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
406 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Apr 8, 2020
A UNKNOWN SMALL OBJECT HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHILE I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON A INTERSTATE FREEWAY WHICH CAUSED A LARGE CRACK. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 4, 2020
I HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR INFREQUENTLY IF AT ALL FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS AS THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN SHELTERING AT HOME - THIS IS PROBABLY THE LEAST AMOUNT OF STRESS ANY CAR HAS EVER BEEN PUT UNDER. THE LAST TIME I USED MY CAR WAS OVER A WEEK AGO AND OTHERWISE IT'S BEEN SITTING IN MY APARTMENT'S SMALL, OUTDOOR PARKING LOT DOING NOTHING AT ALL. WEATHER FOR THE LAST WEEK HAS BEEN EXTREMELY MODERATE IN THE HIGH 60S FAHRENHEIT AND NO WIND AT ALL. THEN I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO LOOK FOR SOMETHING AND INSTEAD FOUND A GIANT CRACK EXTENDING ACROSS HALF MY WINDSHIELD AND CURVING DOWN UNDER THE BOTTOM "SEALED" EDGE. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AS I HAVEN'T EVEN USED IT. EVEN BEFORE THE CURRENT IMMOBILITY, WITH A 7 MINUTE SUBURBAN COMMUTE THERE REALLY WASN'T MUCH GOING ON WITH A CAR SUPPOSEDLY BUILT FOR TOUGH CONDITIONS.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 2, 2020
I DROVE TO A SHOPPING CENTER AND PARKED. AFTER A COUPLE HOURS, I RETURNED TO MY CAR, AND FOUND THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED FROM THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE DIAGONALLY ACROSS TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BY SAFELITE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 26, 2020
I LEFT MY CAR IN THE GARAGE PERFECT AND THE NEXT DAY I NOTICE THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. IT HAPPENED OVER NIGHT AND WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 18, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED ACROSS THE ENTIRE SURFACE IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS OF BEING HIT WITH A SMALL ROCK IN THE CORNER OF MY BRAND NEW 2019 FORRESTER
Visibility/wiper, Mar 17, 2020
AFTER DRIVING THE NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER FOR ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS, I NOTICED LOTS OF CHIPS AND FINE SCRATCHES ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. AND NOW, AFTER DRIVING IT FOR LESS THAN 8 MONTHS, A 12'' CRACK APPEARS ON THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE CAR FULLY COVERED IN THE GARAGE. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO PAY ABOUT $1200 TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. I KNOW THERE ARE MULTIPLE LAWSUITS ON THIS ISSUE AND SUBARU OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS AS A COMMON ISSUE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 17, 2020
I HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 CRACKS IN MY WINDSHIELD IN THE 1ST 10 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. BOTH INSTANCES OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND LATER NOTICED THAT A CRACK APPEARED ON MY WINDSHIELD. IN OUR PREVIOUS 30 YEARS OF DRIVING, NEITHER MY WIFE NOR I HAVE EXPERIENCED ANY WINDSHIELD CRACKS AND WE BELIEVE THAT THE WINDSHIELD PROVIDED WITH OUR 2019 SUBARU FORESTER (PURCHASED NEW) IS DEFECTIVE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 17, 2020
ROCK CRACKED WINDSHIELD, WHILE MOVING ON FREEWAY, DRIVERS SIDE. 2 DAYS LATER CRACK RAN ABOUT HALF WAY ACROSS WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF DRIVER. LARGE TRUCK SENT ROCK INTO WINDSHIELD, WHILE MOVING DOWN FREEWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 16, 2020
WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE AND EASILY DAMAGED. FIRST DAMAGED OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 24, 2019 WITH 4501 MILES DRIVEN. A SMALL PEBBLE STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD RESULTING IN A SMALL STAR BURST CRACK WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. SECOND DAMAGED OCCURRED ON MARCH 15, 2020 WITH 8,651 MILES DRIVEN. A STRESS CRACK FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD ORIGINATING RIGHT BELOW THE WIPER BLADE DEFROSTING HEATING ELEMENT. THE CRACK WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY IMPACT. LATER IT WAS NOTICED AFTER THE CAR WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. REVIEWED MANY OTHER SUBARU CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME STRESS CRACK ORIGINATING FROM BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER HEATING ELEMENTS. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THE 2019 SUBARU FORESTER SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR EITHER HAVING A STRUCTURAL DESIGN FAULT THAT CAUSES STRESS CRACKS TO FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS OR THE GLASS IS VERY BRITTLE FROM MINOR STRIKES OR FLEXING.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 16, 2020
MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER HAS HAD ITS WINDSHIELD GLASS REPLACED ONCE AND TODAY IS THE SECOND TIME ITS DAMAGED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CRACKED WITHIN A PERIOD OF 9 MONTHS. IT WAS A SMALL CHIP WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND LATER WHILE NOT IN MOTION THE CRACK KEPT EXPANDING. I SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED TO HAVE ORIGINAL PARTS BUT THE OVERALL BUILD QUALITY SEEMS VERY POOR TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN SO FREQUENTLY.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Mar 16, 2020
2 ISSUES 1. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND THE CAR IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. 2. THE ENGINE PULSES AS IF STUCK BETWEEN GEARS WHEN DOING 75+MPH, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING UPHILL. THERE ARE FLUCTUATIONS IN ACCELERATION THAT MAKE IT FEEL LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2020
APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING A BRAND NEW SUBARU FORRESTER 2019 TOURING VEHICLE DIRECTLY FROM SUBARU, THE WINDSHIELD SUFFERED A CRACK. ON FEBRUARY 24, 2019, I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY IN CALIFORNIA WHEN A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CREATED A SMALL DENT WHICH THEN SPLINTERED INTO A CRACK THAT SPREAD FURTHER AND FURTHER THROUGHOUT THE WINDSHIELD. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THAT WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I USED A LOCAL COMPANY TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WITH A BRAND NEW WINDSHIELD FROM SUBARU AND THEN I HAD SUBARU RECALIBRATE THE EYESIGHT CAMERA. MY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE LIMITED THE TOTAL COST FOR THIS REPAIR AND RECALIBRATION. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, ON FEBRUARY 16, 2020, ONCE AGAIN, WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN CALIFORNIA, SMALL ROCKS HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CREATED TWO SMALL DENTS (EACH SMALLER IN SIZE THAN A QUARTER). FORTUNATELY, THESE DENTS DID NOT SPLINTER INTO CRACKS BUT THEY BOTH NEEDED TO BE FILLED. THE COST WAS COVERED FOR THIS OUT OF POCKET. I AM NOT CERTAIN BUT MY BEST ASSESSMENT IS THAT SUBARU'S WINDSHIELD FOR THE 2019 FORRESTER MAY BE DEFECTIVE. IN NEITHER CASE WAS I SPEEDING, NOR WERE THE ROCKS THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD LARGE. THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT INCLUDES THE COST OF WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT, EYESIGHT RECALIBRATION, AND DENT FILLINGS.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2020
WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CRACK OCCURRED WHILE PARKED. I WAS TOLD WHEN REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD THAT THEY WERE ON BACKORDER DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF WINDSHIELDS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, AND WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF INSTALLATION OF THE SECOND WINDSHIELD CHIPPED. THE CHIP WAS NOTICED AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING.*DT
Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2020
TWO THINGS: OUT OF NOWHERE OUR FIRST WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND OUR REAR TAILGATE GETS JAMMED UP ALL THE TIME AND WE HAVE TO DO A RESET
Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2020
BOUGHT THE CAR 9/18/19, SMALL PEBBLE HIT WINDSHIELD WHICH INSTANTLY CRACKED DEC 1, 2019, HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED CAR. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2020
WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT BEING STRUCK BY ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A STATE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES IN MY LANE. THE CRACK INITIATED FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND WAS APPROXIMATELY 24 IN LONG, ACROSS THE DRIVERS FIELD OF VISION. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE AGENCY TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND SPENT $500 OUT IF POCKET.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2020
I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON 5/9/2019 AND WINDSHIELD HIT BY SMALL INVISIBLE ROCK CHIP AND WINDSHIELD GOT CRACKS FROM LOWER TO MIDDLE AND STARTED SPREADING ALL OVER
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2020
WINDSHIELD CONSTANTLY GETS CHIPS IN IT FROM ANYTHING. AFTER A 2000 MILE ROAD TRIP THE WINDSHIELD HAS HUNDREDS OF TINY CHIPS IN IT.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2020
SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN WINDSHIELD 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2020
MONDAY OCTOBER 21ST I WAS DRIVING 65 MILES PER HOUR ON US 23 WHEN I HEARD A NICK ON THE WINDSHIELD. ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER I NOTICED A CRACK GOING FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE MIDDLE. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED INSURANCE COVERED IT BUT I HAD TO PAY $200 DEDUCTIBLE. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY SUBARU FORESTER WINDSHIELDS BREAKING IN THIS MANNER.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 12, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACK SIGNIFICANTLY. VERY LIGHT STRIKE BY SMALL DEBRIS.. TRAVELING ON I65 NORTH IN TENNESSE NEAR KENTUCKY BORDER.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 11, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD ON THIS VEHICLE HAS CRACKED 3 TIMES IN 9 MONTHS. ANY TIME ANY SORT OF SMALL PEBBLE HITS THE WINDSHIELD, IT CRACKS. MOST RECENT SMALL CRACK SPREAD FOR ABOUT 12 INCHES ALMOST INSTANTLY. NEVER HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN A VEHICLE BEFORE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 10, 2020
MY CAR WINDSHIELD HAS A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE WIPERS. IT WAS STATIONARY AND THEN I NOTICED A CRACK ONE MORNING. I USUALLY PARK MY CAR IN MY GARAGE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 9, 2020
DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED A CRACK FORMED ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED. LAST YEAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON I-45, DEALER TRIED TO FIX IT AND ENDED UP MAKING IT WORSE SO THEY OFFERED A FREE REPLACEMENT.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 9, 2020
IN APRIL 2019 LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER I GOT A ROCK CHIP ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON A 45 MPH ROAD. THE AUTO GLASS REPAIR SHOP WAS ALREADY CLOSED SO I PLANNED TO GO THE NEXT DAY FOR REPAIR. I CAME OUT THE NEXT MORNING TO MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED HALFWAY ACROSS BEYOND REPAIR EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT. I'VE NEVER HAD A CHIP BECOME A CRACK WITHIN A DAY AND NEVER HAD ONE HALFWAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. I GOT THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BUT WITHIN A FEW MONTHS I GOT A STARBURST CRACK FROM A ROCK ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS ABLE TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE GLASS REPAIR SHOP WITHIN THE HOUR. THE FIX ONLY DELAYED THE INEVITABLE AND WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED AT WORK ONE DAY THE WINDSHIELD SPLIT ACROSS WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY PROGRESSION. MY SECOND NEW WINDSHIELD WAS INSTALLED LAST WEEK AND THIS MORNING I GOT A VERY SMALL ROCK CHIP ON A 30 MPH ROAD. BY THE TIME I DROVE LESS THAN 10 MINUTES HOME AND UNLOADED THE GROCERIES IT HAD STARTED TO CRACK. I WAS AT THE GLASS REPAIR SHOP WITHIN 2 HOURS RIGHT WHEN THEY OPENED TO HAVE THE CRACK REPAIRED BEFORE IT COULD SPLIT FURTHER. I FEAR WITH A REPAIR IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS ONE CRACKS TOO. IF SO, THAT WILL BE THREE NEW WINDSHIELDS IN LESS THAN 18 MONTHS WITH LESS THAN 22,000 MILES DRIVEN. NEITHER I OR MY INSURANCE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SUCH A WEAK PRODUCT THAT DOES NOT MEET EXPECTATIONS AND FAILS TO MEET EVEN BASIC STANDARDS OF RESILIENCY AND QUALITY. THE INCONVENIENCE OF LITERALLY HAVING TO DROP EVERYTHING TO GET AN IMMEDIATE REPAIR ON ANY CHIP BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT WILL NOT EVEN LAST A FEW HOURS WITHOUT SPREADING. I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A WINDSHIELD IN MY LIFE ON THESE VERY SAME ROADS. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PRODUCT OR IT'S A WAY TO EARN MORE MONEY ON OEM REPLACEMENTS SINCE WE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE WITH THE EYESIGHT CAMERAS.