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2019 Subaru Outback problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

1,036owner complaints
3safety recalls
24involved a crash

Also reported: 2 fires, 18 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

Read this first

Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 1,036.

Electrical system364
Usually 6,000–24,235 miles (middle half of 104 reports with mileage)
Parts named: 12V/24V/48V battery (11); Horn (1); Wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (1)
Visibility/wiper326
Usually 4,700–16,700 miles (middle half of 201 reports with mileage)
Unknown or other204
Usually 3,450–18,848 miles (middle half of 63 reports with mileage)
Visibility63
Usually 14,000–40,000 miles (middle half of 61 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Windshield (59); Defroster/defogger/hvac system › windshield › electrical heating element (1)
Engine39
Usually 3,000–26,313 miles (middle half of 13 reports with mileage)
Forward collision avoidance36
Usually 12,250–24,250 miles (middle half of 12 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Warnings (21); Automatic emergency braking (14); Adaptive cruise control (10)
Steering36
Usually 300–5,000 miles (middle half of 21 reports with mileage)
Structure27
Usually 538–9,118 miles (middle half of 10 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Body (27); Body › hood (1)
Vehicle speed control26
Usually 3,112–21,500 miles (middle half of 15 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Accelerator pedal (2); Cruise control (1)
Fuel/propulsion system23
Usually 9,180–13,300 miles (middle half of 7 reports with mileage)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Electrical system

104 reports with mileage · median 13,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Visibility/wiper

201 reports with mileage · median 10,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Unknown or other

63 reports with mileage · median 9,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (3)

Recalls that cover the 2019 Subaru Outback. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Fuel system, gasoline › delivery › fuel pump

Campaign 21V587000 · 2021-07-29 · 175,968 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline › delivery › fuel pump

Campaign 20V218000 · 2020-04-16 · 188,207 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

Consequence: If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Structure

Campaign 19V493000 · 2019-06-26 · 2,107 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, the reduced strength of the vehicle body may increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Questions to ask the seller

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

364 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 6,000 and 24,235 miles.

Do the wipers work on every speed and park correctly? Any wiper motor repairs?

326 owner complaints mention the wipers, half of the reports with mileage are between 4,700 and 16,700 miles.

Do the wipers, defroster, mirrors, and windows all work? Any windshield or glass replacements?

63 owner complaints mention visibility parts (glass, mirrors, wipers, defrost), half of the reports with mileage are between 14,000 and 40,000 miles.

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

39 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 3,000 and 26,313 miles.

Has the automatic emergency braking ever activated with nothing ahead, or shown sensor errors? Ask about windshield or sensor repairs.

36 owner complaints mention the forward collision avoidance system, half of the reports with mileage are between 12,250 and 24,250 miles.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Subaru Outback years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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