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
What owners actually said
833 reports
10,000 miles · Feb 22, 2020
Wheels
TPMS TIRE PRESSURES DO NOT APPEAR ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PRESSURES ARE IN THE COMPUTER, BUT NEVER APPEAR ON THE SCREEN. THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW WHETHER TPMS INDICATES A FUEL ECONOMY ISSUE, OR AN EMERGENCY. THE "LOW TIRE PRESSURE" DISPLAY SHOWS A LARGE BOX ON THE DISPLAY. THAT SHOULD HAVE A NUMBER AT EACH CORNER INDICATING …
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TPMS TIRE PRESSURES DO NOT APPEAR ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PRESSURES ARE IN THE COMPUTER, BUT NEVER APPEAR ON THE SCREEN. THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW WHETHER TPMS INDICATES A FUEL ECONOMY ISSUE, OR AN EMERGENCY. THE "LOW TIRE PRESSURE" DISPLAY SHOWS A LARGE BOX ON THE DISPLAY. THAT SHOULD HAVE A NUMBER AT EACH CORNER INDICATING THE TIRE PRESSURE, IN GREEN FOR OK, YELLOW FOR SLIGHTLY LOW, AND RED FOR EMERGENCY. THIS WOULD HELP THE DRIVER EVALUATE A TIRE PROBLEM AND DECIDE HOW TO DEAL WITH IT SAFELY. TPMS HAS LIT UP WHEN I'M IN THE LEFT LANE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. DO I HAVE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER ASAP, OR CAN I FILL THE TIRES WHEN I GET HOME? WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM, I DON'T KNOW. THIS COULD BE FIXED WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE, NO HARDWARE CHANGES NEEDED.
NHTSA ODI #11310725
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V856000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER LITHIA SUBARU OF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V856000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER LITHIA SUBARU OF FRESNO 5200 N BLACKSTONE AVE, FRESNO, CA 93710 (559) 540-7189 WAS CONTACTED IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11310580
20,000 miles · Feb 20, 2020
Visibility/wiper
MY VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE AND MY WIFE HAD JUST RETURNED FROM WORK. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, SHE HEARD WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS A LOW SCREECH. WHEN SHE LOOKED UP, A LINE WAS FORMING IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO ABOUT 10 INCHES ACROSS TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE HAVE HAD 4 MORE INSTANCES WHERE WE…
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MY VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE AND MY WIFE HAD JUST RETURNED FROM WORK. AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, SHE HEARD WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS A LOW SCREECH. WHEN SHE LOOKED UP, A LINE WAS FORMING IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO ABOUT 10 INCHES ACROSS TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE HAVE HAD 4 MORE INSTANCES WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE CAR AND ANOTHER CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD IS THERE. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 5 LINES OF CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD FROM NO CONTACT.
NHTSA ODI #11310316
10,500 miles · Feb 19, 2020
Seat Belts
BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT ON THERE OWN, DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY MEET THE 49 CFR 571.209 STANDARD FOR RETRACTION FORCE AND ARE MUCH WEAKER THEN LOANER SUBARU OUTBACK.
NHTSA ODI #11310196
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO COLLISION AND THERE ARE NO MARKS OF ANY ROCKS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #11309508
800 miles · Feb 14, 2020
Visibility/wiper
ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING A BRAND NEW FORESTER OFF OF THE CAR LOT, OUT OF NO WHERE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON AN EMPTY HIGHWAY, A 4 INCH HAIRLINE CRACK APPEARED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK ORIGINATED FROM THE OUTER EDGE OF THE GLASS. WHEN CONTACTING MY DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT THE $1,000 REPAIR WIL…
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ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING A BRAND NEW FORESTER OFF OF THE CAR LOT, OUT OF NO WHERE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON AN EMPTY HIGHWAY, A 4 INCH HAIRLINE CRACK APPEARED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CRACK ORIGINATED FROM THE OUTER EDGE OF THE GLASS. WHEN CONTACTING MY DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT THE $1,000 REPAIR WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY OR INSURANCE, EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE ONLY 800 MILES ON THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11309176
10,000 miles · Feb 14, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD ON MY VEHICLE CRACKED OVERNIGHT WHILE SITTING PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THE CRACK BEGINS EXACTLY AT THE TOP DEAD CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDS STRAIGHT DOWNWARD AND IS APPROXIMATELY 16" LONG AT THIS POINT. THERE ARE NO ROCK CHIPS OR DAMAGE THAT CLEARLY LEAD THO THIS FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD WIT…
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THE WINDSHIELD ON MY VEHICLE CRACKED OVERNIGHT WHILE SITTING PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THE CRACK BEGINS EXACTLY AT THE TOP DEAD CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDS STRAIGHT DOWNWARD AND IS APPROXIMATELY 16" LONG AT THIS POINT. THERE ARE NO ROCK CHIPS OR DAMAGE THAT CLEARLY LEAD THO THIS FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 1 YEAR OLD WITH JUST OVER 10K MILES ON IT. I NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA REGARDING THE ISSUE AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE.
