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, Jul 8, 2020
WE STARTED HAVING BATTERY ISSUES IN APRIL 2020. I USE THE OUTBACK FOR WORK MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND I BEGAN TO NOTICE A WEAK BATTERY AFTER THE WEEKEND. I LET IT SIT FOR THREE DAYS, AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT, IT WAS DEAD. I PUT A CHARGER ON THE BATTERY, STARTED RIGHT UP THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK IT TO WORK AND LATER THAT DAY, ATE LUNCH IN THE CAR. AFTER LISTENING TO THE RADIO FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, I STARTED THE CAR TO RUN THE AC. IT HAD TROUBLE STARTING, BUT I MANAGED TO START IT AND LET IT RUN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. IT WAS STILL A LITTLE SLUGGISH STARTING AFTER WORK, SO I LEFT IT HOME AND TOOK A DIFFERENT CAR THE NEXT DAY. AFTER TAKING A DIFFERENT VEHICLE TO WORK, I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, AND AGAIN IT WAS DEAD. SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WOULD ONLY PAY FOR A TOW FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP; IT WOULD HAVE COST ME OVER $100 TO TOW IT BACK TO THE DEALER. I PUT A NEW BATTERY ON IT IN MAY, AND SO FAR HAVE NOT HAD ANYMORE ISSUES WITH IT STARTING.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2020
UNEXPLAINED CRACKED WINDSHIELD.
Visibility, Jul 6, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND HAD EXTENDED APPROXIMATELY 30 INCHES. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT NO OBJECT HAD IMPACTED THE WINDSHIELD. LITHIA SUBARU OF FRESNO LOCATED AT 5200 NORTH BLACKSTONE AVE FRESNO, CA 93710 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2020
MY WIFE AND I DRIVING HOME EASTBOUND HIGHWAY 50 AND NOTICED SMALL CRACK IN WINDSHIELD GLASS UNDER WINDSHIELD WIPER. NEVER HEARD OR SAW ANYTHING HIT WINDSHIELD AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OR BEHIND US. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND THE WINDSHIELD USUALLY WILL GET A SMALL DING WHEN HIT HARD BY ROCK OR PEBBLE BUT WILL NOT CRACK. THIS CRACK STARTED AT BOTTOM ON WINDSHIELD UNDERNEATH THE WIPER.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 5, 2020
I WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED DUE TO UNKNOWN REASONS. THIS HAPPENED SECOND TIME ON MY CAR WITHIN 12 MONTHS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2020
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED 3 INCHES. NO IMPACT FROM ROCK. HAVEN'T DRIVEN SINCE AND IT'S NOW CRACKED HALFWAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. DEFINITELY A DEFECT.
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2020
THE CAR BATTERY DRAINS AND DIES FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON WHILE JUST PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR A FEW DAYS. WHEN THE BATTERY DIES THE LIFTGATE GETS STUCK AND/OR THE RADIO/NAVIGATION SCREEN FREEZES (AT THE STARLINK LOGO). I HAVE BEEN USING THE CAR FOR SHORT TRIPS BUT HAVE BEEN USING IT MORE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES IN OUR HOUSEHOLD BUT THE BATTERY OF THE OUTBACK STILL DIES. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NONE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES NOW AND EACH TIME, I HAVE TO JUMP START THE OUTBACK. I WAS AT THE GROCERY STORE AND WHEN I WAS DONE SHOPPING THE CAR HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STARTING. THE LIFTGATE GOT STUCK AND I HAD TO ASSIST IT TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHILE THE LIFTGATE WAS OPEN. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR, IT HAD THIS SLOW CRANKING SOUND LIKE IT WAS HAVING A HARD TIME TO START THEN AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE A FIVE TO TEN SECONDS THE CAR EVENTUALLY STARTED. THE DEAD BATTERY ISSUE HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES NOW STARTING IN APRIL 2020 WHEN I FIRST REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER. THE MOST RECENT DEAD BATTER WAS TODAY, 7/3/2020.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 3, 2020
