NHTSA has received 1,036 owner complaints about the 2019 Subaru Outback, or 133.0 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical (complaint index 3.30, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 78 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #74 of 78 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Subaru models its rate is 266% higher; against other Midsize SUVs it is 153% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-08-18 and 2026-10-10. Median delay from incident to filing: 9 days.
1,036Complaints
133.0Complaints per year on the road
3.3Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
2.5%Share involving a crash or fire
24Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 92.6 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 132.4 per year, about the same. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 352 complaints, 344% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Body & structure (36.4% of complaints), followed by Electrical (34.4%) and Unspecified or other (12.6%). Body & structure complaints are 4.0 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 26 reports (2.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 18 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 29 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (28% of incidents). In the last 12 months 24 new complaints were filed, versus 65 in the 12 months before — down 63%.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles3.3
vs. other Subaru models3.66
vs. other 2019 models2.95
vs. other Midsize SUVs2.53
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (352)4.44
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!
Brakes · 2026-08-12 · ODI 11756599 · Crash
The driver lost control of the vehicle, possibly due to a failure involving the rear driver's-side tire. The vehicle initially made contact with the guardrail, causing moderate damage to the driver's side.
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.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-10 · ODI 11770319
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.
Electrical · 2026-10-01 · ODI 11768331
Subaru has a tsb for a steering rack pinion rattle noise problem front end rattle, Subaru refused to repair it
Steering · 2026-09-24 · ODI 11766804
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
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.
Risk: 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.
