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, 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.
Visibility/wiper, May 17, 2019
NEW CAR - 3 WEEKS OLD AND A 1,000 MILES. DRIVING TO WORK ON A ROUTE I'VE TAKEN FOR 5 YEARS. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON I-195 ON A RAINY MORNING, AND I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHILED BUT I COULDN'T SEE ANY DAMAGE. AFTER WORK WALKING BACK TO MY CAR I SEE A ONE FOOT CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WHICH HAS NOW GROWN TO TWO FEET RUNNING HORIZONTAL. THERE IS A SMALL CHIP JUST BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER. THE CRACK HAS GROWN FROM THAT CHIP. VERY FRUSTRATING TO HAVE GLASS BREAK AND CRACK SO EASILY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS I SAW THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH FORESTER GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, May 16, 2019
I PURCHASED MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER SPORT ON FRIDAY, 4/19/19. ON SATURDAY, 4/20/19 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE RIGHT LANE WITH A PICKUP TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER AHEAD AND IN THE LANE TO MY LEFT. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING, BUT HEARD A CRACK AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE TOP JUST A FEW INCHES FROM CENTER TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE DOWN TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. UPON INSPECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD IT APPEARED THAT A SMALL ROCK MAY HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE TOP IN THE SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS BLACK. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS HIT BY SOMETHING AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE AND PAID THE DEDUCTIBLE TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE MONDAY, 5/6/19 AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. ON WEDNESDAY, 5/8/19 WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WITH NOBODY IN FRONT OF ME, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER UP TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY IMPACT DAMAGE CAUSING THE CRACK. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON TUESDAY 5/14/19 AFTER THE SECOND WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. AS OF TODAY, THURSDAY 5/16/19 THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE, ALTHOUGH WITH HAVING TWO WINDSHIELDS REPLACED WITHIN LESS THAN ONE MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, IT APPEARS THERE IS SOME SORT OF PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN OF THE SUBARU VEHICLES AND/OR WINDSHIELDS.
Electrical system, Structure, Visibility/wiper, May 12, 2019
I HAD THE NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER FOR NOT EVEN A MONTH YET, AND I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 5 TIMES REGARD OF POWER REAR GATE NOT OPENING AND CRACKED RIGHT REAR QUARTER GLASS, WHICH OF THE TWO I CONSIDERED MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, BUT THEY DENIED ON BOTH ISSUES BUT COULD NOT PROVIDE ME THE REASON AND PROPER WAY OF HOW THEY'RE GOING TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 25, 2019
FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS NUMEROUS ROCK CHIPS, QUALITY OF THE GLASS IS NOT UP TO PAR AND I'M AFRAID THAT CRACKS WILL START TO FORM SOON. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS SUBARU NEEDS TO BE AWARE THAT THE CURRENT GLASS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH A DURABLE GLASS AND BE ABLE TO RESIST EVERYDAY HITS FROM SMALL DEBRIS ON THE FREEWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 23, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM A SMALL PEBBLE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, TRAVELING LESS THAN 40 MPH WHEN A PEBBLE HIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND PEBBLES BEING THROWN UP FROM THE ROAD. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS WINDSHIELD CANNOT HANDLE DEBRIS HITTING IT. NO DIVOTS OR PITTING IN THE WINDSHIELD, JUST AN IMMEDIATE CRACK THAT GROWS. VERY DISAPPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 22, 2019
WINDSHIELD BROKE
Visibility/wiper, Apr 19, 2019
HAD CAR ONLY THREE MONTHS. NOW IN ADDITION TO A CHIP THERE IS A GIGANTIC CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT WILL REQUIRE AN EXPENSIVE OEM REPLACEMENT.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2019
DRIVING ON A 3 HOUR DRIVE HOME GOING 65MPH I GOT SMALL ROCKS HIT THE WINDSHIELD AT TWO DIFFERENT TIMES AND IMMEDIATELY CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS GOING 45MPH ON ONE AND 65MPH ON THE OTHER. SEEMS TO BE A BAD DESIGN OR JUST BAD WINDSHIELDS.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2019
WHILE DRIVING A SLIGHT NOISE WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY THE APPEARANCE OF A HORIZONTAL CRACK WHICH SPREAD TO APPROXIMATELY 15". VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A US HIGHWAY. BOTH SAFELITE AND THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER HAVE ADVISED THAT REPLACEMENT GLASS IS ON HOLD / NATIONAL BACKORDER. IT HAS BEEN BROKEN AND THERE IS NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN OR IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 9, 2019
WITHIN THIS VEHICLE'S FIRST 500 MILES SOME WIND WHIPPED UP SAND PARTICLES ON THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A "POP POP POP" AND WHEN I GOT OUT NOTICED THREE SMALL CHIPS ON THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE HAD CARS FOR THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF MILES AND NEVER A CHIP. I AM NOW FEARFUL OF TAKING THIS CAR ON GRAVEL ROADS WHICH IS WHY I PURCHASED IT.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 5, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. CAR WAS MOVING AND HIT BY A STONE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. CHIP GREW HORIZONTALLY ACROSS THE LINE OF SIGHT. NOW I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON WINDSHIELDS FOR THIS MODEL. THIS HAS CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE, A LEGAL ISSUE, AND A CONVENIENCE ISSUE. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE I SEE WHERE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE CARS SHOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IF THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR SOMETHING AS BASIC AS A WINDSHIELD. THIS "SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE" IS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 5, 2019
CRACKED WINDSHIELD AFTER DRIVING ONLY 1500 MILES. WE WERE DRIVING WITH NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD WHEN WE HEARD IT CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 5, 2019
DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. SMALL ROCK CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD TO HALF
Visibility/wiper, Apr 4, 2019
WHEN DRIVING ON THE LOCAL ROAD, I HEARD A LOUD SNAP FROM MY WINDSHIELD BUT FORGOT ABOUT THAT WHEN I GOT HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I NOTICED A CRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. TODAY THAT CRACK EXTENDED BY SEVERAL INCHES. ACCORDING TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP, THERE IS A VERY LONG BACK ORDER FOR 2019 SUBARU FORESTER WINDSHIELDS.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 1, 2019
THE FORESTER ARRIVED TO US FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH A CRACKED WINDSHIELD. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE REPLACEMENT WAS CRACKED WITHIN A DAY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE 2019 SUBARU FORESTER WINDSHIELDS. BOTH TIMES OF INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS IMPACTED BY A VERY SMALL ROCK - YET THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD BECAME DAMAGED.