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
833 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Jun 4, 2021
I just received Subaru Safety Recall WRD-21 issued May 2021. It says there is a DEFECT that can cause a crash. It says “overtime, due to initial variation in rear stabilizer bracket dimensions, the rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and possibly detach”. I purchased my Subaru Forester Touring model 2-2-2019. On 7-20-2020 with only 19;413 miles I experienced a very loud rattle in the rear. My local dealer in Albuquerque, NM found that both rear stabilizer bolts were very loose and about to fall out. They retorqued them to specification and checked for a recall. Of course they found none and said someone at the factory probably didn’t torque to the correct value. Now I receive this WRD-21 notice. I called Subaru customer service to find out why this defect is fixed by a simple retorquing of the bolts. Based on their own statement the loosening is caused by a manufacturing error in the stabilizer bracket dimensions. Simple retorquing in my opinion will not fix the defect but only fix the symptoms and probably the bots will become loose again over time due to the imperfections in the stabilizer bracket dimensions as they admitted. Subaru told me all recalls are approved by the NHTSA before it is sent out. So some engineer at NHTSA must have analyzed the problem and their proposed solution and approved it. I disagree with the approval and believe the bolts will loosen again under normal use. Many Subaru owners buy the Forrester model for off road use on rough roads. I fear it will happen to me again. I request NHTSA re-examine this recall and require Subaru to issue another recall to perform a permanent fix to this admitted safety defect in their product. Please me know your decision at [XXX] [XXX] Bernalillo, NM. [XXX] Or at [XXX]
Visibility/wiper, Jun 2, 2021
A very tiny pebble bounced off of our windshield very lightly as we were going 45 MPH. The force of the impact should not have caused any damage to the windshield however it resulted in a 12 inch crack across the windshield.
Visibility, Jun 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary in his driveway, he noticed a large diagonal crack on the windshield. The contact stated that the crack happened without impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,900.
Air bags, Jun 1, 2021, crash
2019 Subaru Forester was stopped with left directional signal on to make a left turn. Waiting for oncoming traffic to pass. Vehicle was hit multiple times from the front, back AND side. Airbags did NOT deploy. Driver of the vehicle which hit us said he was “distracted” when he hit us and that it was his fault.
Visibility/wiper, May 29, 2021
Windshield spontaneously developed a large crack. The crack decreased driver's visibility. Dealership representative said damage was unlikely covered by warrantee. The windshield required replacement and recalibration of the EyeSight system, no other inspections were performed. There was no warning of impending failure or antecedent trauma.
Visibility/wiper, May 25, 2021
My forester was parked in an open area with no other cars or people close - The car had just been turned off, and I had gotten out to open the rear gate when to my surprise, without explanation or frankly noise or other evidence of it what caused it to happen, I came back to find my windshield has spontaneously cracked.
Visibility, May 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated the windshield crack without impact. The contact called and notified the local dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Visibility/wiper, May 18, 2021
Windshield cracked after no impact
Visibility, May 17, 2021
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE STARTED OFF ON THE PASSENGER’S SIDE AND EXPANDED TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD WHERE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LOCATED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, May 16, 2021
TWICE LAST WINTER I NEEDED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DRAINED. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS UNUSED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WE LATER REALIZED THAT THE CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK (CAN) WAS OPERATING EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. WE LEARNED THIS WHEN WE HEARD A WHIRRING NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR AT TIMES WHEN IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND NOT BEING USED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS WAS NORMAL, AND THE CAR WAS DOING WHAT IT SHOULD. DRAINING THE BATTERY IS NOT NORMAL.
Electrical system, May 16, 2021
THE BATTERY OF THE CAR DRAINED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IT WAS OFF AND PARKED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE BATTERY WAS FINE. ONE MONTH LATER THE BATTERY DRAINED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY OF THE CAR AFTER THAT. THE CAR HAS TO BE PLUGGED INTO A CHARGER WHEN IT IS NOT IN USE.
Electrical system, May 15, 2021
TWICE WE WERE STRANDED AFTER TRYING TO USE THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING THE NIGHT BEFORE. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY - AT 20,000 MILES! GETTING ROAD SERVICE WAS VERY DIFFICULT, SINCE THE CAR IS HARD TO REACH IN A GARAGE ON A HILL. ANOTHER TIME MY WIFE DROVE 15 MILES WITH A CONSTANT BEEPING DUE TO THE REAR GATE LATCH NOT CLOSING PROPERLY. WE HAVE RESET THE THING DOZENS OF TIMES.
