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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.

About this comparison →

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

Visibility complaints

38 reports
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26,000 miles · May 10, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE BECAME AWARE THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE BECAME AWARE THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #11415995

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING HER VEHICLE, HER HUSBAND NOTICED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ON THE WINDSHIELD. SHE STATED THAT THE CRACK STARTED FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE AND EXTENDED VERTICALLY AND A FOOT IN LENGTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING HER VEHICLE, HER HUSBAND NOTICED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR ON THE WINDSHIELD. SHE STATED THAT THE CRACK STARTED FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE AND EXTENDED VERTICALLY AND A FOOT IN LENGTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HER VISION WHILE DRIVING. PRESTIGE SUBARU OF TURNERSVILLE NEW JERSEY (4271 E BLACK HORSE PIKE, TURNERSVILLE, NJ 08012) WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11406654

9,700 miles · Mar 31, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A SMALL ROCK IMPACTED AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER - PREMIER SUBARU OF FREMONT (5601 CUSHING PKWY, FREMONT, CA 9453…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A SMALL ROCK IMPACTED AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER - PREMIER SUBARU OF FREMONT (5601 CUSHING PKWY, FREMONT, CA 94538, (510) 319-5500) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALER ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,700.

NHTSA ODI #11405771

35,900 miles · Feb 11, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AWAY FROM TRAFFIC, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AWAY FROM TRAFFIC, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,900.

NHTSA ODI #11395784

39,011 miles · Feb 9, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND DETECTED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND DETECTED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,011.

NHTSA ODI #11395357

11,537 miles · Jan 22, 2021
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A SMALL PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER HUNTER SUBARU (220 HUNTER AIRPORT DR, FLETCHER, NC 28732, (866) 536-3409) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A SMALL PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER HUNTER SUBARU (220 HUNTER AIRPORT DR, FLETCHER, NC 28732, (866) 536-3409) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,537.

NHTSA ODI #11389363

6,500 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, AN INCH-LONG HORIZONTAL CRACK FORMED OVER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. OVER TIME, THE CRACK SPREAD TO APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, AN INCH-LONG HORIZONTAL CRACK FORMED OVER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. OVER TIME, THE CRACK SPREAD TO APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK OBSTRUCTED HIS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,500.

NHTSA ODI #11376668

1,000 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER SUBARU (1592 NJ-38, LUMBERTON, NJ 08048) WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER SUBARU (1592 NJ-38, LUMBERTON, NJ 08048) WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.

NHTSA ODI #11376508

4,900 miles · Sep 15, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DELAMINATED FROM THE INSIDE, FROM THE ATTACHMENT, WHERE THE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS MOUNTED AND CAUSED THE REARVIEW MIRROR TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE FITZGERALD COUNTRYSIDE SUBARU DEALER LOCATED AT 27365 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DELAMINATED FROM THE INSIDE, FROM THE ATTACHMENT, WHERE THE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS MOUNTED AND CAUSED THE REARVIEW MIRROR TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE FITZGERALD COUNTRYSIDE SUBARU DEALER LOCATED AT 27365 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE CORPORATE WARRANTY, PER THE POLICY OF SUBARU OF AMERICA, THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT A DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,900.

NHTSA ODI #11355187

22,000 miles · Jun 22, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility

WINDSHIELD CRACKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330103

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