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 1, 2020
ON OCTOBER 15, 2019 MY HUSBAND, I AND OUR GRANDSON WERE DRIVING ON A TOWN STREET AND THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW GLASS ON THE RIGHT SIDE BROKE AND SHATTERED AND GLASS FLEW ALL OVER THE CAR. THERE WAS A LANDSCAPER ON A LAWN FACING AWAY FROM THE ROAD BUT NO ROCK OR ANYTHING CAME AT THE WINDOW. ON DECEMBER 11, 2019 A TRUCK DROVE BY OUR CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE ON A SIDE STREET AND THIS TIME THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW ON THE LEFT SIDE BROKE AND THE GLASS SHATTERED ALL OVER THE CAR. BOTH OF THESE INCIDENTS SEEMED TO HAPPEN FROM THE FORCE OF THE AIR/WIND PRESSURE. WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THESE WINDOWS AS THEY SHOULD NOT SHATTER OUT OF NOWHERE LIKE THIS. WE CONTACTED DONALDSONS SUBARU IN SAYVILLE, NY AND WERE TOLD THE REPAIRS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. WE EXPLAINED THAT NOTHING CAUSED THESE WINDOWS TO SHATTER, SO WE SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. WE ALSO CALLED THE SUBARU CORPORATE OFFICE AND WERE TOLD IT IS 'ENVIRONMENTAL' SO THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. WE HAVE NOTICED ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH SUBARU VEHICLES ALSO COMPLAINED OF THIS SAME THING HAPPENING. THIS IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AS WE DRIVE WITH OUR GRANDSON IN THE BACK SEAT. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SUBARU SHOULD ADDRESS AND BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR. WE HAD THE FIRST WINDOW REPAIRED ON JANUARY 20, 2019 AT THE COST TO US OF $550 DOLLARS. ON FEBRUARY 4, 2019 WE ARE HAVING THE SECOND WINDOW REPAIRED AT THE SAME COST. EVEN IF NOTHING CAN BE DONE AT THIS POINT IN REGARD TO THIS WE WANT IT ON RECORD IN CASE IT HAPPENS AGAIN OR IF IT HAPPENS TO OTHERS AND A PATTERN IS NOTED.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 26, 2020
FIRST WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT OCCURRED 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE DUE TO A SMALL ROCK CHIP, NOW 8"-LONG CRACK HAS SPONTANEOUSLY APPEARED WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE 9 MONTHS LATER.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 26, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A FOOT-LONG, SNAKING CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BOTTOM SPONTANEOUSLY ONE NIGHT WHILE PARKED IN A COVERED CARPORT. NO INCLEMENT WEATHER THAT NIGHT, AND NOTHING ELSE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE DAMAGE.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 25, 2020
I WAS PARKED ON A PUBLIC STREET FOR 15' AND FOUND 6 INCH CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. I WAS NOT PARKED UNDER ANY TREES AND THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR. THE CRACK STARTED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 17, 2020
GOT IN MY CAR, AND NOTICED A GIANT CRACK GOING UP FROM BOTTOM OF DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD TO MIDDLE. ONCE LOOKING THERE IS A SMALL CHIP AT BASE OF WINDSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, Jan 16, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED DURING DAY WHILE SITTING IN PARKING LOT AT MY OFFICE. NO H/O INJURY OR ROCK HITTING WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 8, 2020
ONE MORNING I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR AND NOTICED TO LARGE PARALLEL CRACKS VERTICAL CRACKS ABOUT A FOOT APART IN THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ONE CRACK RUN STARTS AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD AND RUNS ABOUT 12 INCHES. THE OTHER CRACK STARTS AT THE BOTTOM AND RUNS ABOUT 18 INCHES. THE CRACKS CAN BE FELT TO THE TOUCH FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO INCIDENTS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE CRACKS SPONTANEOUSLY APPEARING. SHORTLY AFTER FINDING THE CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD, SMALL HORIZONTAL CRACKS BEGAN DEVELOPING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW. MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ODD BEHAVIOR AND APPEARANCE OF THE CRACKS AND WAS NOT SURE WHAT COULD CAUSE SUCH BEHAVIOR, BUT WOULD NOT CLAIM THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED THAT MANY OTHER SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR CRACKING IN THE WINDSHIELD.
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Visibility/wiper, Jan 8, 2020
1. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION (AND UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS) ON HIGHWAYS, MY FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED 4X SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF NEW VEHICLE AT THE END OF JULY 2019. ONCE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKS, IT CONTINUES TO SPREAD. DURING THE PROCESS OF PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE, I WAS ENCOURAGED AT EVERY STEP TO PURCHASING ADDITIONAL WINDSHIELD COVERAGE TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IN CASE IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE EYESIGHT CAMERA SYSTEM. THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED ON THE INTERSTATE, A STATE TOLLWAY, AND A HIGHWAY. 2. THE BLUE TEMPERATURE LIGHT TURNS ON FOR FIVE MINUTES OR MORE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DISMISS ME SAYING THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION OF THE CAR (WHICH WAS NOT MENTIONED DURING THE SALES PROCESS) AND TO JUST WAIT UNTIL THE BLUE TEMPERATURE LIGHT GOES OUT BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR. WHEN TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOR 4TH TIME, THEY FINALLY LISTENED TO ME AND ADDED CHECKING THE COOLANT TO THE LIST BUT IT HAS BEEN A FIGHT TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT. 3. WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND WITH NO OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME, TO THE SIDE OR BEHIND ME, THE CAR PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND BRAKED THE CAR ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO PRE-WARNING THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO BRAKE. 4. THE CAR AUTO LIGHT ON AND OFF FUNCTION DOES NOT FULLY TURN ON THE CAR LIGHTS AT NIGHT. 5. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I HEAR A BIG KA-THUNK SOUND FROM THE FRONT LEFT OF THE CAR. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH WAY THE STEERING IS BEING TURNED. ORDERED THE CAR IN JUNE 2019, WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T BE READY UNTIL MID-AUG. DUE TO THE FACTORY SHUTTING DOWN FOR A TWO WEEK HOLIDAY IN JAPAN, RECEIVED NOTICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN DELIVERED MUCH EARLIER THAN EXPECTED IN JULY.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 5, 2020
A SMALL CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD TOWARDS THE CENTER. THIS HAS PROBABLY NOT HAPPENED DURING DRIVING AND THE CHIP WAS CONFIRMED DURING THE FIRSTS ERVICE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 29, 2019
WAS DRIVING ON A US HWY WHEN ALL IF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD SNAP. I WAS PASSING A SEMI AT THE TIME SO THOUGHT THE SOUND MIGHT HAVE COME FROM THE SEMI THROWING ROCKS. AT THAT TIME THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A CHIP OR CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE NEXT MORNING THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED FROM THE FAR RIGHT SIDE ACROSS THE DRIVER'S LINE IF VIEW.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 26, 2019
CRACKED WINDSHIELD THAT I HAD A FIX DONE BUT CRACK SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 26, 2019
ON 10/23/19, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. I HAD NOT SEEN OR HEARD ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO SEEING THE CRACK. I TOOK THE SUBARU FORESTER TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND WAS INFORMED THAT WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. I THEN PAID SAFELITE $772.10 ON 10/25/19 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 24, 2019
DEFECTED WINDSHIELD, WINDSHIELD CRACKED. WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ATTACHED PHOTOS ARE THE SAME TODAY AS THE DAY IT HAPPEN.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 24, 2019
VERY SMALL ROCK HIT WINDSHIELD WHILE ON HIGHWAY, CAUSING TINY CHIP NEAR THE DRIVER'S A PILLAR. WITHIN 24 HOURS THE WINDOW HAD CRACKED ACROSS THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD, NECESSITATING REPLACEMENT. I HAVE A PHOTO. I BELIEVE THE RESULTING DESTRUCTION OF THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD DUE TO A VERY SMALL CHIP IS PREPOSTEROUS AND SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND FELT SOME ROUGH SPOTS THAT WERE CRACKS ON THE GLASS. THE CONTACT CALLED KEARNY MESA SUBARU (4797 CONVOY ST, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111, (858) 278-7100) AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL HER INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH A WINDOW REPAIR COMPANY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,731.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 24, 2019
NOTICED A HALF INCH CRACK ON FAR PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. NO IDEA HOW IT HAPPENED. NO MEMORY OF A STONE HITTING THE CAR. REPAIRED AT SAFELITE. TOLD LIKELY WILL NEED REPLACEMENT DUE TO LOCATION OF CRACK (CLOSE TO FRAME) TOLD TO MONITOR. SINCE THEN MULTIPLE CHIPS/NICKS TO WINDSHIELD. AGAIN, NO ROCKS/STONES. JUST TINY NICKS IN GLASS THAT ARE SOMETIMES VISIBLE AND SOMETIMES NOT. CONCERNED OVER LONGEVITY OVER WINDSHIELD. 11 YEAR OLD CAR WINDSHIELD IN BETTER SHAPE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 23, 2019
WHILE DRIVING A SMALL STONE FLEW UP HIT THE WINDSHIELD & IT CRACKED NOT A CHIP A CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 23, 2019
THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CHIPPED WHEN DRIVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT (35MPH).
Visibility/wiper, Dec 23, 2019
OVER 8,200 MILES OF DRIVING MY 2019 FORESTER, MY WINDSHIELD HAS EXPERIENCED THREE STONE CHIPS, ONE REQUIRING THE COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF MY WINDSHIELD. ONE CHIP (AND ONE DAY LATER, A CRACKED WINDSHIELD) WAS WHILE SITTING STATIONARY ON A HIGHWAY; A SECOND WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A LOCAL CITY ROAD; AND THE THIRD WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. COMPARE THIS TO ONE STONE CHIP WHILE IN MOTION, ON MY 2009 FORESTER, COVERING OVER 80,000 MILES AND TEN YEARS OF DRIVING.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 20, 2019
WHILE DRIVING FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS I HAVE HAD 2 CHIPS IN MY WINDSHIELD FROM SMALL UNKNOWN OBJECTS STRIKING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. BOTH INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND UNDER 45 MPH. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE ON THE OFF RAMP OF AN INTERSTATE CAUSING A SMALL CHIP. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE ON A STATE ROUTE AND IN THE PASSING LANE. SMALL UNKNOWN OBJECT STRUCK WINDSHIELD CAUSING QUARTER INCH CHIP.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 19, 2019
MY WIFE AND I WERE RETURNING TO OUR PARKED VEHICLE AND AND THERE WAS AN APPROXIMATE 18 INCH CRACK APPEARING ON THE LOWER DRIVERS SIDE PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. NO CRACK OR ANY SIGN OF DAMAGE WAS VISIBLE BEFORE THAT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 18, 2019
WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY A SMALL ROCK WHILE DRIVING. FROM A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD THE CRACK IS NOW ABOUT 1/3 -1/2 OF THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD, AS IT CONTINUES TO EXPAND. CRACK GREW ABOUT 2IN WHILE SITTING INSIDE MY GARGE OVERNIGHT. CRACK CONTINUES TO EXPAND WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 16, 2019
STOPPED TO GET GAS AND WHILE WASHING WINDOW NOTICED A 12 INCH CRACK ON WINDSHIELD STARTING FROM REARVIEW MIRROR DOWN. UNSURE WHAT HAS CAUSED THIS CRACK AS WE HAVE ONLY OWNED OUR 2019 FORESTER FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 14, 2019
IN UNDER 8 WEEKS MY WINDSHIELD HAS HAD 3 CHIPS AND FINALLY IT HAS CRACKED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. AFTER THE 2ND CHIP I REALIZED THIS WAS NOT BAD LUCK BUT FAULTY PRODUCT. I CONTACTED MY DEALER & THE SUBARU FACTORY WITH NO HELP. THE FIRST 3 CHIPS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE 4TH JUST WARMING UP THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND PEBBLES HIT YOUR WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING BUT THE 4TH TIME IT HAPPENED THE CAR WAS STATIONARY
Visibility/wiper, Dec 13, 2019
2019 FORESTER PURCHASED 4/19, WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY ON 12/13/19