Visibility/wiper, May 14, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT REASON. THIS IS APPARENTLY COMMON AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE A RECALL. THIS WILL COST ME OVER $1,000.
Electrical system, Engine, May 12, 2021
THE CAR BATTERY GOES STONE COLD DEAD IF THE CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN A WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING. LAST GUY WHO JUMPED THE CAR HAD A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO CHARGE. THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR 2 MONTHS WHILE I WAS AWAY.
Visibility, May 10, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE BECAME AWARE THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.
Visibility/wiper, May 10, 2021
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH OUT ANY OBVIOUS IMPACT. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
Visibility/wiper, May 4, 2021
I GOT INTO MY CAR (PARKED IN PARKING GARAGE) AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. I REMEMBER USING THE DEFROSTER THAT MORNING AND DON'T RECALL SEEING A CRACK. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SUBARU OWNERS AS THERE IS A LAWSUIT OUT FOR DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS. THERE ARE NO POINTS OF IMPACT. THE CRACK STARTS CLOSE TO THE MIDDLE AND SPREADS UPWARD, NOT HORIZONTAL.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 30, 2021
A CRACKED WINDSHIELD THAT IS EXPANDING WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE
Visibility/wiper, Apr 29, 2021
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON A COOL, OCCASIONALLY DRIZZLY EVENING, NOTICED A SHORT VERTICAL CRACK AT BASE OF WINDSHIELD MIDWAY BETWEEN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. DEFROSTER WAS USED A FEW TIMES TO KEEP WINDSHIELD CLEAR. THERE HAD BEEN NO IMPACT. A FEW DAYS LATER IT HAD GROWN SEVERAL INCHES AND MADE A HARD LEFT TURN. A WEEK LATER WHILE PARKED IN THE SUN, THE CRACK SPREAD ALL ACROSS DRIVER SIDE AND ALSO ADDED A NEW VERTICAL CRACK A FEW INCHES TALL THAT THEN TURNED AND SPREAD TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 24, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM NORMAL ROAD DEBRIS. THIS IS THE SECOND CRACK IN AS MANY MONTHS (NOT DUE TO NEGATIVE DRIVING HABITS). THE WINDSHIELD IS UNABLE TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE FROM ROAD DEBRIS AS IT CRACKS FROM MINIMAL DEBRIS IMPACT AND BECOMES UNSTABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 23, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE PARKED
Visibility/wiper, Apr 22, 2021
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE. FIRST TIME WE HAD IT REPLACED ON 12/17/2019 PROBABLY DUE TO A ROCK. 6359 MILES ON VEHICLE. SECOND TIME IT CRACKED ON SEPT. 8, 2020. IT WAS IN A WARM GARAGE AND PULLED OUT ON A COOL MORNING. DRIVEN A MILE ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. CRACK DUE TO COOLER TEMPERATURES OR UNKNOWN. 8,700 MILES AT TIME. THIS CAR IS NOT DRIVEN MUCH. CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE SECOND TIME AT $1400.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 21, 2021
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A SMALL CRACK. STARTED IN THE LOWER LEFT DRIVERS SIDE AND QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE IMPAIR MY VISIBILITY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN YAKIMA WA, AND THE INSPECTOR SAID IT WAS A ROCK. WHICH I KNOW IT WASN'T AS I WOULD'VE NOTICED SUCH AN EVENT, THERE WAS NOT AN IMPACT WHICH I'VE WITNESS PLENTY OF, AND AM VERY PROTECTIVE OF MY VEHICLES. THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO SAFELIGHT REPAIRS IN YAKIMA WASHINGTON TO HAVE IT REPLACED WHICH TOOK TWO MONTHS TO GET THE NEW WINDSHIELD IN AS THEY WAS A SHORTAGE WHICH WAS EXPLAINED TO ME. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ON 03MAY2019. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR THIS REPLACEMENT AND STILL OWN THE VEHICLE.
Structure, Apr 19, 2021
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRUNK OPENED UP, LOCK IS TOTALLY NOT WORKING AND HAD TO DRIVE WITH A OPEN LATCH. THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL AND STILL ITS BAD.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2021
WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED. HUGE CRACK FROM LOWER DRIVER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD ARCING UP TOWARDS CENTER OF WINDSHIELD. CAR WAS PARKED. NO SIGN OF DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD OTHER THAN LARGE SINGLE CRACK.