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, Nov 2, 2019
DRIVING AROUND 60 MILES DOWN A SMOOTH PAVED HIGHWAY A LARGE FOOT LONG CURVED CRACK FORMED ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE BASE. I DID NOT SEE OR HEAR GRAVEL HIT THE WINDOW, OF IT DID IT MUST HAVE BEEN VERY SMALL. THERE IS NO CONSPICUOUS IMPACT POINT.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE WITHOUT AN IMPACT OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA AUTO PARK (LOCATED AT 3281 S ARLINGTON RD, AKRON, OH 44312, (330) 644-1300) WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 400.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 1, 2019
GOT MY NEW FORESTER 8/1/19. ON 9/20/19, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. WE DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING HIT IT. THE CRACK GREW TO ABOUT 2 FEET, AND THE WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED ON 9/25/19. ABOUT 10/25/19, I GOT 2 DINGS FROM ROCKS THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. I DROVE A TOYOTA FOR 12 YEARS AND HAD ONE DING. I DON'T THINK THE SUBARU WINDSHIELDS ARE STRONG ENOUGH, AND I THINK THEY PRESENT A HAZARD.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2019
TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MPH A SMALL PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD. DID NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE BUT WHEN I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AFTER A GYM WORKOUT (2 HOURS) THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE EDGE OF WINDSHIELD TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD (18' FROM EDGE OF WINDSHIELD TO THE END OF CRACK). I TOOK MY CAR TO HENDERSON GLASS IN TROY MI. AND I SUBMITTTED A CLAIM WITH PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE WHILE AT HENDERSON GLASS (REFERAL # 681837). LATER I HAD READ SUBARU FORESTER'S WERE HAVING WINDSHIELD CRACKING ISSUES. MY ISSUE IS MY $100.00 DEDUCTIBLE AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAVING TO PAY FOR A WINDSHIELD THAT MAYBE A MANUFACTER DEFECT. ALSO I DO NOT WANT MY INSURANCE RATES GO UP FOR CLAIM.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2019
WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2018. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD CRACK ON US TWICE. THE FIRST CRACK DEVELOPED 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE PURCHASE. WE NOTICED THE CRACK AFTER GETTING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE. THE SECOND CRACK APPEARED IN OCTOBER 2019. THE SECOND CRACK DEVELOPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS DRIVING AND HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. IMMEDIATELY RIGHT AFTER I NOTICE THE CRACK DEVELOP. BOTH TIMES THE CRACK WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DIRECTLY ACROSS THE LINE OF SIGHT.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2019
WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE WITH LITTLE TO NO TRAFFIC FOR APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE AHEAD OR BEHIND MY VEHICLE THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD, NEAR THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, VERTICALLY TOWARDS THE TOP AND THEN TURNED HORIZONTAL. THERE WAS NO SOUND OF AN IMPACT OR EVIDENCE OF AN EXTERNAL FACTOR CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO FRACTURE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
A SEVERELY CRACKED WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED OVERNIGHT WHILE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN OWNERS DRIVEWAY. THE CRACK WAS IN THE FORM OF A SPIDER WEB WITH NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT OF ANY KIND. THE AREA OF THE CRACKED WINDSHIELD WAS PERFECTLY SMOOTH, WITH NO DEFORMATION FROM ANY KIND OF IMPACT.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
***WINDSHIELD CRACKED*** JUST LIKE MANY OTHERS THAT REPORTED THE SAME. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED STANDING IN THE GARAGE. STARTED FROM ALL THE WAY ON THE BOTTOM AND ARCHED OVER TO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND SO FAR IT HAS STOPPED SPREADING. THERE IS NO SIGN OR IMPACT FROM ANY ROCKS OR DEBRIS. JUST A SOLID LINE. I HOPE SUBARU WILL LIVE UP TO THIS AND REPLACE THE WINDSIELD AND CALIBRATE THE EYE SIGHT UNDER FULL WARRANTY. CAR HAS 12K AND HAD IT SINCE FEB. 2019. THERE IS A LAWSUIT CURRENTLY PENDING ON THIS ISSUE AND IT STATED TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF HOW SAFE THEY CLAIM IT IS. NOW I HAVE A NEW BORN AND I DONT KNOW IF THIS CAR IS AS SAFE AS IT CLAIMS TO BE DUE TO THIS FAULTY WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
I HAVE ONLY HAD MY FORESTER FOR 3-4 MONTHS WHEN I NOTICED A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD, I CALLED SAFE LIGHT AND THEY CAME TO REPAIR IT. THEN IT CRACKED ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VERY NEXT WEEK ANOTHER CHIP HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING UNDER 35 MPH. I HAVE TO GET THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND RE CALIBRATED WHICH IS 1,000-2,000 +
