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, Mar 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF ONTARIO (888-905-4875, LOCATED AT 1195 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2019
BOUGHT THE CAR 11/23/2018, AND IN JANUARY 2019 THE WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM THE BOTTOM UP AND BRANCH OUT FOR NO REASON. THE CAR PARKED INSIDE OF OUR GARAGE. CONTACTED SUBARU HQ AND DEALERSHIP SUBARU OF ONTARIO CALIFORNIA, BOTH DENIED THE WINDSHIELD HAS ANY DEFECT. AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER ONLY LOOKED AT IT 2 SECONDS AND SAID IT'S IMPACTED!!
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACK AND ROCK CHIP. THE SUBARU OEM WINDSHIELD IS VERY WEAK AND I'VE ALREADY NOTICED A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD FOR A CAR THAT IS 5 MONTHS OLD. SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT FOR THE PREVIOUS YEARS, AND ITS THE SAME FOR 2019 AS WELL.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THERE WERE SOME BUMPS ON THE ROAD AND SUDDENLY A CRACKLING NOISE AND A VERTICAL CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACKED RUN FROM THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHILED.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 8, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON NOTHING HIT IT WENT TO DEALER NO HELP FROM THEM TOOK CAR TO GLASS EXPERT . SAID WINDSHIELD WAS NOT HIT (SPONTANEOUS CRACK) HAPPENS ON 02/13/2019 FOUND OUT NO REPLACEMENT IN THE USA. WINDOW OUT OF CAR 02/26/2019)SUBARU NO HELP LEFT WITHOUT CAR
Visibility/wiper, Feb 5, 2019
I AM HERE TO REPORT MY 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER WINDSHIELD CRACK. I THE CAR IS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD AND WE FOUND THE CRACK IN THE MORNING WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENS ON 2015 OUTBACK I CALLED THE SHOP AND THEY TOOK PICTURES AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANY CHIPS THAT WOULD INDICATE A ROCK OR PEBBLE HIT THE CAR AND SAID THEY WILL CALL SUBARU AND GET BACK TO ME