MyCarTSB

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

2019 Subaru Outback — Known Issues & Recalls

3 Recalls1023 Owner Complaints15 Categories Affected
1023
Total Complaints
3
Open Recalls
22
Crashes
2
Fires
17
Injuries

Complaints from Jan 2021 to Dec 2020

The most reported issue is electrical system problems (280 complaints). 22 complaints involved crashes. 2 involved fires.

Open Safety Recalls (3)

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 19V493000

Component: STRUCTURE

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.

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

Fix: 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.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 21V587000

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

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

Fix: 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.

Safety RecallFREE FIX AT DEALER
Invalid Date

NHTSA Campaign: 20V218000

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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

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

Fix: 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.

Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 1023)

Electrical System5 issues
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the touch screen on the radio failed to properly operate. The screen was delaminated, causing unintended operation of the radio, distracting the driver.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11721704
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after the vehicle was not started for approximately five days, the battery was completely drained. The battery was replaced two years previously because of the same issue.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11721447
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2026

Battery completely dead after 4 days of not driving; this is after I purchased a $210 brand new batteyr from Autozone. Looks like there is potential class action lawsuit based on the parasitic draw by the DCM unit. I need this repaired at Subaru's expense.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11720185
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2025

The car repeatedly drains the battery after being left for a short time (a day or 2). This has now happened at least four times and has destroyed multiple batteries. I have taken it to the dealer and complained multiple times.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11707469
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2025

Repeated battery drain within 48 hours use of the vehicle, to the point the battery will no longer start the car. I believe this has come to be known as a parasitic battery drain, and has been traced to the Data Communications Module in these Subarus.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11677081
Power Train2 issues
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2025

I was told by the dealer that my 2019 Outback had a cam carrier oil leak. At the time, my car had 50,700 miles on it. My drivetrain warrantee was for 5 years or 60,000 miles. I was over on the years but under on the miles. The repair was estimated to cost $4,500.00. The dealer said that this oil leak is common and even when repaired it could leak again. This is a design flaw that Subaru has not addressed. There are many articles on it. This has been a problem because Subaru uses a Boxter engine and this engine has historically always had problems with oil leaks that cannot be fixed. It was also disclosed that there was a chance that oil leaking onto the manifold or exhaust could cause a fire in the car which caused me alarm. My wife and I are seniors, and we cannot afford to get stuck in the car and perhaps with car on fire. The dealer could not do anything, so I called Subaru directly and spoke to their consumer advocate dept. (Incidentally, I had two previous repairs to the electrical system and computer system fixed by Subaru at no cost even though we were past warrantee. Subaru decided to extend the warrantee on the two previous issues.) After several calls Subaru told me that they would give me a $1,500 credit towards the $4,500.00 for the repair, which I said was not nearly enough and did not solve the problems. I explained that we are apprehensive about the car because the leak could happen again and there is a chance of fire. Subaru told me that the chance of fire is low and at an acceptable level. Any chance of fire is NOT acceptable to us. I was going to sell the car outright, but the oil leak would cause a major devaluation of the car, so I had it fixed and repaired last week. My ongoing concern is that this oil leak is a recurring hazard that can cause a fire. I believe this problem should have been handled through a no cost recall. The dealer said this is a common problem, but I could not get any further info on the issue.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11687608
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-25 MPH, the vehicle started reversing unintendedly while the gear shifter was in drive(D). The contact stated that the vehicle reversed on a steep road, drove onto a curb, and onto the poles that were lying down, and the vehicle stopped. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained pain on the right side of the lower back but had not yet received medical assistance. The vehicle sustained damage. The vehicle was towed to the Executive Auto Body repair shop. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11686851
Structure1 issue
criticalSTRUCTURE
Filed: Jan 2026

We were driving down an interstate highway going 70 MPH on a foggy Christmas Eve 2025 approximately 7 a.m. No cars were close around us. We had been on the road for 30 minutes or so, and it was in the 50-60 degree temperature range.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11708662
Air Bags1 issue
criticalAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Dec 2025

I was involved in a car crash where another car crashed into me at an angle and hit the driver side door and part of the front and the wheel air bag not deploy. The side air bags did. I was going 30, this other car was going 40-50 MPH.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11706222
Air Bags,forward Collision Avoidance1 issue
criticalAIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
CrashFiled: Sep 2025

While turning left from left turn lane, eyesight failed to detect oncoming traffic resulting in right front side impact. No warning, no braking action. This is an advertised safety system supposedly designed to prevent this type of accident.

NHTSA #: 11688632
Engine And Engine Cooling,fuel System, Gasoline1 issue
highENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Feb 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated and almost stalled. The failure was intermittent but caused the vehicle to stall on several occasions.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11719040
Engine1 issue
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2026

The Tumble Generator Valve (TGV) assembly within the intake manifold failed on my 2019 Subaru Outback at only 48,000 miles causing catastrophic engine failure. This is a critical engine component that is expected to last significantly longer than the vehicle's current low mileage.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11712860
Vehicle Speed Control1 issue
mediumVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Dec 2025

I was driving on I-95 South in Georgia on Thursday, 18 December at approximately 9:00 pm in my 2019 Subaru Outback (6 cylinder engine). There was good visiblity and dry road conditions. I did not have the cruise control on.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11706194
Electrical System,engine,fuel/propulsion System1 issue
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2025

Good Morning. I am the victim of a lemon of a car, a 2019 Subaru Outback and no one, I mean no one wants to get involved with exposing this disgraceful uncaring car manufacturer. I am forwarding the 10, yes 10 issues with this dangerous piece of junk I am unfortunately driving putting our lives at risk!! Please see the information below and my hope is that you will care enough to expose and help us get a resolution with this horrible company manufacturing rolling death traps. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] Listed below are the continuing problems with my 2019 Subaru Outback which was purchased new: 3 new batteries in a mileage span of 40,000 or 50,000 miles up to 80,000 miles. These replacements were done at no cost as a result of a class action lawsuit. A windshield settlement which only extends the warranty mileage and not an automatic replacement. Talk about a huge safety risk if this windshield just cracks or breaks, especially if on a major highway. A fuel pump settlement which only extends the warranty mileage and not an automatic replacement unless the fuel pump fails. Very unsafe in my opinion. What if the fuel pump fails while on a major highway. This puts us and our safety at serious risk if this fuel pump were to fail especially going at a high rate of speed. Engine burns a quart of oil, by the way at $11.00 per quart every 3,000 miles which is not normal, and in my opinion, is an engine problem. Replacement of an ECM or Engine Control Module. Received a letter about the VCT or variable control transmission, more ridiculous problems going on. A broken right front axle replaced and then that same axle which was replaced by an incompetent mechanic, the axle seal on the replaced axle started leaking and I was charged $100 for that incompetence. Just this past week, the car was in for a radio issue with radio stations and the cd arbitrarily jumping around only to find out the radio needs to be replaced. While on my way to the dealership my tire press INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11684247
Service Brakes,forward Collision Avoidance1 issue
mediumSERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Aug 2025

I was driving my 2019 Subaru Outback North on [XXX] just North of Alanson, Michigan on [XXX] when it applied the brakes and made a noise similar to driving on the rumble strip. There were no vehicles in front of me. Scary and now I am nervous driving this car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11683119
Electrical System,unknown Or Other1 issue
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2025

"Parasitic" draw. Battery replaced, less than year old, almost daily need to "jump" vehicle to start. Always have to have booster pack. Multiple mechanics trips. Dash screen touch option does not work, have videos of the screen randomly "fluttering" through various screens and or radio stations. Leave the radio off, will randomly come on, on its own.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11677438
Power Train,unknown Or Other,engine1 issue
mediumPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

My name is [XXX] [XXX] Phone Number: [XXX] My complaint is with Subaru of America, 1 Subaru Drive, Camden, NJ 08103 Phone Number: 800-782-2783 I would like the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office to become involved with the two lemons/pieces of junk my wife and I have been sold. My Subaru is a 2019 Outback and my wife’s Subaru is a 2020 Forester. My ongoing problems with my 2019 Subaru Outback are as follows and in my opinion, I am driving a very unsafe car putting our lives at risk: 3 batteries prior to 80,000 miles resulting from a class action lawsuit filed against Subaru. Replacement of the ECM or Engine Control Module. Burns a quart of oil at the price of $11.00 per quart every 3,000 miles, that’s an engine problem. Right front axle broke and had to be replaced. After replacement of the right front axle, the right front axle seal, which is the axle replaced started to leak and I was charged to replace the axle seal due to a mechanics incompetence. I received a card from Subaru stating a windshield issue. Received another card regarding a fuel pump issue. A letter received this past week from an apparent CVT or continuously variable transmission issue. Now my radio stations jump around arbitrarily changing stations, tracks on my CD, and my hatch doesn’t open, but gets stuck shortly upon opening. This car is a lemon, a piece of junk and very unsafe. How many more problems are unknown to us and when will any of them occur while we are driving putting our lives in danger. If Subaru had any ethics character integrity or business morality they would have replaced this piece of junk. They are a horrible company to work with INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11676150
Visibility/wiper1 issue
lowVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Mar 2026

Windshield window crack without any reason couple month ago and it keep crack bigger

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11723685
Service Brakes1 issue
lowSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Feb 2026

Today 13 Feb 2026, around 3pm I was following traffic it was slow (5 miles an hour) and the traffic light turned red so I pushed on my brake to stop the car and it surged forward I pushed down on the brake again and the my vehicle stopped. Lucy I was travel a couple car lengths behind the vehicle in front of me or we would have ran into his back bumper.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11717942
Unknown Or Other1 issue
lowUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2025

Windshield cracking for no reason.

Parts you may need:

As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.

NHTSA #: 11688808

Get notified when any of these become free repairs

We'll alert you if a new recall is issued for your vehicle — that means a free fix at the dealer.

Related Vehicles

Other 2019 vehicles:

See other years