SubaruOutback2019Overview/subaru/outback/2019/base/

2019 Subaru Outback

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Outback.

Body SUV

The 2019 Subaru Outback is a midsize SUV built on the brand’s familiar platform, and it requires 5.1 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil—a specific maintenance detail that owners should note. This model year stands out in the Outback’s reliability history for the wrong reasons: it generated 1,029 owner complaints, the highest total recorded across the model’s 1995–2026 span, with the electrical system cited as the top problem area and three recalls issued. For researchers, the 2019 Outback represents the reliability low point in the model’s long-term record, signaling that this year carries more documented issues than any other.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · 490 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · 490 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225/60R18 100HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Curb weight3558 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Outback of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.9–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2018 3.6R Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20183.6R Touring 3.6L F-66.90 sec15.20 sec256 hpAWD
20182.5i Limited 2.5L F-49.40 sec17.20 sec175 hpAWD
20173.6R Touring 3.6L F-67.10 sec15.60 sec256 hpAWD
20162.5i Limited PZEV 2.5L F-49.50 sec17.40 sec175 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-66.90 sec15.40 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.30 sec15.70 sec256 hpAWD
20153.6R Limited 3.6L F-67.50 sec15.80 sec256 hpAWD
20152.5i Premium PZEV 2.5L F-49.10 sec17.00 sec175 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.1 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-3-2-5-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.4 qt
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.4 qt
Brake FluidDot 3
Engine CoolantSubaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity7.4
Engine CoolantSubaru Super coolant, P/N SOA868V9270
Engine Coolant Capacity8.2
Engine Oil0W-20 · Synthetic

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts144.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts89 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162.0
Rear Wheel Hub177.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-3-2-5-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)675 Setting Speed. 650 Checking Speed. rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)850 Speed up rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)150 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Setting Speed rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.880 - 1.00 lbs
Oil TypeND-12 or equivalent
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberJ15 #: 75D23R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca

Service checks

RPM50.0 @ Idle. rpm
RPM50.0 @ Idle. rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 16; Rear: 19.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 100 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.023; Rear: .590
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 21 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°-95°.89 in
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 degrees +/-515 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
121.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 73.8 ft. lbs., Step 3: Loosen all bolts 180° in the reverse order of installation., Step 4: Loosen all bolts 180° in the reverse order of installation., Step 5: 31 ft. lbs., Step 6: Turn 78-82°, Step 7: Turn bolts 1 & 2: 73-77°, Step 8: Tighten Bolts 6, 5, 4, 3 in that order: 28-32°.21.4 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-814.8 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30°-35°.22 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 41°-45°.89 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 12,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 24,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 72,000 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 137,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2019 Subaru Outback sits at the apex of a steep multi-year complaint trajectory, logging 1,029 federal complaints—the highest single-year total in the provided dataset and well above the 805 recorded in 2018 and 917 in 2017—while carrying only 3 recalls and 0 investigations. Complaint volume climbed steadily from 505 in 2015 to this 2019 peak before retreating to 891 in 2020 and 291 in 2021, even as recalls remained relatively low throughout that period. The 2019 model’s grievances concentrate most heavily in the Electrical System and Visibility/Wiper categories, with 281 and 271 complaints respectively, though the federal data does not specify root causes for these reports. With 23 crash-related and 2 fire-related complaints also on file, the year documents a significant subset of severe reports within its overall complaint load. Because 2019 represents the peak of documented complaints in this record without a corresponding surge in recalls to explain or remediate the volume, it is not the strongest year to buy; prospective owners should budget for thorough pre-purchase inspection of electrical and visibility systems or consider years with lower federal complaint counts.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
413
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,029
Owner complaints
23 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,029 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System281
Visibility/Wiper271
Unknown Or Other125
Visibility55
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other27
Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper23
Steering22
Engine14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V493000StructureReported 26/06/2019

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. 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…

21V587000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 29/07/2021

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 413 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
16-156-25R2026-06-02Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…
02-195-262026-06-01Electrical SystemThis bulletin announces the availability of reprogramming files for the Engine Control…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
16-156-25R2026-05-13Power TrainThis bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Outback. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Outback take?

5.1 qt of 0W-20 Synthetic, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Outback have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.