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, Sep 14, 2021
When i entered my car on Monday 9-13-21 to go to store found a cracked in the windshield start from the top corner to the middle where the eyesight is located towards the middle and formed a J . The car was not used since friday night 9-10-21. I immediately checked if there was any object that hit or cause my windshield crack but could not find any. It just cracked for no reason
Visibility/wiper, Sep 11, 2021
Front windshield spontaneously cracked on passenger front side. The crack is only in the inside layer of glass and does not go all the way through it. Subaru dealer documented there is not impact from anything thing.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 2, 2021
VEHICLE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. FIRST CRACKED IN LOWER MIDDLE BY TRIM, THEN WENT UP AND SPLIT LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS CRACK IS CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES AND CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE ISSUES WITH EYESIGHT (ADAS)
Visibility/wiper, Aug 31, 2021
Normal highway driving, when a loud "pop" noise occurred. Pulled over and assessed the front end, which revealed a large crack on the windshield. Immediately reported to insurance for replacement claim.
Visibility, Aug 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the garage and the following morning he noticed there was a crack on the windshield. The contact stated that he could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the windshield needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred while the vehicle was parked in the garage. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 16, 2021
The windshield on my 2019 Subaru Forester is the worst windshield I have seen. In three years, of which I have worked from home half that time and thus limited driving, I had over 8 rock chips, four of which are star cracks. I owned a Hyundai for eight years and never had an issue with that windshield. This is the worst glass I have ever had in a vehicle. I wished there was an aftermarket glass that could be installed to replace this one instead of the manufacturer's glass, but I am told the eyesight feature may not work then. I am stuck having to replace this windshield with the same glass. So I am sure I will be returning for another replacement, again and again, and again. The latest rock chip caused the windshield to crack half -way across the windshield and the split causes any passenger to have light refracted directly into their eyes.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 7, 2021
While washing my vehicle, I would notice small tiny little dips in the windshield. It appeared to be tiny chips as if they were hit with 1000 pebbles. I addressed the issue with the dealership in January 2021. They took pictures and submitted it to the Subaru corporate office. I knew that there were issues related to windshields cracking spontaneously which is why I addressed it with the dealership. They stated that my vehicle may not be related to that issue. Today, August 7, 2021, I went to lunch and park my vehicle. When I returned, I noticed a large crack which runs halfway through my windshield. It starts on the bottom right corner and goes all the way across underneath my rearview mirror.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 29, 2021
Date of incident: 16JUL2021; Mileage at time of incident: 23,202; Driving home from having a recall repair at the dealership, the front windshield cracked with no apparent outside impact. Crack originated in the area where the de-icer for the wipers is located vertically in the middle of the windshield. In an approximate 30 minute time frame the crack proceeded vertically up the middle of the windshield at which point it started to move in a horizontal direction toward the driver side directly at eye level.
Visibility, Structure, Jul 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle in October 2019, five separate cracks had formed on the windshield due to various small debris hitting the windshield while driving at various speeds. On five separate occasions, the contact had taken the vehicle to the same independent mechanic who replaced the windshield each time. Despite each repair, the same failure would occur soon after replacement. Currently, the contact stated that there were two cracks on her windshield, one that had formed on the lower driver side of the windshield and another on the bottom side of the passenger’s side windshield. The contact stated that the cracks obstructed her view while driving. The contact stated that there were several dents on the hood. She had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that the dents were caused by acorns falling onto the hood. The contact was informed that the hood metal was very soft. She also mentioned that while driving at various speeds or even going through a car wash, the hood would wobble due to the wind and air would circulate through the hood. The dealer had been notified of the failure and informed her that they were unaware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 19, 2021
I was driving to work at 6:15 am and I was stopped at a traffic light with no other cars around me. I heard a light pop sound and realized my front windshield had a huge (approximately 13” ) crack in it.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 12, 2021
While my Subaru forester 2019 was in a parked location, the window spontaneously shattered on upper corner of the passenger side. At the time, the car had less than 15,000 miles on it.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 11, 2021
Our car was parked in our driveway, off-street. Went to drive on Sunday July 11th, around noon, and noticed a large crack in the windshield where there WAS NONE the day before (last driving occurrence). There were NO signs of impact, no vandalism (security cameras didn't pick up anyone). No hail in the weather report for the night. The crack seems consistent with other reports of cracks originating at the base of the windshield. It is about 2ft. in length, starts roughly at the base of the passenger side and goes up about 4 inches and towards the driver's side the rest of the way.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 7, 2021
The windshield has repeatedly chipped from minimal road debris prompting numerous repairs.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2021
Rear window spontaneously shattered while driving. Nothing struck the window and there was no previous damage.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2021
The windshield spontaneously cracked originating from the passenger side to the middle while driving out of a parking lot. Nothing struck the windshield and there was no previous damage.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 28, 2021
While driving down the road, with no other cars around, out of nowhere the windshield developed a huge crack starting at the base of the windshield in the middle and traveled upward and across the middle in front of the driver’s line of site obstructing the view. It was very startling. After researching the issue, I discovered it is a known issue and there is a class action lawsuit for this issue. Subaru refuses to acknowledge the issue. 06/21/2019
Visibility/wiper, Jun 27, 2021
For the second time in 3 years have large crack in windshield. No known reason for Crack and it is quickly moving across entire windshield.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 25, 2021
With about 14,800 miles on my 2019 Subaru Forrester the windshield cracked. I took the Vehicle to Brilliance Subaru, 1500 North Randall Road, Elgin, IL 60123, 224-281-4300 and was told that the crack wasn't covered under my warranty. I know this damage was not caused by any flying debris as the crack started on the bottom of the windshield and there is no chip in the windshield. I have read that many other owners have faced the same situation, as Subaru installed faulty windshields. This should be covered under warranty and the installation and recalibration should be Subaru's expense not the owner of the vehicle.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 23, 2021
When I went to get in Forrester in the morning, the windshield has crack. Running from base of drivers side across to passenger side. It was not there night before Because it goes through drives side, it impairs drivers view of road
Visibility/wiper, Jun 22, 2021
Windshield with at least 2-ft long cracked line on my 2019 Subaru Forester. Line appeared instantly after something (perhaps a small rock/pebble) hit the windshield. The cracked line is within the sight of vision of the driver. Getting multiple glares from the cracked line when sun light hits it on certain angles. Thus, making driving uneasy during sunny days. Incident happened on 6/18/21 while driving on I-5 southbound in Oregon. I contacted a Safelite Auto Glass shop and was told that the whole windshield needs to be replaced. I made appointment with Safelite to have the windshield replaced when I return back home in Washington state in early July 2021.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2021
I’ve owned the vehicle for 21 months and have fewer than 24,000 miles on the car. During this time, I’ve sustained 2 windshield chips (both were promptly repaired), and now 1 windshield crack. This seems unusual and excessive.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 18, 2021
Driving vehicle down the road with no vehicles in front and the windshield cracked for no apparent reason. Cracked in the lower left corner and then grew to about 18” spreading to the right and through the drivers sight line.
Visibility, Jun 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, a large crack appeared in the middle of the front windshield. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the windshield needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 12, 2021
I was sitting at a traffic light and heard a crack. No cars in front or at the time passing me by. I then saw a crack on my passenger side windshield. Upon my research I note there have been several complaints with this manufacturer and model of car. The car will be inspected on Monday.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 10, 2021
My car has 24,000 miles on it. A month after I got it, a large crack developed in the windshield and I had to replace it. (Very expensive!) The new windshield has chipped twice and I’ve had to have those repaired. Today I discovered another large crack which will require a new windshield. See picture.) I am aware that there is a class action lawsuit in New Jersey regarding defective windshields for this model (and others). So far, I am averaging one chip and one new windshield every 12,000 miles. That is outrageous! I’m sure Subaru will say that the chips and cracks were caused by road debris, but I am 64 years old and have driven since I was 16. In all that time, I have had to have only one chip repaired until I got my new Subaru. The windshield is clearly too delicate and fragile for the task.