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.
Visibility, Apr 6, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING HER VEHICLE, HER HUSBAND NOTICED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ON THE WINDSHIELD. SHE STATED THAT THE CRACK STARTED FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE AND EXTENDED VERTICALLY AND A FOOT IN LENGTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. PRESTIGE SUBARU OF TURNERSVILLE NEW JERSEY (4271 E BLACK HORSE PIKE, TURNERSVILLE, NJ 08012) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 5, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN VEHICLE WAS 6 WEEKS OLD
Visibility/wiper, Apr 1, 2021
DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND HEARD A POP SOUND. THEN NOTICED A CHIP FROM THE WINDSHIELD. I'VE HAD WINDSHIELDS GET CRACKS BEFORE FROM A ROCK IMPACT AND LEAVING A CHIP THEN THE CRACK FORMS. THERE WAS NO IMPACT AND THE WINDSHIELD JUST STARTED TO CRACK. IT WAS COLDER OUTSIDE AND WE WERE RUNNING THE HEATER AND THAT'S IT.
Visibility, Mar 31, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A SMALL ROCK IMPACTED AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER - PREMIER SUBARU OF FREMONT (5601 CUSHING PKWY, FREMONT, CA 94538, (510) 319-5500) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,700.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 24, 2021
TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, I TOOK IT TO GET FIXED 3 TIMES AND IT WOULD CONTINUE TO CRACK. I KNOW HOW MY WHOLE WINDSHIELD CRACKED SELL SIDE TO SIDE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 22, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND IT CRACKED. I HAD IT REPLACED WITH A NEW SUBARU WINDSHIELD AND 2 WEEKS LATER THE NEW WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 21, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT KNOWN CAUSE 3 MONTHS AFTER BUYING NEW.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 21, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT KNOWN CAUSE. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDSHIELD ON THE CAR THAT HAS SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW, A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 20, 2021
CRACKS IN WINDSHIELD, ONE IS 7 INCHES LONG, OTHERS ARE SMALLER
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Mar 19, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AUTO START WAS DISABLED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND SHUT-OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CIOCCA SUBARU OF ALLENTOWN (4611 HAMILTON BLVD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103, (844) 210-1314) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HOOD SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 19, 2021
HAVE A 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER. HAD 30,000 MILE SERVICE RECENTLY AT DEALER. SINCE THEN, MULTIPLE ELECTRIC MALFUNCTIONS. FIRST ABS TURNED OFF, THEN AUTO START STOP STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FOR 2 WEEKS, TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME "HOOD SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING, AND BRING IT BACK IN 4 WEEKS WHEN PART ARRIVES." FOUR DAYS LATER, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY! WHOLE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH "EYESIGHT DISABLED" SIGN, ENGINE LIGHT ON. UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AT ALL. AFTER 10 MINUTES OF CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH ENGINE DISABLED, FINALLY WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, THEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN AGAIN. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED HOOD SENSOR AND SAID "EVERYTHING IS FINE." MEANWHILE MULTIPLE ELECTRIC FAILURE ISSUES, PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT ALARM BEEPS EVEN THOUGH SEAT EMPTY, ABS SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. PLEASE BEWARE 2019 FORRESTER HAS CATASTROPHIC ELECTRONIC FAILURE THAT SUBARU IS FAILING TO ADDRESS PROPERLY AS A COMPANY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! IMAGINE CAR SHUTTING OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC REPEATEDLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW, HAVE KEPT IT WELL SERVICED WITH OIL CHANGES. SUBARU SEEMS TO THINK THIS IS OK. THEY KEPT SAYING "IT'S JUST AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE," JUST AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURY AND ACCIDENTS! HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WILL HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE SUBARU WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND FIXES THIS?
Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2021
WHILE DRIVING I HAVE GOTTEN TWO WINDSHIELD DINGS/CRACKS THAT HAVE BEEN REPAIRED . ANOTHER JUST APPEARED OUT OF NO WHERE. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG AS THIS IS THE SAME AMOUNT AS IN ALMOST 50 YEARS OF DRIVING. NEVER HAD THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH A WINDSHIELD!
Forward collision avoidance, Mar 11, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF ROADWAY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE FAILURE, THERE WAS NO OBJECTS OR VEHICLES NEARBY TO CAUSE THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO ACTIVATE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER ROYAL SUBARU LOCATED 3333 EAST 3RD ST, BLOOMINGTON, IN 47401 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,900.
Engine, Mar 10, 2021
THE ENGINE HAS OIL LEAKED ON THE LEFT SIDE WHICH I REPORTED ON DEALERSHIP SERVICE LAST NOVEMBER 30 2020 AND WAS FIXED AND REPAIRED AT DECEMBER 8, 2020. I SOMETIMES CHECK AND POP UP THE HOOD TO SEE THE LEVELS OF WIPER WASHER, COOLANT, AND OTHER FLUIDS AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH AND NOTICED LAST WEEK MARCH 4 THAT THERE IS AGAIN OIL LEAKED ON THE SAME LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE SERVICE AND THE CAR WAS BROUGHT AGAIN YESTERDAY TO HAVE IT FIX. IT IS ONLY THREE MONTHS OR MAYBE LESS COZ I DID NOT CHECK THE ENGINE LAST 2 WEEKS OF FEBRUARY DUE TO COLD SNOWY WEATHER. MY WORRY IS THAT THE WARRANTY WILL END THIS NOVEMBER OF 2021 AND OIL LEAKED ON ENGINE WILL COME BACK ALL OVER AGAIN AND EVEN AFTER THE WARRANTY.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 10, 2021
THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH A FRONT WINDSHIELD WHICH I BELIEVE HAS SERIOUS ENGINEERING ISSUES. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 26 MONTHS AGO. LAST WEEK MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A CRACK, WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 5 IN WASHINGTON STATE, WITHOUT A NOTICEABLE CAUSE. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, WITH THE NEXT MOST RECENT OCCURRING IN JUNE 2020. ON THAT OCCASION, SOMETHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD, BUT IT WAS MINUSCULE, CAUSING A NOISE AKIN TO A LIGHT TICK. IT CERTAINLY DID NOT SEEM SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE CRACKING, BUT IT DID. I AM QUITE CONCERNED WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF A ROCK LARGE ENOUGH TO CRACK A SAFER WINDSHIELD HITS MY VEHICLE. ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 9, 2021
WINDSHIELD CRACKED SOMETIME BETWEEN 2/16/21 AND 3/4/21. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED ON 2/13/21 FROM DEALERSHIP. CAME OUT TO GO TO WORK ON 3/4/21 AND FOUND LARGE CRACK ACROSS WINDSHIELD. I HAD NO INSTANCES OF OBJECTS HITTING WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED INITIAL CRACK. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED NUMEROUS SUBARU OWNERS COMPLAINING OF DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELDS IN MODEL YEARS FROM 2017 - 2019. COST TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD AND RECALIBRATE EYESIGHT FEATURE EXPECTED TO COST IN EXCESS OF $1,000. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACTED AND ADVISED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS DUE TO MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. CASE #1-66770999440
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 5, 2021
MY CARS WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED FROM THE BASE UP OVER 12 INCHES. THE CURIOUS THING ABOUT IT IS I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT IN THREE WEEKS DUE TO FOOT SURGERY AND IT HAS BEEN PARKER. THERE ARE NO TREES OR POSSIBILITY OF DEBRIS NEARBY. I DIDN'T HAVE A CRACK BEFORE MY SURGERY, MY CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN NOR HAS IT BEEN TAMPERED WITH. I HAVE A CAMERA ON IT 24 HOURS A DAY THAT NOTIFIES ME IF ANYONE COMES NEAR. THE CRACK IS DEEP AND LONG AND SUBARU HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR THE SAFETY OF IT'S WINDSHIELDS BEING DEFECTIVE. SINCE I HAVEN'T DRIVEN ANYWHERE IT IS CONCERNING THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED SO BADLY.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 3, 2021
I RAN THE REMOTE START ON MY CAR TO DEFROST IT WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THIS MORNING. LESS THAN 10 MINUTES LATER I GOT IN AND NOTICED A SMALL CRACK GROWING UP THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK WENT VERTICAL ROUGHLY 9 INCHES THEN CURVED HORIZONTALLY ABOUT FOUR INCHES. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 26, 2021
I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR, IT WAS OFF. THE NEXT THING I KNOW, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. NO EXPLANATION, NOTHING HAPPENED, NO CARS DROVE BY, THE CAR WASN'T ON. I HAD JUST GOTTEN IN A FEW MINUTES BEFORE TO LEAVE MY JOB AND WAS ON THE PHONE.
Service brakes, Feb 25, 2021, crash
THERE IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF. WE HAD EYE DROPS STORED IN THE SUBARU CONSOLE IN THE NOOK BY THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON. WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, THE WEIGHT OF A PURSE MUST HAVE PUSHED DOWN ON THE DROPS CAUSING IT TO ACT LIKE LEVER AND PULL UP ON THE PARKING BRAKE BUTTON. THE BRAKES ACTIVATED WITH THE CAR COMING TO A VERY ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING US (TOO CLOSELY) REAR ENDED US. $15,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO A 2019 SUBARU. SUBARU IS NOT THE ONLY MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE PARKING BREAK BUTTON IN THE CONSOLE WHERE IT IS A CONVENIENT SPOT FOR EYE DROPS, CHAP STICK, OR MAKE-UP.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 20, 2021
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AT MY RESIDENCE. UPON GETTING IN THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL STATIONARY. THE CRACK WAS NOT PRESENT THE PREVIOUS DAY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS SECURE FROM ANY FALLING OBJECTS. THE CRACK ORIGINATED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE CENTER, TRAVELS VERTICALLY UP, TURNS TOWARDS THE DRIVER (LEFT) SIDE, AND TURNS UP. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF AN IMPACT. THE WINDSHIELD APPEARS TO HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED FROM A DEFECT.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 18, 2021
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SLOWLY PULLING INTO APARKING SPOT. CAR RAN OVER AND DISLODGED A PARKING CURB. THE CAR ENDED UP RESTING AGAINST A FENCE. A TOW TRUCK HAD TO PULL THE CAR BACKWARDS TO GET THE CAR OVER THE CURB. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY A THIRD PARTY WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $1000
Visibility/wiper, Feb 13, 2021
I HAD MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED SUMMER 2020 DUE TO A MAJOR CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. HERE WE ARE IN THE BEGINNING OF 2021 AND I HAVE ANOTHER MAJOR CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD THAT WILL REQUIRE A FULL REPLACEMENT
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2021
WINDOW CRACKING WAY TO EASY 2 CRACKS NOW WITH ONLY 6K MILES
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 11, 2021
ON 2/9/21 I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE LOWER CORNER OF MY WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, NEAR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. IT WASN'T HIT BY ANY OBJECT AND THERE'S NO POINT OF IMPACT FROM A ROCK OR OTHER ITEM. IT JUST BEGAN TO CRACK BEHIND THE WIPER. THIS IS THE 5TH WINDSHIELD I HAVE HAD ON THIS VEHICLE. 4 WINDSHIELDS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THIS IS ANOTHER ONE THAT WILL PROBABLY NEED REPLACED TOO. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 3 SMALL DEFECTS/ CRACKS IN THIS WINDOW ALONG WITH THIS NEW UNEXPLAINED CRACK.