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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

833 reports
23,000 miles · Sep 30, 2021
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal needed to be depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the steering wheel would jerk out of the contact's hand while at a stoplight. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed t…

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The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal needed to be depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the steering wheel would jerk out of the contact's hand while at a stoplight. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that it was normal. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact traded the vehicle in for another vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA ODI #11434992

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2021
Unknown Or Other

on two occasions, when staring from a stop and starting to turn left, the car accelerated on its own. at least once the car's override brake system became active as i was slamming the brake.

NHTSA ODI #11434807

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2021
Electrical System

Battery died.

NHTSA ODI #11434772

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2021
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

My 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

NHTSA ODI #11434274

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2021
Visibility/wiper

Windshield cracked for an unknown reason. This is the second crack and windshield replacement within one year.

NHTSA ODI #11433740

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2021
Electrical System

For the third time my battery has died. After the second time I had them replace the battery. And now it has died again. In the past week (this being Friday) I had driven almost 400 miles, the previous Friday 70 miles, Saturday slightly over 300 miles, and Tuesday 20 miles. It had not been driven for the past two days. The …

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For the third time my battery has died. After the second time I had them replace the battery. And now it has died again. In the past week (this being Friday) I had driven almost 400 miles, the previous Friday 70 miles, Saturday slightly over 300 miles, and Tuesday 20 miles. It had not been driven for the past two days. The lights were NOT left on. I have purchased a battery charger, and this time started the car myself, but it should not happen.

NHTSA ODI #11433382

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2021
Visibility/wiper

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

NHTSA ODI #11432911

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemCrash

On 9/11/2021, i was pulling into a vacant parking spot. I backed into an open area and applied the brakes and shifted from reverse to forward, The car accelerated full open, initially the brakes did not stop the car, I pulled to the left trying to avoid hitting the auto in front of me. I hit the auto on the left bumper, the ca…

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On 9/11/2021, i was pulling into a vacant parking spot. I backed into an open area and applied the brakes and shifted from reverse to forward, The car accelerated full open, initially the brakes did not stop the car, I pulled to the left trying to avoid hitting the auto in front of me. I hit the auto on the left bumper, the car continued to race full open while my foot was on the brake, we moved forward five foot or so and then the car stopped. The air bags did not deploy. The auto that we hit was not occupied and there we no injuries. note; we have not yet made a police report but will soon, so the line is now marked no. we have looked on line and similar incidents have been reported going back 20 years' we are waiting for Monday to have the car towed from our house to ther repair shop, no estimates yet. but the entire front is pushed in.

NHTSA ODI #11432666

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2021
Visibility/wiper

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.

NHTSA ODI #11432578

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2021
Visibility/wiper

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)

NHTSA ODI #11431525

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