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, Jun 28, 2021
While driving down the road, with no other cars around, out of nowhere the windshield developed a huge crack starting at the base of the windshield in the middle and traveled upward and across the middle in front of the driver’s line of site obstructing the view. It was very startling. After researching the issue, I discovered it is a known issue and there is a class action lawsuit for this issue. Subaru refuses to acknowledge the issue. 06/21/2019
Visibility/wiper, Jun 27, 2021
For the second time in 3 years have large crack in windshield. No known reason for Crack and it is quickly moving across entire windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2021
With about 14,800 miles on my 2019 Subaru Forrester the windshield cracked. I took the Vehicle to Brilliance Subaru, 1500 North Randall Road, Elgin, IL 60123, 224-281-4300 and was told that the crack wasn't covered under my warranty. I know this damage was not caused by any flying debris as the crack started on the bottom of the windshield and there is no chip in the windshield. I have read that many other owners have faced the same situation, as Subaru installed faulty windshields. This should be covered under warranty and the installation and recalibration should be Subaru's expense not the owner of the vehicle.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 23, 2021
When I went to get in Forrester in the morning, the windshield has crack. Running from base of drivers side across to passenger side. It was not there night before Because it goes through drives side, it impairs drivers view of road
Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2021
Windshield with at least 2-ft long cracked line on my 2019 Subaru Forester. Line appeared instantly after something (perhaps a small rock/pebble) hit the windshield. The cracked line is within the sight of vision of the driver. Getting multiple glares from the cracked line when sun light hits it on certain angles. Thus, making driving uneasy during sunny days. Incident happened on 6/18/21 while driving on I-5 southbound in Oregon. I contacted a Safelite Auto Glass shop and was told that the whole windshield needs to be replaced. I made appointment with Safelite to have the windshield replaced when I return back home in Washington state in early July 2021.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2021
I’ve owned the vehicle for 21 months and have fewer than 24,000 miles on the car. During this time, I’ve sustained 2 windshield chips (both were promptly repaired), and now 1 windshield crack. This seems unusual and excessive.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 18, 2021
Driving vehicle down the road with no vehicles in front and the windshield cracked for no apparent reason. Cracked in the lower left corner and then grew to about 18” spreading to the right and through the drivers sight line.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 12, 2021
I was sitting at a traffic light and heard a crack. No cars in front or at the time passing me by. I then saw a crack on my passenger side windshield. Upon my research I note there have been several complaints with this manufacturer and model of car. The car will be inspected on Monday.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 10, 2021
My car has 24,000 miles on it. A month after I got it, a large crack developed in the windshield and I had to replace it. (Very expensive!) The new windshield has chipped twice and I’ve had to have those repaired. Today I discovered another large crack which will require a new windshield. See picture.) I am aware that there is a class action lawsuit in New Jersey regarding defective windshields for this model (and others). So far, I am averaging one chip and one new windshield every 12,000 miles. That is outrageous! I’m sure Subaru will say that the chips and cracks were caused by road debris, but I am 64 years old and have driven since I was 16. In all that time, I have had to have only one chip repaired until I got my new Subaru. The windshield is clearly too delicate and fragile for the task.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 7, 2021
Windshield spontaneously cracked, beginning above and to the right of the rear view mirror and tracking down and to the left. It was about 15-16 inches long when it was first noticed.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 6, 2021
A little bit under 15K miles, a now (roughly) 40 inch crack has formed across the windshield that continues to spread. The crack has spontaneously developed and was only discovered when cleaning out the car, which is always parked in a garage. There were no previous signs of a crack or damage to the windshield prior to it forming, nor was it prompted by anything (rocks, debris, etc). As the crack continues to spread, it limits my ability to see while driving. The windshield does require replacement which is not covered under warranty. Through research I've discovered that this is an identified issue, with a few owners going to court and winning their cases.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 2, 2021
A very tiny pebble bounced off of our windshield very lightly as we were going 45 MPH. The force of the impact should not have caused any damage to the windshield however it resulted in a 12 inch crack across the windshield.
Visibility/wiper, May 29, 2021
Windshield spontaneously developed a large crack. The crack decreased driver's visibility. Dealership representative said damage was unlikely covered by warrantee. The windshield required replacement and recalibration of the EyeSight system, no other inspections were performed. There was no warning of impending failure or antecedent trauma.
