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/wiper, Oct 14, 2019
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TO WORK, THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED, OUT OF NOWHERE, NO ROCK CHIP, NO IMPACT FROM OUTSIDE. IT'S A 3 MONTHS OLD FORESTER 2019 WITH ~5000 MILES ON IT. REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 14, 2019
I PURCHASED A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER IN MID-JULY AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO WINDSHIELDS DUE TO CRACKING. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS IN SEPTEMBER DUE TO A ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD ON THE FAR RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CHIP QUICKLY DEVELOPED INTO AN 18' CRACK. I NOTICED A SECOND CRACK YESTERDAY WHICH ORIGINATED BEHIND THE WIPER BLADE IN THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT EXTENDS ON A 16' ARCH IN THE SAME DIRECTION OF THE WIPER BLADE MOTION. THERE IS VERY SMALL CHIP, LOCATED BEHIND THE METAL PORTION OF THE WIPER BLADE FROM A ROCK THAT MUST HAVE FALLEN OUT OF THE SKY. I WAS TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE ON M55 BETWEEN LAKE CITY AND CADILLAC ON PAVED ROADS BUT HAD STARTED OUT THE MORNING IN MARQUETTE, MI WHERE THE TEMPERATURES WHERE IN THE 30S WITH A RAIN/SNOW MIX. I DID NOT HEAR ANY ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 13, 2019
JUST YESTERDAY MY SUBARU EXPERIENCED AN INEXPLICABLE SUDDEN WINDSHIELD FRACTURE. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY WARMING UP AND I TURNED ON THE FRONT DEFROSTER AND SUDDENLY, FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, A GIANT CRACK APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. MY FORESTER CURRENTLY HAS 7600 MILES ON IT AND A ROCK/STONE HAS NEVER STRUCK MY WINDSHIELD. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS CRACK STARTED AT THE VERY BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD UNDER THE PLASTIC MOLDING PART AND MADE ITS WAY UP FROM THERE. THE CRACK STARTED IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE HEATING ELEMENTS / DEFROSTER ON THE BOTTOM MIDDLE FRONT WINDSHIELD AS SOON AS I ACTIVATED THE FRONT DEFROST FEATURE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 12, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A WELL TRAVELED ROAD I'M ASSUMING A SMALL STONE CAUSE A MINUTE DIVOT IN THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS PLANNING ON REPAIRING IT THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE NEXT MORNING THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. I PURCHASED MY SUBARU FORESTER TOURING AUGUST 2019. I DIDN'T EVEN OWN IT A MONTH AND HAVEN'T EVEN MADE A PAYMENT. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AND HAVE THE SENSORS RECALIBRATED. I HAD MANY STONES HIT MY WINDSHIELD IN THE PAST AND I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE IT JUST REPAIR. I FOUND IT ODD AT THE TIME, THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. NOW AFTER READING ON CAR AND DRIVER, FACEBOOK AND NOW NHTSA I DECIDED TO REPORT IT. SINCE THE SENSOR ONLY WORKS WITH OEM GLASS AND YOU CAN'T USE RAINX I'M ASSUMING THE WINDSHIELD GLASS HAS SOME TYPE OF ISSUES. WHY ELSE COULD I NOT USE A NON OEM GLASS? I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP A KNOWN ISSUE IS THE SENSOR MAY NOT WORK.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 12, 2019
WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN APRIL, AND BY JULY I ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED TWICE AND REPAIRED ONCE. IT CRACKS IF BARELY ANYTHING HITS IT.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 11, 2019
MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER IS NOW ON ITS SECOND FRONT WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. IN EACH CASE, I ASSUME THERE WAS IMPACT FROM A SMALL ROCK DUE TO THE VERY TINY CHIP IN-LINE WITH THE EVENTUAL CRACK. NEITHER IMPACT STARTED AS ANYTHING BIG JUDGING BY THE SIZE OF THE TINY PIT AND THE FACT THE CRACKS DEVELOPED DAYS AFTERWARDS, THE FIRST DURING CITY DRIVING AND ON THE SECOND INCIDENT, WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. I HAVE TAKEN PREVIOUS SMALL PROJECTILE IMPACTS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH OTHER CAR MAKES OWNED AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE WINDSHIELDS DUE TO SIMILAR INCIDENTS ALTHOUGH NOW I AM ON THE SECOND WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT ON A SUBARU OWNED LESS THAN A YEAR. I HAD A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER AND A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA AND ONLY REPLACED ONE WINDSHIELD IN THE 25 YRS COMBINED THAT I OWNED THOSE CARS.
