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2019 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Forester years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Forester are substantially higher than the model-year median of 131.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

468 reports with mileage · 365 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 370 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports11 fire reports16 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

134 reports
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8,700 miles · May 16, 2021
Electrical System

TWICE LAST WINTER I NEEDED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DRAINED. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS UNUSED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WE LATER REALIZED THAT THE CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK (CAN) WAS OPERATING EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. WE LEARNED THIS WHEN WE HEARD A WHIRRING NOISE COMING FROM THE CA…

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TWICE LAST WINTER I NEEDED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BATTERY HAD BEEN DRAINED. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS UNUSED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. WE LATER REALIZED THAT THE CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK (CAN) WAS OPERATING EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. WE LEARNED THIS WHEN WE HEARD A WHIRRING NOISE COMING FROM THE CAR AT TIMES WHEN IT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND NOT BEING USED. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS WAS NORMAL, AND THE CAR WAS DOING WHAT IT SHOULD. DRAINING THE BATTERY IS NOT NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #11416813

3,021 miles · May 16, 2021
Electrical System

THE BATTERY OF THE CAR DRAINED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IT WAS OFF AND PARKED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE BATTERY WAS FINE. ONE MONTH LATER THE BATTERY DRAINED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BATTERY OF THE CAR AFTER THAT. THE CAR HAS TO BE PLUGGED INTO A CHARGER WHEN IT IS NOT IN USE.

NHTSA ODI #11416793

15,000 miles · May 15, 2021
Electrical System

TWICE WE WERE STRANDED AFTER TRYING TO USE THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING THE NIGHT BEFORE. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY - AT 20,000 MILES! GETTING ROAD SERVICE WAS VERY DIFFICULT, SINCE THE CAR IS HARD TO REACH IN A GARAGE ON A HILL. ANOTHER TIME MY WI…

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TWICE WE WERE STRANDED AFTER TRYING TO USE THE CAR IN THE MORNING AND IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING THE NIGHT BEFORE. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY - AT 20,000 MILES! GETTING ROAD SERVICE WAS VERY DIFFICULT, SINCE THE CAR IS HARD TO REACH IN A GARAGE ON A HILL. ANOTHER TIME MY WIFE DROVE 15 MILES WITH A CONSTANT BEEPING DUE TO THE REAR GATE LATCH NOT CLOSING PROPERLY. WE HAVE RESET THE THING DOZENS OF TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11416730

9,565 miles · May 12, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

THE CAR BATTERY GOES STONE COLD DEAD IF THE CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN A WEEK WITHOUT DRIVING. LAST GUY WHO JUMPED THE CAR HAD A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO CHARGE. THE CAR WAS SITTING FOR 2 MONTHS WHILE I WAS AWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11416237

34,000 miles · Mar 19, 2021
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AUTO START WAS DISABLED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND SHUT-OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CIOCCA SUBARU OF ALLENTOWN (4611 HAMILTON BLVD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103, (844) 210-131…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AUTO START WAS DISABLED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND SHUT-OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CIOCCA SUBARU OF ALLENTOWN (4611 HAMILTON BLVD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103, (844) 210-1314) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HOOD SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ODI #11403939

30,100 miles · Mar 19, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

HAVE A 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER. HAD 30,000 MILE SERVICE RECENTLY AT DEALER. SINCE THEN, MULTIPLE ELECTRIC MALFUNCTIONS. FIRST ABS TURNED OFF, THEN AUTO START STOP STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FOR 2 WEEKS, TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME "HOOD SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING, AND BRING IT BACK IN 4 WEEKS WHEN PART ARRIVES." FOUR DAYS LATE…

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HAVE A 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER. HAD 30,000 MILE SERVICE RECENTLY AT DEALER. SINCE THEN, MULTIPLE ELECTRIC MALFUNCTIONS. FIRST ABS TURNED OFF, THEN AUTO START STOP STARTED MALFUNCTIONING FOR 2 WEEKS, TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME "HOOD SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING, AND BRING IT BACK IN 4 WEEKS WHEN PART ARRIVES." FOUR DAYS LATER, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY! WHOLE DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH "EYESIGHT DISABLED" SIGN, ENGINE LIGHT ON. UNABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AT ALL. AFTER 10 MINUTES OF CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH ENGINE DISABLED, FINALLY WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, THEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN AGAIN. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED HOOD SENSOR AND SAID "EVERYTHING IS FINE." MEANWHILE MULTIPLE ELECTRIC FAILURE ISSUES, PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT ALARM BEEPS EVEN THOUGH SEAT EMPTY, ABS SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. PLEASE BEWARE 2019 FORRESTER HAS CATASTROPHIC ELECTRONIC FAILURE THAT SUBARU IS FAILING TO ADDRESS PROPERLY AS A COMPANY. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD! IMAGINE CAR SHUTTING OFF IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC REPEATEDLY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW, HAVE KEPT IT WELL SERVICED WITH OIL CHANGES. SUBARU SEEMS TO THINK THIS IS OK. THEY KEPT SAYING "IT'S JUST AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE," JUST AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE SEVERE INJURY AND ACCIDENTS! HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WILL HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE SUBARU WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND FIXES THIS?

NHTSA ODI #11403895

18,000 miles · Jan 26, 2021
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS FAILED TO FULLY CLOSE WHICH CAUSED MOLD TO DEVELOP INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY SUBARU (30275 WINNER BLVD, DELMAR, MD 21875, (410) 896-3800) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS FAILED TO FULLY CLOSE WHICH CAUSED MOLD TO DEVELOP INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY SUBARU (30275 WINNER BLVD, DELMAR, MD 21875, (410) 896-3800) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #11390025

5,900 miles · Nov 19, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

LEAVING A PARKING LOT GETTING READY TO TURN ONTO A DIVIDED 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CARE DID NOT GO WILE I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR DOWN AND I DID IT AGAIN AND STILL NOTHING. BEFORE I REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG THE CAR DRIFTED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH NO POWER EXCEPT THE E…

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LEAVING A PARKING LOT GETTING READY TO TURN ONTO A DIVIDED 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CARE DID NOT GO WILE I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR DOWN AND I DID IT AGAIN AND STILL NOTHING. BEFORE I REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG THE CAR DRIFTED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH NO POWER EXCEPT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT IDLE SPEED AND IN GEAR BUT STILL NO ACCELERATION SO I LEFT THE CAR DRIFT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED TO GO JUST BEFORE THE LIGHT CHANGED BACK. THE START-STOP WAS TURNED OFF AND THE ENGINE NEVER STOPPED THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING, BUT THEY WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS HAPPENED 6 OR 7 TIMES IN ABOUT 4 MONTHS BUT THIS WAS THE MOST SERIOUS.

NHTSA ODI #11375397

6,041 miles · Sep 1, 2020
Electrical System

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 E…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11352666

38,467 miles · Aug 20, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11350524

Official recalls

3

21V263000 · Suspension:rear

Apr 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

19V856000 · 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

19V065000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Feb 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems