2019 Subaru Outback problems
The 2019 Subaru Outback has 1,030 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2019 Subaru Outback has 1,030 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 358 complaints, typically surfacing around 19,656 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Outback | 639 | 0 |
| 2017 Outback | 917 | 2 |
| 2018 Outback | 805 | 0 |
| 2019 Outback (this page) | 1,030 | 0 |
| 2020 Outback | 893 | 0 |
| 2021 Outback | 291 | 1 |
| 2022 Outback | 456 | 2 |
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2019 Subaru Outback SW AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2019 Subaru Outback? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 358 owner reports · tends to show around 19,656 mi · ~$850 to fix
- visibility — 346 owner reports · tends to show around 17,173 mi · ~$350 to fix
- steering — 35 owner reports · tends to show around 7,296 mi · ~$700 to fix
- body — 21 owner reports · tends to show around 9,052 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: cruise control is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 16,601 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 6.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2019 Subaru Outback
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2019 Subaru Outback
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~5,000 misteering~$700
- ~12,000 mivisibility~$350
- ~12,000 micruise control~$600
- ~13,563 mielectrical~$850
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Ongoing for several months. Battery will have parasitic drain that is causing me to have to jump start the car frequently. There are no warning lamps or light. I have not gone to dealer as I read on the internet it is a DCM module that costs several hundreds to fix.…
Front windshield cracked, first on the drivers side. Crack started halfway up near where it is glued and then spread out about 2 feet directly in the drivers view, very minor impact according to Subaru dealer. Four days later an other crack started halfway up on the passengers…
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…
Windshield cracked overnight in garage without any driving or other incident Crack is over 12 inches long
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2019 Subaru Outback reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 1,030 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Subaru Outback has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2019 Subaru Outback?
The 2019 Subaru Outback is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2019 Subaru Outback?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 358 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 19,656 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2019 Subaru Outback a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,030 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 19,656 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2019 Subaru Outback?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 358 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 19,656 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 19,656 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Outback has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 Subaru Outback?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,030 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.