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: power train
38 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Aug 24, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the park position in a parking space but was unsure if the shifter was in park when without warning, the vehicle rolled down a hill and crashed into a chain link fence and burial wall. No warning lights illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to schedule an appointment to have it diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Power train, Engine, May 27, 2022
My 2019 Subaru Forester Sport only had 41,000 and the thermal control valve on it failed. The engine is running really cold and sometimes without warning certain safety feature shutoff as a result. There were no warning signals before it failed but when it went out the check engine light came on as well as about 5 other warnings. I had it diagnosed at Young Subaru in Ogden, UT. After doing some research I found that this specific part recently underwent a design change due to this malfunctioning. I’ve found several other Subaru owners that are having the exact same issue where the safety features are completely disabled as a result of this poorly manufactured part. This part needs to be recalled asap before it can continue to cause more damage to the engines or the people who drive these vehicles
Power train, May 3, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated she turned on the vehicle, left it on, and exitto close the trunk, but after forcefully closing the trunk, the vehicle began to roll backward. The contact stated the gears were set on Park and the area was an inclined driveway. The contact stated the vehicle knocked her down but she was not injured nor needed to seek medical attention. The vehicle continued to roll into the woods and was detained by a tree stump. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an auto shop and was being serviced at the moment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.
Power train, Mar 31, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while at a complete stop at the car wash waiting for his turn, the vehicle accelerated suddenly and unintendedly, and crashed into a concrete brick wall. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a whiplash, laceration on the left arm, muscle injuries in the back, skin abrasion on the upper arm, Skull laceration. The contact was pinned in his seat by the shoulder strap of the seat belt. The contact was transported to the hospital with the assistance of the emergency units. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was totaled. No police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 12, 2022
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 16, 2021
The contact's wife owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that as his wife attempted to park her vehicle into a parking spot, the vehicle independently accelerated while her foot was on the brake pedal without warning. The contact's wife steered the vehicle to avoid hitting other vehicles as the acceleration continued; she was eventually able to stop the vehicle. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning with her foot was on the accelerator pedal. His wife had to repeatedly depress the brake pedal before the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
Power train, Wheels, Service brakes, Nov 5, 2021, crash
The car was parked for a week while visiting. (It has recently had its 30,000 mi.service) When I got in and started it, all the dashboard lights lit up including check engine. I tried reaching a Subaru near where I was visiting. No luck so I called my Subaru in VT. I was told I was safe to go as long as the Check Engine wasn't blinking. It wasn't so I drove home (I did note the steering wheel felt "tight".) When I went into the dealership upon my return, they did their computer diagnostic test. It was explained it could be as simple as not tightening the gas cap. The computer turned up something in the wheel. At first, he wanted to give me an appointment a week and a half out, but then found a car he could loan me that following Monday. I wanted to know why they needed it several days. He said it was to figure out the issue. When I asked if it was safe to drive, he said it was but there was a possibility of being on the highway and losing control/not being able to stop, but that was rare. I asked about the change in steering, as though the power steering was lost, and he explained they don't have that kind of system. I drove home slowly and went no where except Sunday when I drove a couple of miles to a farm stand close by. Upon returning into the driveway, I put it in reverse to park. It accelerated and when I tried braking, it wouldn't respond. It was a though everything was locked. The car jolted. Sped. Jolted. The side airbags deployed. My arm was banged up from the airbags but nothing broken. I did not mistake the accelerator for the brake. The floor mat did not get stuck under the accelerator (I've Weather Tech Mats.) When the car got towed, it started. The tow driver said it should not have done that with the side airbags deployed. (It won't let me type in the box How Fast Were You Going. It should have been 2mph. The car accelerated and lack of braking and control contributed to the crash.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 20, 2020
WHEN DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK VERY STRONG AND HIGHWAY SPEED IS LOST MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND SUBARU IS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. THE JERKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT IT COULD BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS AND ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. THE JERKING HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS AND SOMETIMES IT IS MORE STRONG.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 20, 2020
WHEN DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THE CAR LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS .HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET CAR SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN RESTARTED CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BUT IT HAD VERY LOW POWER. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE LOW POWER AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. CAR HAD 38,467 MILES AT THIS TIME. CAR FREQUENTLY HAS A KICKBACK FEEL WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL IT HAS A DELAY RESPONSE TO MOVE. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR AXEL OF CAR SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED. DEALER CONTINUES TO SAY IT'S A TIRE NOISE AND THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BELIEVE THE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR.
Power train, Engine, Visibility/wiper, May 7, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN A SIX-MONTH PERIOD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE HOOD AND THE THICKNESS OF THE GLASS IN THE WINDSHIELD WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE FAILURES. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION WHENEVER THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE STOP/START FUNCTION WAS REACTIVATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOORE CHRYSLER JEEP FIAT (8600 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382, 800-757-0140) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2020
OFTEN, BUT NOT ALWAYS, MOSTLY WHEN TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP AS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CAR WILL HESITATE AND LOSE POWER AND SPEED. THEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SURGES FORWARD TOO FAST. I FEEL THAT I AM GOING TO STALL IN THE INTERSECTION.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 4, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AROUND 30MPH THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES HESITATE AND THEN LURCH IF THE GAS PEDAL IS VERY LIGHTLY PRESSED. SOMETIMES IT WILL DO IT AT HIGHER SPEEDS AS WELL, AROUND 50MPH BUT NOT TYPICALLY AT FREEWAY SPEED. HAPPENS ON MOUNTAIN ROADS AND CITY STREETS. MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN KEEPING SPEED WITH A CAR AHEAD. WHEN PRESSING HARDER ON THE GAS PEDAL IT IS USUALLY NOT NOTICEABLE. WHEN DRIVING IN 'SPORT' MODE OR WITH MANUAL PADDLE SHIFTERS SET AT 4TH GEAR OR LOWER IT DOES NOT HAPPEN. THIS IS A CVT SPORT MODEL. DROVE A LOANER OF THE SAME YEAR AND TRIM, WHICH SHOWED SIMILAR BEHAVIOR, ALTHOUGH LESS COMMON. SUBARU CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 22, 2019
VEHICLE QUICKLY DEVELOPED A "SURGE, SPUTTERING, JERK" TYPE ACTION WHEN COASTING OR MAINTAINING SPEEDS ABOVE 35MPH. ALSO WHEN BRAKING, THERE IS GOOD AND PREDICTABLE SPEED REDUCTION UNTIL ABOUT 10MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSIONS SEEMS TO UNLOCK AND THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD SINCE THERE IS SUDDENLY NOT ENOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION HAS SHIFTED FOR SOME REASON. DEALER HAS BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE BUT HAS NO KNOWN FIX. BRAND NEW CAR 1 MONTH OLD AND IT RUNS LIKE A BRAND NEW CAR SHOULD, UNTIL YOU GET TO MAINTAINING CRUISING SPEEDS. VERY DISAPPOINTING TO HAVE THIS ONE ISSUE WITH SOMETHING THAT IS OTHERWISE A FANTASTIC CAR.