ACCIDENTALLY LEFT THE MOONROOF SLIGHTLY OPEN. RAINWATER GOT INSIDE THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTION .
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
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.
What owners actually said
833 reportsNEW CAR - 3 WEEKS OLD AND A 1,000 MILES. DRIVING TO WORK ON A ROUTE I'VE TAKEN FOR 5 YEARS. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON I-195 ON A RAINY MORNING, AND I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHILED BUT I COULDN'T SEE ANY DAMAGE. AFTER WORK WALKING BACK TO MY CAR I SEE A ONE FOOT CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WH…
Read full complaint
NEW CAR - 3 WEEKS OLD AND A 1,000 MILES. DRIVING TO WORK ON A ROUTE I'VE TAKEN FOR 5 YEARS. I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON I-195 ON A RAINY MORNING, AND I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SMALL ROCK HIT THE WINDSHILED BUT I COULDN'T SEE ANY DAMAGE. AFTER WORK WALKING BACK TO MY CAR I SEE A ONE FOOT CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WHICH HAS NOW GROWN TO TWO FEET RUNNING HORIZONTAL. THERE IS A SMALL CHIP JUST BELOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER. THE CRACK HAS GROWN FROM THAT CHIP. VERY FRUSTRATING TO HAVE GLASS BREAK AND CRACK SO EASILY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS I SAW THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH FORESTER GLASS.
I PURCHASED MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER SPORT ON FRIDAY, 4/19/19. ON SATURDAY, 4/20/19 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE RIGHT LANE WITH A PICKUP TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER AHEAD AND IN THE LANE TO MY LEFT. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING, BUT HEARD A CRACK AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE TOP JUST A FEW INCHES FROM CENTER TOWARD THE P…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED MY 2019 SUBARU FORESTER SPORT ON FRIDAY, 4/19/19. ON SATURDAY, 4/20/19 I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE RIGHT LANE WITH A PICKUP TRUCK PULLING A TRAILER AHEAD AND IN THE LANE TO MY LEFT. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING, BUT HEARD A CRACK AND MY WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE TOP JUST A FEW INCHES FROM CENTER TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE DOWN TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. UPON INSPECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD IT APPEARED THAT A SMALL ROCK MAY HAVE HIT THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE TOP IN THE SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS BLACK. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS HIT BY SOMETHING AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE AND PAID THE DEDUCTIBLE TO HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE MONDAY, 5/6/19 AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. ON WEDNESDAY, 5/8/19 WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WITH NOBODY IN FRONT OF ME, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND CORNER UP TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY IMPACT DAMAGE CAUSING THE CRACK. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ON TUESDAY 5/14/19 AFTER THE SECOND WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. AS OF TODAY, THURSDAY 5/16/19 THE WINDSHIELD DOES NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE, ALTHOUGH WITH HAVING TWO WINDSHIELDS REPLACED WITHIN LESS THAN ONE MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, IT APPEARS THERE IS SOME SORT OF PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN OF THE SUBARU VEHICLES AND/OR WINDSHIELDS.
I HAD THE NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER FOR NOT EVEN A MONTH YET, AND I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 5 TIMES REGARD OF POWER REAR GATE NOT OPENING AND CRACKED RIGHT REAR QUARTER GLASS, WHICH OF THE TWO I CONSIDERED MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, BUT THEY DENIED ON BOTH ISSUES BUT COULD NOT PROVIDE ME THE REASON AND PROPER WAY OF HOW THEY'R…
Read full complaint
I HAD THE NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER FOR NOT EVEN A MONTH YET, AND I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 5 TIMES REGARD OF POWER REAR GATE NOT OPENING AND CRACKED RIGHT REAR QUARTER GLASS, WHICH OF THE TWO I CONSIDERED MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, BUT THEY DENIED ON BOTH ISSUES BUT COULD NOT PROVIDE ME THE REASON AND PROPER WAY OF HOW THEY'RE GOING TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM.
FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS NUMEROUS ROCK CHIPS, QUALITY OF THE GLASS IS NOT UP TO PAR AND I'M AFRAID THAT CRACKS WILL START TO FORM SOON. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS SUBARU NEEDS TO BE AWARE THAT THE CURRENT GLASS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH A DURABLE GLASS AND BE ABLE TO RESIST EVERYDAY HITS FROM SMALL DEBRIS ON THE FREEWAY.
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM A SMALL PEBBLE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, TRAVELING LESS THAN 40 MPH WHEN A PEBBLE HIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND PEBBLES BEING THROWN UP FROM THE ROAD. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I CANNOT …
Read full complaint
WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM A SMALL PEBBLE AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, TRAVELING LESS THAN 40 MPH WHEN A PEBBLE HIT THE DRIVER'S SIDE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND PEBBLES BEING THROWN UP FROM THE ROAD. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS WINDSHIELD CANNOT HANDLE DEBRIS HITTING IT. NO DIVOTS OR PITTING IN THE WINDSHIELD, JUST AN IMMEDIATE CRACK THAT GROWS. VERY DISAPPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD.
WINDSHIELD BROKE
HAD CAR ONLY THREE MONTHS. NOW IN ADDITION TO A CHIP THERE IS A GIGANTIC CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT WILL REQUIRE AN EXPENSIVE OEM REPLACEMENT.
WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HIT A VERY SMALL PEBBLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A SKITTLE AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND NEEDS A FULL REPLACEMENT.
WINDSHIELD IS WEAK AND CRACKS VERY EASILY. HAVE HAD IT REPLACED AND FIVE DAYS LATER IT NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN DUE TO CRACK. BOTH TIMES FROM A SMALL ROCK HITTING THE WINDSHIELD ON THE HIGHWAY.
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.
Illustration