I PURCHASED A NEW 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK IN AUGUST 2019. A LARGE CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE WINDSHIELD IN JUNE 2020. I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD. 10 DAYS LATER ANOTHER LARGE CRACK DEVELOPED ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS REPLACED ON 7/2/2020. I HAVE SPENT ABOUT $1000 SO FAR ON WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS FOR A CAR THAT IS UNDER ONE YEAR OLD. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2020
BATTERY HAS DIED AT LEAST 6 TIMES SINCE APRIL 2019. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE AND THEY SAID "CARGO LIGHT WAS LEFT ON AND DRAINED THE BATTERY", ANOTHER TIME "REAR CARGO DOOR PROBABLY WAS AJAR", THEY ALSO SAID "PERHAPS IT IS NOT BEING DRIVEN ENOUGH" AND "WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF THE SYSTEM IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WIFI SIGNAL SO THAT MIGHT DRAIN THE BATTERY TOO". I STOPPED TAKING IT TO DEALER AND RECHARGED IT ON MY OWN. DEALER SAID THEY'D REPLACE THE BATTERY BUT COULD ONLY DO IT WITH THE SAME SIZE AS THE ORIGINAL.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 1, 2020
IN SEPT OF 2019 I WAS DRIVING, HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND THEN WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR A FEW HOURS LATER SAW A 12 PLUS INCH CRACK FROM THE SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. BY THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS WELL OVER 24 PLUS INCHES. DEALER SAID SOMETHING MUST OF HIT IT. I CHALKED IT UP TO BAD LUCK AND PAID THE NEARLY $1,000 TO REPLACE AND RECALIBRATE IT. THIS PAST MONDAY MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR, NO DAMAGE IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN HE LEFT. HE HEARD A SLIGHT POP AND WHEN HE RETURNED HOME A FEW HOURS LATER ALMOST 30 PLUS INCHES OF CRACKING. IT BEGAN AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPENED WAS ON A HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER CARS NEARBY. THE DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE GLASS AND TELLS ME THERE IS AN IMPACT THEY FOUND BY RUNNING A PEN DOWN THE CRACK. THE SUPPOSED IMPACT IS NO LARGER THAN THE TIP OF A PEN. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS GLASS. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WAS AN IMPACT, BUT EVEN IF THERE WAS, SHOULD THE WINDSHIELD CRACK BEYOND REPAIR IMMEDIATELY. THIS CANNOT BE SAFE. I HAVE CALLED NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND OPENED A CASE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jul 1, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON. NO CHIP OR DAMAGE. HAMPERS EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEM. NOT BEING COVERED BY SUBARU DESPITE MULTIPLE OTHER COMPLAINTS LISTED ON NHTSA AND LAWSUITS IN NEWS.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 30, 2020
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HEARD A POP AND WITNESSED A CRACK START AND PROGRESS BOTH VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY STARING AT THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AND HAS CONTINUED TO EXTEND SEVERAL HOURS LATER.
