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: visibility/wiper
370 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2020
WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM ST. CLOUD SUBARU IN MINNESOTA, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CHIP IN THE WINDSCREEN. WHEN I PICKED IT UP ON 1/3/20, I VISUALLY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS INDEED A CHIP THE SIZE OF PENNY IN THE WINDSCREEN.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2020
MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER EXPERIENCE A TINY CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM DEBRIS THAT WAS INITIALLY HARDILY NOTICEABLE UNTIL THE WINDSHIELD CHIP BEGAN TO GROW AND CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2020
SMALL DIVOT IN THE LOWER LEFT SIDE CORNER OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD EXPANDED TO 13 INCH CRACK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 24, 2020
SAT FEB 22 FORESTER DRIVEN TO GYM AND RETURNED HOME AT 2:20PM. PARKED IN ASSIGNED SPOT #32 IN UNDERGROUND SECURED PARKING. THERE WAS NOT A CRACK, DIVOT OROR ANY OTHER PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE FORESTER REMAINED LOCKED AND PARKED UNTIL MON FEB 24, 2020 AT 6:30AM. IT WAS THEN I NOTICED A CRACK NEAR THE CENTER, BOTTOM. IT IS SHAPED LIKE A "7" AND IS ABOUT 10" LONG FROM END TO END. THERE IS NO OBJECT, MARK, DUST OR DEBRIS TO INDICATE ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. SEE PHOTOS
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED HALF WAY ACROSS
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
I WAS DRIVING LAST SUMMER IN NEW JERSEY ON A TWO-WAY ROAD. I HEARD A SLIGHT CRACK SOUND. THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO FORM A CRACK FROM THE LOWER-LEFT CORNER OF MY WINDSHIELD AND SLOWLY SPREAD TOWARD THE CENTER. THERE WERE NO CARS NEAR ME SO I KNEW ANOTHER CAR COULD NOT HAVE KICKED UP A STONE. I PARKED AND LEFT THE CAR FOR AROUND ONE HOUR. WHEN I RETURNED, THE CRACK HAD SPREAD FURTHER ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
WINDSHIELD UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT DAMAGE OR CONTACT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE TOP MIDDLE TO CENTER OF WINDSHIELD AND PROCEEDED TO CRACK HORIZONTALLY TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CRACK INITIATED OVERNIGHT.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
I PURCHASED MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER ON 02/04/2019. SINCE THAT TIME, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'M HAVING TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE NO APPARENT REASON; MEANING I DIDN'T HEAR ROCKS STRIKING THE MY WINDSHIELD AS IS TYPICAL. I'VE OWNED APPROXIMATELY 8 VEHICLES PRIOR TO THIS AND I DON'T RECALL HAVING TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD MORE THAN ONE TIME. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, I'VE GONE OUT TO MY VEHICLE TO DISCOVER THE CRACKS, NOT KNOWING HOW IT HAPPENED. I PURCHASED ADDITIONAL APPEARENCE & WINDSHIELD PROTECTION FOR THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, ( CARPETS, INTERIOR FABRIC AND THE LEATHER SEATS) NOT INTENDING THE WINDSHIELD WOULD BE THE THING TO REQUIRE THE MOST REPAIRS SO FAR. AT THE RATE OF SO FAR, TWO REPAIRS PER YEAR, I'LL HAVE TO TAP INTO MY AUTO INSURANCE POLICY TO COMPLETE THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRS WHICH DEFEATS THE PURPOSE FOR PURCHASING THE EXTRA PROTECTION FROM SUBARU. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE ON 04/23/19. THE SECOND REPAIR IS PENDING, I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SECOND WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT ON TUESDAY, 02/25/20.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 23, 2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD ON OUR 2019 SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED CRACKED IN 2 SEPARATE EVENTS WITHIN ONE MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. THE FIRST EVENT (FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACK) OCCURRED ON THE INITIAL DRIVE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY (NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS) WHEN THE CRACK OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CRACK BEGAN FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND STRETCHED TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. PHOTO ATTACHED. THE SECOND EVENT (FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACK) OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS LATER BEFORE THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY (NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS) WHEN THE CRACK OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CRACK BEGAN FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD (MIDDLE) AND STRETCHED TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. PHOTO ATTACHED. AFTER THE SECOND EVENT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. INVOICE RECEIPT ATTACHED. IN MY OPINION, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GRASS ON THIS VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE WINDSHIELD'S ON THIS PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL SHOULD BE FURTHER RESEARCHED. SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG AND I'M SURE OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED NEAR THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR THAT ABOUT AS LONG AS 2 DOLLAR BILLS. HAD TO PAY $1,497 W/ TAX FOR REPLACEMENT AND RE-CALIBRATION OF EYESIGHT SYSTEM. THEY DETERMINED IT WAS NON-FACTORY DEFECT AFTER FINDING THE SMALLEST CHIP WHERE THE CRACK CHANGED DIRECTIONS. DIDN'T SPIDERWEB CRACKED, JUST 2 LINES.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD HAD A LONG CRACK THAT RAN FROM THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 22, 2020
FRONT WINDSHIELD PITTED BEFORE WE HAD 500 MILES ON IT
Visibility/wiper, Feb 20, 2020
MY VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE AND MY WIFE HAD JUST RETURNED FROM WORK. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, SHE HEARD WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS A LOW SCREECH. WHEN SHE LOOKED UP, A LINE WAS FORMING IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO ABOUT 10 INCHES ACROSS TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE HAVE HAD 4 MORE INSTANCES WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE CAR AND ANOTHER CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD IS THERE. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 5 LINES OF CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM NO CONTACT.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 16, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO COLLISION AND THERE ARE NO MARKS OF ANY ROCKS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 14, 2020
ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING A BRAND NEW FORESTER OFF OF THE CAR LOT, OUT OF NO WHERE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON AN EMPTY HIGHWAY, A 4 INCH HAIRLINE CRACK APPEARED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK ORIGINATED FROM THE OUTER EDGE OF THE GLASS. WHEN CONTACTING MY DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT THE $1,000 REPAIR WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY OR INSURANCE, EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE ONLY 800 MILES ON THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 14, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD ON MY VEHICLE CRACKED OVERNIGHT WHILE SITTING PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THE CRACK BEGINS EXACTLY AT THE TOP DEAD CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDS STRAIGHT DOWNWARD AND IS APPROXIMATELY 16" LONG AT THIS POINT. THERE ARE NO ROCK CHIPS OR DAMAGE THAT CLEARLY LEAD THO THIS FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD WITH JUST OVER 10K MILES ON IT. I NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA REGARDING THE ISSUE AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2020
I'VE OWNED MY CAR FOR JUST OVER A YEAR AND MY 3RD WINDSHIELD HAS JUST CRACKED. MY FIRST WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN A SMALL ROCK HIT THE TOP CORNER OF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES IT SPREAD TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND RECALIBRATED, WHICH I HAD TO PAY A $250 DEDUCTIBLE. MY SECOND WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCED A CRACKED A FEW MONTHS AFTER BEING REPLACED AND NOTHING HIT IT THAT I'M AWARE OF. THE CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, JUST UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND BY THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY IT SPREAD TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT TOO HAD TO BE REPLACED AND RECALIBRATED FOR ANOTHER $250. SAFELIGHT ASSURED ME THAT THIS 2ND WINDSHIELD WOULD BE STRONGER THAN THE FIRST. TODAY, WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AFTER WORK, I FOUND ANOTHER CRACK IN THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IT WASN'T THERE THIS MORNING AND NOTHING HIT IT. IT'S ABOUT 6' IN LENGTH AND WILL PROBABLY SPREAD TONIGHT. THEN TO TOP THAT OFF, ON MY DRIVE HOME, DRIVING 35 MPH, A SMALL ROCK WAS KICKED UP FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND HAS NOW PUT A CRACK IN THE CENTER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I'VE NEVER IN MY LIFE EXPERIENCED SUCH A POORLY CONSTRUCTED WINDSHIELD THAT CRACKS SO EASILY. I'M FED UP WITH THIS
Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2020
I WENT TO MY STATIONARY VEHICLE IN A.M.AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD HAD A LONG CRACK WITH NO APPARENT REASON. NO NICKS OR OTHER DAMAGE NOTED THAT COULD CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. I DIDN'T EVEN MAKE THE FIRST PAYMENT ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. AFTER CALLING NUMEROUS AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELD COMPANIES THE ONLY WINDSHIELD YOU CAN GET IS THE OEM IF YOU WANT THE EYESIGHT CAMERAS TO WORK AND YOU MUST HAVE THE EYESIGHT CAMERA RECALIBRATE BY THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER READING ALL THESE WINDSHIELD COMPLAINTS I WONDER HOW MANY SIMILAR WINDSHIELD ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED ON NHTSA? JUST GOOGLE 2019 SUBARU FORESTER DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. THIS ISSUE IS TO WIDE SPREAD.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2020
BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2019 FORESTER IN SEPT 2019. ITS WINDSHIELD CRACKED TWICE FROM A MINOR ROCK IMPACT DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH. IN MY PREVIOUS 25 YEAR OF OWNING AND DRIVING OTHER CARS I HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK AND HAVING WINDSHIELD CRACK TWICE IN SUCH SHORT PERIOD (5 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP) CANNOT BE A COINCIDENCE, THERE HAS TO BE A FLAW WITH SUBARU'S WINDSHIELD DESIGN OR QUALITY. JUDGING FROM THE RESULTS OF A GOOGLE SEARCH, OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME THING
Visibility/wiper, Feb 9, 2020
I BOUGHT A 2019 FORRESTER SUBARU AND EXPERIENCED A CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I NOTICED THE CRACK AS I WAS DRIVING IT HOME THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHER 2019 SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS EXPERIENCED CRACKS ON THEIR WINDSHIELDS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. SUBARU FORESTER USES SPECIAL GLASS TO ENSURE THE CAMERAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WORK SO PERHAPS THE GLASS IS DEFECTIVE. SUBARU HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THEIR WINDSHIELD IN THE PAST WITH OLDER MODELS.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 9, 2020
PARKED MY VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO OVERHEAD COVER AFTER I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 1430 HOURS ON 2/7/20. THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AT THIS TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 25 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE VEHICLES WINDSHIELD DID NOT HAVE A CRACK AT THIS TIME. NOTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. I STARTED MY VEHICLE WITH MY REMOTE START LEAVING MY RESIDENCE AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 HOURS ON THE SAME DATE. AS I SAT IN THE OPERATORS SEAT OF MY VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE AFTER I INITIATED THE REMOTE START, I OBSERVED A LARGE CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK STARTS BELOW MY WINDSHIELD WIPER UNDER THE PLASTIC PIECE WHERE THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD GLASS IS COVERED. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE I DISCOVERED ZERO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT AN OBJECT HAD STRUCK MY VEHICLES WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK APPEARS TO HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY OCCURRED. I PERFORMED SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND DISCOVERED SPONTANEOUS WINDSHIELD CRACKS ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS A KNOWN ISSUE DUE TO SUBPAR DEFECTIVE GLASS AND THAT CRACKS ARE CAUSED BY THE HEAT FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER HEATER USED IN COMBINATION WITH THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER. WHICH IS THE EXACT CIRCUMSTANCE MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN. RESEARCH ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY SUBARU NOR DO THEY COVER REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COSTS. WINDSHIELD REPAIR/REPLACEMENT IS VERY EXPENSIVE BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL OEM SUBARU GLASS THAT IS REQUIRED IN ORDER FOR THE SUBARU EYESIGHT SENSORS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHICH MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH. SUBARU ALSO REFUSES TO COVER THE COSTLY RECALIBRATION OF THE SUBARU EYESIGHT SENSORS WHICH IS REQUIRED WHEN THE WINDSHIELD IS REPLACED. RECALIBRATION ALONE COSTS APPROXIMATELY $1000-$2000 USD IN ADDITION TO THE COST OF THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDSHIELD INSTALLATION. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT SUBARU APPEARS TO IGNORE
Visibility/wiper, Feb 7, 2020
BOUGHT THE CAR ON FEB-2019. PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE STREET 12/27/2019 NIGHT, NEXT DAY MORNING THE VEHICLE WINDOWSHIELD GET 8 INCHES CRACK. CHECK AROUND THE VEHICLE, DID NOT FIND ANYTHING ON THE VEHICLE & NO SCRATCH ON THE CAR BODY. FIXED IT SAME DAY, 4 WEEKS LATER, THE CRACK GET ANOTHER 7 INCHES LONGER. COMPLAINED IT TO THE DEALER & GET TOLD: I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAD THE ISSUE, IT IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, INSURENCE SHOULD COVER IT.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 3, 2020
WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED. NO VISIBLE AREA THAT WOULD INDICATE IT WAS THE RESULT OF A ROCK AND THE CRACK FORMING FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT. UNCERTAIN OF CAUSE. CRACK IS ROUGHLY 14-16 INCHES FROM THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOWN TO JUST UNDER THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR IN A HOOK LIKE FASHION. CRACK WAS INITIALLY DISCOVERED ON A STATIONARY VEHICLE, PARKED IN A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. THE CRACK WAS NOT OBSERVED PRIOR TO GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 3, 2020
I TOOK MY FORESTER 2019 UP TO BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN. MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE CABIN. IN THE MORNING DUE TO COLD WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD HAD ICE AND SNOW, WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEATER IN DEFROST MODE A BIG CRACKED APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD.