VehicleVerdict

2019 Subaru Forester problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,084 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.0 times the median Forester year — the 2019 model ranks #1 of 29 Forester years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 30 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 409 reports (38% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

1,084

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

63

Crash-involved

26

Fires reported

30

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Forester years?

Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted1,084 complaints1998: 138 complaints1999: 156 complaints2000: 95 complaints2001: 169 complaints2002: 109 complaints2003: 238 complaints2004: 270 complaints2005: 105 complaints2006: 121 complaints2007: 89 complaints2008: 67 complaints2009: 228 complaints2010: 307 complaints2011: 195 complaints2012: 140 complaints2013: 94 complaints2014: 576 complaints2015: 891 complaints2016: 609 complaints2017: 787 complaints2018: 669 complaints2019: 1,084 complaints2020: 798 complaints2021: 281 complaints2022: 134 complaints2023: 102 complaints2024: 38 complaints2025: 103 complaints2026: 15 complaints
Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forester years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Subaru Forester problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers40938%
Electrical System14714%
Other14513%
Engine11110%
Driver Assistance807%
Transmission394%
Body & Structure272%
Speed Control262%
Brakes252%
Fuel System222%
Airbags161%
Steering141%
Suspension61%
Seat Belts61%
Tires & Wheels50%
Seats40%
Lighting20%

Does the 2019 Subaru Forester have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V263000SuspensionApril 15, 2021 · 408,271 units

Defect

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

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.

19V856000EngineDecember 2, 2019 · 51,613 units

Defect

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

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.

19V065000SteeringFebruary 6, 2019 · 10,417 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“A small rock chipped the windshield and unlike other windshields, it grew into a crack extremely quickly all the way across the windshield I feel like there is a problem with the Subaru windshields as this occured to other people with Suburaru vehicles I feel like the windshield glass is very thin…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 11, 2023

“ On our way to a vacation in NJ, we were driving on the expressway and a deer jumped over the rail into the hood of the car. The car immediately started to smoke ( dark black). We got out of the car, retrieved two luggage bags, and the car burst into flames. All within 60 seconds of hitting the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 15, 2023 · crash · fire

“IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING FRONT END TO OTHER CAR REAR END ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE AIRBAG SYSTEM DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE ENGINE THEN CAUGHT FIRE IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE ENTIRE CAR BURNED. FORTUNATELY NO INJURY TO DRIVER OR PASSENGER.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 28, 2019 · crash · fire

“MY SON'S NEW 2019 SUBARU FORESTER TOURING BURNED TO A CRISP (TOTAL) ON SATURDAY, 10/19 IN I-95 NEAR NEW ROCHELLE, NY. VEHICLE WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND THE CAR IN FRONT STOPPED AND THEY HIT IT, THEN THEY WERE HIT IN THE BACK, TOO. THEIR CAR BURNED BUT THE CAR IN FRONT AND BEHIND DID NOT. THE CAR IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 19, 2019 · crash · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE AUTOMATIC SAFETY FEATURES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH AND CHANGING LANES, THE LANE DEPARTURE WARNING FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 26, 2019 · crash · fire

2019 Subaru Forester — common questions

Is the 2019 Subaru Forester reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,084 complaints put the 2019 model at #1 of 29 Forester years. It is one of the Forester years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Forester problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (409 complaints), electrical system (147 complaints), other (145 complaints).

Does the 2019 Subaru Forester have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Forester years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Forester years to avoid are 2019, 2015, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2021, 2004, 2003. The cleanest record among Forester years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2019 Subaru Forester?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Subaru Forester earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.