2019 Subaru Outback: Problems & Reliability
YEAR TO AVOIDThe 2019 Subaru Outback has 1,036 NHTSA owner complaints, 410 manufacturer service bulletins, and 3 recall campaigns on federal record, led by electrical system and visibility/wiper issues. Among the 12 Subaru Outback model years with federal records, it ranks 1st by combined complaint and bulletin volume — one of the years to avoid.
Sources: NHTSA complaints (ODI), manufacturer service bulletins, recall campaigns, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Updated 2026-11-05 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
1,036
NHTSA complaints
410
Service bulletins
3
Recall campaigns
—
Avg. buyer-paid
Most-reported problem areas on the 2019 Subaru Outback
Electrical System — 364 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Visibility/Wiper — 326 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Unknown Or Other — 204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
How the 2019 compares to adjacent years
| Model year | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 816 | 420 | 3 | — |
| 2019 (this page) | 1,036 | 410 | 3 | — |
| 2020 | 905 | 587 | 6 | — |
Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Subaru Outback years to avoid.
Know what to pay for the right 2019 Subaru Outback — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
- Verified buyer-paid target price for your exact make, model & trim
- DealDrive AI negotiator reads any dealer quote and writes your counteroffer
- Comparable real deals near you, from verified transactions
Found a 2019 Subaru Outback for sale? See what the seller isn't telling you.
The CarWhere Used Car Report checks salvage records, salvage-auction listings, stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail, and full market history for one VIN — $16.99, one time.
FAQ
Is the 2019 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2019 Subaru Outback has 1,036 NHTSA owner complaints, 410 manufacturer service bulletins, and 3 recall campaigns on federal record, led by electrical system and visibility/wiper issues. Among the 12 Subaru Outback model years with federal records, it ranks 1st by combined complaint and bulletin volume — one of the years to avoid. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Outback?
The most-reported problem areas for the 2019 Subaru Outback in NHTSA owner complaints are electrical system, visibility/wiper, unknown or other. Service bulletins (410 on file) show what the manufacturer issued repair guidance for.
Does the 2019 Subaru Outback have recalls?
Yes — 3 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2019 Subaru Outback. Recall completion is VIN-specific: run the exact VIN to see whether the work was actually done on the car you're considering.
Is the 2019 Subaru Outback a good year to buy?
The 2019 is one of the Subaru Outback years to avoid by complaint and bulletin volume — the 2024 and 2025 model years show cleaner records. If the price reflects the risk and the specific car checks out by VIN, informed buyers still do fine; just don't pay clean-year money for it.
How do I check a specific 2019 Subaru Outback before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.