Electrical system, Jun 24, 2020
WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING MY BRAND NEW 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK I HAVE HAD TO JUMPSTART IT SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER THEY ARE TELLING ME THERE IS PROBLEMS WITH THESE BATTERIES THAT THEY HAVE A BAD CELL IN THEM. SO THEY SAID THEY WILL GET ME A NEWER AND BETTER BATTERY, WELL ALMOST ONE MONTH LATER I NOTICED MY CAR'S BATTERY STARTED TO ACT VERY VERY WEAK AND I BELIEVE WITHIN A DAY OR TWO I WILL NEED TO HAVE A JUMPED AGAIN TO GET IT RUNNING WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING MY BRAND NEW 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK I HAVE HAD TO JUMPSTART IT SEVERAL TIMES AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER THEY ARE TELLING ME THERE IS PROBLEMS WITH THESE BATTERIES THAT THEY HAVE A BAD SELLING THEM SO THEY SAID THEY WILL GET ME A NEWER AND BETTER BATTERY WELL ALMOST ONE MONTH LATER I NOTICED MY CAR'S BATTERY STARTED TO ACT VERY VERY WEAK AND I BELIEVE WITHIN A DAY OR TWO I WILL NEED TO HAVE A JUMPED AGAIN TO GET IT RUNNING. I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW WITH 2 MILES ON IT AND I DON'T DRIVE IT A WHOLE LOT I AM NOW AT 3200 MILES AND I'M HAVING BATTERY ISSUES. THE CAR JUST TURNED ONE YEAR OLD IN MAY OF 2020. THIS CAR SPENDS MOST OF THE WEEK IN A GARAGE AND IT IS REALLY ONLY DRIVEN ON THE WEEKENDS BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE IT JUMPED FOR ONLY SITTING A FEW DAYS IN THE GARAGE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 24, 2020, crash
AS I WAS REVERSING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY RIDING THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE AND WOULDN'T STOP. THE RESULT WAS I HIT A TREE. I AM THANKFUL IT WAS NOT A PEDESTRIAN OR ANOTHER PERSON. *TR
Visibility, Jun 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF GEORGETOWN (7501 N INTERSTATE 35 FRONTAGE RD, GEORGETOWN, TX 78626 (512) 930-2111). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2020
SUBARU WINDSHIELD EASILY CRACKS. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, A CRACK FORMED BEGINNING AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND SPREAD DOWN. SINCE REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD WITH AN OEM PART, 3 MORE LARGE CRACKS HAVE FORMED. WHILE SOME HAVE BEGUN FROM A SMALL ROCK CHIP, THEY ORIGINATE FROM THE EDGE OF THE GLASS AND SPREAD INWARD. THE GLASS APPEARS WEAK AS EVEN THE SMALLEST CHIP WILL CAUSE A LARGE CRACK. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN ANY DIFFERENTLY FROM CURRENT AND PREVIOUS VEHICLES OWNED YET THE AMOUNT OF CHIPS AND CRACKS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE WINDSHIELD IN THE LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS THE AMOUNT OF CHIPS AND CRACKS WE'VE HAD IN THE LIFETIME OF OUR OTHER VEHICLES. *TR
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2020
RECEIVED TWO CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD - ONE IN THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF OWNING THE CAR AND ANOTHER ONE TWO WEEKS AFTER. BOTH CHIPS OCCURRED AT MODERATE SPEEDS - ONE ON A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP AND THE OTHER ON A FREEWAY EXIT RAMP. THE CHIPS SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED QUITE EASILY WITH MINIMAL IMPACT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER CHIPS SINCE NOR HAVE THE EXISTING CHIPS BEEN REPAIRED OR CRACKED YET. *TR
Visibility, Jun 22, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE CRACKS ON HIS WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WEBSTER GROVES SUBARU (7982 BIG BEND BLVD, WEBSTER GROVES, MO 63119) ON TWO OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED FOR VARIOUS CRACKS. AFTER THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2020
CAR WILL NOT RESTART AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. HAPPENS RANDOMLY. AFTER THE CAR SITS FOR A WHILE (HOUR OR MORE) THE CAR RESTARTS NORMALLY. IT ACTS LIKE A DEAD BATTERY, BUT ONLY SOMETIMES. THE TURN OFF PERIOD COULD BE AS BRIEF AS 2 MINUTES. I PURCHASED THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM A DEALERSHIP IN BOISE LARRY H MILLER SUBARU AND ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 4 DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. IT'S NOW AT THE DEALER. CAR HAS 12,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2020
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A YEAR THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND RAN ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. UNKNOWN WHAT CAUSED THE CRACK AS WE DIDN'T NOTICE ROAD DEBRIS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. THE 1ST TIME THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED TOP PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CAR WAS MOVING ALONG THE HWY AND WE NOTICED A RUN FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT RAN ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE. CAR HAD 4000 MILES. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME, THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN WE NOTICED A CRACK AT THE TOP MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT STARTED TO RUN ACROSS THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CAR IS GARAGE KEPT. AN ASIDE WE HAD A SUBARU TRIBECA 2007 FOR 12 YEARS AND +200K MILES WITH ONLY 1 CRACK WINDSHIELD THAT NEVER RAN.
