Should I buy a 2019 Subaru Outback with documented fuel system problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented fuel system issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2019 Subaru Outback fuel system problems

moderate Owners of the 2019 Subaru Outback have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the fuel system at roughly $1,200 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See fuel system across all vehicles →

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Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$1,200

fuel system complaints on the Subaru Outback, by model year
Model year	fuel system complaints
2018 Outback	3
2019 Outback (this page)	8

What stands out

Among the 5 model years of Subaru Outback in our records for fuel system problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.

All 2 active fuel system recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 21V587000 July 29, 2021

Subaru of America, Inc

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

severe NHTSA 20V218000 April 16, 2020

Subaru of America, Inc

If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin WRG-21R May 2022

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a new safety recall for certain 2019-2020 MY Ascent, 2018-2019 MY BRZ, 2018 MY Forester (Turbo), 2018-2020 MY Impreza, 2018-2020 MY Legacy, 2018-2020 MY Outback, and 2018-2019 MY WRX vehicles in which the fuel pump may become inoperative.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin WRG-21R Dec 2021

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin WRG-21 Nov 2021

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin WRG-21R Oct 2021

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin Subarunet Announ Oct 2021

WRG-21 Fuel Pump Impeller Failure Safety Recall â Owner Notification.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 0 most recent

Had fuel system trouble with your 2019 Subaru Outback? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2019 Subaru Outback?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to fuel system?

Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Subaru/Outback. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.