IllustrationMY WIFE AND I WERE RETURNING TO OUR PARKED VEHICLE AND AND THERE WAS AN APPROXIMATE 18 INCH CRACK APPEARING ON THE LOWER DRIVERS SIDE PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. NO CRACK OR ANY SIGN OF DAMAGE WAS VISIBLE BEFORE THAT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT.
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
Visibility/wiper complaints
370 reportsWINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY A SMALL ROCK WHILE DRIVING. FROM A CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD THE CRACK IS NOW ABOUT 1/3 -1/2 OF THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD, AS IT CONTINUES TO EXPAND. CRACK GREW ABOUT 2IN WHILE SITTING INSIDE MY GARGE OVERNIGHT. CRACK CONTINUES TO EXPAND WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY.
STOPPED TO GET GAS AND WHILE WASHING WINDOW NOTICED A 12 INCH CRACK ON WINDSHIELD STARTING FROM REARVIEW MIRROR DOWN. UNSURE WHAT HAS CAUSED THIS CRACK AS WE HAVE ONLY OWNED OUR 2019 FORESTER FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS.
IN UNDER 8 WEEKS MY WINDSHIELD HAS HAD 3 CHIPS AND FINALLY IT HAS CRACKED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. AFTER THE 2ND CHIP I REALIZED THIS WAS NOT BAD LUCK BUT FAULTY PRODUCT. I CONTACTED MY DEALER & THE SUBARU FACTORY WITH NO HELP. THE FIRST 3 CHIPS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE 4TH JUST WARMING UP THE CAR. I…
Read full complaint
IN UNDER 8 WEEKS MY WINDSHIELD HAS HAD 3 CHIPS AND FINALLY IT HAS CRACKED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. AFTER THE 2ND CHIP I REALIZED THIS WAS NOT BAD LUCK BUT FAULTY PRODUCT. I CONTACTED MY DEALER & THE SUBARU FACTORY WITH NO HELP. THE FIRST 3 CHIPS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE 4TH JUST WARMING UP THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND PEBBLES HIT YOUR WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING BUT THE 4TH TIME IT HAPPENED THE CAR WAS STATIONARY
2019 FORESTER PURCHASED 4/19, WINDSHIELD CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY ON 12/13/19
A SMALL PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD ON THE FREEWAY ON THE BOTTOM DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, THIS NOT ONLY CAUSE A CHIP, BUT ALSO A CRACK OVER 12 INCHES LONG. I HAVE NEVER HAD A WINDSHIELD WITH SUCH A LARGE CRACK FROM SUCH A SMALL CHIP. I SUSPECT THE GLASS IS DEFECTIVE.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHILE DRIVING. SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND LEFT A SMALL CRACK THAT SPREAD QUICKLY. REPLACED WINDSHIELD AT SAFELITE. NOW EYESIGHT SYSTEM TURNS OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
JUST AS OTHERS SAID, I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET WITHOUT ANY BIG RIG / TRUCK IN SIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WINDSHIELD GOT A SPOT CRACK, ABOUT PENNY SIZE. CAR IS 2019 SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED.
RETURNED TO VEHICLE FROM GROCERY STORE,PARKED FAR AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLES. TEMP WAS 60 + DEGREES OUTSIDE. RETURNED TO CAR 1 + HRS. LATER TEMP DROPPED TO 30 + DEGREES TO 35. WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED FROM LEFT PLIER MID HEIGHT TO CENTER OF WINDSHIELD REAR VIEW MIRROR HEIGHT. NO OTHER EXPLANATION FOR THE CRACK.
WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE I GOT THE SAME ISSUES AS MANY OTHERS WITH MY FORESTER: DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD, GOT SMALL ROCK HIT RIGHT CORNER OF MY WINDSHIELD. NOTHING HAPPENED THEN, NO CRACK, JUS TINY SPOT FROM THE ROCK. PARKED CAR OVERNIGHT INTO THE GARAGE AND DISCOVERED HUGE CRACK IN THE MORNING, ALL WAY FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TO THE …
Read full complaint
WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE I GOT THE SAME ISSUES AS MANY OTHERS WITH MY FORESTER: DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD, GOT SMALL ROCK HIT RIGHT CORNER OF MY WINDSHIELD. NOTHING HAPPENED THEN, NO CRACK, JUS TINY SPOT FROM THE ROCK. PARKED CAR OVERNIGHT INTO THE GARAGE AND DISCOVERED HUGE CRACK IN THE MORNING, ALL WAY FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE GLASS. I HAD MANY OTHER ROCKS, BIG AND NOT HIT ME BUT I DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT. FOR 20 YEARS OF DRIVING MY WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED ONCE, JUST BECAUSE OF CHIP LOCATION (UNREPAIRED ZONE). THIS IS RIDICULOUS! SUBARU, TAKE AN ACTION ON THIS.
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.