Visibility, Oct 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. AFTER DRIVING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT TRAVELED DOWN AND CURVED TO THE RIGHT TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT NUMEROUS SUBARU VEHICLES HAD THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT CALLED HIS INSURANCE COMPANY AND WAS REFERRED TO A GLASS COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,600.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 11, 2019
PURCHASED NEW IN OCT. 2018. WAS ABSOLUTELY SURPRISED JUST HOW EASY EVERY LITTLE TINY BIT OF SALT OR NORMAL DEBRIS FROM WINTER DRIVING CHIPS THE WINDSHIELD (PAVED, INTERSTATE). BY THE END OF THE WINTER, I HAD NEAR AS MANY PITS IN THIS SUBARU WINDSHIELD WITH 10,500 MILES ON THE FORESTER AS MY PICKUP WHICH HAS 200,000 MILES ON IT. THEN IN APRIL 2019, I'M DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, A SMALL ROCK GETS THROWN AT ME, AND THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERS! IT WASN'T A HARD HIT, AND IT WASN'T THAT BIG. (I SAY THIS BASED ON SOUND. USUALLY WHEN A WINDSHIELD SHATTERS, THE NOISE IS SO INTENSE IT'LL MAKE YOU JUMP!) THEN TO TOP IT ALL OFF, THEY HAVE THE NERVE TO TELL YOU IT COSTS $1,200 TO REPLACE! OBVIOUSLY I HAVE NO CHOICE, THE CRACK IS RIGHT IN THE WORST SPOT POSSIBLE FOR VISIBILITY. I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO MY HEIGHT AND THE WHERE THE CRACK WENT AS IT CREATED A DOUBLE VISION ISSUE. I GO AHEAD AND SCHEDULE THE REPLACEMENT, BUT THE DEALER TELLS ME ITS ON BACK ORDER. IT TAKES THEM 17 DAYS TO GET ME A NEW WINDSHIELD, DURING WHICH TIME I CANT REALLY DRIVE THE CAR. I DID NOT GET THIRD PARTY REPLACEMENT GLASS, I GOT AN OEM WINDSHIELD ORDERED THRU THE DEALER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM. NOW OCT. 2019 I HAVE 18,300 MILES ON THE CAR, AND WHILE SUMMER DRIVING HAS BEEN LESS HARD ON THE WINDSHIELD, THE NEW ONE SEEMS TO PIT EASILY/OFTEN AS WELL.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 10, 2019
IN MAY A SMALL ROCK FROM HIGHWAY DRIVING NICKED THE WINDSHIELD OF MY CAR, PUTTING A SMALL SCRATCH IN THE GLASS. WITHIN HOURS THE SCRATCH HAD SPREAD INTO A MAJOR CRACK SPANNING 3 FEET ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD A GLASS WARRANTEE ON THE CAR FROM THE DEALER, WHICH THE DEALER DECLINED TO HONOR BECAUSE THE CRACK WAS GREATER THAN 12 INCHES, ALTHOUGH STARTING OUT AS ONLY A NICK. I SEE FROM CAR AND DRIVER THAT THIS HAS BECOME A CONCERN FOR AT LEAST 100 2019 SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS. I HAD SIMILAR DAMAGE ON MY 2011 ACURA RDX WITH A ROCK CREATING A SCRATCH ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH LONG, BUT IN THAT CASE THE SCRATCH STAYED A SCRATCH. SUBARU MADE ME PAY FOR THE ENTIRE LABOR AND WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT COSTS ON A VIRTUALLY NEW CAR, APPROXIMATELY $1,100.
Electrical system, Oct 7, 2019
REAR LIFT GATE WILL NOT OPEN WITH FOB OR USING THE BUTTON WITHIN THE CAB.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 30, 2019
VERY WEAK WINDSHIELD A VERY SMALL ROCK CAUSED A CRACK ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD IT DIDN'T EVEN HIT IT DIRECTLY OR HARD.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 28, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON A BAY BRIDGE 1 MONTH AFTER WE GOT OUR NEW SUBARU FORESTER. THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT AND NO SIGNS OF ANY OBJECTS HITTING THE GLASS. IT WAS REALLY SUSPICIOUS AND WE DECIDED TO SEARCH FOR ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND FOUND A LOT HERE, SO IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE SOME MANUFACTURER ISSUE.
Air bags, Sep 26, 2019
WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THIS STARTED INTERMITTENTLY YESTERDAY, ON MY 4TH DAY OF OWNING THE NEW CAR! THE SUBARU ALERT SYSTEM ALSO NOTIFIED ME THAT SOMETHING WASN'T WORKING AND THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE A SERVICE CALL.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2019
REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN RANDOM AND PERIODIC SINCE WE TOOK DELIVERY FROM DEALER AT END OF MAY, 2019. TODAY AFTER SHOPPING I TRIED TO PLACE ITEMS IN THE HATCH. IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I TRIED THE INSIDE BUTTON AND THE HANDLE ON THE HATCH, NEITHER WORKED. I LOADED THE ITEMS IN THE BACK SEAT, STARTED THE CAR THEN STARTED TO BACK OUT OF THE SPACE. AS VEHICLE TRAVELED IN REVERSE THERE WAS A NOISE LIKE A MOTOR AND THE HATCH OPENED. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL SO FAR BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT OPENED WHILE IN MOTION
Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2019
OWNED THIS CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND 4X THE REAR GATE DOES NOT OPEN USING THE APPROPRIATE BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD. REQUIRES USE OF KEY FOB REAR GATE OPEN/CLOSE BUTTON OR FLATTENING BACK SEAT TO DRAG GROCERIES OUT SIDE DOOR. HAPPENS IN PARK WHEN TRYING TO UNLOAD ITEMS FROM REAR.
Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2019
THE BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH REMOTE CONTROL, DASHBOARD OPEN BUTTON, OR MANUAL BUTTON ON DOOR ITSELF. THERE ARE WAYS MECHANICS CAN OPEN IT, BUT NOT YOUR AVERAGE CHILD OR ADULT. SOMETIMES THE BACK GATE IS IS THE ONLY WAY OUT TO RESCUE A PASSENGER. THIS GATE FAILS AND COULD CAUSE DEATH IN EMERGENCIES LIKE WHEN TRAPPED IN CAR DURING HOT (OR COLD) WEATHER, AND IF IT IS THE ONLY WAY OUT IN ACCIDENTS. THIS FAULT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, BUT IT IS REPORTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET FOR THIS MODEL.
Air bags, Sep 19, 2019
2019 FORESTER WITH APPROXIMATELY 600 MILES HAS PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON. PASSENGER SAT IN SEAT, LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT. SUBARU SERVICE DID NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM - OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. RESEARCHING THIS - IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS. IT'S ALSO A PROBLEM ON THE 2019 MODELS. INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO 2019 MODELS.
Service brakes, Sep 18, 2019
I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO INSTANCES OF PHANTOM BRAKING, SIMILAR TO REPORTS I'VE READ ABOUT NISSAN ROGUES. ONCE IN JULY, AND ONCE LAST WEEK. IN BOTH CASES I WAS DRIVING AT LOW HIGHWAY SPEED ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON. THE CAR'S "OBJECT DECTECTED" WARNING FLASHED AND BEEPED, AND THE CAR BRAKED AUTOMATICALLY, FOR NO REASON. I SUSPECT BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AND/OR A SHADOW ON THE HIGHWAY WAS TO BLAME
Visibility/wiper, Sep 16, 2019
THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ABOUT 40MPH ON A HOT DAY MID-SEPTEMBER WITH THE A/C GOING. THERE WAS A SUDDEN "POP" AND I NOTICED A CURVED CRACK HAD INSTANTLY APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WERE NO CARS NEAR ME. LOOKING AT THE WINDSHIELD, I DIDN'T SEE AN OBVIOUS IMPACT BUT I COULD SEE NEAR THE DEFROSTER TRACES THE CRACK APPEARED TO FORM THERE. I'M CONCERNED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FROM THERMAL STRESS AND THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD NOT HAVE CRACKED THAT EASILY. THE CRACK APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE AND SOME OF THE GLASS SORT OF FLAKED WHEN I PROBED IT WITH MY FINGER.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 16, 2019
I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET ON HOT DAY WITH THE A/C ON WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD "POP". A DIAGONAL CRACK INSTANTLY APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE WINDSHIELD. NO OTHER CARS WERE NEAR ME AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH. THE CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SITTING IN THE SUN WITH A WINDSHIELD SHADE FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. I'D BEEN DRIVING ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHEN THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. WHEN I INSPECTED THE CRACK, IT APPEARED NEAR THE DEFROSTER AND APPEARED TO FLAKE A BIT WHEN I PROBED IT WITH MY FINGER. IT APPEARS TO BE A CRACK STARTING FROM THE INSIDE TO OUT. THIS COULD BE THERMAL STRESS AND I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CAR HAS UNDER 250 MILES ON IT AND NO WINDSHIELD SHOULD CRACK THAT EASILY.
Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 16, 2019, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A 4 CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS REAR ENDED BY TWO VEHICLES BEHIND ME WHICH SENT ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME; THEREFORE, I WAS THROW INTO THE WINDSHIELD SUPPORT POST AND SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH MY SUBARU AND PRAY FOR OTHERS OUT THERE WITH THIS VEHICLE! NEW BERN, NC
Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2019
I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 6 MONTHS AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 3500 MILES. I HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED TWICE IN THE PAST MONTH DUE TO CHIPS. THE GLASS SEEMS VERY WEAK AND CRACKS WITH THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH ANY OTHER CARS. IT USUALLY TAKES A BIG ROCK TO CRACK IT.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 11, 2019
WHEN I PARKED MY CAR AT MY WORKPLACE THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD AND WHEN I RETURNED AFTERWARDS, THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK, OVER A FOOT LONG COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE. UPON INSPECTION, THERE IS AN EXTREMELY TINY POINT OF IMPACT FROM A TINY PEBBLE. THE WINDSHIELD IS SO FRAGILE. I SUSPECT THEY USE THINNER GLASS TO ALLOW EYESIGHT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. I'VE HEARD OF PEOPLE NEEDING TO REPLACE WINDSHIELDS WITHIN WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. IT'S CONCERNING WHEN SUBARU MARKETS THESE VEHICLES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT EVEN STRONG ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND A TINY PEBBLE. I DRIVE THE SPEED LIMITS, NEVER TAILGATE, AND I NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES I'VE OWNED. I'M TRULY DISAPPOINTED THAT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE MY WINDSHIELD AND HAVE EYESIGHT RECALIBRATED, WHICH WILL BE VERY COSTLY, WITH LESS THAN 4,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 10, 2019
I PURCHASED A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER, SPORT IN NOVEMBER 2018. IN MARCH/APRIL MY WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED BY A SMALL ROCK THAT HIT IT ON A SMALL COUNTRY ROAD. I HAD TO HAVE IT COMPLETELY REPLACED. NOW FIVE MONTHS LATER, A SMALL ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE TOWNSHIP ROAD, AND IT CRACKED AGAIN. I HAVE TO HAVE IT COMPLETELY REPLACED AGAIN AND PAY ANOTHER DEDUCTIBLE FEE. I'VE HAD OTHER, NON-SUBARU, VEHICLES AND MY WINDSHIELDS HAVE NEVER CRACKED WITH A ROCK HITTING THEM. THIS IS MY 2ND SUBARU VEHICLE. MY FIRST MODEL, A 2010 FORESTER ALSO HAD TO HAVE IT'S WINDSHIELD REPLACED DUE TO THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING DUE TO TEMPERATURE CHANGES. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE SIZE OF ROCK THAT HIT MY GLASS SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE DAMAGE THAT IT HAS, NOW MULTIPLE TIMES.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 4, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN COLORADO AND WAS A GOOD DISTANCE FROM THE CARS AHEAD OF ME WHEN A ROCK CHIPPED MY WINDSHIELD. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE CHIP HAD CRACKED ACROSS THE GLASS.