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, Jun 15, 2020
WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 14, 2020
I CAME HOME FROM WORK, WENT THROUGH THE CAR WASH, AND THE NEXT MORNING I HAD A CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. NOTHING MADE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD EITHER ON THE DRIVE, OR AT THE CAR WASH.
Electrical system, Jun 14, 2020
BATTERY FAILURE X 4, ON 3/26/20, 4/3/20, 5/7/20 AND 6/7/20NOW ON OUR THIRD BATTERY. HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE CAR JUMP STARTED ON 2 OCCASIONS AND THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER THIRD TIME. SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY.
Structure, Engine, Jun 11, 2020
HAD MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AT 5,000 MILES AND AT 9,600 MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON. WENT HOME AND PUT 1 QUART OF OIL IN VEHICLE AND WAS STILL DOWN LOW. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CHANGED OIL AND NOTED I HAD STILL BEEN LOW 1/2 QUART. FILED CASE WITH SUBURU OF AMERICA. NOWIN PROCESS OF OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, BUT, SAW THAT DEALERSHIP OVERFILLED MY OIL SO I HAD THEM DRAIN IT DOWN TO PROPER LEVEL AND HAVE TO START CALCULATION MILEAGE AGAIN FOR TEST. NEXT PROBLEM. PASSENGER FRONT DOOR, FROZE IN WINTER. WATER INSIDE CAR ON FLOOR. WATER TEST DONE AT DEALERSHIP AFTER MAJOR STORM, AND CAR FLOODED INSIDE. DEALER REPLACED GASKET AROUND THE DOOR. OIL ISSUE WAS WHILE DRIVING. WATER ISSUE WAS WHILE STATIONARY. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 4, 2020
MY 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK'S WINDSHIELD CRACK WITH NO REASON, I PARKED THE VEHICLE MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 3 PM WITH NO DAMAGE AND WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK NEXT DAY AT 5 AM I REALIZE THE CRACK. THE CRACK STARTED FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AND IT GREW DAY BY DAY ALMOST REACHED ALL THE WAY TO THE OTHER END. I CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER CARE VIA EMAIL ON 5/21/2020 BUT STILL GOT NO RESPONSE. I ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER IN TEMECULA/CA I ALMOST KICK OUT FROM THERE, AS SOON AS THEY SEE THE CRACK THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HELP OR GIVE ME INFORMATION. ALL I WONDER IS, IT IS BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY OR HOW SHOULD I HANDLE TO REPAIR BECAUSE OF EYESIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 12K MILES ON IT AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Visibility, Visibility/wiper, Jun 4, 2020
LARGE WINDSHIELD CRACK APPEARED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE CAR WAS PARKED AND GREW LARGER WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. SUBARU DEALER INSISTED IT WAS FROM AN IMPACT, BUT NONE WERE VISIBLE. DEALER SAID NEW WINDSHIELDS WERE THINNER AND MORE PRONE TO CRACKING AND I MIGHT HAVE IT HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THE MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEARDMORE SUBARU (410 FORT CROOK RD N, BELLEVUE, NE 68005) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 2, 2020
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. SUBARU REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND ABOUT 5 MONTHS LATER THE REPLACEMENT ALSO SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. SUBARU HAS CLAIMED "OUTSIDE INFLUENCE" CAUSED THE REPLACEMENT TO CRACK AND HAS DECLINE TO REPLACE AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY. BOTH TIMES THE CRACKING HAPPENED DURING A SNOWFALL WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED. I WENT OUT TO MY CAR ON MAY 16 AND ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD THERE WAS A "Y" SHAPED CRACK GOING UP FROM THE BOTTOM MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I WENT BACK OUTSIDE ON MAY 18, THE CRACK HAD SPREAD ABOUT 4 INCHES TOWARD EACH SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ON MAY 21, THE CRACK HAD SPREAD MORE AND IS CURVING AROUND. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jun 1, 2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND CAR, NO BUGS HIT WINDSHIELD, NOTHING HIT FRONT OF WINDSHIELD. AUDIBLE LOUD "POP" THEN VISIBLE CRACK THAT STARTED FROM DRIVER'S SIDE EDGE OF VEHICLE EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY INTO DRIVER'S LINE OF VISION. DRIVER WAS STARTLED AND DRIVER'S VISION IMPAIRED FROM CRACK. VEHICLE DRIVEN LESS THAN 10 TIMES, PURCHASED ON 5/16/2020, STORED IN GARAGE AND COVERED PARKING STRUCTURE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jun 1, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND IDLING, THE RPM'S REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. OPEN ROAD SUBARU (2685 US-22, UNION, NJ 07083, (908) 686-6160) WAS CONTACTED AND WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, May 31, 2020
SECOND SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN 18 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 28, 2020
IN JANUARY, 2020, MY 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK FAILED TO START BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. IT DID START WITH A JUMP BUT HAD A DEAD BATTERY THE NEXT TIME I WANTED TO USE IT. I HAD THE OUTBACK TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER OVER 100 MILES AWAY. THEY OFFERED NO HELP, TELLING ME THE PROBLEM WAS BATTERY DRAINAGE FROM THE REMOTE STARTER I HAD INSTALLED. SO, I DROVE HOME AND THEN ANOTHER 100 MILES IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO HAVE THE STARTER CHECKED. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THE REMOTE STARTER WAS WITHIN ACCEPTABLE RANGE.I MANAGED TO GET THROUGH THE WINTER WITH A BATTERY MAINTAINER. THE OUTBACK WAS FINE ONCE THE WEATHER WARMED UP THIS SPRING. THEN IN MAY, 2020, I AGAIN HAD PROBLEMS. THE HATCH DID NOT OPEN, MADE CLICKING NOISES, AND BEEPED WHEN I WOULD DRIVE THE OUTBACK. THIS PROBLEM AFTER HAVING TO JUMP START THE OUTBACK BECAUSE THE BATTERY WOULD AGAIN BE DEAD. NOT FUN, WHEN I WOULD HAVE TO CALL FOR HELP TO GET HOME FROM GROCERY SHOPPING. MY FRIEND SUGGESTED BUYING A NEW BATTERY WITH MORE CRANKING POWER, WHICH I DID. NOW, THE OUTBACK IS WORKING FINE. WILL IT LAST??? THEN WHEN CONTACTING SUBARU OF AMERICA TO SEE IF I COULD GET SOME REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BATTERY, THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY OUTBACK DUE TO FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION. *TR
Engine, May 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL COOLANT ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN MULTIPLE TIMES TO CROSS CREEK SUBARU LOCATED AT 497 N. MCPHERSON CHURCH RD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303, (910) 356-8830, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4.
