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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2019
DROVE THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING (HEAT ON HIGH). PARKED IT IN A PRIVATE LOT FOR ABOUT 5 HRS. THERE WAS LIGHT SNOW/ICE THAT DAY. I GOT OUT TO DRIVE AND SEE A HUGE CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD SPANNING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE THROUGH TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE PREVIOUSLY NO DISCERNABLE NICKS ON THE WINDSHIELD. CONTACTED SUBARU, ALL FORESTER WINDSHIELDS ARE BACKORDERED. SOME ON THE FORESTER FORUMS HAVE WAITED OVER A MONTH FOR THEIR WINDSHIELD. MINE WILL SUPPOSEDLY TAKE AT LEAST 3 WEEKS. NOT ACCEPTABLE TO BE DRIVING WITH A DEFECTIVE AND ALREADY CRACKED WINDSHIELD. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THEIR WINDSHIELD ISSUE BUT THERE IS NO RECALL AS OF YET.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 13, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THERE WERE SOME BUMPS ON THE ROAD AND SUDDENLY A CRACKLING NOISE AND A VERTICAL CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACKED RUN FROM THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHILED.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 8, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON NOTHING HIT IT WENT TO DEALER NO HELP FROM THEM TOOK CAR TO GLASS EXPERT . SAID WINDSHIELD WAS NOT HIT (SPONTANEOUS CRACK) HAPPENS ON 02/13/2019 FOUND OUT NO REPLACEMENT IN THE USA. WINDOW OUT OF CAR 02/26/2019)SUBARU NO HELP LEFT WITHOUT CAR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 21, 2019
REAR GATE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHETHER USING KEYLESS FOB, REAR GATE DOOR BUTTON OR DASH BUTTON. HAD TO HAVE CAR BATTERY DISCONNECTED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN RECONNECTED IT TO GET THE REAR GATE DOOR TO WORK.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2019
WINDSHIELD CRACKED ,BOTTOM CENTER UP ABOUT 15" CIRCLE .VEHICLE PARKED .NO STONE MARK OR STAR MARK. LOOKS LIKE FACTORY DEFECT. I'VE HEARD OF OTHERS DOING SAME.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 5, 2019
I AM HERE TO REPORT MY 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER WINDSHIELD CRACK. I THE CAR IS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD AND WE FOUND THE CRACK IN THE MORNING WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENS ON 2015 OUTBACK I CALLED THE SHOP AND THEY TOOK PICTURES AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANY CHIPS THAT WOULD INDICATE A ROCK OR PEBBLE HIT THE CAR AND SAID THEY WILL CALL SUBARU AND GET BACK TO ME
Structure, Jan 20, 2019
THE 2019 SUBARU FORESTER WITH THE ELECTRIC REAR DOOR, HAS AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE MANUAL RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE INTERIOR REAR HATCH DOOR (THE 5TH DOOR AT THE REAR). A LITTLE PANEL HAS TO BE REMOVED USING A SCREW DRIVE TO ACCESS THE MANUAL RELEASE. THERE IS NO SIGN OR INDICATION THAT THE PARTICULAR PANEL HAS THE RELEASE BEHIND IT. IF FOR SOME REASON THERE IS AN EMERGENCY THAT NECESSITATES THE EMERGENCY USE OF THAT REAR DOOR, THE VICTIM WILL NEVER GET THE DOOR OPEN UNLESS (1) THEY KNOW OF THE PANEL AND (2) THEY HAVE A SCREW DRIVER WITH THEM!
Service brakes, Dec 27, 2018
TAKATA RECALL, WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER FROM A SUBARU DEALER IN BERLIN VERMONT. IT DEVELOPED AN EXTREMELY LOUD SQUEAL WITH UNDER 2000 MILES. THIS WAS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE BRAKE MATERIAL ON THE RIGHT REAR INNER BRAKE PAD BREAKING LOOSE FROM THE BRAKE PAD AND LODGING BETWEEN THE ROTOR AND DUST SHIELD. I TOOK PHOTOS OF SAID DEFECT (KEPT THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT) AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, I GAVE THEM THE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL WHICH WAS CRUSTED ON THE SIDE OF THE PAD LINING. THEY BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND TOLD ME IT WAS ROAD DIRT. FORTUNATELY I TOOK PHOTOS OF THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PAD. THEY GAVE ME THE CAR BACK WITHOUT CHANGING THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS. THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE PAD HAD A BUILD UP OF THIS CRUSTED OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE MATERIAL FROM BRAKE MANUFACTURE ON THE SIDES OF IT. THIS MATERIAL APPEARED TO HAVE A LAVA CRUSTY TYPE TEXTURE AND IS OBVIOUSLY NOT BRAKE PAD MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURED BRAKE PADS ARE CURRENTLY ON THE VEHICLE. I CAN NOT UPLOAD PHOTOS ON THIS COMPUTER, DO HAVE PHOTOS HOWEVER. THIS WOULD OBVIOUSLY HAVE SOME EFFECT ON BRAKE LIFE AND AND PERFORMANCE AS A FOREIGN SUBSTANCE IS BEING INTRODUCED INTO THE SERVICE BRAKE COMPONENTS. I HAVE THE ACTUAL MILES WHEN THE DEALER BROUGHT IT INTO THE SHOP AS WELL. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER.