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: other or unspecified
144 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, May 14, 2022
The battery drains while the vehicle is off. The car is frequently dead after being off for a short period of time, requiring jump starts and replacement batteries far more often than with a typical vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2022
2019 Subaru Forester My windshield has spontaneously cracked twice (August 28, 2021, April 18, 2022) without being hit by any object. Windshield was replaced after 2021 incident and will again require replacement after today's incident. It has chipped and required repair on 2 other occasions.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2022
Battery keeps on dying and doesn’t hold charge. Vehicle has less than 8000 miles on it. 3 weeks ago my vehicle was parked in my garage for one week while I was on vacation and the battery was dead and needed to be jump started. Last week My vehicle was in the garage for 8 days and would not start again and needed to be jump started. Then 4 days had passed since the vehicle was jump started and this morning would not start again. Each time it was parked in my garage with nothing running inside, but the battery keeps failing. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to review.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2022
Windshield cracked for no reason.
Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2022
Over the weekend, the check engine light came on and I lost heat in my vehicle instantly (like flipping a light switch) after already driving with full heat for about 30 minutes. In addition to losing heat on a zero degree day, the vehicle also lost the capability to circulate and redirect coolant to the engine properly, causing a significant reduction in engine temperature causing it to run nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit less than optimal running temperature. Upon research, the only logical explanation was the failure of the "thermo control valve" which was added to the Subaru lineup starting in 2019, and this was just confirmed as the cause of this incident by the dealer. While coolant issues previously were managed easily in other vehicles, or a slow reduction in the ability of the heating system, having an electronic component control the diversion of coolant in the car for cabin heat and engine heat control seems to be harmful, not only potentially to the engine, but causing the heat to instantly stop to someone that may not be dressed to deal with it while driving in zero degree weather can cause potential significant health problems. This part should not be the sole source of control, let alone be failing without warning after a mere 3 years. In addition, a quick search online provides no information on the product, but many threads of individuals experiencing similar issues, as well as comments that Subaru has recognized it was originally inadequately built and have since produced a more Hardy product to replace them with. The other issue with this part, is that it is below the intake which needs to be removed to replace it. While the intake and other coolant system items are mentioned under warranty, this part is never mentioned. For this being a new addition starting in 2019, it is deeply concerning that there are many accounts for this, with no official messaging from Subaru, for such a critical part.
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2022
My front windshield spontaneously cracked, originated from the center inside/below the visible site line under the rubber edging. This happened in the beginning of January when there was a combination of bitter cold and heavy snows.
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.
Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2021
Windshield broke on its own
Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2021
I was on road driving at night when I heard a crack. When I got to a lit area I noticed 3 inch crack appeared in the lower center of the windshield. No debris hit the windshield all I heard was the distictive sound of the crack.
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2021
on two occasions, when staring from a stop and starting to turn left, the car accelerated on its own. at least once the car's override brake system became active as i was slamming the brake.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 24, 2021
My windshield cracked for no apparent reason. To the best of my knowledge, nothing hit the windshield itself. I was parking the car and all of a sudden I noticed the crack. Single line from the left edge. No chips or divots that I can tell
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2021
Windshield Crack
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2021
While driving on an expressway I heard what sounded like a tiny piece of gravel hitting my windshield. I did not see anything hit. Next thing I saw was a crack spreading across the driver side just above my line of vision. Within two or three minutes it was a foot and a half long. I’m not sure anything hit my windshield or not. There were no other cars in my immediate vicinity and no construction debris. The road was clear. Very puzzling
Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2021
Windshield cracked for no reason lower passenger side
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2021
We bought our Subaru Forester after researching the cars with the best safety features. The car feels unsafe because of 2 problems: Engine hesitation and sudden acceleration. We have barely avoided an incident on two occasions in a parking lot. We were braking for a car heading toward us when our car lurched ahead coming close to hitting an approaching car. Another time we were braking for a stop sign and the car accelerated into moving traffic. We have not reported it to our dealer hoping it was a fluke. We are going to bring it to the dealer because it's obvious that there is something dangerously wrong with our car. I can't report dates - it happens each time we drive with no warning - no lights. Suddenly the engine hesitates acting like it has run out of gas or it lurches ahead, accelerating on its own.
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2021
Windshield cracked for no obvious reason.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2021
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. HUGE CRACK FROM LOWER DRIVER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD ARCING UP TOWARDS CENTER OF WINDSHIELD. CAR WAS PARKED. NO SIGN OF DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD OTHER THAN LARGE SINGLE CRACK.
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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2021
WINDOW CRACKING WAY TO EASY 2 CRACKS NOW WITH ONLY 6K MILES
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 11, 2021
ON 2/9/21 I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LOWER CORNER OF MY WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, NEAR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. IT WASN'T HIT BY ANY OBJECT AND THERE'S NO POINT OF IMPACT FROM A ROCK OR OTHER ITEM. IT JUST BEGAN TO CRACK BEHIND THE WIPER. THIS IS THE 5TH WINDSHIELD I HAVE HAD ON THIS VEHICLE. 4 WINDSHIELDS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THIS IS ANOTHER ONE THAT WILL PROBABLY NEED REPLACED TOO. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 3 SMALL DEFECTS/ CRACKS IN THIS WINDOW ALONG WITH THIS NEW UNEXPLAINED CRACK.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 4, 2021
SUBARU FORESTER 2019 MODEL CRACKED WINDSHIELD BY IT SELF.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED TO WHERE IT NEEDED RPARE WHEN JUST ON A DIRT ROAD
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2020
26,000 MILES ON MY CAR NO REAL REASON AS TO WHY MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED. BUT IT DID, THERE WAS NO WINDSHIELD CHIP. IT JUST DECIDED TO CRACK. REALLY FRUSTRATING WHILE OUT OF TOWN. COSTS $1200.00.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 9, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER I COULD NOT SEE A ROCK OR ANYTHING ELSE, EXCEPT A TINY DOT AND A CRACK GOING OUT FROM IT. OVER THE NEW FEW DAYS THE CRACK STARTED GROWING. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND I ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE PARKED IN EMPTY PARKING LOT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. REPLACING THIS DEFECTIVE PART WILL COST OVER $1000