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.
Engine, Sep 28, 2020
LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE FROM EXHAUST PIPE AND LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 20, 2020
WHEN DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK VERY STRONG AND HIGHWAY SPEED IS LOST MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND SUBARU IS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. THE JERKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT IT COULD BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS AND ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. THE JERKING HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS AND SOMETIMES IT IS MORE STRONG.
Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2020
WHEN DRIVING ON A FREEWAY, THE GPS GIVES AN AUDIO COMMAND "EXIT RIGHT AHEAD", BUT IT IS NOT FOR THE NEXT EXIT. IT IS FOR ONE OR EVEN TWO EXITS LATER. THIS IS VERY MISLEADING AND NEARLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE WHEN WE REALIZED THAT WE SHOULD NOT GET OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT, WE VEERED BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SUBURU SHOULD REPROGRAM ALL THE GPS SYSTEMS ON THIS MODEL.
Visibility, Sep 15, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DELAMINATED FROM THE INSIDE, FROM THE ATTACHMENT, WHERE THE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS MOUNTED AND CAUSED THE REARVIEW MIRROR TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE FITZGERALD COUNTRYSIDE SUBARU DEALER LOCATED AT 27365 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE CORPORATE WARRANTY, PER THE POLICY OF SUBARU OF AMERICA, THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT A DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,900.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 10, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD A SMALL PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING IT THE CREATE A SMALL CRACK. I HAD TO GET IT FILLED SINCE TO REPLACE TO WINDSHIELD WOULD REQUIRE CALIBRATING THE EYE SIGHT SENORS. OTHER NORMAL DERBIES HAVE HIT MY CAR ON THE ROADS TO AND HAS CAUSED ALOT OF SCRATCHING ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS TO BE VERY THIN OR NOT THAT STRONG. WHEN THINGS TO DO HIT THE WINDSHIELD I DON'T GET THE SAME FEELING OF SAFETY I DO IN OTHER CARS. I GET THE FEELING THE WINDSHIELD WONT HOLD UP TO ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT BASED ON HOW FRAGILE IT FEELS AND SOUNDS WHEN THINGS HIT IT.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 10, 2020
A CRACK HAS DEVELOPED ON THE LOWER PORTION OF DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD. NO IMPACT OCCURRED WITH ANY OBJECT. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE IN TORQUE NEWS DATED 20 JUN 20 BY DENIS FLIERL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD HAS 3 CHIPS AND A 12 INCH LONG CRACK RUNNING DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY FOR 3 CRACKS THE LAST CHIPS IS FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 6, 2020
SOMETHING WENT VERY WRONG IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE WINDSHIELD. WITHIN THE FIRST 2 MONTHS, I NOTICE VERY SMALL DEFECTS (SMALL, PINPOINT SIZED FRACTURES) IN THE WINDSHIELD. NOW, I HAVE A 20 INCH CRACK THAT GROWS 1 INCH EVERY DAY.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2020
WINDSHIELD SEEMINGLY CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY (NO OBSERVED IMPACT WITH PROJECTILE LIKE A STONE). VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT MODERATE SPEED (~45 MPH) WHEN CRACK "POPPED". NO IMPACT FROM PROJECTILE WAS HEARD.
