Owners have reported 34 crashes, 11 fires, 20 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2019 Subaru Forester. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints349
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with windshields spontaneously cracking without any known impact or damage. Complaints describe scenarios where the vehicle is parked or stationary, and a crack develops or expands, often originating from the edges or center of the windshield. Some owners note that these cracks occur shortly after purchasing the vehicle, with one mentioning the issue at six weeks old. Additionally, a few reports indicate that even minor debris can cause significant damage. No crashes or injuries are reported, but the sudden appearance of large cracks could affect visibility, which is a potential safety concern for drivers. This pattern of windshield issues is notable for prospective buyers considering the 2019 Forester.
Owner complaints117
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the windshield, describing it as prone to cracking easily without apparent cause, often necessitating multiple replacements. Complaints also highlight problems with the auto stop/start feature, which sometimes causes the vehicle to shut off unexpectedly at stoplights or in traffic, posing a safety hazard as it can result in sudden stalls or failure to restart. Additionally, multiple owners mention failures of the thermo control valve, leading to issues such as loss of heat and defroster function, and in some cases, contributing to vehicle fires. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges, with some occurring shortly after purchase and others developing over time. Safety implications include the potential for crashes due to sudden vehicle shutdowns and fires, as well as the distraction and visibility issues caused by repeated windshield failures.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints115
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving battery drainage and the auto start/stop feature. Common symptoms include the vehicle failing to start, sudden loss of power while driving, and dashboard warning lights illuminating unexpectedly. These problems often occur at various mileages, with some reports indicating issues even with low mileage vehicles. Safety implications are notable, with several complaints mentioning crashes and fires linked to these electrical failures, as well as instances of the vehicle stalling in traffic. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, as they may impact vehicle reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 6 crash, 7 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints55
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2019 Subaru Forester frequently experiences issues with the thermo control valve (TCV), leading to engine stalling and loss of power. Typical symptoms include the engine shutting down unexpectedly, misfiring, and entering limp mode, often accompanied by multiple warning lights on the dashboard. These issues are commonly reported at mileage ranging from 17,000 to 58,000 miles. Some complaints involve safety concerns, with stalling incidents occurring in traffic, and two reports involve crashes. Additionally, the auto start/stop feature malfunctions, causing the engine to fail to restart after stopping, further contributing to safety risks.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints38
VISIBILITY
Owners report frequent windshield cracking in the 2019 Subaru Forester, often without any apparent impact. Complaints frequently mention cracks appearing while the vehicle is parked or stationary, with some noting the issue occurring shortly after windshield replacement. Many describe cracks forming at various mileages, commonly around 10,000 to 50,000 miles, and in some cases as early as 3,400 miles. There are no reports of crashes or injuries directly associated with these windshield issues, but some owners express concern about visibility obstruction. This pattern of windshield fragility may be a consideration for used car buyers evaluating this model.
Owner complaints37
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the 2019 Subaru Forester's powertrain, particularly involving the Thermo Control Valve (TCV) and the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Complaints commonly mention TCV failures leading to engine stalling, loss of power, and the disabling of safety systems like EyeSight and pre-collision braking, often accompanied by multiple warning lights on the dashboard. These issues typically arise between 50,000 and 75,000 miles. Some owners also describe CVT failures requiring costly replacements. Safety implications include crashes and near-misses due to sudden loss of power or engine shutdowns while driving. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these reported issues and potential repair costs.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints14
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with airbag deployment failures during crashes, with eight complaints involving crashes and several noting that airbags did not deploy upon impact. These incidents often result in injuries, with reports indicating a total of 10 injuries across various complaints. Some owners describe problems with the airbag system's sensors, including the passenger seat airbag sensor failing to detect occupants consistently. Complaints also mention electronic warning lights related to the airbag system activating unpredictably, which sometimes coincides with other system alerts. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 600 miles. Additionally, one complaint details a fire following a crash, adding to the safety implications for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 8 crash, 1 fire, 10 injury reports
Owner complaints13
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the braking system, including unexpected braking activation and brake failure. Complaints often describe incidents of the automatic collision braking system engaging without obstacles, leading to potential loss of control. Instances of brake pedal failure and unintended acceleration are also noted, sometimes resulting in crashes. These issues typically occur at various mileages, with some reports around 20,000 to 50,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as several complaints involve crashes, some with injuries, highlighting the importance of thorough inspection for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints13
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the steering system, notably describing the steering as overly sensitive and twitchy at highway speeds, which requires constant corrections and makes maintaining a consistent path challenging. Several complaints also highlight instances where the steering seizes or becomes stiff, particularly after stalling or during engine shutdowns. These issues are often noted at various mileage points, with some reports as low as 4,000 miles and others around 64,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control, especially in high-speed or emergency situations, as some owners mention difficulty steering away from obstacles or during lane changes. Additionally, there are mentions of the steering wheel locking mechanism failing, leaving drivers temporarily unable to start the vehicle. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers considering a used 2019 Subaru Forester.
Owner complaints13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2019 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with unintended acceleration and vehicle speed control failures. Common symptoms include sudden acceleration when parking or at low speeds, and the vehicle accelerating independently while braking or coasting. These incidents often occur at mileages ranging from 6,000 to 29,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, with two reports involving crashes, one of which resulted in two injuries, and another causing a laceration injury. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential hazards, as they may impact both the vehicle's control and safety.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