Visibility/wiper, May 27, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FROM THE MID-CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE PARKED. THE CRACK BEGAN IN OCTOBER, 2019, LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT CAUSING DAMAGE AND THE CRACK BEGAN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *TR
Service brakes, Engine, May 18, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED A SECOND TIME AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, May 18, 2020
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
Visibility, Other or unspecified, May 18, 2020
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT SIGNIFICANT REASON. THIS WAS NOTICED IN THE MORNING UPON GETTING IN THE VEHICLE AND STARTING TO DRIVE. *TR
Engine, May 17, 2020
CAR SOMETIMES ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. I HAVE TO USE PEDAL SHIFTERS TO REDUCE THE SPEED. ALSO NOTICED THAT IT TAKES LONGER TO BRAKE SOMETIMES.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 16, 2020
THERE WAS ALWAYS ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES, NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED WHEN NEEDED. SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE AGENTS AND THEY MENTIONED EVERYTHING IS GOOD. BUT I HAD EXPERIENCED THE SPEED ISSUE IN SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 15, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD BROKE WITHOUT HAVING ANYTHING EVER HIT IT. CAME OUT TO CAR ONE MORNING AND THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ACROSS WINDSHIELD STARTING FROM THE BASE CENTER OF THE WINDOW. AT THIS POINT I HAD OWNED THE CAR LESS THEN 6 MONTHS. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 14, 2020
MY CAR WOULD NOT START (TODAY, O5/14/2020), I HAD TO CALL ROAD ASSIST, AND PERSON WHO JUMP STARTED MY CAR TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, SUBARU OUTBACK 2019, FOR EXAMPLE TODAY HE HAD TO JUMP START 3 CARS EXACTLY LIKE MINE (SUBARU OUTBACK 2019). HE TOLD THAT BATTERY SHOULD NOT GO BAD THIS FAST, THAT SOMETHING IS DRAINING IT AND I SHOULD SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP ASAP TO FIX THE ONGOING PROBLEM TO AVOID FUTURE HARDSHIP. I HAVE 9800 MILES ON MY CAR. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 4, 2020
I WAS RETURNING TO DRIVE MY CAR AFTER SITTING STATIONARY IN AN APARTMENT PARKING SPOT FOR TWO DAYS. UPON ENTERING MY VEHICLE I NOTICED A CRACK TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD ACROSS THE DRIVER SIDE EXTENDING TO THE CENTER. I INSPECTED THE OUTSIDE, WITH NO NOTICEABLE CHIPS OR OTHER ISSUE AREAS. THE CAUSE TO ME IS UNKNOWN.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 27, 2020
2019 SUBARU OUTBACK PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2019. I HAVE EXPERIENCED CRACKED A WINDSHIELD 3 TIMES. I'VE HAD 3 NEW WINDSHIEDS REPLACED. MY FIRST WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT WAS 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THAT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WAS REPLACED. ABOUT 8 MONTHS LATER, THAT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND I HAD IT REPLACED LAST DECEMBER. I DROVE FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AS IT SLOWLY CRACKED ACROSS THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD. THEN IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE IT. THE FIRST TIME THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, I WAS DRIVING AND THE DEALER SAID A LITTLE ROCK HAD HIT IT. ALL 3 TIMES, THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS POINTED OUT TO ME. THEY WERE VERY TINY SPOTS ON THE WINDSHIELD. WHILE DRIVING, I WAS NOT AWARE THAT ANYTHING HAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD. I FLINCH EVERY TIME AN AUTOMOBILE OR TRUCK PASSES ME ON ROADS OR THE FREEWAY I AM SO AFRAID THAT SOME LITTLE BIT OF DEBRIS WILL HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACK IT ONCE AGAIN. I'VE REPLACED THREE WINDSHIELDS IN ABOUT 13 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Apr 27, 2020
MY CAR SAT AT HOME FOR 2 DAYS. I THEN DROVE 5 MILES AND PARKED FOR 2 HOURS IN A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. AFTER 2 HOURS OF SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY HAD DRAINED AND I HAD TO CALL A FAMILY MEMBER TO JUMPER CABLE THE CAR TO GET IT STARTED. I WAS SO DISTRESSED THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED AT MY EXPENSE. I THEN READ ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM REALLY NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING ANYWHERE AND HAVING THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. THE CAR HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT.