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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

27 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2022
Vehicle Speed Control

2019 Subaru Forester 2.5L JF2SKAEC0KH576270 I use cruise control most of the time in all of my cars. Tapping the inc/dec button in my Subaru changes speed in 5 mph increments. This is very dangerous because my other cars use 1 mph increments. My use case is on long climbs I like to slow down my car 1 or 2 MPH as it works hard…

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2019 Subaru Forester 2.5L JF2SKAEC0KH576270 I use cruise control most of the time in all of my cars. Tapping the inc/dec button in my Subaru changes speed in 5 mph increments. This is very dangerous because my other cars use 1 mph increments. My use case is on long climbs I like to slow down my car 1 or 2 MPH as it works harder. When I double tap the Subaru it drops by 10 MPH instead of the expected 2 MPH. I want Subaru the update the PCM firmware to allow the user to switch to compatibility mode where single tap is 1 MPH and Long tap is 5 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11477350

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2022
Vehicle Speed Control

When parking the vehicle has experience unexpected acceleration. this issue has occurred 2 times in the last few months and thankfully I did not hit another vehicle or person. I called the dealer but unfortunately they informed me that unless this happens with a tech in the car they will not replace anything

NHTSA ODI #11470242

21,000 miles · Nov 16, 2021
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

The contact's wife owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that as his wife attempted to park her vehicle into a parking spot, the vehicle independently accelerated while her foot was on the brake pedal without warning. The contact's wife steered the vehicle to avoid hitting other vehicles as the acceleration continued; …

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The contact's wife owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that as his wife attempted to park her vehicle into a parking spot, the vehicle independently accelerated while her foot was on the brake pedal without warning. The contact's wife steered the vehicle to avoid hitting other vehicles as the acceleration continued; she was eventually able to stop the vehicle. Prior to the failure, the contact stated that while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning with her foot was on the accelerator pedal. His wife had to repeatedly depress the brake pedal before the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

NHTSA ODI #11440621

13,099 miles · Jul 16, 2021
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while her mother was driving at 25 mph, the engine revved and the vehicle independently accelerated to 50 mph. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal but the vehicle continued to the accelerator. As a result, the driver went off the roa…

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The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while her mother was driving at 25 mph, the engine revved and the vehicle independently accelerated to 50 mph. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal but the vehicle continued to the accelerator. As a result, the driver went off the road, through a field, crashed into a few tree stumps, and a playground fence. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a sore neck and a couple of bruises but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,099.

NHTSA ODI #11425150

12,247 miles · Feb 18, 2021
EngineVehicle Speed Control

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SLOWLY PULLING INTO APARKING SPOT. CAR RAN OVER AND DISLODGED A PARKING CURB. THE CAR ENDED UP RESTING AGAINST A FENCE. A TOW TRUCK HAD TO PULL THE CAR BACKWARDS TO GET THE CAR OVER THE CURB. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY A THIRD PARTY WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. DAMAGE WAS ESTI…

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UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN SLOWLY PULLING INTO APARKING SPOT. CAR RAN OVER AND DISLODGED A PARKING CURB. THE CAR ENDED UP RESTING AGAINST A FENCE. A TOW TRUCK HAD TO PULL THE CAR BACKWARDS TO GET THE CAR OVER THE CURB. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY A THIRD PARTY WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $1000

NHTSA ODI #11396875

9,000 miles · Dec 28, 2020
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

SATURDAY, DEC 26, AROUND 2:30-3PM I WAS LEAVING ESTES PARK COLORADO, DRIVING DOWN A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD. AT THIS TIME I WAS APPLYING MY BRAKES AROUND THE CORNERS AND , CONSTANT ON/OFF FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. DURING ONE OF THESE BRAKING MOMENTS ON A CORNER MY CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD, AS I'M APPLYING THE BRAKE, FOR 1-2 SECONDS. IT'S…

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SATURDAY, DEC 26, AROUND 2:30-3PM I WAS LEAVING ESTES PARK COLORADO, DRIVING DOWN A WINDY MOUNTAIN ROAD. AT THIS TIME I WAS APPLYING MY BRAKES AROUND THE CORNERS AND , CONSTANT ON/OFF FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. DURING ONE OF THESE BRAKING MOMENTS ON A CORNER MY CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD, AS I'M APPLYING THE BRAKE, FOR 1-2 SECONDS. IT'S LIKE A LURCH FORWARD INSTEAD OF A BRAKE. THEN IT CORRECTED ITSELF AND DID NOT DO THIS AGAIN. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PHENOMENON WHEN DRIVING IN THE SNOW IN 2019. IT OCCURRED 3-4 TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE SNOW APPLYING THE BRAKE FREQUENTLY. THE CAR WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY LURCH FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. EACH TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS I WAS DRIVING WITH ECO MODE ON, PRESSING THE BRAKE FREQUENTLY FOR A DURATION OF TIME. IT'S AS IF THE CAR GETS CONFUSED OR IS TRYING TO SWITCH GEARS. THIS IS MY FIRST AWD VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11385353

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 18 MPH WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED, GOING AROUND A BEND UP-HILL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 18 MPH WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED, GOING AROUND A BEND UP-HILL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOWSER SUBARU (1001 CLAIRTON BLVD, PLEASANT HILLS, PA 15236, (412) 469-2100) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11383708

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK VERY STRONG AND HIGHWAY SPEED IS LOST MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND SUBARU IS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. THE JERKING IS SO …

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WHEN DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK VERY STRONG AND HIGHWAY SPEED IS LOST MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND SUBARU IS NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. THE JERKING IS SO VIOLENT THAT IT COULD BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVERS AND ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD. THE JERKING HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS AND SOMETIMES IT IS MORE STRONG.

NHTSA ODI #11360126

12,000 miles · Feb 25, 2020
Vehicle Speed Control

BASE MODEL SUBARU FORESTER 2019, DRIVER EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE FOLLOWING A GREEN LIGHT IN AN INTERCEPTION. DRIVER HAD TO USE AN EVASIVE MANEUVER (VEER TO THE LEFT) TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE IN THE FRONT OF IT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT DRIVER ENGAGING THE GAS PADDLE. VEHICLE…

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BASE MODEL SUBARU FORESTER 2019, DRIVER EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE FOLLOWING A GREEN LIGHT IN AN INTERCEPTION. DRIVER HAD TO USE AN EVASIVE MANEUVER (VEER TO THE LEFT) TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE IN THE FRONT OF IT. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT DRIVER ENGAGING THE GAS PADDLE. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATE, AND DRIVER HAD TO USE THE BREAK PADDLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION LASTED FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS. AFTER BREAKING TO A ZERO SPEED AT A RED LIGHT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION RETURNED FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES ESPECIALLY FOLLOWING BREAKING. UNINTENDED/SUDDEN ACCELERATION STARTED AFTER 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING AT 7:15AM, OUTSIDE TEMP OF 36F, HVAC ON, WHILE DRIVING A FLAT ROAD. TOTAL TRIP TIME: ABOUT 15 MINUTES. ABOUT SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENT, THE SAME DRIVER EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION WITH THAT SAME VEHICLE. THE DRIVER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY AND REPORTED TO SUBARU ABOUT THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE SERVICE TEAM AT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE VEHICLE OWNER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED AND THUS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE SHOULD BE A LOG ENTRY IN SUBARU DATABASE ABOUT THIS SERVICE VISIT.

NHTSA ODI #11311377

12,000 miles · Feb 22, 2020
Service BrakesStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS PARKING AT A BUSY SKI CENTER, CAR IN DRIVE AS I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO AN OPEN SPACE, CAR IN FIRST ROW OF VEHICLES FACING A SMALL ROAD. THE ROAD CONNECTS THE PARKING LOT WITH THE SKI SHOP . 5 MPH WOULD BE NORMAL SPEED ON THIS ROAD, WHERE PEDESTRIAN SKIERS WALK FROM THE LOT TO THE SKI SHOP. BEFORE I COULD STOP TO TURN OF…

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I WAS PARKING AT A BUSY SKI CENTER, CAR IN DRIVE AS I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO AN OPEN SPACE, CAR IN FIRST ROW OF VEHICLES FACING A SMALL ROAD. THE ROAD CONNECTS THE PARKING LOT WITH THE SKI SHOP . 5 MPH WOULD BE NORMAL SPEED ON THIS ROAD, WHERE PEDESTRIAN SKIERS WALK FROM THE LOT TO THE SKI SHOP. BEFORE I COULD STOP TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING CRAZILY, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. I WAS ABLE TO STEER ONTO THE ROAD, CAR ACCELERATING FASTER AND FASTER, NO BRAKES, NO CONTROL. THERE WAS A SMALL CAR DRIVING SLOWLY SOME DISTANCE AHEAD, AND I WAS GAINING ON IT FAST, A SPLIT SECOND AWAY FROM CRUSHING IT, SO I DELIBERATELY SWERVED INTO A SNOWBANK, HIT SOME TREES, AND THAT FINALLY STOPPED MY CAR. I WAS UNHURT. EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND PASSENGER DOOR DAMAGE FRONT AND BACK, AND ROOF RACK DAMAGE. POLICE CAME TO THE SCENE, CAR WAS TOWED BY FLATBED BACK TO THE DEALER. INSURANCE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. MANUFACTURER WILL EXAMINE THE VEHICLE THOROUGHLY, WILL REMOVE THE "BLACK BOX" TO FIND WHAT WAS THE CAUSE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF BRAKES. THIS EXAMINATION MAY TAKE 4-6 WEEKS. SO FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED. I CANNOT ESTIMATE WHAT SPEED THE CAR REACHED ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ODI #11310740

Official recalls

3

21V263000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems