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: vehicle speed control
27 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 21, 2026, crash
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the engine revved loudly, the vehicle continued to accelerate and collided with the rear of a minivan. The contact was able to steer the vehicle to the side of the bridge and stopped the vehicle. The side air bags deployed after the crash. No injuries were reported. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard by the Port Authority Police. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact retained legal counsel. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2024
[XXX], driving home, dark at [XXX] in Airway Heights WA. About 10 mins to home, lights in dashboard suddenly lit (brake, check engine, battery icon, water temp icon, 2 yellow colored pictures that had the word “off”, park, ABS, exclamation point next to a circle that had a symbol in circle like a Mercedes Benz, and another symbol colored yellow). I kept driving with very little power in the car and it was hard turning the wheels to left or right turns. I was so scared thinking I would be stranded in the middle of the street! Made it to my carport and drove it in. Turned off car; attempted to restart but didn’t, and during the times I started the car, it would make a stuttering noise. The lights that lit up remained, wouldn’t turn off until attempt to start again when the lights all turned off. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle speed control, Oct 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis or repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 24, 2024, crash
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 80 MPH unintendedly. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle spun several times, causing her to lose control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hit several power generator boxes while spinning. The vehicle then turned around and drove across the street unintendedly, and the front end of the vehicle crashed into a pine tree. The contact stated that the forward collision avoidance failed to engage. The air bags failed to deploy. The neighbors assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The contact stated that she was shocked and was assisted in a chair. The contact that she later felt pain all over the body and was taken to the hospital, where she was informed that she had sustained a broken sternum, bruises, and pain all over the body. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a field engineer who retrieved the EDR from the vehicle. The manufacturer later informed the contact that the information retrieved from the EDR indicated that there was no vehicle malfunction and that the air bags had not deployed because the impact was not significant. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 1, 2023
When driving, ALL lights on the dash went on and vehicle safety features did not work- no cruise control, automatic breaking, automatic headlight adjustments, etc. We were over 500 miles from home and had the oil changed but it did not fix the problem. Had $72,000 miles on it, 4 years old. We had to drive home that distance to get it repaired over a 2-3 day period. No safety features were enabled as we drove. Thermo Control Valve was deemed faulty and replaced. Seeing after the fact that the TSB was issued without any VIN numbers: [XXX] , I believe it should include our VIN number and be recalled and the replacement paid for. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Jun 30, 2023
2019 Subaru Forester Premier. 6/29/23 All ok while driving for 3 hours on highways. Never had any issues before. I stopped car to take a break, when I restarted the car. All the warning lights lit ou and eye-site was off and could not be turned on. Check engine light on along with many others. Had 30 minutes more to go, stopped a few more times to check on the engine compartment - all ok. Brought it to the dealer today, 6/30/23, they were going to need 4 hours to replace a Thermo Coupler Valve? Issued a loaner car, and said Subaru will cover it under warranty even though it has expired. Only 24500 miles on a 2019 Forester.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly unintendedly accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal to regain control of the vehicle. The contact stated that approximately 10 minutes after the first failure, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 21, 2023
Auto safety systems compromised with illumination of check engine light and engine temp warning light. Subaru dealership service department determined problem with Thermo Control Valve. Engine was not overheating as the vehicle was being driven in winter time, February in Alaska. Only indication of problem was indicator lights and reduced heat from cabin heat system. Vehicle went into "limp" mode as soon as warning lights illuminated, disabling advanced safety systems.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 24, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space very slowly, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, and crashed into a concrete pole. The air bags had not deployed during the crash. There were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The contact stated that his wife suffered a fractured sternum, and he had lower back muscle strain with severe spasm. A police report was not filed. The contact and his wife sought medical attention at the local hospital. The vehicle was towed to a collision center, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 25,700.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 3, 2022
2019 Subaru Forester 2.5L JF2SKAEC0KH576270 I use cruise control most of the time in all of my cars. Tapping the inc/dec button in my Subaru changes speed in 5 mph increments. This is very dangerous because my other cars use 1 mph increments. My use case is on long climbs I like to slow down my car 1 or 2 MPH as it works harder. When I double tap the Subaru it drops by 10 MPH instead of the expected 2 MPH. I want Subaru the update the PCM firmware to allow the user to switch to compatibility mode where single tap is 1 MPH and Long tap is 5 MPH.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2022
When parking the vehicle has experience unexpected acceleration. this issue has occurred 2 times in the last few months and thankfully I did not hit another vehicle or person. I called the dealer but unfortunately they informed me that unless this happens with a tech in the car they will not replace anything
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.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jul 16, 2021, crash
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while her mother was driving at 25 mph, the engine revved and the vehicle independently accelerated to 50 mph. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal but the vehicle continued to the accelerator. As a result, the driver went off the road, through a field, crashed into a few tree stumps, and a playground fence. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a sore neck and a couple of bruises but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a collision center. 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 13,099.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 18, 2021