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
WINDSHIELD ARE EASILY CRACK BY DEBRIS ON THE ROAD. AND SAT IN THE SON, IT WILL CRACK. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND A CAR FLICK A ROCK FROM ROAD (CONSTRUCTION AREA) AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND IMMEDIATELY CRACKED. ALSO PRIOR TO THE ROCK CHIP, MY CAR WAS PARKED AT WORK AND WHEN I CAME OUT TO SIT IN MY CAR ON MY BREAK, I NOTICE THERE IS A LONG LINE ON WINDSHIELD AND THERE'S A LINE CRACK
Visibility/wiper, Oct 28, 2019
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWO TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR. IN ONE INSTANCE IT WAS A MINOR ROCK CHIP (INCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY NEXT TO CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE) THAT TURNED INTO A FULL-BLOWN CRACK WITHIN 5 MINUTES, IN THE OTHER THERE APPEARS TO BE NO CAUSE (VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, CRACK APPEARED IN AM)
Electronic stability control (ESC), Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHEILD THOUGH THE TOP CENTER , WHERE THE EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY CENTER IS LOCATED, OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT TO CATALYZE THE CRACKING OF THE GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
ON 2/9/19 ABOUT 5PM AFTER CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 20 INCHES LONG ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD JUST COME BACK DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD NOR DID I NOTICE A CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. I HAD THE HEATER AND DEFROST ON ALONG WITH THE WIPERS GOING AT THIS TIME B/C IT WAS RAINING OFF AND ON. THE CRACK LINE WAS NEAR THE HEATING ELEMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD AND CONTINUED HORIZONTALLY TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. IT WAS ABOUT 20 INCHES LONG. I BELIEVE THE COMBINATION OF THE WINDSHIELD BEING COLD AND THE HEATING DEFROST MECHANISM BEING TURNED CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. MY INSURANCE, GEICO, REIMBURSED ME FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR $50.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD GOING 45 A SMALL ROCK POPPED UP AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING A CHIP IN IT. I'VE HAD MY FAIR SHARE OF ROCKS POP UP BEFORE AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING, AND HAVE NEVER HAD ONE THIS SMALL CAUSE A CHIP. IT IS PRETTY MUCH DIRECTLY IN FRONT ON MY EYE SIGHT CAMERAS.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE PARKED 3 WEEKS AFTER O BOUGHT IT. SUBARU REFUSED RESPONSIBILITY, SO I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND RECALIBRATION.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS A SMALL ROCK (SOUNDED LIKE A SMALL 'CLICK') HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE CRACK WITH ONLY A SMALL CHIP IN THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER LEAVING WORK THAT DAY THE CHIP HAD TURNED INTO A CRACK APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES IN LENGTH. THE CRACK CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN LENGTH OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS AND EVEN SPLIT OFF INTO A SECONDARY CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 27, 2019
I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL ON A BYPASS AND A WORK TRUCK KICKED UP A ROCK THAT HIT ME WINDSHIELD, NOTHING HAPPENED THEN, I CHECKED HOURS LATER AND IT TURNED INTO A SMALL CRACK, A FEW DAYS LATER THAT SMALL CRACK TURNED INTO A BIG CRACK THAT GREW THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD AND IS IN FIELD OF VISION
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2019
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE. AMBIENT WAS ABOUT 65 DEGREES F. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER WIPER BLADE. I ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED THE WIPER ARM WHICH STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT THE BLADE. THE RESULT WAS AN IMMEDIATE CRACK OVER 12" LONG. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 16,500 MILES. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR LESS THAN 1000 MILES.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2019
WE WERE DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND AND THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED A 12 INCH CRACK COMING UP FROM VERY LOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 65 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND WE DID NOT HAVE EITHER THE HEATER OR A/C RUNNING. OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS THE CRACK INCREASED TO ABOUT 24 INCHES. ON CLOSE EXAMINATION I DID SEE AN EXTREMELY SMALL 'STAR' WHERE THE CRACK STARTED. I DO REMEMBER HAVING A PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD OVER A MONTH AGO BUT I COULD NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE AT THE TIME. I SUPPOSE IT'S POSSIBLE THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE TINY CHIP. I HAVE RECEIVED STONE CHIPS WITH OTHER CARS BUT NEVER HAD ONE PROGRESS INTO A MAJOR CRACK LIKE THIS BEFORE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 18, 2019
THERE HAD BEEN A SQUEAKING / CRACKLING NOISE COMING FROM THE AREA WHERE THE DASH MEETS THE WINDSHIELD. THIS NOISE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS VERY HOT OUTSIDE 85 DEGREES OR MORE. WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM UP. THE CRACK STARTING WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. I HAVE FULL GLASS COVERAGE SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT. SINCE THEN I'VE HEARD ABOUT A POSSIBLE FAULTY WINDSHIELD IN THE 19 FORESTERS. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN I'LL BE GOING TO SUBARU FOR A REPLACEMENT. THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AS THE CAR ONLY HAD 5,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 15, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY
Visibility/wiper, Oct 14, 2019
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TO WORK, THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED, OUT OF NOWHERE, NO ROCK CHIP, NO IMPACT FROM OUTSIDE. IT'S A 3 MONTHS OLD FORESTER 2019 WITH ~5000 MILES ON IT. REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 14, 2019
I PURCHASED A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER IN MID-JULY AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO WINDSHIELDS DUE TO CRACKING. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS IN SEPTEMBER DUE TO A ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD ON THE FAR RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CHIP QUICKLY DEVELOPED INTO AN 18' CRACK. I NOTICED A SECOND CRACK YESTERDAY WHICH ORIGINATED BEHIND THE WIPER BLADE IN THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT EXTENDS ON A 16' ARCH IN THE SAME DIRECTION OF THE WIPER BLADE MOTION. THERE IS VERY SMALL CHIP, LOCATED BEHIND THE METAL PORTION OF THE WIPER BLADE FROM A ROCK THAT MUST HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THE SKY. I WAS TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE ON M55 BETWEEN LAKE CITY AND CADILLAC ON PAVED ROADS BUT HAD STARTED OUT THE MORNING IN MARQUETTE, MI WHERE THE TEMPERATURES WHERE IN THE 30S WITH A RAIN/SNOW MIX. I DID NOT HEAR ANY ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 13, 2019
JUST YESTERDAY MY SUBARU EXPERIENCED AN INEXPLICABLE SUDDEN WINDSHIELD FRACTURE. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WARMING UP AND I TURNED ON THE FRONT DEFROSTER AND SUDDENLY, FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, A GIANT CRACK APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. MY FORESTER CURRENTLY HAS 7600 MILES ON IT AND A ROCK/STONE HAS NEVER STRUCK MY WINDSHIELD. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS CRACK STARTED AT THE VERY BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD UNDER THE PLASTIC MOLDING PART AND MADE ITS WAY UP FROM THERE. THE CRACK STARTED IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE HEATING ELEMENTS / DEFROSTER ON THE BOTTOM MIDDLE FRONT WINDSHIELD AS SOON AS I ACTIVATED THE FRONT DEFROST FEATURE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 12, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A WELL TRAVELED ROAD I'M ASSUMING A SMALL STONE CAUSE A MINUTE DIVOT IN THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS PLANNING ON REPAIRING IT THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE NEXT MORNING THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. I PURCHASED MY SUBARU FORESTER TOURING AUGUST 2019. I DIDN'T EVEN OWN IT A MONTH AND HAVEN'T EVEN MADE A PAYMENT. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND HAVE THE SENSORS RECALIBRATED. I HAD MANY STONES HIT MY WINDSHIELD IN THE PAST AND I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE IT JUST REPAIR. I FOUND IT ODD AT THE TIME, THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. NOW AFTER READING ON CAR AND DRIVER, FACEBOOK AND NOW NHTSA I DECIDED TO REPORT IT. SINCE THE SENSOR ONLY WORKS WITH OEM GLASS AND YOU CAN'T USE RAINX I'M ASSUMING THE WINDSHIELD GLASS HAS SOME TYPE OF ISSUES. WHY ELSE COULD I NOT USE A NON OEM GLASS? I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP A KNOWN ISSUE IS THE SENSOR MAY NOT WORK.