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.
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2021
The windshield on this Subaru has been replaced 4 times. Each time has been a crack that starts where the frame and windshield meet. No breakage or cracks have occurred in the center of the glass. The glass has been replaced by the dealer, and replacement has been needed within 6-9 months. The last occurrence was in my (driver) line of sight, which was a safety hazard. The prior 3 occurrences originated on the passenger side. The manufacturer is aware of this problem, with no recall or attempt to change the windshield glass.
Visibility/wiper, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, May 23, 2021
Today May 22 around 4:19 PM no cars close to us while driving we had the front windshield spontaneously crack there was no impact there was no impact heard all we heard was like cracking sound I have seen online where Subaru is using an acoustic type of glass and people are reporting cracked windshields I would like to have this investigated furthermore I’d like to have Subaru repair my vehicle.
Electrical system, May 21, 2021
My battery has gone dead twice in the past 2 weeks leaving me stranded and needing to find someone to come jump start my car.
Visibility/wiper, May 18, 2021
Driving down the Interstate the front windshield sounded like a pebble hit it even though there were no other cars in front of ours. Later that day, the small mark cracked two more inches along the drivers side. Within another day the crack has now extended for approximately one foot in one direction and another foot in the other direction, in a circular pattern.
Other or unspecified, May 17, 2021
Vehicle was parked for four and a half days in a public garage, with which I pay for monthly parking. Upon my request, vehicle was waiting for me to pick it up. The vehicle seemed to be intact. Just after leaving the garage, I used the front, then the back wipers to clean the windshields. The back (hatch) windshield completely shattered into the vehicle. Nothing hit it, no accidents with other vehicles or objects occurred. While no one was hurt, the incident was alarming. The integrity and strength of a vehicle's windows/ and windshields are important. There was no prior warning or alert.
Visibility, May 17, 2021
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED WITHOUT INCIDENT OR IMPACT. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM CENTER SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO TIMES PREVIOUSLY. THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,600.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, May 17, 2021
Car battery has failed no less than three times. Upon failure, car is completely inoperable. Used Subaru roadside assistance to jump the car. The battery has drained on more than one occasion. No inspections. No warnings or prior symptoms before the dead battery. Available for inspection upon request.
Visibility/wiper, May 15, 2021
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN OUR WINDSHIELD CRACKED. WE AREN'T SURE IF THE CRACK WAS CREATED BY A ROCK OR NOT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING HAPPEN. IT JUST CRACKED AND SPLIT AND AS WE DROVE, IT CONTINUED TO GROW. IT'S ABOUT 9 INCHES AT THIS POINT.
Electrical system, May 15, 2021
THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED AFTER ONLY 30 MINUTES OF TURNING CAR OFF. WE HAD TO HAVE A SERVICE CALL.
Electrical system, May 15, 2021
CONTINUED DRAIN ON THE BATTERY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. BATTERY DEAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS OLD.
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2021
WE WERE DRIVING SOUTH ON 275 BETWEEN 8MILE AND 7MILE IN MICHIGAN IN OUR 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK AND OUT OF NOWHERE WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A PISTOL BEING SHOT NEXT TO OUR EARS WENT OFF AND GLASS CAME POURING IN FROM THE SUNROOF. WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF NOWHERE. WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY TOLD US THAT WITHOUT EVERY SHARD OF GLASS FOR THEM TO INSPECT WE COULD NOT PROVE THAT IT WAS A DEFECT. HOWEVER LET ME MAKE A NOTE THERE WERE NOT CARS VERY CLOSE TO US, WE WEREN'T GOING UNDER A BRIDGE AND THERE WASN'T ANY ONE THROWING THINGS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. HOWEVER SUBARU BLAMED AN IMAGINARY PEBBLE THAT HIT THE TOP OF THE SUNROOF DEAD ON AND THAT IMAGINARY PEBBLE DID NOT END UP INSIDE OF OUR CAR.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, May 8, 2021
MY 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK HAD A CRACKED WINDSHIELD AT THE BOTTOM/SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH NO SIGN OF IMPACT WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED IT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD A SMALL ROCK IMPACT NEAR THE LINE OF SIGHT CAMERAS THAT WAS EASILY REPAIRED BY SAFELIGHT WITH NO ISSUES WITH CRACKING. TODAY I CAME OUT OF THE GROCERY STORE TO FIND MY PARKED OUTBACK'S WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK FROM THE SAME PASSENGER SIDE POINT AS THE FIRST CRACK. THE CRACK WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS A VERY SMALL CHIP LOOKING IMPACT (SMALLER THAN THE POINT OF A BALL POINT PEN) APPROX 4" FROM THE LOWER CORNER PASSENGER SIDE. I DO NOT RECALL HEARING AN IMPACT AT ANY POINT. BEYOND NOT HEARING AN IMPACT THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS NO WAY ON EARTH THAT A SAFESUBARU WINDSHIELD SHOULD CRACK SO DEEPLY AND SO LONG FROM A TINY IMPACT. I HAVE BEEN READING THAT MANY OTHER SUBARU DRIVERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE SUBARU PROTECT THEIR DRIVERS FROM DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS, AS THEY SEEM TO BE TAKING ZERO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HUGE SAFETY RISK THESE POORLY DESIGNED WINDSHIELDS ARE CAUSING.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 8, 2021
APX APR 25, 2021 NOTICED CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN AM WHEN STARTING CAR FOR WORK. CRACK WAS IN MIDDLE OF WINDSHIELD. CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. NOTIFIED INSURANCE COMPANY, TOLD ME TO HAVE IT FIXED AT SAFELITE AUTO GLASS WO# 388826. ALSO NOTICED MY ACCESSORY POWER OUTLET WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL, (INSTRUMENT PANEL)CALLED DEALER, MADE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. ALSO NOTICED MY
Electrical system, May 7, 2021
THE CAR REPEATEDLY DRAINS THE BATTERY FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON, LEAVING US STRANDED WITH A VEHICLE THAT CANNOT EVEN BE JUMPED TO START. THE BATTERY IS SO DEAD I CAN'T EVEN GET THE DOORS OPEN. IT HAS STRANDED ME AT HOME, AND VARIOUS TIMES WHEN I'VE BEEN OUT DOING ERRANDS. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN YOU'RE A SINGLE WOMAN STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN THE DARK. I'VE HAD TO CALL SUBARU SERVICE TO JUMP THE CAR ONCE, HAVE JUMPED IT THREE TIMES MYSELF AT HOME, ONCE AT THE GROCERY STORE, AND HAVE HAD TO PLACE A TOTALLY DEAD BATTERY ON THE CHARGER AT HOME SIX TIMES. IT WAS ALREADY TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR TWICE TO THE DEALER IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA,AND THEY "FOUND NOTHING WRONG". BUT, NOW IT'S COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY DEAD IN MY DRIVEWAY AGAIN, AFTER JUST DRIVING IT ON THE FREEWAY FOR TWO HOURS FOUR DAYS AGO.
Other or unspecified, May 6, 2021
2019- CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE (STATIONARY) UNKNOWN ORIGIN 2/9/2020-CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (MOVING ON HIGHWAY) UNKNOWN ORIGIN 2/15/2020- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (MOVING ON HIGHWAY) UNKNOWN ORIGIN 3/15/2020- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (MOVING ON HIGHWAY) UNKNOWN ORIGIN 3/24/2020- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (MOVING ON HIGHWAY) TOLD IT WAS AN OXYGEN SENSOR 4/16/2021- CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE (MOVING ON HIGHWAY) HIT BY STONE 5/1/2021- CRACKED WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE (HAD JUST PICKED UP CAR LESS THAN 24 HRS BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. HAD THE 4/16/21 CRACKED WINDSHIELD REPAIRED AND A REMOTE STARTER PUT IN) (MOVING ON HIGHWAY) UNKNOWN ORIGIN 5/1/2021- WHEN USING KEY INSTEAD OF BRAND NEW REMOTE STARTER (INSTALLED AND PURCHASED FROM SUBARU DEALERSHIP) THE CAR HORN RANDOMLY BEEPS 3-4 TIMES WHEN CAR IS STARTED WITH KEY (STATIONARY) UNKNOWN ORIGIN
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 4, 2021
OUR SUBARU 2019 OUTBACK SUFFERED A CRACK DURING NORMAL USAGE ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPROX. 50 MPH. THE CRACK OCCURRED TWO DAYS AGO (ON 5/2/2021) AND HAS SINCE GROWN DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S VIBRATION DURING USE. THE VEHICLE QUALIFIES AS A MAKE AND MODEL UNDER RECALL BY SUBARU FOR WINDSHIELD DEFECTS.
Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2021
I'VE OWNED MY 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR <2 YEARS AND IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS I'VE HAD THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED TWICE DUE TO SMALL PEBBLES WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WHICH HAVE NEVER CRACKED ANY OF MY PREVIOUS WINDSHIELDS IN 16 YEARS OF EXTENSIVE DRIVING AROUND THE COUNTRY. IN OTHER CARS, I HAVE HAD MANY PEBBLES AND SMALL DEBRIS HIT MY WINDSHIELD WITH NOTHING MORE THAN A SMALL CHIP. WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACK, BOTH CRACKS BECAME LARGE FRACTURES, BLOCKING VISIBILITY. DUE TO THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM AND NECESSARY RECALIBRATION AFTER WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT, THE FIRST REPLACEMENT COST NEARLY $900. CURRENTLY, I AM DRIVING WITH THE SECOND CRACK BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE IT YET. THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED NOVEMBER 2020 AND APRIL 2021.
Forward collision avoidance, May 2, 2021
BATTERY DRAINED AFTER 25,000 MILES
Electrical system, May 1, 2021
BATTERY DRAIN. PURCHASED 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK IN NOVEMBER 2018. IN OCTOBER 2020 (23 MONTHS) IT FAILED TO START AFTER STAYING OVERNIGHT AT REST STOP IN MIDDLE OF LONG DRIVE. CHECKED BY DEALER AFTER TRIP --"BATTERY OK. NO PROBLEMS." OVER NEXT 5 MONTHS OF INFREQUENT SHORT TRIPS, OUTBACK FAILED TO START MULTIPLE TIMES. MEASURED CURRENT DRAIN WHEN VEHICLE OFF WAS FOUND TO BE WITHIN SUBARU ALLOWABLE (<70 MILLIAMPS) BUT ONLY AFTER 15-20 MINUTES AFTER EVERYTHING HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. CURRENT DRAIN DURING THE 15-20 MINUTES WAS AS HIGH AS 2 AMPS. ANY ACTIVITY (E.G., OPENING A DOOR, SETTING ALARM) RE-INITIATED THE 15-20 MINUTES OF HIGH CURRENT DRAIN. PHONED DEALER: ONLY SOLUTION (WITHIN WARRANTY PERIOD) WAS REPLACEMENT WITH SAME OEM BATTERY. DECIDED TO REPLACE WITH MORE ROBUST, NON-SUBARU BATTERY, SINCE MY EXPERIENCE AND REPORTS OF OTHERS INDICATED OEM BATTERY WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT TO HANDLE AMOUNT OF DRAIN. PURCHASED OPTIMA RED25 BATTERY FROM AUTO PARTS STORE ON 6 APRIL 2021 FOR $199.99. I BELIEVE THAT SUBARU NEEDS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE OF CURRENT DRAIN (PREFERABLY) AND/OR EQUIP THE OUTBACK WITH AN ADEQUATE BATTERY WITH MORE RESERVE POWER. SINCE MY ORIGINAL BATTERY FAILED UNDER WARRANTY, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY EXPENSE OF $199.99.
Electrical system, Apr 24, 2021
THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS MY BATTERY DIED AND REQUIRED EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, THE CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON IT, I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE THEN THE NEW BATTERY HAS DIED TWICE. ONLINE SEARCHES RECENTLY HAVE REVEALED WIDE SPREAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACK'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESULTING IN REPEATED BATTERY FAILURE. AT THIS TIME THE ONLY OUTCOME FROM THIS HAS BEEN THE BATTERY FAILURE, BUT IF THERE ARE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS I'M CONCERNED THAT MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS, LIKE A FIRE, COULD ARISE. FORTUNATELY EACH TIME THE BATTERY DIED THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AT HOME. THE CAR IS DRIVEN REGULARLY, AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, FOR NOT LESS THAN THIRTY MINUTES, SO I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS, INDEED, A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING THE BATTERY TO NOT RECHARGE, OR CREATING A DRAIN ON THE BATTERY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLE.
Visibility, Apr 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON EXITING THE DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED A CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE LOWER, DRIVER'S SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD, WITHOUT INCIDENT OR IMPACT. AS THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE, THE HORIZONTAL CRACK BEGAN TO SPREAD ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING HIS VISION. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT YET REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 22, 2021
I PURCHASED A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK IN DECEMBER 2018 AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD THREE TIMES IN JUST OVER TWO YEARS (JUNE 2019, NOVEMBER 2020, APRIL 2021). I OWNED A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK FOR OVER 10 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK AND A DESIGN FLAW AND IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 21, 2021
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON ITS OWN. NO IMPACT. RESEARCH SAYS THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS DEFECT. VEHICLE STATIONARY.
Power train, Service brakes, Apr 20, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, FACING FORWARD ON HER INCLINED ICED DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER RIVERHEAD BAY SUBARU (1521 OLD COUNTRY RD, RIVERHEAD, NY 11901: (631) 727-4000) AND SHE WAS INFORMED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ICE AND THE NO USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,214.
Electrical system, Apr 19, 2021
BATTERY FAILED AND WILL NOT RECHARGE. HAD TO REPLACE IT. OUTBACK IS ONLY 27 MONTHS OLD. FAILED AFTER SHORT TRIP TO LIBRARY. HAD TO HAVE IT JUMPED TO GET HOME.