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.
Seat belts, Service brakes, Visibility/wiper, May 19, 2020
BRAKES: THE CAR ACCELERATE WITHOUT ANY ACTION DURING DRIVING. WIPER: WIPER BLADE MAKE A NOISE LIKE ITS ABOUT TO FALL APART. SEAT BELT: SEAT BELT INSTALL IN A PLACE THAT( FRONT BOTH SEATS) THERE IS NO SPACE BETWEEN SEAT AND CAR BODY. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 16, 2020
MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE FOR A FEW HOURS AND A CRACK APPEARED GOING ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. EARLIER THAT DAY A ROCK HIT IT ON THE ROAD BUT THERE WAS NO CRACK, CRACK SHOWED UP HOURS LATER. VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS WHEN THE CRACKED APPEARED. IT WAS OUTSIDE AND A SUNNY DAY BUT ONLY IN THE 60S. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 16, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM WIPER AREA, EXTENDING 12 INCHES UPWARD, WITH NO OBVIOUS IMPACT DAMAGE. PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, RETURNED TO DRIVE THE CAR AND "[XXX]" - JUST LIKE THAT - NOTICED A CRACK GREW OUT OF NOWHERE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 14, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED STARTING ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND EXTENDED OVER A FOOT TO THE MIDDLE. NO IMPACT FROM ROCK OR OTHER ROAD DEBRIS OCCURRED WHEN CRACK STARTED. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 9, 2020
A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING MY BRAND NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THERE WAS NO ROCK OR ANY DEBRIS THAT FLEW TOWARDS MY WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK STARTED NEAR THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ANGLED DOWN AND TOWARD THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 6 INCHES AND PROGRESSED TO AT LEAST A FOOT LONG BY THE END OF THE TRIP. *TR
Power train, Engine, Visibility/wiper, May 7, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN A SIX-MONTH PERIOD. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE HOOD AND THE THICKNESS OF THE GLASS IN THE WINDSHIELD WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE FAILURES. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION WHENEVER THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE STOP/START FUNCTION WAS REACTIVATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOORE CHRYSLER JEEP FIAT (8600 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382, 800-757-0140) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.
Suspension, May 6, 2020
EXTREME SWAY WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE YESTERDAY GOING FROM LINDALE, TEXAS TO DALLAS, THE WINDS WERE MODERATELY HIGH. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXTREME SWAY AND WAS VERY EXTREMELY TO SAFELY MAINTAIN. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 5, 2020
WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR. THERE WAS NO ROCK CHIP THAT I COULD HEAR OR SEE. AS WITH OTHER FAILURES OF THIS TYPE, SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THE DEALER DO NOT WARRANTY THIS OR ADMIT TO WHAT IS CLEARLY A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL'S WINDSHIELD. *TR
Visibility/wiper, May 4, 2020
THERE IS A CRACK/CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, May 4, 2020
THE WINDSHIELD HAS SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A LARGE (19") CRACK IN IT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE BELIEVE SOMETHING VERY SMALL KICKED UP AND HIT IT THE UPPER CORNER DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING ON A FRIDAY, AND THERE WASN'T NOTICEABLE DAMAGE WHEN IT WAS PARKED A FEW MINUTES LATER, BUT THE FOLLOWING MONDAY MORNING, AFTER THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED GARAGE ALL WEEKEND, THERE WAS A VERY LARGE CRACK. THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON IT AND WE HAD IT FOR LESS THAN 6 MONTHS.
Electrical system, May 4, 2020
THE TOUCH SCREEN SYSTEM (RADIO-AM/FM AND SATELLITE) FREQUENTLY DO NOT WORK ON THE TOUCH SCREEN SYSTEM. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, TAKING THE KEY OUT AND REPEATING THE STARTING PROCESS OF THE VECHICLE DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT OCCURS ABOUT 1 OUT OF 3 TIMES STARTING AND/OR DRIVING THE VEHICLE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IS GOING TO WORK OR NOT. SUBURU NEEDS TO RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, STATIONARY, OR DRIVING. IT MAY NOT WORK FOR SEVERAL DAYS, THEN STARTS WORKING AGAIN.
Visibility/wiper, May 4, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACK X2 IN NEW SUBARU
Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2020
SMALL CRACK IN WINDSHIELD STARTING UNDER PASSENGER WIPER BLADE. NO SUSPECTED DEBRIS IMPACT. CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN DUE TO ONGOING PANDEMIC. HAPPENED WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 55 MPH I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THEN DISCOVERED A LARGE DIAGONAL CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. TOOK TO SUBARU DEAL WHO CONFIRMED WINDSHIELD NEEDED REPLACING. REPLACEMENT AND RECALIBRATION OF "EYESIGHT" GUIDANCE SYSTEM PERFORMED BY DEALER
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2020
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 55 MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND DISCOVERED A LARGE CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. TOOK TO SUBARU DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND HAD WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND "EYESIGHT" GUIDANCE RECALIBRATED AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST
Visibility/wiper, Apr 23, 2020
MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED AT ABOUT 4000 MILES
Other or unspecified, Apr 21, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO ROCKS OR PEBBLES STRUCK THE VEHICLE. CRACKED ON WINDSHIELD APPEAR WHEN IT WAS PARKED.
Electrical system, Apr 13, 2020, fire
THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRIC MIRROR WHERE THE BACK CASING WAS BROKEN. WE WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A COSMETIC ISSUE ONLY AND THEY ORDERED A MIRROR FOR US. WE LEFT AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVEWAY TURNED OFF. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR IS SAYING THE FIRE STARTED IN THE WIRING IN THE DOOR. THE MIRROR OPERATED 100% WITHOUT ISSUES, IT APPEARS MOISTURE FROM RAIN GOT INTO THE MIRROR WIRES WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 12, 2020
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING WHICH QUICKLY GREW TO 22 INCHES
Visibility/wiper, Apr 8, 2020
A UNKNOWN SMALL OBJECT HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHILE I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON A INTERSTATE FREEWAY WHICH CAUSED A LARGE CRACK. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 10,000 MILES ON IT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2020
SECOND CRACKED WINDSHIELD AFTER ONLY 12,000 MILES. PEBBLE STRIKE ON FREEWAY DEVELOPED INTO HUGE CRACK IN ONLY A MATTER OF MINUTES. I WAS DRIVING SPEED LIMIT AND KEPT DISTANCE FROM CAR IN FRONT OF ME. PICKUP TRUCK PASSING ON LEFT MUST HAVE KICKED UP PEBBLE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 4, 2020
I HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR INFREQUENTLY IF AT ALL FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS AS THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN SHELTERING AT HOME - THIS IS PROBABLY THE LEAST AMOUNT OF STRESS ANY CAR HAS EVER BEEN PUT UNDER. THE LAST TIME I USED MY CAR WAS OVER A WEEK AGO AND OTHERWISE IT'S BEEN SITTING IN MY APARTMENT'S SMALL, OUTDOOR PARKING LOT DOING NOTHING AT ALL. WEATHER FOR THE LAST WEEK HAS BEEN EXTREMELY MODERATE IN THE HIGH 60S FAHRENHEIT AND NO WIND AT ALL. THEN I WENT OUT TO MY CAR TO LOOK FOR SOMETHING AND INSTEAD FOUND A GIANT CRACK EXTENDING ACROSS HALF MY WINDSHIELD AND CURVING DOWN UNDER THE BOTTOM "SEALED" EDGE. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AS I HAVEN'T EVEN USED IT. EVEN BEFORE THE CURRENT IMMOBILITY, WITH A 7 MINUTE SUBURBAN COMMUTE THERE REALLY WASN'T MUCH GOING ON WITH A CAR SUPPOSEDLY BUILT FOR TOUGH CONDITIONS.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 4, 2020
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN DC OF 2018. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAD A SERIES OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES DATING BACK TO AS EARLY JUNE OF 2019. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO GET SERVICED. MY FIRST RED FLAG. THEN THE BATTERY RANDOMLY DIED WHILE WAITING PARKED IN DECEMBER (TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS ABOVE FREEZING). AFTER THAT INSTANCE, I HAD SEVERAL MORE DEAD BATTERY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. FAST FORWARD TO 2 WEEKS AGO WHERE AGAIN MY BATTERY DIED, I GOT THE CAR JUMPED AND THE BATTERY KEPT DYING THE NEXT DAY. RECENTLY HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED BY THE DEALER (TUESDAY) AND AGAIN THE BATTERY DIED THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE! THE CAR ALSO HAS OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES REGARDING THE START/STOP FEATURE. I'VE HAD INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND I HAD TO MANUALLY RESTART IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED CONSTANTLY VARIES. THE CAR DOESN'T ALWAYS RECOGNIZE WHEN I PLUG IN MY PHONE. IT SEEMS THAT ANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR SIMPLY DON'T WORK AND ARE NOT RELIABLE. SUBARU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR ALLOWING THIS DEATH TRAP OF A VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER TO ANYONE LOOKING TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT AN EXPENSIVE HEADACHE SINCE THE MOMENT I PURCHASED IT. THE IRONY OF IT ALL IS THAT I TRADED IN MY OLD 2014 SUBARU FORRSTOR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT HAD "ELECTRICAL ISSUES" ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND I WAS BETTER OFF GETTING A NEW CAR. ME, BEING NAIVE TRUSTED THEIR ADVICE AND DROVE OFF WITH THIS 2019 HUNK OF PROBLEMS. I HOPE THIS MESSAGE SERVES TO ANY PROSPECTIVE BUYER OF ANY SUBARU VEHICLE TO DO THEIR OWN HOMEWORK IN REGARDS TO WHAT THEY ARE PURCHASING.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 2, 2020
I DROVE TO A SHOPPING CENTER AND PARKED. AFTER A COUPLE HOURS, I RETURNED TO MY CAR, AND FOUND THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED FROM THE TOP PASSENGER SIDE DIAGONALLY ACROSS TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED BY SAFELITE.
Structure, Mar 28, 2020
THE BACK LIFT GATE WILL RANDOMLY STOP OPENING. THIS HAS ONLY BEEN TESTED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, IN PARK WITH EITHER ENGINE RUNNING OR SHUT OFF. IT WILL SOUND 3 SHORT BEEP/TONES BUT WILL NOT FUNCTION APPROPRIATELY WHEN THE LIFT GATE BUTTON IS PUSHED IN EITHER THE INTERIOR CONTROL, THE KEY FOB CONTROL, OR THE ACTUAL BUTTON ON THE LIFT GATE. THE ONLY THING THAT FIXES THE ISSUE IS TO DISCONNECT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND RECONNECT IT. THIS FIX IS TEMPORARY AND THE LIFT GATE WILL AGAIN HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN DISCUSSING WITH THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE.