Illustration1) The seat is cracking on the drivers seat. The vehicle only has 64,000 miles on it. No word from Subaru. 2) Parking collision warning system works part of the time. Dangerous when the system does not detect a person or vehicle in the blind spot.
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
Seats complaints
4 reportsFRONT PASSENGER SEAT SHAKES ON UNEVEN SURFACES, WHEREBY APPEARING UNSTABLE AND INAPPROPRIATELY SECURED TO FOUNDATION OF VEHICLE.
PRIMARILY DRIVER'S SEAT IS NOT COMFORTABLE. BACK PAIN STARTS ALREADY AFTER 30 MIN DRIVE, GET LEGS CRAMPS WHEN YOU STEP OUT OF THE CAR. SEAT CONFIGURATION DOES NOT ALLOW TO ADJUST IT FOR COMFORTABLE SEATING POSITION DUE TO POOR DESIGN. FORESTER 2019 HAS THE MOST ADJUSTABLE SEATS FROM ALL SUBARU LINE, BUT LOOKS LIKE WORSE CONFIG…
Read full complaint
PRIMARILY DRIVER'S SEAT IS NOT COMFORTABLE. BACK PAIN STARTS ALREADY AFTER 30 MIN DRIVE, GET LEGS CRAMPS WHEN YOU STEP OUT OF THE CAR. SEAT CONFIGURATION DOES NOT ALLOW TO ADJUST IT FOR COMFORTABLE SEATING POSITION DUE TO POOR DESIGN. FORESTER 2019 HAS THE MOST ADJUSTABLE SEATS FROM ALL SUBARU LINE, BUT LOOKS LIKE WORSE CONFIGURATION OVERALL. ALL EXISTING ADJUSTMENTS STILL DO NOT ALLOW TO SEAT COMFORTABLY EVEN FOR A PRETTY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IF YOU TRY TO SUPPORT THE BOTTOM PART OF THE BACK, THEN UPPER PART IS NOT TOUCHING THE SEAT AND IN CASE OF REAR ACCIDENT INJURY CHANCES ARE HIGHER THAN AVERAGE. IF YOU ADJUST TO SUPPORT UPPER PART, THEN LOWER PART DOES NOT HAVE ANY SUPPORT AND BACK HURTS ALREADY AFTER 5-10 MIN DRIVE.
THE SEATBELT IN THE BACKSEAT GETS TANGLED AND LOCKS IN AN UPPER POSITION MAKING THE SEATBELT INOPERABLE.I HAVE HAD THE CAR SEVEN MONTHS AND IT HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER , THEY PULL THE STUCK BELT OUT FROM UNDER THE METAL ROLLER,BUT IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN.*DT*JB
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.