2019 Subaru Outback Safety Report
2019 SUBARU OUTBACK Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2019 Subaru Outback
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2019 Subaru Outback. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (1023) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 24 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Subaru Outback with 283 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Subaru Outback before buying across this generation. |
Subaru Outback Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Subaru Outback years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Subaru Outback | 886 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Subaru Outback | 784 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Subaru Outback | 283 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Subaru Outback | 909 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Subaru Outback | 438 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Subaru Outback | 630 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2019 Subaru Outback Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2019 Subaru Outback, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
280 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Subaru onlyVisibility/Wiper
271 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other
124 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyVisibility
55 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Subaru onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
27 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Subaru onlyUnknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper
23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper issues Subaru onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Subaru Outback
Reliability Score
The 2019 Subaru Outback receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2019 Subaru Outback
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2019 Subaru Outback
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Subaru Outback:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Pump Failure Subaru is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Outback, and Legacy vehicles due to potential fuel pump failures. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Windshield Cracks Windshield cracks without any apparent cause have been reported, leading to potential visibility issues. |
High | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Battery Drain Battery drain after several days of non-use has been reported, potentially leaving the vehicle immobile. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Unintended Movement Reports of the vehicle moving unintentionally at low speeds have been documented. |
Low | Common | 0-100k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Subaru Outback:
Windshield cracks without any apparent cause have been reported.
Subaru is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Outback, and Legacy vehicles due to potential fuel pump failures.
Battery drain after several days of non-use has been reported.
Reports of the vehicle moving unintentionally at low speeds have been documented.
Recall Details for the 2019 Subaru Outback
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Subaru Outback by NHTSA:
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2019 Subaru Outback
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
Windshield window crack without any reason couple month ago and it keep crack bigger
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. This failure caused the back over prevention to become inoperable, and the HVAC defroster options were inoperable. The touch screen and the func...
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. The vehicle remained at the residence and the battery was charged. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was no...
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.
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. The check engine warning light and the low oil pressure warning lights recently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, ...
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. This is the second time this year this ...
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. The premature failure of this part triggers engine warning lights and disables key driver-assist safety features (such...
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. Suddenly we heard what sounded like a gunshot right above our heads. We opened the sunshade under the sunroof, and saw that our sunroof had exploded and left a hol...
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. They check for software updates and sell me a new battery and then the same thing happens again. Because of this, the car is essentially unusable because I can't trust it to...
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.
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. I was traveling at 75 mph and wanted to pass a truck. As I increased my speed to 78 mph to pass the truck, the Subaru began to accelerate to 85 mph and my rpms went up to 4000....
Windshield cracking for no reason.
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. In addition, passenger side airbag deployed (no passenger in the passenger seat) but driver side airbag did not deploy. Newton's third law of motion says bot...
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 n...
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 rig...
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 ...
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)
"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.
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.
Failures of the radio Failures of the main head unit Nagivation errors and failures Display screens that go black, frozen
Showing 20 of 1023 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Subaru Outback
Has the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK been recalled?
Yes, the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK have?
The 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK has 1,023 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 22 involved crashes. 17 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK?
The 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK involve electrical system (280 complaints), visibility/wiper (271 complaints), unknown or other (124 complaints). Other affected components include visibility, electrical system,unknown or other, unknown or other,visibility/wiper.
How many crash reports does the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK have?
There are 22 crash reports associated with the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK out of 1,023 total complaints (2.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK have?
There are 2 fire reports for the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK out of 1,023 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK.
How many injuries are reported for the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK?
17 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK is proceed with caution. It has 1,023 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK?
The components with the most failures on the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (280 complaints), 2. VISIBILITY/WIPER (271 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (124 complaints), 4. VISIBILITY (55 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (27 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 280 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK?
Be aware of potential electrical and structural issues. Regular maintenance and monitoring are recommended. The 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK has 1,023 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK?
The 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 1,023 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 24 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel Pump Failure and Windshield Cracks.
What are the known issues with the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK?
Known issues with the 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK include: Fuel Pump Failure, Windshield Cracks, Battery Drain, Unintended Movement. These are based on patterns found across 1,023 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2019 Subaru Outback?
Yes, there are recalls for fuel pump failures and touch screen malfunctions.
What are the common electrical issues with the 2019 Subaru Outback?
Common electrical issues include windshield cracks, touch screen malfunctions, and battery drain.
Have there been any reports of unintended vehicle movement?
Yes, there have been reports of the vehicle moving unintentionally at low speeds.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential electrical and structural issues. Regular maintenance and monitoring are recommended.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Subaru Outback
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Subaru Outback. The data includes 1023 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 22 reported crashes, 2 fire incidents, 17 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2019 Subaru Outback an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16