Recall 19V493 affects 2,107 2019 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles for improper cowl-area spot welds. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
Subaru is recalling 2,107 2019 Outback and Legacy vehicles because spot welds below the cowl panel were improperly applied, reducing body strength. In a crash, that reduced strength increases the risk of injury, and Subaru dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The duct below the cowl panel sits in the body structure near the base of the windshield on affected 2019 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles. Spot welds are small fused joints that hold that duct to the surrounding body metal. Those welds help the structure carry loads the way Subaru designed it to.
On vehicles covered by recall 19V493, some of those spot welds were not applied properly during part production. Subaru traced the problem to a welder whose tip was not being cleaned and shaped correctly because metal chips or powder blocked the grinding machine. When the welder is less effective, the joint does not have the intended strength.
The concern is body strength, not a loose trim piece or a normal wear item. A weak weld in this area means the vehicle body does not match the intended structure. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Subaru lists Outback and Legacy under the same body or structural component.
| 2019 Subaru Outback | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2019 Subaru Legacy | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 2,107 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
The risk is reduced crash protection: in a crash, the weaker body structure leaves occupants with less protection from injury. There is no warning sign before this crash-related problem, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the dealer inspection promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Subaru dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Subaru Outback or Legacy is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the free body-structure inspection for the spot welds below the cowl panel.
- Bring the recall notice if Subaru mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V493 when you call.
- Ask the dealer whether the inspection result calls for repair or repurchase; Subaru covers the remedy at no charge.
- Keep the appointment even if the vehicle looks normal; the spot-weld issue is under the cowl panel.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Subaru technician inspects the spot welds on the duct below the cowl panel, the area tied to the vehicle's body strength. Subaru will repair the vehicle or repurchase it, as needed, free of charge under recall 19V493. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related body structure repair, Subaru has a general reimbursement plan on file. Bring repair documentation to the service desk and ask how to submit it through Subaru customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 26, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 26, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| July 1, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 26, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 26, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V493?
Recall 19V493 covers 2,107 2019 Subaru Outback and Legacy vehicles with spot welds under the cowl panel that were improperly applied, reducing body strength. In a crash, that reduced strength increases injury risk. Subaru dealers will inspect the vehicle and repair or repurchase it for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Subaru Outback or Legacy is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V493. If it is, contact a franchised Subaru dealer to schedule the inspection. Reference Subaru recall WUH-93 when you call. Subaru began recall notices on July 26, 2019, and the dealer remedy is free.
Does the Subaru recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires Subaru to perform the recall remedy at no cost. A franchised Subaru dealer will inspect the vehicle and either repair or repurchase it as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 19V493?
The safety risk is reduced body strength in a crash. The improperly applied spot welds are located on the duct below the cowl panel, and Subaru's recall filing states that reduced body strength increases injury risk during a crash.
What if I bought my 2019 Subaru Outback or Legacy used?
The free recall remedy still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2019 Subaru Outback or Legacy is included, then call a franchised Subaru dealer and reference recall WUH-93.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V493000 |
|---|---|
| Subaru customer service | 1-844-373-6614 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V493 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V493000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →