2019 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Visibility/wiper is the leading concern among 833 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 37 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 21 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, rearApr 15, 2021
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21.
Campaign 21V263000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)Dec 2, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
Campaign 19V856000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemFeb 6, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.
Campaign 19V065000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: forward collision avoidance
43 reports, newest first. Show all
Forward collision avoidance, Jun 5, 2023
First problem was eyesight was not engaging. Had diagnostics run and they said there was no problem. That problem continued. Second problem was when I was sitting at a red light. When the light turned green and I started to go, Eyesight engaged and totally shut the car off. It had to be placed in Park and restarted. Dealer said they have never heard of this. Internet says it's a problem. I had contacted Subaru headquarters after 1st incident. They paid for diagnostics, but would not respond after I contacted them to say it continued. Dealer and headquarters blew me off.
Power train, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, May 5, 2023
Eye-sight system shutdown and the car, although it was drivable, ran rough. Since there is a huge reliance on the monitors as they are designed to "forward think" to aid the driver, this was a major disruption to the driving experience. Not knowing what the disabled components affected, was a huge cause for alarm. Upon seeing the check engine light come, my wife brought the car home and I hooked up my device to read the code (P26A3 - showed up). Then I looked up that code and was directed to multiple incidents where that very same thing has become frequent on this model and a few others like it. We called the Winston-Salem NC Subaru Dealer (Flow) and they suggested we bring the Forester in for a check. Once they checked the vehicle out and confirmed the code we mentioned, they told us the "TCV" problem was found on our vehicle and they have seen others with the same problem. They even had the parts in stock to make the repair that day! They kept the parts and said they were going to be sent back to Subaru of America for analysis.Interesting detail: once we drove the repaired vehicle, it ran better than it ever had and the only work they did was to fix the TCV issue (according to the repair paperwork).
Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 26, 2023
THERMO CONTROL VALVE (TCV) is suspected. I am a member of 2019 Forester group on facebook and reports are quit common for these model year. The check engine light is on and RAB system/eyesight is disabled.
Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 25, 2023
* Eyesight disabled and Thermal Control Valve-P26A3 diagnostic code. Vehicle is available upon request. * Eyesight immediately disabled and maintaining that all safety features are disabled. Safety features that are relied upon, disengaged, and aborted for literally a Subaru known engine issue (TSB #09-80-21) - THAT IS SAFETY AT RISK to everyone that owns a Subaru with this issue. * 2 Independent services confirmed diagnostic- P26A3 *Subaru was requested to review when the vehicle was in for recall inspection. * No warning lamps, messages or any other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The warning lights and safety features disengaged all appeared at one time.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 21, 2022
There have been multiple incidents where the automatic collision braking system has almost caused me to be in an accident. Although it can be turned off, you must remember to do it manually each time you turn the car on. The dealership has not offered a choice to have this dangerous feature permanently disabled. In this incident, traffic in front of me started to slow down significantly, and I started to make a lane change into the left lane which was open. In the middle of the lane change, the brakes slammed on, which meant if anyone was approaching in the left, they would have to quickly slam theirs on to not rear end me. It is honestly very scary to find yourself suddenly not in control of your vehicle when a human is better able to interpret a constantly evolving situation than a computer system. Case in point, the last time I was scared half to death, the brakes slammed on while I was driving unobstructed as a car pulled out from a store far ahead of me into the lane to my right. I was in the middle lane. At no time was the car crossing into my lane. It had just started to pull out, and my brakes slammed on. If the person behind me didn’t think fast, I would have been hit. There have been lawsuits against Subaru’s eyesight feature because it misinterprets items like trash cans or cones as obstacles. The braking system is going to cause serious harm to someone, and I personally am tired of almost being in accidents because the car brakes without warning. I don’t know at this point what to do to get it disable. Safety features aren’t supposed to cause harm.
Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 17, 2022
The Thermo Control Valve has failed and threw a check engine light. This disables the Eye Sight System and causes no heat or defrosters. There seems to be a huge backorder with no ETA in sight for the replacement part. When this part fails there is no defrosters, no crash warning, no emergency braking....
Engine, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 2, 2022
TCV valve failed and as a result RAB and Eyesight were disabled. The TCV has a known defective design and there is a bulletin about it. MC-10208664-0001 https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10208664-0001.pdf
Power train, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 11, 2022
On 10/7/2022, all the warning lights came on and stayed on, even after tightening the fuel cap and replacing the battery. I brought the car to Ocala Subaru this morning, and paid for a diagnostic that shows the Thermal Control Valve needs replacement. Apparently this is now a common problem on this year and model Subaru. I was told that this is not covered under the powertrain warranty, even though it is part of the engine assembly, and is a very expensive repair, even though the car has only 43,669 miles on it. I was told the part is on national back order and that the car is okay to drive, but that most of the safety systems that have the lit warning lights are now disabled. This is the car my wife uses to transport our 6-year-old granddaughter to school and swim practice and events, as well as elsewhere, and I feel this has compromised their safety and warrants a recall.
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 4, 2022
While on freeway at night on 9/28/22 about 8pm several dashboard lights activated including check engine, eyesight assisted safety light, steering and safety controls disabled, all at once! I pulled over and called Subaru for assistance. Called AAA. AAA suggested I drive vehicle off freeway. I went to brothers and he noted car not overheated and drive short distance home. Car manuals did not explain so many warning lights. Drove car to Roseville Subaru next day and determined that engine part had failed to leave for repair. Dealer service agent Raj would not provide any details, strange? Went online and found Subaru Service Bulletin #09-80-21 dated 2/28/22 indicating thermo valve defective causing warning lights, and to replace. I felt unsafe as on freeway at risk at night and am elderly. Subaru bulletin shows part faulty as of June7,21 per s.bulletin. Why not recalled by now? Unsafe to drive this car as steering, braking, and driver assistance systems all fail to operate at once and I was not sure if I could control car. Virtually every safety system shut down as simultaneously the speed control, collision monitoring and lane control all stopped working. Furthermore, dealer can't estimate when part is available or provide me a lender car. I am a cancer patient at risk! This car only has 17,000 miles and is not safe or reliable and the dealer won't help. Please help asap!
Steering, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 15, 2022
The lane keeping assist even when shut off prevents lane changes. A truck drifted into my lane and I had to use extreme force to steer over the car. The collision assist will randomly brake at high way speeds, also while off. The brakes will get squishy, not properly engage and make funny noises while the parking collision is off as well.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 24, 2022
My 2019 Subaru Forester experienced an unexpected (random) activation of the pre-collision avoidance automatic breaking feature. While driving on a major city road (dry, sunny, typical Arizona conditions) at approx 40-45 mph the system activated despite there being no obstacle (car or otherwise) anywhere near the vehicle. The nearest car was at least about half a mile ahead. The break force applied was the strongest I have experienced in 24 years of driving. This is not the first time I have experience this issue in this specific vehicle. A similar occurrence happened more than a year ago.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 9, 2022
Windshield cracked around September 10 of 2021. Forward warning went off at times since crack. I had windshield replaced and new windshield cracked 4 months later. I must pay $500.00 deductible. Now the crack on new windshield is 3 weeks old and has spread to approximately 15 inches. Windshield must be replaced again. Forward safety now goes off at times as with previous windshield when it was cracked.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 22, 2022, crash
I was on a sharp incline at idle behind a line of cars, waiting for the light to turn green and my Subaru Forrester surged forward, out of my control, and hit the back of the vehicle in front of me, causing damage to my vehicle and the one in front of me. I questioned the Subaru service center regarding it and they did not have a means to report the incident to Subaru for investigation, but offered to do a service check on the transmission of the car. Coincidentally (or of uncertain significance), I had been waiting on a back ordered part from Subaru for a malfunctioning thermal control valve that caused a check engine light to be continually displayed on my dash, disabling some of the safety features of the vehicle. They assured me that the malfunctioning part would have nothing to do with any surging problems and that it was safe to drive the car until the part could be replaced.
Forward collision avoidance, Mar 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF ROADWAY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE FAILURE, THERE WAS NO OBJECTS OR VEHICLES NEARBY TO CAUSE THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER ROYAL SUBARU LOCATED 3333 EAST 3RD ST, BLOOMINGTON, IN 47401 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,900.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 9, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED SOMETIME BETWEEN 2/16/21 AND 3/4/21. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED ON 2/13/21 FROM DEALERSHIP. CAME OUT TO GO TO WORK ON 3/4/21 AND FOUND LARGE CRACK ACROSS WINDSHIELD. I HAD NO INSTANCES OF OBJECTS HITTING WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED INITIAL CRACK. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED NUMEROUS SUBARU OWNERS COMPLAINING OF DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS IN MODEL YEARS FROM 2017 - 2019. COST TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD AND RECALIBRATE EYESIGHT FEATURE EXPECTED TO COST IN EXCESS OF $1,000. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS DUE TO MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. CASE #1-66770999440
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 5, 2021
MY CARS WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED FROM THE BASE UP OVER 12 INCHES. THE CURIOUS THING ABOUT IT IS I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT IN THREE WEEKS DUE TO FOOT SURGERY AND IT HAS BEEN PARKER. THERE ARE NO TREES OR POSSIBILITY OF DEBRIS NEARBY. I DIDN'T HAVE A CRACK BEFORE MY SURGERY, MY CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN NOR HAS IT BEEN TAMPERED WITH. I HAVE A CAMERA ON IT 24 HOURS A DAY THAT NOTIFIES ME IF ANYONE COMES NEAR. THE CRACK IS DEEP AND LONG AND SUBARU HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR THE SAFETY OF IT'S WINDSHIELDS BEING DEFECTIVE. SINCE I HAVEN'T DRIVEN ANYWHERE IT IS CONCERNING THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED SO BADLY.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 30, 2020
THE CAR HAS 12600ISH MILES. THERE ARE NO ROCK CHIPS, ETC. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY WHEN WE PARKED LAST NIGHT AND NOW THERE IS A 6 INCH CRACK COMING FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF ROCKS, DRIVING OVER BUMPS, ETC.THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE A CRACK WHEN WE PARKED IT LAST NIGHT AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN DOES TODAY.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 6, 2020, crash
DRIVING DOWN A SIDE STREET I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE I HIT THE BRAKES AND INSTEAD LURCHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ABOUT 8 FEET AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. DURING THIS TIME I REPEATEDLY PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD NO RESPONSE. AFTER HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED AT THE COLLISION CENTER THEY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SUBARU. SUBARU RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. AFTER I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE COLLISION CENTER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DETECTOR WOULD NOT GO OFF FOR MY WIFE WHO WEIGHS UNDER 100 POUNDS.'TO CLARIFY THE SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF.' I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. TOTAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS ABOUT $8200 AND I'M NOT CERTAIN OF THE DAMAGES TO THE OTHER VEHICLE.