2019 Subaru Outback MPG
The 2019 Subaru Outback gets 20–25 mpg in the city and 27–32 on the highway (22–28 combined), across the 2 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive, at 28 mpg combined. At the other end, the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive manages 22 mpg combined, 6 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2018 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 32 | 28 | Regular · 320 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback AWD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular · 398 g CO₂/mi |
2019 Subaru Outback fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2019 Subaru Outback costs about $2,330 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (28 mpg combined), or roughly 16 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (22 mpg combined) comes to about $2,970 a year, $640 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2019 Subaru Outback specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2019 Subaru Outback: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.6 L 6-cyl. It came with a CVT, with all-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Small Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (AV-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2019 Subaru Outback problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 1,036 owner complaints about the 2019 Subaru Outback.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (28% of component mentions), followed by visibility/wiper (25%) and visibility (5%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 128 complaints a year: more than the 2018 (90 a year) and about as many as the 2020 (127 a year).
No other Subaru Outback model year from 2008 to 2024 has more complaints per year on sale.
Of the 1,036, 24 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 12 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 367 | 28% |
| Visibility/wiper | 326 | 25% |
| Unknown or other | 204 | 16% |
| Visibility | 64 | 5% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 46 | 4% |
| Engine | 39 | 3% |
| Steering | 36 | 3% |
| Structure | 28 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 26 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 23 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 21 | 2% |
| Lane departure | 20 | 2% |
| Power train | 16 | 1% |
| Air bags | 13 | 1% |
| Exterior lighting | 11 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 9 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 9 | <1% |
| Equipment | 7 | <1% |
| Suspension | 7 | <1% |
| Seats | 5 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 2 | <1% |
| Tires | 2 | <1% |
| Wheels | 2 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | <1% |
| Padding insert | 1 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
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. …
Noticed a huge crack in my windshield this morning before leaving for work. Definitely some sort of stress fracture. Not from any kind of impact or rock chip. It was not there yesterday. …
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. …
2019 Subaru Outback recalls
The 2019 Subaru Outback has been the subject of 3 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 21V587000 from July 2021, concerns gasoline fuel system.
Gasoline fuel system accounts for 2 of the 3 campaigns, more than any other area.
20V218000 · April 16, 2020 · Gasoline fuel system
Problem: 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.
19V493000 · June 26, 2019 · Structure
Problem: 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.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Outback years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21V587000 | July 29, 2021 | Gasoline fuel system | 2018–2020 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2019 Subaru Outback; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Subaru Outbacks can be compared fairly. Among other 2019 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 (29 mpg), 2019 Nissan Rogue (29 mpg) and 2019 Subaru Forester (29 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 28 | 643 | 58 | 4 |
| 2017 | 28 | 919 | 91 | 4 |
| 2018 | 28 | 816 | 90 | 3 |
| 2019 | 28 | 1,036 | 128 | 3 |
| 2020 | 29 | 901 | 127 | 6 |
| 2021 | 29 | 298 | 49 | 4 |
| 2022 | 29 | 465 | 92 | 4 |
Every Subaru Outback model year compared →
Similar 2019 models
FAQ
Is the 2019 Outback a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2019 Subaru Outback has 128 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (the most of its 17 model years), 3 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 28 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2019 Outback problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (367), visibility/wiper (326) and visibility (64). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2019 Outback have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Outback get?
The EPA rates the versions at 22–28 mpg combined (20–25 city, 27–32 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Outback per year?
About $2,330 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,970 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).