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, Sep 10, 2019
I PURCHASED A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER, SPORT IN NOVEMBER 2018. IN MARCH/APRIL MY WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED BY A SMALL ROCK THAT HIT IT ON A SMALL COUNTRY ROAD. I HAD TO HAVE IT COMPLETELY REPLACED. NOW FIVE MONTHS LATER, A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE TOWNSHIP ROAD, AND IT CRACKED AGAIN. I HAVE TO HAVE IT COMPLETELY REPLACED AGAIN AND PAY ANOTHER DEDUCTIBLE FEE. I'VE HAD OTHER, NON-SUBARU, VEHICLES AND MY WINDSHIELDS HAVE NEVER CRACKED WITH A ROCK HITTING THEM. THIS IS MY 2ND SUBARU VEHICLE. MY FIRST MODEL, A 2010 FORESTER ALSO HAD TO HAVE IT'S WINDSHIELD REPLACED DUE TO THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING DUE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGES. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE SIZE OF ROCK THAT HIT MY GLASS SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE DAMAGE THAT IT HAS, NOW MULTIPLE TIMES.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN COLORADO AND WAS A GOOD DISTANCE FROM THE CARS AHEAD OF ME WHEN A ROCK CHIPPED MY WINDSHIELD. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE CHIP HAD CRACKED ACROSS THE GLASS.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 29, 2019
MY 2019 FORESTER PREMIUM, 6 WEEKS OLD AND <200 MILES ON IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. IT WAS COLD OUT THAT NIGHT. WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR I TURNED IN THE HEATED WINDSHIELD AND REGULAR HEAT IN THE CAR. MOMENTS LATER AND WHILE STILL PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE WINDSHIELD HEATING ELEMENT HALFWAY UP TO THE TOP. BROUGHT IT TO THE AUTO GLASS PLACE NEARBY, WHERE IT WAS NOTED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT NO IMPACT POINT WAS PRESENT. HE DOCUMENTED THIS ON MY WORK ORDER / RECEIPT. THE WINDSHIELD WAS ON BACKORDER FOR 3 WEEKS BUT WAS FINALLY INSTALLED.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 28, 2019
SOMETHING HIT THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CRACKED OVER HALF WAY TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT ON NB I65 NORTH OF MOBILE, ALABAMA. THE WINDSHIELD HAD SEVER PITS IN IT NOT SURE WHAT THOSE WERE CAUSED BY. SUBARU MAKES MONEY AS THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CALIBRATED AFTER A NEW WINDSHIELD IS INSTALLED. ONE CRACK HAD BEEN REPAIRED ON 2/4819 MILEAGE WAS 6330
Visibility/wiper, Aug 27, 2019
WINDSHIELD DEFECT. IT JUST CRACKED BY ITSELF WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE FORCE. THE CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AT MOTION. IT WAS AFTER BEING PARKED.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 26, 2019
A SPONTANEOUS 20-25IN WINDSHIELD CRACK HAS APPEARED OVERNIGHT WHILE MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER WAS PARKED IN A COVERED PARKING SPOT AT MY HOME ON 8/25/2019. I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THIS IN THE MORNING ON SUNDAY AS THERE WAS NO CRACK ON SATURDAY AND THE CAR WAS JUST SITTING THERE OVERNIGHT. SEEMS LIKE THE CRACK STARTED BELOW THE DRIVER'S WINDOW WIPER (WHERE THE WIPER HEATING ELEMENT IS LOCATED) AND DEVELOPED A C-SHAPE CRACK UP AND TO THE LEFT TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S VIEW SIDE. NO SIGNS OF CHIPS OR DENTS ON THE WINDSHIELD, IT HAS CRACKED FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON. PLEASE SEE PICTURES ATTACHED. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT OUTBACK AND FORESTER IN THE PAST. IT WOULD BE NICE IF SUBARU ACKNOWLEDGED AND FIXED THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! BEST REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Visibility/wiper, Aug 21, 2019
WINSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE ON A 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER. EITHER THE ANGLE OF THE WINDSHIELD, OR THE QUALITY OF THE GLASS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, BECAUSE I'M SURE THIS WILL BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 18, 2019
08/16/19 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH, I HEARD A VERY FAINT "TINK" AND SAW A 1 INCH CRACK ON THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE OUTER EDGE. I DID NOT SEE A ROCK AND IT DEFINITELY WAS NOT A LOUD SOUND LIKE A NORMAL ROCK CHIP WOULD CREATE. MY INSURANCE SET UP AN APPOINTMENT AT 8:00 AM THE FOLLOWING MORNING 08/17/19 WITH SAFELITE TO REPAIR IT. AFTER BEING AT SAFELIGHT FOR ONLY 5 MINUTES THE TECH COMES OUT TO TELL ME THE WINDSHIELD SPLIT AND NOW I HAVE A 19 INCH CRACK ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD AND IT MUST BE REPLACED AND THE CAMERAS RECALIBRATED THROUGH SUBARU. I NOW HAVE TO DRIVE MY 1 MONTH OLD SUBARU FORESTER SPORT WITH A CRACKED WINDSHIELD UNTIL MY SUBARU DEALER CAN GET ME A NEW WINDSHIELD AND REPAIR DATE. I'VE OWNED HONDA, TOYOTA , SCION, CHEVY, GMC, ACURA, LEXUS AND FORD AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK OR SPLIT. THIS SEEMS TO BE WAY TOO COMMON WITH THESE SUBARU WINDSHIELDS.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2019
HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER GRAVEYARD WORK SHIFT, WITH NO OTHER CARS ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN HE HEARD A CRACK. HE NOTICED A CRACK COMING FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, CLOSER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. HE DID HAVE THE DEFROSTER ON. THE NEXT DAY THE CRACK HAD SPREAD AND 2 MORE CRACKS APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND NOTIFIED THEM AND THEY SAID WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THAT SINCE WE DIDN'T PURCHASE ADDITIONAL WARRANTY, AND IT IS NOT A FACTORY DEFECT THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF. IT IS A NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 10, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND DID NOT HEAR A ROCK OR ANY OBJECT HIT WINDSHIELD. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I NOTICED A CRACK IN WINDSHIELD BEGINNING AT DEICER OF WINDSHIELD UP TO 25% UPWARDS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDOW APPEARS TO BE BRITTLE AND SUBARU PREVIOUSLY HAD SAME ISSUE WITH 2016 OUTBACKS. SUBARU DENIED THIS WAS WITHIN WARRANTY. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW 3-4 WEEKS AGO.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 13, 2019
IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS I HAVE HAD TWO WINDSHIELDS SPONTANEOUSLY FRACTURE ONE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE OTHER WHEN GARAGED.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 13, 2019
ON THE 10TH OF JULY WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, I WATCHED A CRACK COME DOWN FROM ABOUT 4 INCHES FROM THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD, TO DOWN JUST BELOW THE REAR VIEW MIRROR HEIGHT AND THEN CONTINUE ALL THE WAY OVER TO MY SIDE (DRIVERS SIDE). A SOUND OF SOMETHING HITTING THE WINDSHIELD WAS NEVER HEARD! ONLY WHEN I EXAMINED THE WINDSHIELD FROM OUTSIDE COULD YOU SEE A VERY MINUTE CHIP WHICH SHOULD HAVE NEVER CAUSED THIS DAMAGE! THIS WINDSHIELD GLASS IS SO THIN THAT I'M AFRAID IF SOMETHING BIGGER HITS IT, IT WILL COME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! A VERY EXPENSIVE OEM WINDSHIELD (AND CALIBRATION) IS REQUIRED AS A REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE EYESIGHT CAMERAS. WHY AN AFTER MARKET WINDSHIELD AN CALIBRATION CAN'T BE USED I DON'T KNOW? SOMETHING UP?
Visibility/wiper, Jul 9, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKS AND DAMAGES EASILY. A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD AT A VERY LOW SPEED BUT SOMEHOW HAS DAMAGED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD OUT OF MY OWN POCKET.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 2, 2019
AS OTHERS HAVE REPORTED, THE WINDSHIELD QUALITY IS SUSPECT. CAR WAS ONLY A MONTH OLD WITH LESS THAN 700 MILES WHEN A LARGE HORIZONTAL CRACK APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. NO VISIBLE SIGNS OR EVIDENCE OF IMPACT FROM A FOREIGN SOURCE. HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN IN PREVIOUS CARS IN OVER 20 YEARS OF DRIVING. WHAT MAKES MATTERS WORSE IS THAT AN EXPENSIVE OEM WINDSHIELD (AND CALIBRATION) IS REQUIRED AS A REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE EYESIGHT CAMERAS.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 29, 2019
WINDSHIELD QUALITY - 2019 SUBARU FORESTER SPORT WINDSHIELD CHIP VERY EASY. CAR PARKED ON DRIVEWAY AND IT WAS HAILING FOR 2 MINUTES; COUPLE TINY CHIPPED/PITTED WERE FOUND ON WINDSHIELD; NO CRACK. THIS ONLY HAPPEN TO THE SUBARU, BUT NOT THE OTHER VEHICLES I OWNED (VOLVO AND HONDA). SUBARU WINDSHIELD CHIP/PITTED EASILY ON VEHICLE WITH EYE SIGHT EQUIPPED. THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS THINNER COMPARE TO OLDER MODEL AND OTHER VEHICLE BRANDS. THIS ISSUE ALSO APPLIED ON HIGHWAY DRIVING AS ANY TINY OBJECT WILL CAUSE CHIPPED ON WINDSHIELD EASILY WHERE THIS DOES NOT APPLIED ON OTHER VEHICLES. REPLACEMENT IS EXPENSIVE AS WINDSHIELD HAS TO BE SUBARU CERTIFIED OTHERWISE EYE SIGHT WILL NOT WORK. FURTHERMORE, EYE SIGHT CALIBRATION IS AN ADDITIONAL COST ON TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT AND IT IS NOT COVER BY DEALERSHIP WINDSHIELD WARRANTY PACKAGE.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 29, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON EMPTY HIGHWAY AT APPX 55MPH, WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. CRACK EXTENDS FROM THE EDGE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOUT 15 INCHES. NO ROCK OR OTHER FOREIGN OBJECT HIT THE WINDSHIELD. CAR IS 5 WEEKS OLD WITH 1,070 MILES.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2019
REAR SIDE WINDOW ON THE LEFT (DRIVER'S) SIDE BURST WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. SHATTERED INTO LARGE AND SMALL PIECES.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 20, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE LOCAL HIGHWAY IN GREENSBORO SUNDAY JUNE 16TH, WHEN A SMALL PEBBLE FLEW UP FROM THE ROAD HITTING THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING A LARGE CRACK RUNNING ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED IN MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT WE HAD ONLY HAD FOR THREE WEEKS AT THE TIME. OUR OTHER FORESTER WE HAVE HAD FOR MANY YEARS, ENCOUNTERING SIMILAR SITUATIONS WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THIS OCCURRENCE AS IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITH MINIMAL IMPACT FROM A VERY SMALL OBJECT.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 15, 2019
600 MILES ON NEW CAR. I WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL STREET LESS THAN 45MPH AND A SMALL PEBBLE KICKED UP AND CHIPPED MY WINDSHIELD. THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED SO EASILY BECAUSE I'VE HAD CARS FOR YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED A WINDSHIELD CHIP SO EASILY. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF NEW FORESTER WINDSHIELD COMPLAINTS.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 9, 2019
ON 5/12/2019, A 6-INCH CRACK APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD AFTER THE CAR SAT IN A DRIVEWAY FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS. IT WAS IN A RURAL AREA WITH NO TREES OVERHEAD. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF A CHIP OR DENT PRECIPITATING THE CRACK, NOR DO I (THE DRIVER) RECALL HEARING ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD RECENTLY.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 9, 2019
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. CRACK BEGAN AT THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD UNDERNEATH THE PLASTIC COVER AND FORMED A LARCH "S" SHAPED CRACK. CRACKS INTERFERE WITH THE EYESIGHT SAFETY SYSTEM AND VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD WITH 1600 MILES.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 7, 2019
OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT THREE WEEKS, TWO DIFFERENT WINDSHIELDS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY VERY SMALL ROCK CHIPS THAT VERY RAPIDLY TURNED INTO LARGE CRACKS. THE FIRST OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY, IN TRAFFIC, AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED (APPROX 35MPH). I HEARD A SLIGHT TICK AND NOTICED A VERY SMALL CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD (ABOUT THE SIZE OF A BUG). I MADE A NOTE THAT I WOULD NEED TO ARRANGE A REPAIR AND CONTINUED TO MY DESTINATION. AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR, I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED I HAD AN 18 INCH CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD, DIRECTLY IN MY LINE OF SIGHT. I MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A REPLACEMENT WHICH WAS DELAYED, I WAS TOLD, BECAUSE THERE WAS A BACKLOG OF FORESTERS AWAITING WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, AGAIN WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, I RECEIVED ANOTHER CHIP, WHICH TURNED INTO A 2 FOOT CRACK WITHIN ABOUT 2 MINUTES. THESE WINDSHIELDS ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE DUE TO SUBARU'S "EYESIGHT" SAFETY SYSTEMS. THESE INCIDENTS HAVE EXPONENTIALLY INCREASED THE COST OF OWNERSHIP ON A VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED SPECIFICALLY FOR ITS PERCEIVED LOW RUNNING COSTS. IN MY 25 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR A FEW ROCK CHIPS BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD. NOW I WILL HAVE REPLACED TWO ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 4 MONTHS OLD. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT SUBARU HAS USED EXTREMELY LOW GRADE OR DEFECTIVE GLASS THAT EASILY CRACKS, CREATING A VISIBILITY SAFETY HAZARD AND UNDUE EXPENSE FOR FORESTER OWNERS.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 4, 2019
A CRACK HAS DEVELOPED IN WINDSHIELD. IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEGUN BELOW THE WIPER BLADE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. AND IS TRAVELING HORIZONTALLY ACROSS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, IN THE SIGHT LINE OF THE DRIVER.. THE CRACK IS APPROXIMATELY 36" LONG AND GROWING. YES, I KNOW WINDSHIELDS CAN READILY CRACK IF HIT BY AN OBJECT. BUT THIS APPEARS TO BE A DIFFERENT ISSUE BECAUSE: 1) THE VEHICLE IS NEW, ABOUT 2 MONTHS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES. 2) I KNOW OF NO SOLID OBJECTS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD 3) THE CRACK APPEARS TO HAVE BEGUN IN AN AREA PROTECTED BY THE HOOD LINE. IT WOULD BE HIGHLY UNLIKELY A STONE OR OTHER OBJECT ON THE ROAD COULD BE THROWN UP AND STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE WIPER BLADES. 4) WE FIRST NOTICED THE CRACK AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN STATIONARY, PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY, FOR 3 DAYS. 5) WE HAVING THE FIRST HOT DAYS OF THE YEAR (90+ DEGREES F). 6) AND YES, THE INTERNET HAS A NUMBER OF VERY SIMILAR STORIES INVOLVING 2019 SUBARU FORESTERS ENDURING CRACKING WINDSHIELDS WHEN STATIONARY.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 4, 2019
WINDSHIELD SHATTERED WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE DURING A DRIVE ON A COUNTY MAINTAINED DIRT ROAD GOING 30MPH. RECEIVED FIRST CHIP AFTER 3 DAYS OF USE ON AN INTERSTATE GOING 65MPH. AFTER LOOKING INTO COST FOR REPAIRS DISCOVERED THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH RECENT SUBARU VEHICLES INCLUDING A LAW SUIT IN CANADA AGAINST THE OUTBACK MODEL VEHICLES FOR SHATTERING GLASS. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD ON A VEHICLE BEFORE AND NOW MUST DO SO WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASING A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, IF THE WINDSHIELDS ARE THIS THIN IT WILL NOT TAKE MUCH FORCE TO HAVE OBJECTS COME FLYING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, May 31, 2019
VEHICLE STATIONARY, TURNED WINDSHIELD HEATER ON AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACK COMING BELOW WIPER AREA AND TRAVELED TO MIDDLE AREA.