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, Mar 6, 2020
I DROVE TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND PARKED IN THE PARKING GARAGE. WINDSHIELD WAS TOTALLY FINE. WHEN I WALKED BACK IN THE EVENING, I SAW IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS A HUGE CRACK IN THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD WITH NO OTHER APPARENT DAMAGE. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY THE ENTIRE TIME AND IT'S CLEAR THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL EVENT THAT CAUSED THE CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 4, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK THAT IS 18" LONG. IT APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE . I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR DRIVERS.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 4, 2020
WINDSHIELD WAS STRUCK BY A ROCK IN THE BLACK AREA AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DING IS TINY WITH NO SPIDERWEB CRACKS RADIATING FROM IT. A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, A LARGE CRACK STARTED FROM THE DING AND WEND DOWN AND ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 3, 2020
ON THE MORNING OF SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2020, I WENT TO GET INTO MY PARKED 2019 SUBARU FORESTER AND NOTICED A HORIZONTAL CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK IS ROUGHLY 17 INCHES LONG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY THE DAY BEFORE, BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT. THE CRACK APPEARS TO HAVE COME ABOUT WITHOUT CAUSE AND INHIBITS THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CLEARLY SEE THE ROAD.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 3, 2020
MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER EXPERIENCED A TINY ROCK CHIP ON THE LOWER PASSENGER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD FROM DEBRIS THAT WAS INITIALLY HARDILY NOTICEABLE UNTIL I REACHED HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE WINDSHIELD CHIP BEGAN TO GROW AND CRACK TO OVER 12" ACROSS THE LOWER LEFT PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2020
I WENT OUTSIDE IN THE MORNING AND MY SUBARU HAD A HUGE CRACK ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED TO CAUSE THE CRACK. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY RIGHT UP IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE. THE CRACK RADIATED OUT ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD AND RENDERED THE EYE-SIGHT UNABLE TO WORK. INSURANCE STATE FARM CLAIM NUMBER IS 19-B151-3T0
Visibility/wiper, Feb 29, 2020
TWO CRAKCS ON MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER WINDSHIELD. DON'T REMEMBER HOW IT HAPPENED JUST SAW IT ALL OF A SUDDEN, IMPAIR VERSION AND SAFETY. DEALER RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND HAVE THE EYE SIGHT SYSTEM READJUSTED.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2020
MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER DEVELOPED MULTIPLE CHIPS ON WINDSHIELD IN JUST 7 MONTHS (4500 MILES). DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DUE TO BAD ROADS/SALT ON THE ROAD. BUT I AM DRIVING MY OTHER VEHICLE (TOYOTA) ON THE SAME ROADS FOR PAST 5 YEARS, AND NOT A SINGLE CHIP/CRACK ON IT! THE PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY POOR QUALITY OF WINDSHIELD ON 2019 SUBARU FORESTER.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 25, 2020
WE HAD JUST PURCHASED OUR NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER IN LATE MARCH/EARLY APRIL 2019. IN SEPTEMBER 2019, WE TOOK A TRIP TO SPICER RESERVOIR IN CALIFORNIA FROM THE SF BAY AREA IN CALIFORNIA. ON OUR WAY BACK DOWN THE MOUNTAIN, THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF US. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, AND THERE WAS NO WIND. WE WE'RE DESCENDING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN ROADS. SUDDENLY, THE WINDSHIELD MADE A LOUD POP SOUND, AND CRACK STARTED EMERGING FROM THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AREA. THERE WAS NO ROCK OR IMPACT THAT STARTED THE CRACK. AGAIN, THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF US THAT COULD HAVE FLUNG DEBRIS AT US. WE THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS CAUSED BY A PRESSURE CHANGED? WE HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THE CRACK. THE CRACK CONTINUED TO CREATE A LARGE, ~2 FOOT LONG, QUESTION MARK-SHAPED CRACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. WE INSPECTED THE CRACK AND THERE IS NO IMPACT MARK AT ALL, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE CRACK BEGAN BELOW THE BOTTOM SEAL OF THE WINDSHIELD. REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELDS WERE QUOTED IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT. READING OTHER FORUM POSTS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT MADE IT CLEAR THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT ISOLATED TO JUST OUR CAR.
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.