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
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2020
BACK HOOD LATCH STUCK AND WON'T OPEN
Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2020
WHEN DRIVING ON A FREEWAY, THE GPS GIVES AN AUDIO COMMAND "EXIT RIGHT AHEAD", BUT IT IS NOT FOR THE NEXT EXIT. IT IS FOR ONE OR EVEN TWO EXITS LATER. THIS IS VERY MISLEADING AND NEARLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE WHEN WE REALIZED THAT WE SHOULD NOT GET OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT, WE VEERED BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SUBURU SHOULD REPROGRAM ALL THE GPS SYSTEMS ON THIS MODEL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD HAS 3 CHIPS AND A 12 INCH LONG CRACK RUNNING DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY FOR 3 CRACKS THE LAST CHIPS IS FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2020
2019 SUBARU FORESTER WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED BY ITSELF DURING DRIVING IN A HOT DAY. NOTHING HIT THE WINDOW THE TIME IT HAPPENED. REVIEWED DASH CAM AND CONFIRMED NOTHING HIT THE WINDOW. CIRCULAR CRACK WHICH CAN BE BARELY FELT FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT DEEP ALMOST INTO THE 2ND LAYER OF GLASS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2020
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2019 AND DO NOT DRIVE VERY FAR TO WORK. I DO VERY LITTLE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IN JUNE 2019, WITH LESS THAN 4000 MILES, WE WERE RETURNING HOME FROM A TRIP WHEN WE HEARD THE WINDSHIELD CRACK. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY A ROCK SO WE TURNED THE CLAIM INTO OUR INSURANCE. THEN YESTERDAY, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A TINY ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. TODAY THAT TINY PIT HAS CRACKED OVER HALF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE READ THAT SUBARU HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THEIR WINDSHIELDS FOR BOTH FORESTER AND OUTBACKS AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE YEARS 2017-2019. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY AND HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH NEEDING TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WITH VERY LITTLE TO NO DAMAGE CAUSING THE CRACK. IN ORDER FOR THE EYESIGHT TO WORK PROPERLY YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN APPROVED GLASS COMPANY AND THEN HAVE SUBARU CALIBRATE THE WINDSHIELD. THE COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $1200. SUBARU HAS HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THEIR WINDSHIELD AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I HAVE READ REVIEWS THAT OWNERS OF 2020 MODELS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES.
Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2020
THE GPS SYSTEM IS UNSAFE. IT SAYS "EXIT RIGHT AHEAD", WHICH WOULD IMPLY THAT YOU SHOULD EXIT AT THE NEXT EXIT. BUT IT SAYS THIS WHEN THE EXIT PROGRAMMED IS THE 2ND OR 3RD EXIT. MY WIFE TRIED TO EXIT AT THE NEXT EXIT, AND THEN AT THE LAST MINUTE, SHE REALIZED THAT IT WAS WRONG AND SHE SWERVED BACL ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. SUBURU HAS TO REPROGRAM THE GPS SYSTEM SO THAT IT DOESN'T SAY "EXIT RIGHT AHEAD" WHEN IT ISN'T THE CORRECT EXIT. THEY SHOULD THEN ISSUE A RECALL AND REPROGRAM SUBURU OWNERS GPS SYSTEM FOR FREE. *TR
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKING. *TR
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2020
IN JUNE 2019, 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER, A VERY SMALL ROCK HIT THE BOTTOM OF MY WINDSHIELD AND IMMEDIATELY CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD 6 INCHES, WHICH IS ABOVE THE LEGAL ROCK CHIP REPAIR LENGTH. SO I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. I WAS ON THE I-15 FREEWAY DIVING 80 MILES PER HOUR, THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2020