Electrical system, Sep 1, 2020
I STARTED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, WANTED TO BACK IN TO PARK, GOT OUT OF THE RUNNING CAR TO CHECK SOMETHING, CLOSED THE DOOR BEHIND ME AND THEN TRIED TO GET BACK IN BUT THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF. I HAVE MY KEY ON ME BUT I CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO OPEN THE CAR, THE KEY DOESN'T WORK. I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY AND THAT DIDN'T WORK EITHER. I'M STANDING NEXT TO MY LOCKED, RUNNING CAR. IT'S AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. HAD MY BABY BEEN IN THE CAR, IT WOULD BE LIFE THREATENING! THIS IS ABSURD! THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE AND IT'S SCARY. THIS SHOULD BE A LAWSUIT. THIS IS A HORRIBLE MISTAKE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED STAT. I'M EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED WITH SUBARU.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 24, 2020
WHEN DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY A PEA SIZED PEBBLE STRUCK THE VERY TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, WHERE IT ADJOINS THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY A 16 INCH CRACK APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE PEBBLE WAS SO SMALL, A NORMAL WINDSHIELD SHOULD NOT HAVE CRACKED. I BELIEVE THE WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE. IT WILL COST OVER $1200 TO REPLACE.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 24, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED, ABOUT 12" LONG, FROM THE BOTTOM UP INTO THE VIEWING AREA WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2020
2019 SUBARU FORESTER WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED BY ITSELF DURING DRIVING IN A HOT DAY. NOTHING HIT THE WINDOW THE TIME IT HAPPENED. REVIEWED DASH CAM AND CONFIRMED NOTHING HIT THE WINDOW. CIRCULAR CRACK WHICH CAN BE BARELY FELT FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT DEEP ALMOST INTO THE 2ND LAYER OF GLASS.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 20, 2020
WHEN DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THE CAR LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS .HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET CAR SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN RESTARTED CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BUT IT HAD VERY LOW POWER. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE LOW POWER AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. CAR HAD 38,467 MILES AT THIS TIME. CAR FREQUENTLY HAS A KICKBACK FEEL WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL IT HAS A DELAY RESPONSE TO MOVE. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR AXEL OF CAR SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED. DEALER CONTINUES TO SAY IT'S A TIRE NOISE AND THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BELIEVE THE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 9, 2020
PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE. TWO DAYS LATER, FOUND A 2 FOOT CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. I SEE NO PLACE ALONG THE CRACK WHERE AN OBJECT MIGHT HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 6, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM AN UNKNOWN REASON. NOTHING WAS HEARD OR SEEN TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. WINDOW CRACKED ALMOST THREE FEET ACROSS
Visibility/wiper, Aug 4, 2020
TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED A CRACK WITHOUT ANY PERCEPTIBLE IMPACT.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 3, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED HORIZONTALLY OVERNIGHT AND EXPANDED FROM PASSENGER'S TO OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NO APPARENTLY REASON FOR THE CRACK DUE TO ANY IMPACT IN THE WAY THAT A NORMAL SAFE AUTO GLASS SHOULD HAVE (SEE PICS). MANY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER'S OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME INCIDENT.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 2, 2020
RECEIVED A SMALL CHIP IN WINDSHIELD (APPROX1/16") FROM A WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A TINY TINY PEBBLE, ABOUT A WEEK LATER LEFT CAR OUT ALL DAY IN THE SUN. WHEN I APPROACHED THE CAR, I NOTICED MY 1/16" CHIP TURNED INTO A 15" CRACK. I.E ONE DAY IN THE SUN TURNED A 1/16" CHIP INTO A 15" CRACK.
Structure, Aug 2, 2020
CRACKED FRONT WINDSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, Jul 30, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS TO BE EXCEEDINGLY WEAK. IN THE LITTLE OVER A YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD 2 CRACKS IN MY WINDSHIELD AND 3 CHIPS . THESE HAVE OCCURRED ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAY THAT IS CLEAR OF DEBRIS . I HAVE OWNED OLDER SUBARUS BEFORE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK OR CHIP.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 23, 2020
WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED VERY EASILY FROM A SMALL ROCK
Visibility/wiper, Jul 21, 2020
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2019, AND A FEW MONTHS LATER THE WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED, WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ANYTHING. THIS KIND OF WINDSHIELD HAS THE VISION SENSORS ATTACHED. WE TRIED TO FIX THE CRACK BUT THE FIX DID NOT HOLD, SO THE CRACK HAS EXTENDED TO AT LEAST 15 INCHES LONG.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 20, 2020
CRACK IN WINDSHIELD APPEARED OUT OF SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE - CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE, THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO CRACK THE GLASS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2020
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2019 AND DO NOT DRIVE VERY FAR TO WORK. I DO VERY LITTLE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IN JUNE 2019, WITH LESS THAN 4000 MILES, WE WERE RETURNING HOME FROM A TRIP WHEN WE HEARD THE WINDSHIELD CRACK. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY A ROCK SO WE TURNED THE CLAIM INTO OUR INSURANCE. THEN YESTERDAY, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A TINY ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD. TODAY THAT TINY PIT HAS CRACKED OVER HALF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE READ THAT SUBARU HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THEIR WINDSHIELDS FOR BOTH FORESTER AND OUTBACKS AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE YEARS 2017-2019. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY AND HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH NEEDING TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WITH VERY LITTLE TO NO DAMAGE CAUSING THE CRACK. IN ORDER FOR THE EYESIGHT TO WORK PROPERLY YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN APPROVED GLASS COMPANY AND THEN HAVE SUBARU CALIBRATE THE WINDSHIELD. THE COST TO REPLACE IS OVER $1200. SUBARU HAS HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THEIR WINDSHIELD AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I HAVE READ REVIEWS THAT OWNERS OF 2020 MODELS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES.