2019 Subaru Outback problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 1,034 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Subaru Outback, filed between 2018-08-18 and 2026-09-24. The most common problem areas are the electrical system (363, 35%), visibility/wiper (326, 32%) and visibility (63, 6%). Owners reported 24 crashes, 2 fires and 18 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2019 Subaru Outback complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 363 | 35% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 326 | 32% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 204 | 20% | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Visibility | 63 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 39 | 4% | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 36 | 3% | 8 | 0 | 6 |
| Steering | 36 | 3% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 27 | 3% | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 26 | 3% | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 23 | 2% | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 21 | 2% | 8 | 0 | 3 |
| Lane departure | 18 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 15 | 1% | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Air bags | 13 | 1% | 6 | 0 | 10 |
| Exterior lighting | 11 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Electrical system: 363 complaints
- 363 complaints of 1,034 (35%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 38 of them also name the unknown or other; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Subaru Outback covers this system.
Visibility/wiper: 326 complaints
- 326 complaints of 1,034 (32%) name the visibility/wiper — the windshield, windows, mirrors, wipers and defrosters.
- 24 of them also name the unknown or other; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Subaru Outback covers this system.
Visibility: 63 complaints
- 63 complaints of 1,034 (6%) name the visibility — the windshield, windows, mirrors, wipers and defrosters.
- 4 of them also name the unknown or other; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Subaru Outback covers this system.
Engine: 39 complaints
- 39 complaints of 1,034 (4%) name the engine.
- 12 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Subaru Outback covers this system.
Forward collision avoidance: 36 complaints
- 36 complaints of 1,034 (3%) name the forward collision avoidance — forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- 15 of them also name the visibility/wiper; owners reported 8 crashes and 6 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Subaru Outback covers this system.
Steering: 36 complaints
- 36 complaints of 1,034 (3%) name the steering — the steering wheel, column, gear and power-steering assist.
- 3 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2019 Subaru Outback covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 118 |
| 2020 | 230 |
| 2021 | 201 |
| 2022 | 170 |
| 2023 | 129 |
| 2024 | 114 |
| 2025 | 49 |
| 2026 | 19 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names OUTBACK, model year 2019. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2019 Subaru Outback recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Outback?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2019 Subaru Outback's most common problem areas are the electrical system (363 of 1,034 complaints), visibility/wiper (326 of 1,034 complaints) and visibility (63 of 1,034 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2019 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA has 1,034 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Subaru Outback, including 24 reported crashes and 2 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2019 Subaru Outback's problems?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Subaru Outback; 0 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.