PURCHASED NEW JAN.9,1919.ON JUNE 13,2020 CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY, OFF WITH WINDOWS CLOSED.MY WIFE OPENED DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO REMOVE AN ITEM.WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR, THE HATCH BACK WINDOW SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY.WE WERE AND ARE SHOCKED.SPOKE WITH OUR SALESMEN WHO REJECTED OUR CLAIM FOR DAMAGE.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2020
WINDSHIELD IS FRAGILE. THE WINDOW SHIELD HAD ROCK CHIP IN THE FIRST MONTH I GOT THE CAR. AFTER 1 YEAR, I GOT ANOTHER ROCK CHIP THAT CRACKED IT SO BAD, A HUG LINE RUNS ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD MULTIPLE CARS BEFORE, THIS CAR IS PROBABLY THE MOST FRAGILE GLASS I EVER EXPERIENCE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 55 MPH I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THEN DISCOVERED A LARGE DIAGONAL CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. TOOK TO SUBARU DEAL WHO CONFIRMED WINDSHIELD NEEDED REPLACING. REPLACEMENT AND RECALIBRATION OF "EYESIGHT" GUIDANCE SYSTEM PERFORMED BY DEALER
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 55 MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND DISCOVERED A LARGE CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. TOOK TO SUBARU DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND HAD WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND "EYESIGHT" GUIDANCE RECALIBRATED AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST
Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO ROCKS OR PEBBLES STRUCK THE VEHICLE. CRACKED ON WINDSHIELD APPEAR WHEN IT WAS PARKED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2020
SECOND CRACKED WINDSHIELD AFTER ONLY 12,000 MILES. PEBBLE STRIKE ON FREEWAY DEVELOPED INTO HUGE CRACK IN ONLY A MATTER OF MINUTES. I WAS DRIVING SPEED LIMIT AND KEPT DISTANCE FROM CAR IN FRONT OF ME. PICKUP TRUCK PASSING ON LEFT MUST HAVE KICKED UP PEBBLE.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 4, 2020
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN DC OF 2018. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAD A SERIES OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES DATING BACK TO AS EARLY JUNE OF 2019. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO GET SERVICED. MY FIRST RED FLAG. THEN THE BATTERY RANDOMLY DIED WHILE WAITING PARKED IN DECEMBER (TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS ABOVE FREEZING). AFTER THAT INSTANCE, I HAD SEVERAL MORE DEAD BATTERY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. FAST FORWARD TO 2 WEEKS AGO WHERE AGAIN MY BATTERY DIED, I GOT THE CAR JUMPED AND THE BATTERY KEPT DYING THE NEXT DAY. RECENTLY HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED BY THE DEALER (TUESDAY) AND AGAIN THE BATTERY DIED THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE! THE CAR ALSO HAS OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES REGARDING THE START/STOP FEATURE. I'VE HAD INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND I HAD TO MANUALLY RESTART IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED CONSTANTLY VARIES. THE CAR DOESN'T ALWAYS RECOGNIZE WHEN I PLUG IN MY PHONE. IT SEEMS THAT ANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR SIMPLY DON'T WORK AND ARE NOT RELIABLE. SUBARU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR ALLOWING THIS DEATH TRAP OF A VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER TO ANYONE LOOKING TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT AN EXPENSIVE HEADACHE SINCE THE MOMENT I PURCHASED IT. THE IRONY OF IT ALL IS THAT I TRADED IN MY OLD 2014 SUBARU FORRSTOR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT HAD "ELECTRICAL ISSUES" ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND I WAS BETTER OFF GETTING A NEW CAR. ME, BEING NAIVE TRUSTED THEIR ADVICE AND DROVE OFF WITH THIS 2019 HUNK OF PROBLEMS. I HOPE THIS MESSAGE SERVES TO ANY PROSPECTIVE BUYER OF ANY SUBARU VEHICLE TO DO THEIR OWN HOMEWORK IN REGARDS TO WHAT THEY ARE PURCHASING.
Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2020
IN LESS THEN 18 MONTHS IVE HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT WINDSHIELD 3 TIMES DUE TO CRACKS THAT GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD THAT I'VE GOTTEN WHILE DRIVING ON CITY FREEWAYS
Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED
Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2020
HAD THE VEHICLE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED CRACK IN UPPER LEFT CORNER OF WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON INTERSTATE BUT DO NOT RECALL BEING HIT WITH ROCK OR DEBRIS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED- STARTED CRACKING SLOWLY HAVEN'T OWNED TOO LONG. JANUARY 2020
Other or unspecified, Mar 13, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR NO REASON. WE FOUND IT IN THE MORNING WHEN WE WENT TO GO TO THE STORE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2020
WE PURCHASE A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER ON MARCH 29, 2019. SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD. ON APRIL 3, 2019 A STONE HIT THE WINDSHIELD THAT REQUIRED US TO SUBMIT A CLAIM TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY FOR REPAIR. IN NOVEMBER 2019, WE WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH WENT FROM THE BOTTOM TO TOP. THERE WAS NO CLEAR EVIDENCE AS TO HOW THE CRACK OCCURRED. DON'T REMEMBER ANOTHER STONE HITTING THE WINDSHIELD THE CRACK JUST APPEARED. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO COVER UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY SO WE HAD TO SUBMIT IT TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS YEAR IN JANUARY 2020 ANOTHER STONE STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD AND WE HAD TO SUBMIT A CLAIM TO OUR INSURANCE FOR IT TO BE FIXED. HAVING OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES, WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH A WINDSHIELD OR TO HAVE A WINDSHIELD REPLACED. WE HAVE NOTICED OTHER INDIVIDUALS ON THE INTERNET EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING WITH THEIR SUBARU WINDSHIELDS. ARE THE SUBARU WINDSHIELDS DEFECTIVE? THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 27, 2020
WE HAVE A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER, PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN WITH THE EYESIGHT SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES FOR NO REASON, AND TURNING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. THE MAJOR ISSUE HAS BEEN THE SLAMMED ON BRAKES WHEN THE ROAD AHEAD WAS CLEAR, JARRING ME AND PASSENGERS, MY WIFE LITERALLY HAD WHIPLASH AND A HEADACHE FROM THE EXTREME, UNEXPECTED BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN A VEHICLE IN FROM OF US MADE A RIGHT TURN, ROAD AHEAD IS CLEAR, TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH, SENSORS MUST BE PICKING UP THE CORNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AS WE APPROACH, LOCKING UP THE BRAKES, THINKING IT IS STILL IN FRONT OF US. ANOTHER INCIDENT, EYESIGHT SENSING AN EMPTY PAPER BAG BEING BLOWN ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION FROM A DRIVER BEHIND US IF THEY WERE FOLLOWING TO CLOSE, LIKE IS THE NORM IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. ANOTHER EVENT, A DOG RAN ACROSS THE FREEWAY, EYESIGHT NEVER ACTIVATED, I THOUGHT I HAD BRAKED AND CLEARED THE DOG, HE KEPT RUNNING, NO IMPACT, FOUND DAMAGE TO FRONT END UPON INSPECTION. ANOTHER ISSUE UNRELATED TO EYESIGHT, THE DEFROSTER BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT RESPOND TO HIGH SETTING WHEN FIRST TURNED TO HIGH TO CLEAR WINDOW FOG, IT TAKES 3 TO 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT RAMPS UP TO HIGH SPEED. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR SALESPERSON AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT OUR SUBARU DEALERSHIP, MAYBE BE A CALIBRATION ISSUE, PROGRAM ISSUE WITH THE EYESIGHT SENSORS, THEY REFUSED TO DOCUMENT ANYTHING I SHARED AND TOLD ME THEIR IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. THERE IS NO MORE LOVE IN OUR SUBARU, AND NO CONCERN FOR SAFETY AT THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER 2019 SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME EYESIGHT ISSUES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE LEASED THE VEHICLE OCTOBER 2018 TO RECENTLY ON 2/20/2020. I WAS INFORMED TO FILE THIS BY THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL WHILE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THEM.
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2020
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SEEMED TO SPONTANEOUSLY CRACK WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE CRACK BEGAN IN THE LOWER MIDDLE PART OF THE WINDSHIELD AND SPREAD UPWARD ABOUT TEN INCHES. I ADVISED MY SUBARU DEALER OF THE ISSUED, AND THEY REFERRED ME TO SAFELITE AUTO GLASS, WHERE I REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD AT MY OWN EXPENSE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED
Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2020
WAS MERGING TO HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 35 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY HEARD SOMETHING HITTING WINDSHIELD. SAW TINY DOT ON WINDSHIELD AND THE MAKING OF THE LINE ON IT THAT IT CRACKED. VEHICLE HAD UNDER 6000 MILES. BELIEVE THAT WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE. WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT REPLACED. NO COMPENSATION FROM SUBARU.