The Lemon Index

All cars · Subaru Outback · 2019

2019 Subaru Outback. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index391100 = average car
Complaints723NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold181,178U.S. model year
Per 100K sold399complaints
Year rank#21 of 22#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (AV-S7)AWD25 / 32 / 28Regular$2,200
3.6L 6-cylAuto (AV-S6)AWD20 / 27 / 22Regular$2,850

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,000 and 22,000 miles. Median 10,200, from 470 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical13,0006,000–24,700104
Wipers & visibility10,0004,700–16,800201
Visibility26,00013,500–40,10061
Engine9,3001,800–27,70013
Steering2,000200–5,00021

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Wipers & visibility39%
Electrical30%
Visibility8%
Automatic emergency braking5%
Steering4%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1,03624212024

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 21V587000 Jul 2021 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. 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.

  • 20V218000 Apr 2020 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    Defect. 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.

  • 19V493000 Jun 2019 Structure

    Defect. 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.

Manufacturer communications 430

Subaru filed 430 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • This Service Information Bulletin is in response to several battery sensor replacements resulting
  • Announcement to Subaru Retailers regarding the preliminary settlement in a class action…
  • Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Subaru Outback SW AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardStandard

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2015–2019 Subaru Outback, 18.8M views.

TopicVideosViews
Timing chain & engine3452K
Gauges, lights & wiring3276K
Transmission & shifter3252K
Brakes & ABS2227K
Spark plugs & ignition coils2218K
Oil leaks & gaskets1176K
Windows, doors & mirrors2166K
Infotainment, battery & electrical2150K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2016116212182,898Wipers & visibility
2017204406188,886Wipers & visibility
2018316580178,854Wipers & visibility
2019391723181,178Wipers & visibility
2020551794153,290Wipers & visibility
2021176262154,623Wipers & visibility
2022239432147,262Wipers & visibility

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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