IllustrationTHERE WINDSHIELD WENT FROM FINE, NOT CHIPPED OR CRACKED IN THE EVENING TO HAVING AN 18INCH CRACK IN THE MORNING. NOTHING OCCURRED DURING THIS TIME TO CAUSE THE CRACK. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE BACK OF MY DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT. THE CRACK CONTINUE TO GROW ANOTHER 6 INCHES BEFORE IT WAS REPLACED 24HRS AFTER THE CRACK APPEARED.
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
What owners actually said
833 reportsI HAVE ONLY HAD MY FORESTER FOR 3-4 MONTHS WHEN I NOTICED A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD, I CALLED SAFE LIGHT AND THEY CAME TO REPAIR IT. THEN IT CRACKED ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VERY NEXT WEEK ANOTHER CHIP HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING UNDER 35 MPH. I HAVE TO GET THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND RE CALIBRATED WHICH …
Read full complaint
I HAVE ONLY HAD MY FORESTER FOR 3-4 MONTHS WHEN I NOTICED A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD, I CALLED SAFE LIGHT AND THEY CAME TO REPAIR IT. THEN IT CRACKED ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VERY NEXT WEEK ANOTHER CHIP HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING UNDER 35 MPH. I HAVE TO GET THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND RE CALIBRATED WHICH IS 1,000-2,000 +
WINDSHIELD ARE EASILY CRACK BY DEBRIS ON THE ROAD. AND SAT IN THE SON, IT WILL CRACK. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND A CAR FLICK A ROCK FROM ROAD (CONSTRUCTION AREA) AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND IMMEDIATELY CRACKED. ALSO PRIOR TO THE ROCK CHIP, MY CAR WAS PARKED AT WORK AND WHEN I CAME OUT TO SIT IN MY CAR ON MY BREAK, I NOTI…
Read full complaint
WINDSHIELD ARE EASILY CRACK BY DEBRIS ON THE ROAD. AND SAT IN THE SON, IT WILL CRACK. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND A CAR FLICK A ROCK FROM ROAD (CONSTRUCTION AREA) AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD AND IMMEDIATELY CRACKED. ALSO PRIOR TO THE ROCK CHIP, MY CAR WAS PARKED AT WORK AND WHEN I CAME OUT TO SIT IN MY CAR ON MY BREAK, I NOTICE THERE IS A LONG LINE ON WINDSHIELD AND THERE'S A LINE CRACK
WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWO TIMES IN LESS THAN A YEAR. IN ONE INSTANCE IT WAS A MINOR ROCK CHIP (INCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY NEXT TO CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE) THAT TURNED INTO A FULL-BLOWN CRACK WITHIN 5 MINUTES, IN THE OTHER THERE APPEARS TO BE NO CAUSE (VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, CRACK APPEARED IN AM)
ONE DAY I WAKE UP TO DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK TO FIND A SMALL CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD WITH NO SINGLE REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN
A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHEILD THOUGH THE TOP CENTER , WHERE THE EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY CENTER IS LOCATED, OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT TO CATALYZE THE CRACKING OF THE GLASS.
SINCE OWNING CAR SINCE DECEMBER 2018, I HAVE NOTICED INTERMITTENTLY THAT THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTONS IN THE BACK. ALSO SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT OPEN WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON ON LEFT SIDE OF DASHBOARD. THERE IS A RELEASE MECHANISM ON THE INSIDE REAR DOOR PANEL BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO REACH BECAUSE I…
Read full complaint
SINCE OWNING CAR SINCE DECEMBER 2018, I HAVE NOTICED INTERMITTENTLY THAT THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTONS IN THE BACK. ALSO SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT OPEN WHEN I PRESS THE BUTTON ON LEFT SIDE OF DASHBOARD. THERE IS A RELEASE MECHANISM ON THE INSIDE REAR DOOR PANEL BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO REACH BECAUSE I HAVE TO CRAWL INTO THE REAR OF CAR FROM A SIDE DOOR. I ALSO NEED A METAL TOOL TO OPEN PANEL. I THINK SUBARU NEEDS TO ADD A KEYHOLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF HATCH SO I CAN USE MY KEY TO OPEN IT IN EMERGENCIES.
ON 2/9/19 ABOUT 5PM AFTER CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 20 INCHES LONG ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD JUST COME BACK DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD NOR DID I NOTICE A CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. I HAD THE HEATER AND DEFROST ON ALONG WIT…
Read full complaint
ON 2/9/19 ABOUT 5PM AFTER CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON THE WINDSHIELD ABOUT 20 INCHES LONG ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD JUST COME BACK DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD NOR DID I NOTICE A CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. I HAD THE HEATER AND DEFROST ON ALONG WITH THE WIPERS GOING AT THIS TIME B/C IT WAS RAINING OFF AND ON. THE CRACK LINE WAS NEAR THE HEATING ELEMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD AND CONTINUED HORIZONTALLY TOWARD THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. IT WAS ABOUT 20 INCHES LONG. I BELIEVE THE COMBINATION OF THE WINDSHIELD BEING COLD AND THE HEATING DEFROST MECHANISM BEING TURNED CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. MY INSURANCE, GEICO, REIMBURSED ME FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR $50.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD GOING 45 A SMALL ROCK POPPED UP AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING A CHIP IN IT. I'VE HAD MY FAIR SHARE OF ROCKS POP UP BEFORE AND HIT MY WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING, AND HAVE NEVER HAD ONE THIS SMALL CAUSE A CHIP. IT IS PRETTY MUCH DIRECTLY IN FRONT ON MY EYE SIGHT CAMERAS.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE PARKED 3 WEEKS AFTER O BOUGHT IT. SUBARU REFUSED RESPONSIBILITY, SO I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND RECALIBRATION.
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.