Electrical system, Jun 19, 2020
BATTERY COMPLETELY DISCHARGED AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF NOT USING VEHICLE, THIS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. INITIALLY WE THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO LEAVING THE KEY IN OR NEAR THE VEHICLE, OR THE AUTO CLOSE BACK HATCH NOT COMPLETELY CLOSING DUE TO MAT OBSTRUCTION. AFTER BEING STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES AND ALMOST MISSING A FLIGHT WE PURCHASED A BATTERY STARTER. IT WAS IRONIC AND A LITTLE HUMBLING TO HAVE TO CARRY A BATTERY STARTER AROUND WITH YOU IN A BRAND NEW CAR SO YOU WOULDN'T GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE - ESPECIALLY A VEHICLE MARKETED TO ADVENTUROUS FOLKS WHO PARK AT REMOTE TRAILHEADS. I EVENTUALLY PURCHASED A NEW HIGHER AMP BATTERY WHICH HAS LARGER MITIGATED THE ISSUE, BUT I STILL PERIODICALLY CHARGE THE NEW BATTERY AS ADDITIONAL INSURANCE. I MEASURED A PARASITIC DISCHARGE RATE OF ~114 MA WHICH IS ABOVE BASELINE OF 50 MA CITED BY SOME, BUT BELOW 150 MA THRESHOLD MENTIONED BY OTHERS. SUBARU (BOTH DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER SERVICE) WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT DIDN'T OFFER TO DIAGNOSE OR REMEDY, ATTRIBUTING THE ISSUE TO NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE OFTEN ENOUGH IN COMBINATION WITH SUGGESTION WE PURCHASE A BETTER BATTERY GIVEN OUR DRIVING HABITS. SO WE HAVE A VEHICLE WITH A RELATIVELY HIGH PARASITIC DRAIN RATE THAT COMES WITH A UNDER SIZED BATTERY, LEAVING THE CUSTOMER TO WONDER WHAT IS GOING ON AND CREATING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES IN TERMS OF NON-STARTING VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2020
THE CAR BATTERY KEEPS DYING AFTER BEING PARKED FOR ONLY A FEW DAYS. THE 2019 OUTBACK HAS ONLY 10,000 MILES ON IT. WE'VE DOUBLE AND TRIPLE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THAT NO INTERIOR LIGHTS OR OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ARE LEFT ON WHEN PARKED, AND THAT NO DOORS ARE LEFT AJAR. WE'VE HAD TO JUMP START IT EACH TIME. THIS DEAD BATTERY PROBLEM IS APPARENTLY NOT UNCOMMON FOR 2016-2020 OUTBACKS AND THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. SUBARU HAS NO SOLUTION FOR IT OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE BATTERY AS A TEMPORARY FIX. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 18, 2020
THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH AND THEN LOST POWER WHILE EXITING I-55 IN THE CHICAGO AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS STALLED ON THE SIDE OF THE EXIT RAMP, BUT I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AND EXIT THE INTERSTATE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS RELATED TO THE ONGOING FUEL PUMP RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 18, 2020
LIFTGATE OPENED SPONTANEOUSLY OVERNIGHT, CAUSING RAPID BATTERY DRAINING. BATTERY WAS DEAD THE NEXT MORNING. CAR WAS INSIDE LOCKED GARAGE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 16, 2020
WE HAVE HAD OUR 4TH WINDSHIELD BREAK ON OUR 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. WE BELIEVE THESE TO BE SPONTANEOUS CRACKS, NOT THE RESULT OF A CHIP OR OTHER IMPACT. THE MOST RECENT HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED (NOT A HOT DAY) OUT IN THE OPEN. *TR