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SLOWLY PULLING INTO APARKING SPOT. CAR RAN OVER AND DISLODGED A PARKING CURB. THE CAR ENDED UP RESTING AGAINST A FENCE. A TOW TRUCK HAD TO PULL THE CAR BACKWARDS TO GET THE CAR OVER THE CURB. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY A THIRD PARTY WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $1000
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Dec 28, 2020
SATURDAY, DEC 26, AROUND 2:30-3PM I WAS LEAVING ESTES PARK COLORADO, DRIVING DOWN A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD. AT THIS TIME I WAS APPLYING MY BRAKES AROUND THE CORNERS AND , CONSTANT ON/OFF FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. DURING ONE OF THESE BRAKING MOMENTS ON A CORNER MY CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD, AS I'M APPLYING THE BRAKE, FOR 1-2 SECONDS. IT'S LIKE A LURCH FORWARD INSTEAD OF A BRAKE. THEN IT CORRECTED ITSELF AND DID NOT DO THIS AGAIN. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PHENOMENON WHEN DRIVING IN THE SNOW IN 2019. IT OCCURRED 3-4 TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW APPLYING THE BRAKE FREQUENTLY. THE CAR WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY LURCH FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. EACH TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS I WAS DRIVING WITH ECO MODE ON, PRESSING THE BRAKE FREQUENTLY FOR A DURATION OF TIME. IT'S AS IF THE CAR GETS CONFUSED OR IS TRYING TO SWITCH GEARS. THIS IS MY FIRST AWD VEHICLE.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 16, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 18 MPH WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED, GOING AROUND A BEND UP-HILL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOWSER SUBARU (1001 CLAIRTON BLVD, PLEASANT HILLS, PA 15236, (412) 469-2100) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2020
BASE MODEL SUBARU FORESTER 2019, DRIVER EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE FOLLOWING A GREEN LIGHT IN AN INTERCEPTION. DRIVER HAD TO USE AN EVASIVE MANEUVER (VEER TO THE LEFT) TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE IN THE FRONT OF IT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT DRIVER ENGAGING THE GAS PADDLE. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATE, AND DRIVER HAD TO USE THE BREAK PADDLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION LASTED FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS. AFTER BREAKING TO A ZERO SPEED AT A RED LIGHT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION RETURNED FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES ESPECIALLY FOLLOWING BREAKING. UNINTENDED/SUDDEN ACCELERATION STARTED AFTER 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING AT 7:15AM, OUTSIDE TEMP OF 36F, HVAC ON, WHILE DRIVING A FLAT ROAD. TOTAL TRIP TIME: ABOUT 15 MINUTES. ABOUT SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENT, THE SAME DRIVER EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION WITH THAT SAME VEHICLE. THE DRIVER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY AND REPORTED TO SUBARU ABOUT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE TEAM AT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE VEHICLE OWNER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED AND THUS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE SHOULD BE A LOG ENTRY IN SUBARU DATABASE ABOUT THIS SERVICE VISIT.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Feb 22, 2020, crash
I WAS PARKING AT A BUSY SKI CENTER, CAR IN DRIVE AS I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO AN OPEN SPACE, CAR IN FIRST ROW OF VEHICLES FACING A SMALL ROAD. THE ROAD CONNECTS THE PARKING LOT WITH THE SKI SHOP . 5 MPH WOULD BE NORMAL SPEED ON THIS ROAD, WHERE PEDESTRIAN SKIERS WALK FROM THE LOT TO THE SKI SHOP. BEFORE I COULD STOP TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING CRAZILY, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO STEER ONTO THE ROAD, CAR ACCELERATING FASTER AND FASTER, NO BRAKES, NO CONTROL. THERE WAS A SMALL CAR DRIVING SLOWLY SOME DISTANCE AHEAD, AND I WAS GAINING ON IT FAST, A SPLIT SECOND AWAY FROM CRUSHING IT, SO I DELIBERATELY SWERVED INTO A SNOWBANK, HIT SOME TREES, AND THAT FINALLY STOPPED MY CAR. I WAS UNHURT. EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND PASSENGER DOOR DAMAGE FRONT AND BACK, AND ROOF RACK DAMAGE. POLICE CAME TO THE SCENE, CAR WAS TOWED BY FLATBED BACK TO THE DEALER. INSURANCE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER WILL EXAMINE THE VEHICLE THOROUGHLY, WILL REMOVE THE "BLACK BOX" TO FIND WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF BRAKES. THIS EXAMINATION MAY TAKE 4-6 WEEKS. SO FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED. I CANNOT ESTIMATE WHAT SPEED THE CAR REACHED ON ITS OWN.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 7, 2020
THE CAR OCCASIONALLY ACTS LIKE IT GOING TO STALL , PRIMARILY WHEN TURNING LEFT AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS. THE ACCELERATOR HAS TO BE PUSHED HARD TO OVERCOME THE APPROXIMATELY 1- 1.5 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE CAR STARTS TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS CAUSED NEAR COLLISIONS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE ENGINE STOP BUTTON WAS ACTIVATED TO PREVENT ENGINE STOPPING AT CAR IDLE.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 14, 2019
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES/LURCHES FORWARD EVERY TIME WHEN COASTING OR SLOWLY BRAKING FROM AROUND 30MPH TO A STOP. THERE IS A NORMAL PREDICTABLE REDUCTION IN SPEED UNTIL THE CAR REACHES 15 TO 16 MPH, AT WHICH POINT IT ACCELERATES/LURCHES FORWARD. IT FEELS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SUDDENLY SHIFTING AND CREATING MORE POWER. THE SEVERITY OF THE ACCELERATION WHILE FLUCTUATES WILDLY. IN ONE INSTANCE WHILE SLOWING APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT THE CAR SEVERELY ACCELERATED FORCING ME TO HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO COMPENSATE AND PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US WAITING AT THE STOP LIGHT. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET IN FRONT OF WHERE WE WOULD HAVE STOPPED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 100 MILES ON IT WHEN THE MOST SEVERE OF THESE INSTANCES OCCURRED. ON ANOTHER NOTE THE CAR HAS TROUBLE COASTING. IT DECELERATES ABNORMALLY FAST WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 6, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SPOUSE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER PARKED VEHICLES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO HER ARM WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER IN ANNAPOLIS, BUT CURRENTLY HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO CONTACT ANNAPOLIS SUBARU INC LOCATED AT 149 OLD SOLOMONS ISLAND RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401, (443) 837-1400, BY PHONE BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
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.