NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 151 complaints against the 2019 Subaru Outback. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2019 Subaru Outback complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2019 Subaru Outback is required to pay your attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail — meaning representation costs you nothing.
California’s lemon law is more favorable to consumers than the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Under Song-Beverly, you do not need to participate in the manufacturer’s arbitration program before filing a claim, and the burden shifts to Subaru once the presumption under § 1793.22" is triggered. A licensed California lemon law attorney can evaluate whether your 2019 Subaru Outback meets these thresholds.
Filing a 2019 Subaru Outback lemon law claim in California involves several important steps. The process is designed to protect your rights while giving the manufacturer a fair opportunity to remedy the defect. Below is a step-by-step overview reviewed by Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., a licensed California lemon law attorney (State Bar #362320).
Keep a complete file of every dealer repair order, work order, and invoice related to your 2019 Subaru Outback. This includes visits where the dealer could not replicate the problem or said nothing was wrong. Under California law, each visit counts as a repair attempt regardless of outcome. Request a written repair order at every visit that describes the problem you reported, the diagnosis, and any work performed.
You must give Subaru and its authorized dealers a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.2, the manufacturer must maintain sufficient service and repair facilities to carry out warranty terms. If the dealer cannot fix the issue, ask them to document this in writing and consider visiting a different authorized Subaru dealer for additional repair attempts.
Once you believe your 2019 Subaru Outback meets the lemon law presumption thresholds (four repair attempts for non-safety defects, two for safety defects, or 30 cumulative days out of service), contact a lemon law attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Subaru pays your attorney’s fees if you prevail — there is no cost to you.
Your attorney will send a demand letter to Subaru on your behalf, outlining the defect history, the applicable statutory provisions, and the relief sought (repurchase or replacement). Most California lemon law cases are resolved through negotiation or mediation without going to trial.
If Subaru agrees to a repurchase, you will receive a refund of your purchase price (down payment plus all payments), minus a mileage offset calculated from the date of first repair presentation. If the manufacturer does not cooperate, your attorney can file a lawsuit in California Superior Court. Prevailing plaintiffs are entitled to attorney’s fees, costs, and potentially a civil penalty of up to two times the actual damages for willful violations.
eh, Esq. — California State Bar Profile ↗