NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
106 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 6, 2023
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure
4 days ago my Check Engine light came on. In my car, when this happens, it disables all Eyesight features - collision warning, lane departure warning, etc. Work hours being what they are, I drove home that night and back to work the next day with it on. I managed to get it scanned when it popped a code for the Coolant Bypass Val…
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4 days ago my Check Engine light came on. In my car, when this happens, it disables all Eyesight features - collision warning, lane departure warning, etc. Work hours being what they are, I drove home that night and back to work the next day with it on. I managed to get it scanned when it popped a code for the Coolant Bypass Valve. Searching that code online lead me to DOZENS AND DOZENS of forums, posts, stories of the same code popping up on other 2019-2020 Subaru's. They all had to take it in for a hefty repair. It also led me to a Service Bulletin issued last year, which showed that Subaru had rebuilt the TCV so it could withstand corrosion, unlike the previous version. So naturally I took it into my local dealership to have it looked at, and sure enough - the TCV needed to be replaced. WHY HASN"T THIS PART BEEN RECALLED YET??? Given there is no thermostat on my cars dash, I would have no clue whether my car was overheating due to this faulty valve, until its too late. It seems like this is a big potential safety issue that Subaru needs to address, and someone needs to force their hand.
NHTSA ODI #11548626
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
1 . TERMAL CONTROL VALVE 2. TRAVELING OUT OF STATE AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 3. WARNING LIGHT (CHECK ENGINE WAS ON) 4 CONFIRMNED BY DEALER 5. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH BOARDS ON
NHTSA ODI #11546663
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
2019 subaru forester failed thermo control valve. There are literally 1000s of complaints on this issue and SOA refuses to issue a recall. Subaru has issued a bulletin to replace the faulty design with redesigned part. When this fails the car goes into limp mode and all lights come on. Very dangerous and quote frankly completely…
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2019 subaru forester failed thermo control valve. There are literally 1000s of complaints on this issue and SOA refuses to issue a recall. Subaru has issued a bulletin to replace the faulty design with redesigned part. When this fails the car goes into limp mode and all lights come on. Very dangerous and quote frankly completely irresponsible that subaru refuses to recall this failure. I am out of warranty and it's minimum 2k to fix. I have a 2019 vehicle parked that I can't get Inspected and can't afford to fix because Subaru of America is trying to save money. Just a matter of time before this causes a tragic accident before they own up to recall.
NHTSA ODI #11545701
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2023
Engine
Thermo control valve needs replacing at 34k miles. Not covered under warranty. Also needed new tires at 30k miles and now faulty ignition coil
NHTSA ODI #11545203
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2023
EngineForward Collision Avoidance
Thermo Control Valve malfuncitoned, causing check engine light to come on. Car only has 72k miles on it, so dealership (McDaniels Subaru, Columbia. SC) said they couldn't repair under warranty. Even though car has 100K powertrain. To get to this part you have to remove intake manifold, so I don't see how it's not considered part…
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Thermo Control Valve malfuncitoned, causing check engine light to come on. Car only has 72k miles on it, so dealership (McDaniels Subaru, Columbia. SC) said they couldn't repair under warranty. Even though car has 100K powertrain. To get to this part you have to remove intake manifold, so I don't see how it's not considered part of the powertrain. While Check Engine light is on, NONE of the safety features of this car function. From Internet research, this part is going to fail, (part has been redesigned due to this), it's just a matter of whether it fails within your warranty period or not. Mine was not.
NHTSA ODI #11543395
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemCrashFire
On our way to a vacation in NJ, we were driving on the expressway and a deer jumped over the rail into the hood of the car. The car immediately started to smoke ( dark black). We got out of the car, retrieved two luggage bags, and the car burst into flames. All within 60 seconds of hitting the deer. About five years ago, s…
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On our way to a vacation in NJ, we were driving on the expressway and a deer jumped over the rail into the hood of the car. The car immediately started to smoke ( dark black). We got out of the car, retrieved two luggage bags, and the car burst into flames. All within 60 seconds of hitting the deer. About five years ago, same thing happened to my daughter driving a Subaru WRX…. Twice in the same family….no recall?
NHTSA ODI #11537644
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
My wife was driving her 2019 Subaru Forester (purchased new) and the Eyesight disabled and the check engine light came on. The car was still running, but not as it normally would. It had less power but would still maintain the speed limit. At home the car idled differently, like it was running too rich or too lean. The exhau…
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My wife was driving her 2019 Subaru Forester (purchased new) and the Eyesight disabled and the check engine light came on. The car was still running, but not as it normally would. It had less power but would still maintain the speed limit. At home the car idled differently, like it was running too rich or too lean. The exhaust also smelled funny.
NHTSA ODI #11534263
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2023
Engine
My thermo control valve went out while I was on the highway. My car lost power and all safety features. It’s been replaced but should be a recall.
NHTSA ODI #11532995
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2023
EngineForward Collision Avoidance
Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to report a safety issue with my 2019 Subaru Forester, which I believe may affect many other Subaru vehicles as well. Specifically, I have experienced a problem with the thermo control valve, which has caused the EyeSight safety features to be disabled and potent…
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Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am writing to report a safety issue with my 2019 Subaru Forester, which I believe may affect many other Subaru vehicles as well. Specifically, I have experienced a problem with the thermo control valve, which has caused the EyeSight safety features to be disabled and potentially poses a safety risk. I first became aware of this issue when the EyeSight safety features on my vehicle were automatically disabled due to a malfunction. I brought my vehicle to a Subaru dealership for an inspection, and they determined that the thermo control valve was faulty and needed to be replaced. It was alarming to learn that many other Subaru owners had experienced the same issue, and some had even experienced engine failure as a result. The EyeSight system is a driver assistance technology developed by Subaru that uses cameras and sensors to monitor the road and surrounding environment, alerting drivers to potential hazards and providing automatic braking support if necessary. This technology has been recognized as one of the most advanced driver assistance technologies available, and is designed to help prevent accidents and reduce the severity of collisions. The EyeSight system includes features such as adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and sway warning, which work together to provide a comprehensive safety package for drivers and passengers. These features are critical in keeping drivers safe. I am concerned that this issue may be more widespread than initially thought, and that it may pose a safety risk to drivers and passengers of affected Subaru vehicles. The faulty thermo control valve can cause the EyeSight safety features to be disabled, which can lead to reduced safety performance, accidents, and potentially harm to drivers and passengers. Sincerely, Davide Alves
NHTSA ODI #11531679
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine
Over a dozen times now, when at a traffic light, the automatic on/off feature turns the cars engine off. When you take your foot off the brake to reactivate the engine, there is an EyeSight Disabled warning and the car stalls and fails to turn off. You have to turn the car completely off to restart it. I have previously brought …
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Over a dozen times now, when at a traffic light, the automatic on/off feature turns the cars engine off. When you take your foot off the brake to reactivate the engine, there is an EyeSight Disabled warning and the car stalls and fails to turn off. You have to turn the car completely off to restart it. I have previously brought the car into a Subaru dealer for servicing after this happened. It has continued happening since then.
NHTSA ODI #11531636
Official recalls
3Apr 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.
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.
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 ↗