Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2019 Subaru OutbackRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 1,036 owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Outback. Most complaints involve electrical system (364) and visibility/wiper (326). The EPA rates it 22–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
22–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2021
Owner complaints
1,036
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jul 29, 2021NHTSA 21V587000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Apr 16, 2020NHTSA 20V218000

Structure

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Jun 26, 2019NHTSA 19V493000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,036 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system364
  2. Visibility/wiper326
  3. Visibility63
  4. Engine39
  5. Steering36
  6. Forward collision avoidance36
  7. Structure27
  8. Vehicle speed control26
  9. Fuel/propulsion system23

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Outback model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005273
2006281
2007130
2008230
2009112
2010360
2011653
2012295
2013297
2014208
2015509
2016642
2017921
2018816
20191,036
2020905
2021299
2022465
202389
20242
202583
202621
Crashes reported
24
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
18
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

364 reports1 crash
“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. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by email. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2026Electrical systemODI 11768331

Visibility/wiper

326 reports
“I have experienced two separate incidents of spontaneous windshield cracking on my 2019 Subaru Outback, with no external impact or road debris involved. The first windshield crack occurred, and Subaru replaced it under warranty after inspection showed no signs of impact. The second crack occurred again without any collision or impact. However, Subaru has now refused to cover the second incident, even though it clearly follows the same pattern. There is no visible point of impact. The cracks appear to originate near the bottom edge of the windshield and spread rapidly. I park the vehicle in a safe residential area and have not driven over rough terrain or been involved in any accidents. I have also referenced a known class action lawsuit involving similar spontaneous cracking issues with windshields in Subaru vehicles, including the 2017–2020 Outback and Legacy models. This suggests a manufacturing or design defect affecting structural integrity. This issue creates a serious visibility and safety hazard for drivers and passengers, especially if the windshield fails further while the vehicle is in motion. Subaru’s failure to cover a known defect and repeated…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2025Visibility/wiperODI 11662335

Visibility

63 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH the front windshield cracked approximately 6 inches from the heat sensor, no warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted however the vehicle was not diagnosed as the contact was advised that the vehicles VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,250.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2026VisibilityODI 11754601
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S7) · Automatic (AV-S6)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Outback AWD
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
253228$2,300320
Outback AWD
Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
202722$2,900398
  • Outback AWD
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    25 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Outback AWD
    Auto (AV-S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Subaru Outback SW AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 13399
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 Outback questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Outback have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Subaru Outback problems?

Owners filed 1,036 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (364), visibility/wiper (326), visibility (63). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Subaru Outback get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Subaru Outback at 22–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Subaru Outback?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Subaru Outback 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026