IllustrationTHE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH 2019, AND A FEW MONTHS LATER THE WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED, WITHOUT BEING HIT BY ANYTHING. THIS KIND OF WINDSHIELD HAS THE VISION SENSORS ATTACHED. WE TRIED TO FIX THE CRACK BUT THE FIX DID NOT HOLD, SO THE CRACK HAS EXTENDED TO AT LEAST 15 INCHES LONG.
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 reportsCRACK IN WINDSHIELD APPEARED OUT OF SEEMINGLY OUT OF NOWHERE - CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE, THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO CRACK THE GLASS.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY
COMPARE TO MY PREVIOUS 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THIS 2019 SUBARU FORESTER IS VERY EASY TO GET CHIP IN THE SAME ROUTE OF GOING TO WORK FROM HOME. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CHIP OR CRACK ON 2016 SUBARU FORESTER'S WINDSHIELD BUT I NOTICED THIS 2019 FORESTER'S WINDSHIELD HAS A LOT CHIPS ON THE WINDSHIELD AND COMPLAIN TO DEALER IN JUNE 2019 AND…
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COMPARE TO MY PREVIOUS 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THIS 2019 SUBARU FORESTER IS VERY EASY TO GET CHIP IN THE SAME ROUTE OF GOING TO WORK FROM HOME. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CHIP OR CRACK ON 2016 SUBARU FORESTER'S WINDSHIELD BUT I NOTICED THIS 2019 FORESTER'S WINDSHIELD HAS A LOT CHIPS ON THE WINDSHIELD AND COMPLAIN TO DEALER IN JUNE 2019 AND THEY TAKE A LOOK BUT SAID IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND REJECT TO REPLACE IT. AT THAT TIME, MY CAR ONLY HAS AROUND 2100 MILES. RECENTLY MY CAR GET HIP BY ROCK AND THE WINDSHIELD IS START CRACKING FROM THE CHIP. IF SUBARU WANT TO HAVE THE SELLING POINT FOR EYESIGHT AND USE THE CHEAP WINDSHIELD TO SAVE THE TOTAL COST OF CAR AND GIVING CUSTOMER MORE PAINFUL EXPERIENCE. I WAS VERY UPSET THEY DID THAT AND LOSING MY TRUST TO THEM.
JUST GOT ANOTHER CRACK ON WINDSHIELD.. NOTICED TINY STAR 3 INCHES FROM RIGHT SIDE ..WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY .WITHIN MINUTES IT SPREAD TO A 2 FT CRACK . REPLACING WINDSHIELD FOR THE 3 RD TIME . CAR HAS ONLY 8200 MILES ON IT . APPARENTLY WINDSHIELDS ARE DEFECTIVE . VERY UNHAPPY . TAKES HOURS TO RECALIBRATE WINDSHIELD AFTER R…
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JUST GOT ANOTHER CRACK ON WINDSHIELD.. NOTICED TINY STAR 3 INCHES FROM RIGHT SIDE ..WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY .WITHIN MINUTES IT SPREAD TO A 2 FT CRACK . REPLACING WINDSHIELD FOR THE 3 RD TIME . CAR HAS ONLY 8200 MILES ON IT . APPARENTLY WINDSHIELDS ARE DEFECTIVE . VERY UNHAPPY . TAKES HOURS TO RECALIBRATE WINDSHIELD AFTER REPLACEMENT .
WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY, OUR WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING, WE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING STRIKE WINDSHIELD, BUT ASSUMED IT WAS A PEBBLE. WE HAD IT REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. ONE MONTH LATER, A PEBBLE DID MAKE A DING ON WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. WHILE THAT DING WAS BEING REPAIRED (FILLED), THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED... THUS,…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY, OUR WINDSHIELD STARTED CRACKING, WE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING STRIKE WINDSHIELD, BUT ASSUMED IT WAS A PEBBLE. WE HAD IT REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. ONE MONTH LATER, A PEBBLE DID MAKE A DING ON WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. WHILE THAT DING WAS BEING REPAIRED (FILLED), THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED... THUS, NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.
I FIRST NOTICED A SMALL NICK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK IN FEBRUARY 2020. IN JUNE OF 2020, IT TURNED INTO A CRACK THAT RUNS 1/2 THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD. I'VE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE NICK AND CRACK. *TR
WINDSHIELD IS CRACKING, SECOND WINDSHIELD NOW DEALERSHIP DISCLOSED THAT MY WINDSHIELD IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND BREAKS EASILY ALSO ABOUT THIS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR
BEFORE I REACHED THE 20K MILES MARK, I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. IT SEEMS ANY SMALL BEAD OR ROCK CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD ON THIS MODEL TO SHATTER VERY EASILY. I HAVE OWNED AN OLDER SUBARU MODEL THAT I HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH THE SAME ROADS WITHOUT ANY ISSUE. BECAUSE OF I-SIGHT THIS WINDSHIELD IS EXTRA EXPENSIVE TO …
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BEFORE I REACHED THE 20K MILES MARK, I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. IT SEEMS ANY SMALL BEAD OR ROCK CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD ON THIS MODEL TO SHATTER VERY EASILY. I HAVE OWNED AN OLDER SUBARU MODEL THAT I HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH THE SAME ROADS WITHOUT ANY ISSUE. BECAUSE OF I-SIGHT THIS WINDSHIELD IS EXTRA EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND VERY DIFFICULT TO REPAIR IF IT IS IN THE WAY OF THE I-SIGHT CAMERAS. $1,600 FIX. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEXT THING I KNEW THERE WAS A HUGE CRACK THAT FORMED ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD. I DIDN'T SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING AND THEN SAW THE CRACK SPIRAL. WHEN I LOOKED THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY SMALL CHIP IN THE BLACK AREA OF THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING AND REALLY DIDN'T KNOW HOW THAT CHIP IN …
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NEXT THING I KNEW THERE WAS A HUGE CRACK THAT FORMED ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD. I DIDN'T SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING AND THEN SAW THE CRACK SPIRAL. WHEN I LOOKED THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY SMALL CHIP IN THE BLACK AREA OF THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING AND REALLY DIDN'T KNOW HOW THAT CHIP IN THE BOTTOM CORNER TURNED IN TO A CRACK AT LEAST HALF AS LONG AS THE WINDSHIELD.
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.