NHTSA ODI #11309144
1 miles · Feb 12, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
I LEASED THIS CAR LATE MARCH 2019 AND FROM DAY ONE I SMELLED A GASOLINE LIKE ODOR WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR FOR THE FIRST 5 TO 10 MIN. I'VE HAD BMW FORN10 YEARS AND SUBARU IS NEW TO ME. I THOUGHT THE SMELL WAS NORMAL BECAUSE IT'S A 4WD. AT MY LAST VEHICLE SERVICE AT SUBARU I MENTIONED THE SMELL TO THEM. THEY ULTIMATELY DISCOVERED …
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I LEASED THIS CAR LATE MARCH 2019 AND FROM DAY ONE I SMELLED A GASOLINE LIKE ODOR WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR FOR THE FIRST 5 TO 10 MIN. I'VE HAD BMW FORN10 YEARS AND SUBARU IS NEW TO ME. I THOUGHT THE SMELL WAS NORMAL BECAUSE IT'S A 4WD. AT MY LAST VEHICLE SERVICE AT SUBARU I MENTIONED THE SMELL TO THEM. THEY ULTIMATELY DISCOVERED THAT THE CAR HAS A FAULTY EXHAUST. THEY SAID THE SMELL CAME FROM A PLASTIC BAG THAT THEY FOUND INSIDE THE HOOD OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, MY BROTHER IN LAW HAD OPENED THE HOOD 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL OF CAR BC OF A SOUND IT WAS MAKING AND THERE WAS NO PLASTIC BAG AT THAT TIME. I AM GOING TO HAVE THE EXHAUST REPLACED THIS SATURDAY BUT I WANTED TO REPORT THIS JUST IN CASE THERE ARE MORE CARS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #11308716
6,200 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Electrical System
FREQUENTLY THE REAR TAIL GATE WILL NOT OPEN. SOMETIMES I CAN CONTINUE TO DEPRESS THE BUTTON AND IT WILL RELEASE AND THEN I CAN MANUALLY LIFT IT. THEN I PRESS THE CLOSE BUTTON AND IT WILL CLOSE.
NHTSA ODI #11308486
32,000 miles · Feb 10, 2020
Visibility/wiper
I'VE OWNED MY CAR FOR JUST OVER A YEAR AND MY 3RD WINDSHIELD HAS JUST CRACKED. MY FIRST WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN A SMALL ROCK HIT THE TOP CORNER OF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES IT SPREAD TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND RECALIBRATED, WHICH I HAD TO PAY A $250 DEDUCTIBLE. MY SECOND WINDS…
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I'VE OWNED MY CAR FOR JUST OVER A YEAR AND MY 3RD WINDSHIELD HAS JUST CRACKED. MY FIRST WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN A SMALL ROCK HIT THE TOP CORNER OF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES IT SPREAD TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND RECALIBRATED, WHICH I HAD TO PAY A $250 DEDUCTIBLE. MY SECOND WINDSHIELD EXPERIENCED A CRACKED A FEW MONTHS AFTER BEING REPLACED AND NOTHING HIT IT THAT I'M AWARE OF. THE CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD, JUST UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND BY THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY IT SPREAD TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT TOO HAD TO BE REPLACED AND RECALIBRATED FOR ANOTHER $250. SAFELIGHT ASSURED ME THAT THIS 2ND WINDSHIELD WOULD BE STRONGER THAN THE FIRST. TODAY, WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AFTER WORK, I FOUND ANOTHER CRACK IN THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IT WASN'T THERE THIS MORNING AND NOTHING HIT IT. IT'S ABOUT 6' IN LENGTH AND WILL PROBABLY SPREAD TONIGHT. THEN TO TOP THAT OFF, ON MY DRIVE HOME, DRIVING 35 MPH, A SMALL ROCK WAS KICKED UP FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND HAS NOW PUT A CRACK IN THE CENTER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I'VE NEVER IN MY LIFE EXPERIENCED SUCH A POORLY CONSTRUCTED WINDSHIELD THAT CRACKS SO EASILY. I'M FED UP WITH THIS
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.
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.
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 ↗