2019 Subaru Outback problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (324) · Electrical System (271) · Visibility:windshield (59)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Outback model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
470 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2021-07-29 · campaign 21V587000 · 175,968 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2020-04-16 · campaign 20V218000 · 188,207 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Structure 2019-06-26 · campaign 19V493000 · 2,107 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (430)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 430 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-10 · Power Train“subaru outback 2019 - transmission cvt and clutch failed at 6 years 103,000 miles. transmission slipped while driving (safety issues) and also clutch lurched/jumped (safety issue) when shifting eg reverse to drive. common issue for 2010-2018 in manufacturers tsb. my car is 2019, and this was not included per dealer, cost $8000 for rebuilt trans…”
2026-10-01 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery · 156,000 mi“the contact owns a 2019 subaru outback. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. the battery was replaced, but the failure persisted the following day. the contact associated the failure with the data communication module. the manufacturer was notified of the failure by email. the failure mileage was approximately 156,000.…”
2026-09-24 · Steering“subaru has a tsb for a steering rack pinion rattle noise problem front end rattle, subaru refused to repair it…”
2026-09-02 · Unknown Or Other“the starlink infotainment touchscreen in my 2019 subaru outback touring has progressively failed. visible bubbles have formed under the glass, consistent with screen delamination. the screen registers phantom inputs on its own without being touched ("ghost touch"), changing settings, and interrupting functions while the vehicle is being driven. the…”
2026-08-12 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“my complaint/safety issue is that while i was in my 2019 subaru outback, i experienced unintentional acceleration. while waiting for the large chain-link fence at my storage unit to open, the outback raced into the gate! i had one foot on the brake waiting for the gate, then i stomped the pedal with both feet, and i held that position while the c…”
2026-08-03 · Visibility · 40,250 mi“the contact owns a 2019 subaru outback. the contact stated that while driving at 70 mph the front windshield cracked approximately 6 inches from the heat sensor, no warning lights were illuminated. the local dealer was contacted however the vehicle was not diagnosed as the contact was advised that the vehicles vin was not included in a recall. the …”
2026-07-20 · Unknown Or Other“driver controls for windows do not work for front windows .. can not put windows down. therefore if window on passenger side or driver side gets foggy, can not lower to see out dealer has stated that there is dirt in window. not dirt , bad window motor per my experience. this has been occurring for about 2/3 years.…”
2026-07-06 · Unknown Or Other“the touch screen monitor which controls the audio system, navigation, phone, and other car systems has delaminated. it turns on and off, makes phone calls, switches car systems like the audio, and turns off navigation. at best, it is a very annoying distraction. at worst, it is a safety issue when the screen is making emergency phone calls, canceli…”
2026-07-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System“car wouldn't start in parking lot, 40k miles. i never took the car in to the dealer and received a notice about a fuel pump replacement/recall/repair. i diagnosed this problem myself. the vin lookup on subarus website says that the problem was addressed/repaired when it clearly was not and i never received any paperwork or verbal statement from s…”
2026-06-24 · Electrical System“vehicle battery continues to drain. since i have owned the vehicle, it has had 4 batteries. it has had 2 batteries within the last year and half. installed another battery a 2 weeks ago, vehicle was completely dead after a week of not driving. the last 3 batteries were all purchased (or warranty replaced, new. all forums are pointing to dcm for oth…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.