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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 21, 2019
ACCIDENTALLY LEFT THE MOONROOF SLIGHTLY OPEN. RAINWATER GOT INSIDE THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION .
Visibility/wiper, May 17, 2019
NEW CAR - 3 WEEKS OLD AND A 1,000 MILES. DRIVING TO WORK ON A ROUTE I'VE TAKEN FOR 5 YEARS. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON I-195 ON A RAINY MORNING, AND I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHILED BUT I COULDN'T SEE ANY DAMAGE. AFTER WORK WALKING BACK TO MY CAR I SEE A ONE FOOT CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WHICH HAS NOW GROWN TO TWO FEET RUNNING HORIZONTAL. THERE IS A SMALL CHIP JUST BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER. THE CRACK HAS GROWN FROM THAT CHIP. VERY FRUSTRATING TO HAVE GLASS BREAK AND CRACK SO EASILY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS I SAW THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH FORESTER GLASS.
Visibility/wiper, May 16, 2019
I PURCHASED MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER SPORT ON FRIDAY, 4/19/19. ON SATURDAY, 4/20/19 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE RIGHT LANE WITH A PICKUP TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER AHEAD AND IN THE LANE TO MY LEFT. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING, BUT HEARD A CRACK AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE TOP JUST A FEW INCHES FROM CENTER TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE DOWN TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. UPON INSPECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD IT APPEARED THAT A SMALL ROCK MAY HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE TOP IN THE SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS BLACK. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS HIT BY SOMETHING AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE AND PAID THE DEDUCTIBLE TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE MONDAY, 5/6/19 AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. ON WEDNESDAY, 5/8/19 WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WITH NOBODY IN FRONT OF ME, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER UP TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY IMPACT DAMAGE CAUSING THE CRACK. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON TUESDAY 5/14/19 AFTER THE SECOND WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. AS OF TODAY, THURSDAY 5/16/19 THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE, ALTHOUGH WITH HAVING TWO WINDSHIELDS REPLACED WITHIN LESS THAN ONE MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, IT APPEARS THERE IS SOME SORT OF PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN OF THE SUBARU VEHICLES AND/OR WINDSHIELDS.
Electrical system, Structure, Visibility/wiper, May 12, 2019
I HAD THE NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER FOR NOT EVEN A MONTH YET, AND I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 5 TIMES REGARD OF POWER REAR GATE NOT OPENING AND CRACKED RIGHT REAR QUARTER GLASS, WHICH OF THE TWO I CONSIDERED MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, BUT THEY DENIED ON BOTH ISSUES BUT COULD NOT PROVIDE ME THE REASON AND PROPER WAY OF HOW THEY'RE GOING TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 25, 2019
FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS NUMEROUS ROCK CHIPS, QUALITY OF THE GLASS IS NOT UP TO PAR AND I'M AFRAID THAT CRACKS WILL START TO FORM SOON. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS SUBARU NEEDS TO BE AWARE THAT THE CURRENT GLASS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH A DURABLE GLASS AND BE ABLE TO RESIST EVERYDAY HITS FROM SMALL DEBRIS ON THE FREEWAY.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 23, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM A SMALL PEBBLE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, TRAVELING LESS THAN 40 MPH WHEN A PEBBLE HIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND PEBBLES BEING THROWN UP FROM THE ROAD. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS WINDSHIELD CANNOT HANDLE DEBRIS HITTING IT. NO DIVOTS OR PITTING IN THE WINDSHIELD, JUST AN IMMEDIATE CRACK THAT GROWS. VERY DISAPPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 22, 2019
WINDSHIELD BROKE
Visibility/wiper, Apr 19, 2019
HAD CAR ONLY THREE MONTHS. NOW IN ADDITION TO A CHIP THERE IS A GIGANTIC CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT WILL REQUIRE AN EXPENSIVE OEM REPLACEMENT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2019
WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HIT A VERY SMALL PEBBLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SKITTLE AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND NEEDS A FULL REPLACEMENT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2019
WINDSHIELD IS WEAK AND CRACKS VERY EASILY. HAVE HAD IT REPLACED AND FIVE DAYS LATER IT NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN DUE TO CRACK. BOTH TIMES FROM A SMALL ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD ON THE HIGHWAY.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 12, 2019
IN OUR 2 WEEK OLD 2019 FORESTER, WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH AND FELT A SUDDEN JOLT AND THE CAR SHUT OFF: THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT WORK AND THE ACCELERATOR WASN'T WORKING. WE GUIDED THE CAR OFF THE FREEWAY AND SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE DEALER'S MASTER MECHANIC CANNOT FIND ANY CODE THAT TELLS THEM WHAT IS WRONG SO THEY TELL US THERE IS NOTHING TO FIX. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. THIS WAS A LIFE-THREATENING EVENT SO WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR FOR OURSELVES AND OTHER CARS ON THE FREEWAY. SUBARU IS NOT TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. WE READ THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER "CAR STALL" PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO OURS WITH FORESTERS FROM OTHER YEARS.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2019
DRIVING ON A 3 HOUR DRIVE HOME GOING 65MPH I GOT SMALL ROCKS HIT THE WINDSHIELD AT TWO DIFFERENT TIMES AND IMMEDIATELY CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS GOING 45MPH ON ONE AND 65MPH ON THE OTHER. SEEMS TO BE A BAD DESIGN OR JUST BAD WINDSHIELDS.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 10, 2019
WHILE DRIVING A SLIGHT NOISE WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY THE APPEARANCE OF A HORIZONTAL CRACK WHICH SPREAD TO APPROXIMATELY 15". VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A US HIGHWAY. BOTH SAFELITE AND THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER HAVE ADVISED THAT REPLACEMENT GLASS IS ON HOLD / NATIONAL BACKORDER. IT HAS BEEN BROKEN AND THERE IS NO ESTIMATE OF WHEN OR IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 9, 2019
WITHIN THIS VEHICLE'S FIRST 500 MILES SOME WIND WHIPPED UP SAND PARTICLES ON THE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A "POP POP POP" AND WHEN I GOT OUT NOTICED THREE SMALL CHIPS ON THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE HAD CARS FOR THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF MILES AND NEVER A CHIP. I AM NOW FEARFUL OF TAKING THIS CAR ON GRAVEL ROADS WHICH IS WHY I PURCHASED IT.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 5, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED ON NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. CAR WAS MOVING AND HIT BY A STONE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. CHIP GREW HORIZONTALLY ACROSS THE LINE OF SIGHT. NOW I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON WINDSHIELDS FOR THIS MODEL. THIS HAS CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE, A LEGAL ISSUE, AND A CONVENIENCE ISSUE. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE I SEE WHERE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE CARS SHOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IF THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR SOMETHING AS BASIC AS A WINDSHIELD. THIS "SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE" IS MAKING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 5, 2019
CRACKED WINDSHIELD AFTER DRIVING ONLY 1500 MILES. WE WERE DRIVING WITH NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD WHEN WE HEARD IT CRACK.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 5, 2019
DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. SMALL ROCK CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD TO HALF
Visibility/wiper, Apr 4, 2019
WHEN DRIVING ON THE LOCAL ROAD, I HEARD A LOUD SNAP FROM MY WINDSHIELD BUT FORGOT ABOUT THAT WHEN I GOT HOME. THE NEXT MORNING I NOTICED A CRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. TODAY THAT CRACK EXTENDED BY SEVERAL INCHES. ACCORDING TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP, THERE IS A VERY LONG BACK ORDER FOR 2019 SUBARU FORESTER WINDSHIELDS.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 1, 2019
THE FORESTER ARRIVED TO US FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH A CRACKED WINDSHIELD. IT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE REPLACEMENT WAS CRACKED WITHIN A DAY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE 2019 SUBARU FORESTER WINDSHIELDS. BOTH TIMES OF INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS IMPACTED BY A VERY SMALL ROCK - YET THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD BECAME DAMAGED.
Air bags, Mar 28, 2019, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT DID END UP REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, WHICH PUSHED HER INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THE IMPACT WAS AT LEAST 30-35 MPH AND THE CAR IS TOTALED. AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB
Visibility, Mar 26, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR AN IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF ONTARIO (888-905-4875, LOCATED AT 1195 AUTO CENTER DR, ONTARIO, CA 91761) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000.
Electrical system, Mar 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT OFF, INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING AND EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ELECTRICAL FAILURES REMAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. ST. CLOUD SUBARU (141 PARK AVE S, ST CLOUD, MN 56301) STATED THAT WATER MAY HAVE CONTACTED THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD AND CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS WORKING ON HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED AND RECEIVING A LOANER VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2019
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND A CRACK APPEARED SPONTANEOUSLY IN THE WINDSHIELD STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD CLOSE TO THE WIPER. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD DUE TO BACKORDER AND UNAVAILABILITY OF SUBARU WINDSHIELDS FOR THIS VEHICLE. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE WINDSHIELD. I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENTS FOR A CAR THAT I CANNOT DRIVE BECAUSE SUBARU DOES NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY REPLACEMENT PART. I HAVE REQUESTED A SUBSTITUTION OF COLLATERAL FOR THIS REASON AND AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM SUBARU. ACCORDING TO VARIOUS FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL SUBARU. IS THE PART UNAVAILABLE BECAUSE SO MANY WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENTS ARE NEEDED?
Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2019
BOUGHT THE CAR 11/23/2018, AND IN JANUARY 2019 THE WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM THE BOTTOM UP AND BRANCH OUT FOR NO REASON. THE CAR PARKED INSIDE OF OUR GARAGE. CONTACTED SUBARU HQ AND DEALERSHIP SUBARU OF ONTARIO CALIFORNIA, BOTH DENIED THE WINDSHIELD HAS ANY DEFECT. AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER ONLY LOOKED AT IT 2 SECONDS AND SAID IT'S IMPACTED!!
Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACK AND ROCK CHIP. THE SUBARU OEM WINDSHIELD IS VERY WEAK AND I'VE ALREADY NOTICED A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD FOR A CAR THAT IS 5 MONTHS OLD. SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT FOR THE PREVIOUS YEARS, AND ITS THE SAME FOR 2019 AS WELL.