Owners have reported 22 crashes, 2 fires and 17 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 Subaru Outback. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints354
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report persistent battery drain issues in the 2019 Subaru Outback, often attributed to the Data Communications Module (DCM). Complaints frequently mention the need for frequent battery replacements, with some owners experiencing battery failure within days or weeks of replacement, causing the vehicle to become undriveable without a jump start. The battery drain issue is noted across various mileage ranges, with some reports indicating failures as early as 40,000 miles. Additionally, several owners describe malfunctioning infotainment systems, including unresponsive touchscreens and random changes in radio settings, which are both distracting and potentially hazardous while driving. While no crashes are noted in the provided excerpts, the inability to start the vehicle reliably poses safety concerns, particularly in emergency situations.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints283
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback frequently report spontaneous windshield cracking without any apparent impact or external cause. These cracks often originate from the edges or the center of the windshield and can expand rapidly, sometimes obstructing visibility. Complaints commonly note that these incidents occur even when the vehicle is parked or driving under normal conditions, with some owners experiencing multiple cracks over a few years, often at low mileages like 10,000 miles or within the first 39,000 miles of ownership. Several reports mention potential safety concerns, such as impaired visibility and compromised structural integrity, which could affect the vehicle's safety systems like lane assist. This pattern of windshield issues might be of interest to potential buyers considering a used 2019 Subaru Outback.
Owner complaints152
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the infotainment system and windshield. Complaints often describe the infotainment system experiencing "ghost touches," where the screen malfunctions by autonomously selecting options, making random phone calls, and changing radio stations, with some reports indicating screen delamination and bubbling. Additionally, owners commonly mention windshield cracking, often occurring without impact and sometimes while the vehicle is stationary. These issues typically emerge at various mileage points, with some infotainment problems appearing around the 100,000-mile mark. Safety implications include significant driver distraction due to the infotainment system's erratic behavior and compromised visibility from cracked windshields.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints35
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback frequently report steering issues, with symptoms such as the vehicle pulling to the left or right unexpectedly, a loose or shaky steering feel, and difficulty maintaining lane control at highway speeds. These issues are often described as occurring at various speeds, particularly above 40 MPH, and some owners indicate the problems began shortly after purchase or around 20,000 to 55,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as one complaint involves a crash and multiple reports suggest a loss of control. Additionally, some owners mention the manual lever adjustment for the steering column collapsing intermittently, further contributing to steering instability. This information is particularly relevant for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints19
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with unintended acceleration, often occurring when the vehicle is at low speeds or while attempting to park. Common symptoms include the car accelerating suddenly while the brake is depressed, with no warning lights or system alerts preceding the incidents. These events have led to several crashes, typically at low mileage ranges, with some reports indicating damage to property or other vehicles. Complaints also mention potential malfunctions with the adaptive cruise control system, where the vehicle either accelerates unexpectedly or fails to maintain set speeds, contributing to collisions. Used car buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially given the reported crashes and potential safety risks associated with loss of control.
Severity signals: 7 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints14
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback frequently report issues related to the power train, notably involving unintended acceleration and transmission problems. Several complaints describe sudden acceleration incidents, sometimes leading to crashes, with one resulting in injury. Transmission issues include slippage, getting stuck in gear, and complete failure to move, often occurring around 50,000 to 80,000 miles. There is also a report of a fire starting between the engine and transmission. These issues present significant safety implications, including loss of vehicle control and potential fire hazards, which are critical considerations for used car buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints13
ENGINE
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback frequently report issues related to unintended acceleration and engine component failures. Complaints describe symptoms such as rapid unintended acceleration, often requiring drivers to shift into park to stop the vehicle from lunging forward, as well as a lack of acceleration when needed, which has led to a crash in one instance. Engine component issues include failures of the Tumble Generator Valve and cam carrier seepage, with some owners experiencing these problems as early as 42,000 miles. Additionally, multiple owners note exhaust leaks and abnormal coolant odors, with symptoms appearing at various mileages, sometimes as low as 4 miles. These issues could pose safety risks, including potential exposure to carbon monoxide and loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints11
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with airbag non-deployment during crashes, with five incidents involving collisions and nine injuries noted. Complaints often describe situations where the airbag warning light illuminates intermittently, sometimes linked to cold weather or specific electronic devices like phone chargers. Several reports indicate faulty occupant detection control modules or seat sensors, leading to airbag deactivation even when seats are occupied. These issues arise at varying mileages, with no consistent pattern, and have significant safety implications, especially in crash scenarios where airbags fail to deploy. Prospective buyers should be aware of these reported airbag system malfunctions and their potential impact on vehicle safety.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 9 injury reports
Owner complaints9
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback frequently report issues with the vehicle's braking system, including unintended acceleration and brake pedal sinking. Several complaints describe scenarios where the vehicle accelerates unexpectedly, even when the brake pedal is pressed, leading to crashes and injuries. Additionally, some owners note that the brake pedal sinks to the floor under light to medium pressure, requiring the pedal to be pumped to restore functionality. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges, with some incidents occurring around 24,000 miles. The reports highlight significant safety implications, including five crashes and three injuries, suggesting potential risks for loss of control.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback frequently report issues related to the fuel pump, with symptoms including the vehicle stalling or not starting, often accompanied by a gasoline odor and, in some cases, visible fuel leaks. These problems occur at varying mileages, with some reports around 30,000 to 38,500 miles. Several complaints highlight that the vehicle loses power while driving, posing potential safety risks, especially when this occurs on highways or in heavy traffic. Some owners mention that their vehicles were not covered by existing recalls, despite experiencing similar issues, and others report problems persisting even after recall-related repairs. These issues suggest a notable concern for potential buyers regarding the reliability of the fuel system in this model year.
