NHTSA has 834 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Subaru Forester, received from 2018 to 2026. The most-reported system is visibility and wipers (406 complaints, 49%), followed by unknown or other (144) and electrical system (134). Owners reported 37 crashes, 11 fires, 21 injuries and 1 death. Median mileage at failure: 8,575 miles. Complaints peaked in 2020, with 203 received that year. 3 safety recalls cover this model year.
834NHTSA complaints
3safety recalls
37crashes reported
11fires reported
21injuries
1deaths
Quick answers
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Subaru Forester?
Owners report visibility and wipers problems most often: 406 of 834 NHTSA complaints (49%), followed by electrical system (134) and engine (111).
How many recalls does the 2019 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2019 Subaru Forester. The most recent is 21V263000 (suspension, 2021-04-15).
At what mileage do 2019 Subaru Forester problems happen?
The median mileage at failure is 8,575 miles, across 468 complaints that reported mileage.
Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 2019 Subaru Forester?
Yes. Owners reported 37 crashes, 11 fires, 21 injuries and 1 death in NHTSA complaints.
Problems by system
System
Complaints
Share
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Median miles
Visibility and wipers
406
49%
0
0
0
8,375
Unknown or other
144
17%
4
3
0
6,579
Electrical system
134
16%
7
7
1
8,700
Engine
111
13%
7
7
0
28,500
Forward collision avoidance
43
5%
3
0
0
14,450
Power train
38
5%
5
0
1
14,000
Speed control
27
3%
6
0
5
12,000
Service brakes
26
3%
9
0
2
22,500
Structure
25
3%
2
1
1
5,344
Fuel system
22
3%
4
5
0
3,500
Air bags
17
2%
11
2
13
13,099
Lane departure
16
2%
1
1
1
14,000
Steering
14
2%
0
0
0
10,000
Electronic stability control
10
1%
1
0
0
2,458
Seat belts
6
1%
3
0
5
11,250
Suspension
6
1%
1
0
0
53,855
Wheels
6
1%
1
0
0
7,500
Backover prevention
4
<1%
0
0
0
–
Seats
4
<1%
0
0
0
2,000
Equipment
2
<1%
1
0
1
10,959
Exterior lighting
2
<1%
0
0
0
100
Tether
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
In May 2025, I had the passenger-side mirror on my 2019 Subaru Forester replaced at a licensed Subaru dealership. I was told the replacement part would be factory-original and matched to the vehicle’s VIN, which specifies a dark metallic grey exterior. After the repair was completed, I noticed…
Visibility and wipers · NHTSA complaint 11664785, received 2025-06-04
I started my car and turned on the windshield wipers and fluid to clear the windshield. Within a few seconds of wiping the windshield, I heard a pop and a crack directly down the center of the windshield starting at the top developed along the line of the eyesight system and rearview mirror mount.…
Visibility and wipers · NHTSA complaint 11593014, received 2024-06-07
We have replaced the battery twice and likely will need a third battery soon. I have learned that there is a known issue with the DCM trying to connect using 3G. This is causing a parasitic drain on the battery. The vehicle will fail to start. This has occurred many times over the last few years.…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11729108, received 2026-04-03
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, with several unknown warning lights intermittently illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11723269, received 2026-03-10
While at a Stop as the engine turns off and awaits decompression of brake to turn on again vehicle moves forward bit, then the engine shuts down while in drive (stalls) had a vehicle hit me in rear but luckily I had my trailer hitch on because it saved me from body damage . I had to place in park…
Engine · NHTSA complaint 11711684, received 2026-01-17
Engine lost power and was misfiring while many warning symbols appeared on the dash. There was a divider separating the lanes. The car coasted to almost to a stop, but the engine chugged enough to slowly turn left at the first opening in the divider and just barely made it off the main road. The…
Engine · NHTSA complaint 11709593, received 2026-01-08
Other Subaru Forester model years
1998 · 101 complaints
1999 · 131 complaints
2000 · 75 complaints
2001 · 139 complaints
2002 · 88 complaints
2003 · 189 complaints
2004 · 219 complaints
2005 · 93 complaints
2006 · 88 complaints
2007 · 74 complaints
2008 · 50 complaints
2009 · 178 complaints
2010 · 262 complaints
2011 · 147 complaints
2012 · 105 complaints
2013 · 78 complaints
2014 · 403 complaints
2015 · 615 complaints
2016 · 415 complaints
2017 · 592 complaints
2018 · 498 complaints
2020 · 603 complaints
2021 · 210 complaints
2022 · 100 complaints
2023 · 74 complaints
2024 · 31 complaints
2025 · 98 complaints
2026 · 29 complaints
Source
Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.