IllustrationMy windshield cracked for no apparent reason. To the best of my knowledge, nothing hit the windshield itself. I was parking the car and all of a sudden I noticed the crack. Single line from the left edge. No chips or divots that I can tell
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 reportsWindshield cracked for an unknown reason. This is the second crack and windshield replacement within one year.
When i entered my car on Monday 9-13-21 to go to store found a cracked in the windshield start from the top corner to the middle where the eyesight is located towards the middle and formed a J . The car was not used since friday night 9-10-21. I immediately checked if there was any object that hit or cause my windshield crack bu…
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When i entered my car on Monday 9-13-21 to go to store found a cracked in the windshield start from the top corner to the middle where the eyesight is located towards the middle and formed a J . The car was not used since friday night 9-10-21. I immediately checked if there was any object that hit or cause my windshield crack but could not find any. It just cracked for no reason
Front windshield spontaneously cracked on passenger front side. The crack is only in the inside layer of glass and does not go all the way through it. Subaru dealer documented there is not impact from anything thing.
VEHICLE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. FIRST CRACKED IN LOWER MIDDLE BY TRIM, THEN WENT UP AND SPLIT LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS CRACK IS CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES AND CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE ISSUES WITH EYESIGHT (ADAS)
Normal highway driving, when a loud "pop" noise occurred. Pulled over and assessed the front end, which revealed a large crack on the windshield. Immediately reported to insurance for replacement claim.
The windshield on my 2019 Subaru Forester is the worst windshield I have seen. In three years, of which I have worked from home half that time and thus limited driving, I had over 8 rock chips, four of which are star cracks. I owned a Hyundai for eight years and never had an issue with that windshield. This is the worst glass I…
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The windshield on my 2019 Subaru Forester is the worst windshield I have seen. In three years, of which I have worked from home half that time and thus limited driving, I had over 8 rock chips, four of which are star cracks. I owned a Hyundai for eight years and never had an issue with that windshield. This is the worst glass I have ever had in a vehicle. I wished there was an aftermarket glass that could be installed to replace this one instead of the manufacturer's glass, but I am told the eyesight feature may not work then. I am stuck having to replace this windshield with the same glass. So I am sure I will be returning for another replacement, again and again, and again. The latest rock chip caused the windshield to crack half -way across the windshield and the split causes any passenger to have light refracted directly into their eyes.
While washing my vehicle, I would notice small tiny little dips in the windshield. It appeared to be tiny chips as if they were hit with 1000 pebbles. I addressed the issue with the dealership in January 2021. They took pictures and submitted it to the Subaru corporate office. I knew that there were issues related to windshields…
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While washing my vehicle, I would notice small tiny little dips in the windshield. It appeared to be tiny chips as if they were hit with 1000 pebbles. I addressed the issue with the dealership in January 2021. They took pictures and submitted it to the Subaru corporate office. I knew that there were issues related to windshields cracking spontaneously which is why I addressed it with the dealership. They stated that my vehicle may not be related to that issue. Today, August 7, 2021, I went to lunch and park my vehicle. When I returned, I noticed a large crack which runs halfway through my windshield. It starts on the bottom right corner and goes all the way across underneath my rearview mirror.
Date of incident: 16JUL2021; Mileage at time of incident: 23,202; Driving home from having a recall repair at the dealership, the front windshield cracked with no apparent outside impact. Crack originated in the area where the de-icer for the wipers is located vertically in the middle of the windshield. In an approximate 30 minu…
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Date of incident: 16JUL2021; Mileage at time of incident: 23,202; Driving home from having a recall repair at the dealership, the front windshield cracked with no apparent outside impact. Crack originated in the area where the de-icer for the wipers is located vertically in the middle of the windshield. In an approximate 30 minute time frame the crack proceeded vertically up the middle of the windshield at which point it started to move in a horizontal direction toward the driver side directly at eye level.
I was driving to work at 6:15 am and I was stopped at a traffic light with no other cars around me. I heard a light pop sound and realized my front windshield had a huge (approximately 13” ) crack in it.
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.