Visibility/wiper, May 25, 2021
My forester was parked in an open area with no other cars or people close - The car had just been turned off, and I had gotten out to open the rear gate when to my surprise, without explanation or frankly noise or other evidence of it what caused it to happen, I came back to find my windshield has spontaneously cracked.
Visibility/wiper, May 18, 2021
Windshield cracked after no impact
Visibility/wiper, May 14, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT REASON. THIS IS APPARENTLY COMMON AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE A RECALL. THIS WILL COST ME OVER $1,000.
Visibility/wiper, May 10, 2021
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH OUT ANY OBVIOUS IMPACT. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
Visibility/wiper, May 4, 2021
I GOT INTO MY CAR (PARKED IN PARKING GARAGE) AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. I REMEMBER USING THE DEFROSTER THAT MORNING AND DON'T RECALL SEEING A CRACK. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SUBARU OWNERS AS THERE IS A LAWSUIT OUT FOR DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS. THERE ARE NO POINTS OF IMPACT. THE CRACK STARTS CLOSE TO THE MIDDLE AND SPREADS UPWARD, NOT HORIZONTAL.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 30, 2021
A CRACKED WINDSHIELD THAT IS EXPANDING WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE
Visibility/wiper, Apr 29, 2021
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON A COOL, OCCASIONALLY DRIZZLY EVENING, NOTICED A SHORT VERTICAL CRACK AT BASE OF WINDSHIELD MIDWAY BETWEEN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. DEFROSTER WAS USED A FEW TIMES TO KEEP WINDSHIELD CLEAR. THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACT. A FEW DAYS LATER IT HAD GROWN SEVERAL INCHES AND MADE A HARD LEFT TURN. A WEEK LATER WHILE PARKED IN THE SUN, THE CRACK SPREAD ALL ACROSS DRIVER SIDE AND ALSO ADDED A NEW VERTICAL CRACK A FEW INCHES TALL THAT THEN TURNED AND SPREAD TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 24, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM NORMAL ROAD DEBRIS. THIS IS THE SECOND CRACK IN AS MANY MONTHS (NOT DUE TO NEGATIVE DRIVING HABITS). THE WINDSHIELD IS UNABLE TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE FROM ROAD DEBRIS AS IT CRACKS FROM MINIMAL DEBRIS IMPACT AND BECOMES UNSTABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 23, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE PARKED
Visibility/wiper, Apr 22, 2021
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE. FIRST TIME WE HAD IT REPLACED ON 12/17/2019 PROBABLY DUE TO A ROCK. 6359 MILES ON VEHICLE. SECOND TIME IT CRACKED ON SEPT. 8, 2020. IT WAS IN A WARM GARAGE AND PULLED OUT ON A COOL MORNING. DRIVEN A MILE ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. CRACK DUE TO COOLER TEMPERATURES OR UNKNOWN. 8,700 MILES AT TIME. THIS CAR IS NOT DRIVEN MUCH. CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE SECOND TIME AT $1400.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 21, 2021
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A SMALL CRACK. STARTED IN THE LOWER LEFT DRIVERS SIDE AND QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE IMPAIR MY VISIBILITY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN YAKIMA WA, AND THE INSPECTOR SAID IT WAS A ROCK. WHICH I KNOW IT WASN'T AS I WOULD'VE NOTICED SUCH AN EVENT, THERE WAS NOT AN IMPACT WHICH I'VE WITNESS PLENTY OF, AND AM VERY PROTECTIVE OF MY VEHICLES. THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO SAFELIGHT REPAIRS IN YAKIMA WASHINGTON TO HAVE IT REPLACED WHICH TOOK TWO MONTHS TO GET THE NEW WINDSHIELD IN AS THEY WAS A SHORTAGE WHICH WAS EXPLAINED TO ME. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON 03MAY2019. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR THIS REPLACEMENT AND STILL OWN THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2021
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. HUGE CRACK FROM LOWER DRIVER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD ARCING UP TOWARDS CENTER OF WINDSHIELD. CAR WAS PARKED. NO SIGN OF DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD OTHER THAN LARGE SINGLE CRACK.