had to be recalibrated. Insurance contacted and stated that they had heard of problems with Subaru vehicles windshields cracking.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 4, 2021
The windshield abruptly cracked at the top middle without any impact while driving at highway speed
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2021
The 2019 Subaru Outback Multimedia Touch Screen has stopped working multple times even when the software was updated. When the touch screen stops working there are two significant safety issues, hands free/blue tooth no longer works and the rear view camera stops working. 09/20 Touch Screen froze, stopped working 10/20 Touch Screen Call end button redialed previous number, touch screen froze 12/20 New Radio installed 04/21 Touch Screen had loud buzzing sound, black screen and then rebooted 08/21 Touch Screen loud buzzing, black screen, rebooted 09/21 Touch Screen rebooted Subaru of American contacted 08/21 no resolution as of yet
Electrical system, Oct 1, 2021
Twice the vehicle’s battery went dead leaving my wife stranded. Contacted local Subaru dealer and they replaced the battery under warranty. The service manager told my wife that the reason the battery went dead was that she was not driving it enough. My wife drives the car every day so that is not the problem. When the battery was tested under load it showed the battery had failed and that was the reason it went dead. The battery was defective.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2021
2019 Outback with 6500 miles on it. Battery just died. Sounds like the battery drain issue mentioned in ongoing lawsuit.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 23, 2021
My windshield, after two years of ownership, is covered with tiny chips and abrasions. These abrasions obsure my vision when driving in bright sun. They cannot be rubbed out with grease or alcohol (assuming it may be sap). It seems the windshield material may be defective as this issue has not occured with any of our other vehicles, even after years of driving. I contacted Subaru of Missoula to see what they could do and they told me to replace the windshield at my expense.
Electrical system, Sep 22, 2021
The car battery has been abnormally draining when I don't drive the car for 2-3 days leaving me stranded at home. Subaru claims I'm not driving my car enough and need to drive it at least 40 mins a week. They refuse to admit any problems. I put 1000 miles on the car a month so can't understand how a 2019 Car battery drains after just a few days. I believe the car has an electrical issue that's draining the battery. I'm most concerned if this happens when I can't get a jump start and become stranded.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 13, 2021
The windshield of the car just spontaneously cracked starting down at the wiper blades and extending up and across the windshield about 24 inches
Visibility, Sep 9, 2021
The contact's husband owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, she heard an abnormal, popping noise emit from the vehicle and noticed that a crack had formed on the bottom passenger’s side of the windshield without incident. The contact stated that the crack spread horizontally over to the driver’s side of the windshield. The contact stated that the crack obstructed her vision while driving the vehicle. The contact initially called the dealer where she purchased the vehicle and was informed that the repair would not be covered under warranty. The contact was then referred to Tom Wood Subaru (3300 E 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240) where she was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2021
The battery in my 2019 Subaru Outback died without warning, just under 13,000 miles, on Aug. 26, 2021. AAA replaced the battery, which had only 3.7 volts remaining, at a cost of $156 for a 6-year battery. Exactly one week later, on Sept. 2, 2021, my new battery died. Another call to AAA, whose technician said the new battery was completely drained. He jumped the battery for me and checked the starter and alternator, which were fine. I drove directly to the Subaru dealer yesterday afternoon and they still have my car. I don't know for certain what the problem is, but based on owner complaints (and a class-action suit) I found online it appears that the problem is in the CAN unit, which in 2015-2020 Outbacks (and other Subarus as well) fails to put the car's electrical system to sleep when the engine isn't running, thereby draining the battery. I am very afraid of being stranded without the ability to get help quickly.
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2021
Front windshield has cracked 3 times from bottom, goes up and across to halfway point when driving on freeway after a stone is kicked up.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2021
Not sure if it’s the battery itself or the alternator but the battery keeps draining and I have to keep calling to have the vehicle jump started. The vehicle is available for inspection and safety will be of concern if this continues to happen and I am out on the road somewhere remote. The dealer offered to test the battery but did not confirm the issue has occurred in other vehicles. There were no warning lights nor messages.
Steering, Aug 20, 2021
I bought the 2019 Subaru Outback less than 2 months ago. While driving either on the street or on the freeway at reasonable speeds, the car will suddenly without warning veer to the left or right causing me to believe I was about to lose control. At first I thought I hit a pothole or some other road hazard. There is nothing that I can see on the road to cause this.This is occurring once every other time I drive the car. I looked online and noticed many other complaints which are exactly the same as mine.This is very dangerous as this veering can cause a serious accident. I spoke with Subaru and am now trying to have it looked at since it is still under warranty. There were no warning lights, etc. Please look into this safety concern.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 16, 2021
Windshield cracked while driving. Within a few minutes the crack line on the windshield had moved in all directions and some parts are in a 'shattered' pattern. In all of my years of driving (44 licensed years) I have never experienced a cracked windshield and discovered that this is a defect of the manufacturer. For Subaru to claim they are one of the safest vehicles on the road, overlooking the importance of the windshield is ludicrous.
Electrical system, Aug 16, 2021
The battery has drained six times since April 15, 2021. Available for inspection upon request. Risk factors for safety: unable to get husband and mother to medical appointments; unable to leave residence for ANY reason; potential for stranding in unsafe areas. Problem has been addressed with dealership who has not identified a specific problem, from June 11, 2021. No inspection by anyone other than service department at dealership who stated "Inspected customer concern, found battery and charging system testing good, found no parasitic draw for power. Found vehicle operating as designed (June 11, 2021). Of course battery was charged after it was driven 60 miles to dealership! There have been NO warnings of any kind. First of six failures occurred on April 15, 2021.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 11, 2021, crash
Certain year models of Subaru vehicles suffer from ‘sudden and unexpected acceleration’. We know since it has happened to us and, research shows, many, many other people. Waiting for the automatic garage door to open, the vehicle experienced the sudden and uncontrollable acceleration. This resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, garage and contents in the garage. What will Subaru do when this happens at a crosswalk?