IllustrationWINDSHIELD SEEMINGLY CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY (NO OBSERVED IMPACT WITH PROJECTILE LIKE A STONE). VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT MODERATE SPEED (~45 MPH) WHEN CRACK "POPPED". NO IMPACT FROM PROJECTILE WAS HEARD.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Forester years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
4010–25K
4525–50K
1350–75K
475–100K
5100–150K
0150K+
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
Visibility/wiper complaints
370 reportsWHEN DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY A PEA SIZED PEBBLE STRUCK THE VERY TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, WHERE IT ADJOINS THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY A 16 INCH CRACK APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE PEBBLE WAS SO SMALL, A NORMAL WINDSHIELD SHOULD NOT HAVE CRACKED. I BELIEVE THE WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE. IT WILL COST OVER $1200 TO…
Read full complaint
WHEN DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY A PEA SIZED PEBBLE STRUCK THE VERY TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, WHERE IT ADJOINS THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY A 16 INCH CRACK APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE PEBBLE WAS SO SMALL, A NORMAL WINDSHIELD SHOULD NOT HAVE CRACKED. I BELIEVE THE WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE. IT WILL COST OVER $1200 TO REPLACE.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED, ABOUT 12" LONG, FROM THE BOTTOM UP INTO THE VIEWING AREA WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT.
PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE. TWO DAYS LATER, FOUND A 2 FOOT CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. I SEE NO PLACE ALONG THE CRACK WHERE AN OBJECT MIGHT HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM AN UNKNOWN REASON. NOTHING WAS HEARD OR SEEN TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. WINDOW CRACKED ALMOST THREE FEET ACROSS
TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME, THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED A CRACK WITHOUT ANY PERCEPTIBLE IMPACT.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED HORIZONTALLY OVERNIGHT AND EXPANDED FROM PASSENGER'S TO OF THE WINDSHIELD TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. NO APPARENTLY REASON FOR THE CRACK DUE TO ANY IMPACT IN THE WAY THAT A NORMAL SAFE AUTO GLASS SHOULD HAVE (SEE PICS). MANY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER'S OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME INCIDENT.
RECEIVED A SMALL CHIP IN WINDSHIELD (APPROX1/16") FROM A WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A TINY TINY PEBBLE, ABOUT A WEEK LATER LEFT CAR OUT ALL DAY IN THE SUN. WHEN I APPROACHED THE CAR, I NOTICED MY 1/16" CHIP TURNED INTO A 15" CRACK. I.E ONE DAY IN THE SUN TURNED A 1/16" CHIP INTO A 15" CRACK.
THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS TO BE EXCEEDINGLY WEAK. IN THE LITTLE OVER A YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD 2 CRACKS IN MY WINDSHIELD AND 3 CHIPS . THESE HAVE OCCURRED ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAY THAT IS CLEAR OF DEBRIS . I HAVE OWNED OLDER SUBARUS BEFORE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD CRACK OR CHIP.
WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED VERY EASILY FROM A SMALL ROCK
Official recalls
321V263000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.