Complaint volume
1025 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2019 Subaru Outback Complaints
1025 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2019 Subaru Outback, grouped by component category.
1025 Total complaints
22 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
11 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are electrical system, visibility/wiper, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 22 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 11 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 466 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 15,557 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to electrical system, visibility/wiper, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2019 Subaru Outback?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2019 Subaru Outback
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2019 Subaru Outback complaints?
22 Crash
2 Fire
11 Injury
0 Fatality
22 Towed
7 Medical attention
What are the most common 2019 Subaru Outback complaint categories?
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 280
VISIBILITY/WIPER 271
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 124
VISIBILITY 55
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 27
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER 23
STEERING 22
ENGINE 14
STRUCTURE 14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11
1,025 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | vehicle battery continues to fail due to unusual electrical activity, requires a jump to start. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Original battery failed 7/2022. As stranded AAA installed new battery. New battery gets drained while car is off within a few days. Subaru class action lawsuit states dealer to provide new battery replacement and provide diagnostic procedures. Dealer diagnosed the problem as excessive draw on battery when car off. However dealer refuses to provide supposed ecu flash to car unless a new subaru battery is purchased. Class action lawsuit does not contain any language stating customer must have a subaru provided battery in car to receive flash. Further class action language specifically provides relief and compensation when owners are “stranded” as a result of drained battery. This would supercede any implied requirement that owner would have had to locate and bring car to a authorized subaru dealer for repair. This subaru issue is in fact a safety issue as owners are caught in unsafe situations ie shopping malls, parking lots, gas stations with a dead battery. The car obviously has a defect in engineering and replacing batteries does not alleviate the underlying issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While sitting vehicle was sitting in my locked garage got into vehicle and noticed a large crack in center of windshield had appeared without incident called my Subaru dealership that I purchased vehicle from they made an appointment and I took vehicle to the service manager and he took a quick look and pointed to windshield and said it was a stone chip. I could not see the chip he was talking about and he stated he would have to call Subaru manufacturer himself to see what they thought. This is the 2nd time I have had to take brand new car in for repair for a situation not caused by I’ll care | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The touch screen has bubbles on it and a mind of its own. I can not use my phone, maps let alone the radio. The vehicle has only 11k miles on it. I am being told I am out of warranty and it will cost 2k to replace the head unit. Searching forums this is a common issue. The 2018 models ended with a class action. At this point they are not taking responsibility for the 2019. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Battery dead. Got jumped. A week later has now happened again. I just replaced the battery with brand new in May’22, as previous battery had quit on me three times within a week or two in April - May’ 22 My previous Subaru Outback 2014 had same issues and I had replaced that battery three three times within a year ! Accused garage of selling me old batteries and used parts! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | New battery will not hold a charge. Electrical system drains battery when vehicle is turned off. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I bought the vehicle in April 2019, the battery had to be replaced in February 2021. In September 2022 I starting having the same battery issues where it was constantly dying. I took it in to Subaru and they said the ECM was draining the battery and needed to be replaced which would be $1,000. I looked into the battery issue and Subaru has a class action lawsuit involving batteries prematurely dying. It also says that electrical issues are causing a parasitic pull on the batteries. So replacing the battery doesn't actually solve the problem. The suit settled and is replacing batteries, reimbursing battery costs and extending their warranties. But it does not address the actual electrical issues. Subaru has known of the electrical issues for years that are affecting multiple makes and have refused to acknowledge or address the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, he noticed that a crack had formed on the windshield in the area under the rearview mirror. The contact stated that he did not know the cause of the failure as he had not heard a rock or debris striking the windshield. The vehicle was taken to OEM Windshields where the windshield was replaced. However, the failure reoccurred while the vehicle was parked in the contractor's garage. The windshield was replaced for a second time. However, the failure persisted. The contact stated that there was a third crack on the windshield which started under the rearview mirror and had extended to both sides of the windshield in an upside down "T" shape. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My battery has died over 7 times in the 3 years I have owned it. No systems were left on. It runs one day and won’t start the next. It shows the battery light. This first happened 6 months after owning the car leaving me stranded waiting for roadside assistance and causing me to miss work. It has happened 3 times in the past year. As I type this I am stranded again waiting for someone to come and give me a jump and praying that it will start once I get out of the grocery store. I’m afraid to go anywhere for fear of being stranded in a dangerous place. I always carry jumper cables with me now! The second issue is that it runs out of gas when there is a 30 miles left to empty notice. I ran out of gas in the left lane of a major highway at 4:45 pm bringing a friend home from the hospital. The gas station was 7 miles away. I was stranded there, waiting on Subaru tow service for hours until the police sent their own tow truck. It was very dangerous but I know better than to trust it now. It cost me 185 dollars. I was told this was a problem with 2018s but they thought they fixed it! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. STARTED AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND GRADUALLY CONTINUED TOWARD THE CENTER. IF IT CONTINUED IT COULD AFFECT MY DRIVER VISION AND THE "EYE SIGHT" SAFETY SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO SAFELIGHT FOR REPLACEMENT. THEY MENTIONED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE IT WITH AN AFTERMARKET BRAND. THE SUBARU WINDSHIELD WAS TOO THIN (THEIR OPPINION BASED ON PREVIOUS REPAIRS). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION,EQUIPMENT | The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the display and back-up camera were inoperable. Additionally, the radio was operating intermittently. The contact stated that calls were being made independently without the phone being connected. There were no warning lights illuminated. There was condensation on the display. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the head display needed to be replaced but was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 24,000 |
| Oct 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Battery randomly dies. Replaced OEM battery with aftermarket and issue still occurs. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Spontaneous crack of the front windshield, unsafe to drive for fear of collapse into car or during a collision. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | SEATS | The drivers' seat mounting frame began to fail. This was noticeable because of a squeaking/creaking sound from the seat. The authorized dealer I went to confirmed this was the problem and there is a technical service bulletin from Subaru indicating this is a problem component. Because my car was only a few months out of warranty, I had to pay nearly $1,000 to have this part replaced. I believe driver's seat mounting components are an essential part of the safety of the vehicle but Subaru has not recalled this part which is known by them to fail prematurely. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Battery continues to drain while parked. Vehicle was taken to dealer and told it's a common problem and car cannot sit for several days without charging the battery. Replaced OEM battery with new Optima battery. After 6 months dead battery issue is worse and now battery is dead after sitting for a day even after driving for several hours. We have turned off all dome lights and are careful to not leave the doors or hatchback open any longer than necessary. Engine cranks slowly even after stopping for fuel. I called Subaru dealer in White Bear Lake, MN to inquire about the problem and schedule an appointment but dealer has not returned my call. We cannot drive the vehicle without concern of being stranded. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Battery is failing more than 10 times during the course of the last 9 months.i bought the car brand new in 10/2021 It is a common issues on the same year. 50k miles. The battery will die if not driven everyday. Brand new battery with the same issues. It’s draining the battery while turned off bc the electrical system is too much. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the front windshield cracked. The contact stated that the windshield was not impacted to cause the crack. The contact stated that the crack had been expanding. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the cause for the windshield cracking was determined. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that the repair was denied by the manufacturer because the warranty had expired. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact stated he researched online and found that the 2015 and 2016 Subaru Outback were repaired due to a class action lawsuit. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA ID Number: 10188151 (Manufacturer Communication Number: 12-192-15R) (Structure, Visibility). The approximate failure mileage was 27,400. | Crash: No Fire: No | 27,400 |
| Sep 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I attempted to start my car, and found that the battery was completly dead. There had been no signs of battery trouble / fatigue prior to this incident. Due to this sudden, unexpected failure, I had the car towed to the nearest Subaru dealer, for cause and repair. World Subaru tested the battery and found it was damaged. They used analytics to determine the cause of the battery damage to be the "telematic module", which they claim was defective. They replaced the battery and telematic module, claiming both were defective. Since the telematic module is part of the car's computer system, I beleive it has an effect on vehicle safety. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | ENGINE | The vehicle has developed an exhaust leak which allows exhaust to enter the cabin of the vehicle especially at lower speeds and when stopped. There is a crack which develops in the exhaust manifold which causes this issue. This is a known problem and there have been recalls in the past with this exact same issue for Subarus with the same engines. This poses a safety issue given the exposure to Carbon Monoxide. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Electrical system issue causing premature battery drain/failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Battery died quickly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Battery has failed twice, original battery was replaced, then the 1st replaced battery has died. A new battery and the software update needed asap. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Attempted to start vehicle, discovered battery was drained. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Batter died twice and vehicle has fewer than 25K miles. Jumped and worked for a few days then died again. Had to have battery replaced. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Within the three years I have owned this vehicle my windshield has crack with only minor impact or no impack at all to the windshield; the cost of paying for a second windshield replacement is an unreasonable expense something is wrong with the glass integrity of these vehicles. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |