2019 SUBARU FORESTER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
1,079
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
87
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2019 SUBARU FORESTER
The 2019 SUBARU FORESTER has received a total of 1,079 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:REAR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. 87 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Visibilitywiper (370 complaints), Unknown Or Other (142 complaints), and Electrical System (131 complaints).
Recalls for the 2019 SUBARU FORESTER
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2019 SUBARU FORESTER, potentially affecting up to 470,301 vehicles.
Recall 21V263000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 408,271 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 19V856000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
| 51,613 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 19V065000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
| 10,417 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2019 SUBARU FORESTER
1,079 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The electrical system fails, and the battery is not charging sufficiently. When the auto start/stop engages, the car does not restart in traffic. Requested a battery test at the dealership in May 2025; was told it could not be done that day because it would require leaving the dealer service shop. Eventually, the electrical system became unstable, and the car stopped in traffic on 11/07/2025. Replaced battery following OEM specs. In February 2026, symptoms reappeared with a new battery failing on 02/15/2026, resulting in all saftey systems failing in traffic when auto start/stop enages.
The electrical system fails, and the battery is not charging sufficiently. When the auto start/stop engages, the car does not restart in traffic. Requested a battery test at the dealership in May 2025; was told it could not be done that day because it would require leaving the dealer service shop. Eventually, the electrical system became unstable, and the car stopped in traffic on 11/07/2025. Replaced battery following OEM specs. In February 2026, symptoms reappeared with a new battery failing on 02/15/2026, resulting in all saftey systems failing in traffic when auto start/stop enages.
The electrical system fails, and the battery is not charging sufficiently. When the auto start/stop engages, the car does not restart in traffic. Requested a battery test at the dealership in May 2025; was told it could not be done that day because it would require leaving the dealer service shop. Eventually, the electrical system became unstable, and the car stopped in traffic on 11/07/2025. Replaced battery following OEM specs. In February 2026, symptoms reappeared with a new battery failing on 02/15/2026, resulting in all saftey systems failing in traffic when auto start/stop enages.
Pipa Rx Aire base latch system appeared to latch when it wasn’t secured to the anchor. I moved the base between vehicles. When reattaching the base, the right indicator clicked and turned green without actually being attached to the anchor. The seat felt secure, but shifted when I removed the carrier, which is when I realized it was not attached. Photo of latch system showing green and of manufacturer information is attached.
While at a Stop as the engine turns off and awaits decompression of brake to turn on again vehicle moves forward bit, then the engine shuts down while in drive (stalls) had a vehicle hit me in rear but luckily I had my trailer hitch on because it saved me from body damage . I had to place in park and restart this has happened several times before and I’m kinda nervous and makes my wife nervous when stopping at lights or stop signs it might turn off in the middle of the intersection. When this occurrence happens all dash lights pop up … I checked engine with code reader after the incidents but it doesn’t give out any info on what could possibly be happening. I had the Dealership change the Thermo control module in 2025 but these occurrences has happened before and after the TCM replacement.Having the dealership check is like wasting my time and money because they aren’t able to pinpoint the cause without a code . There has to be a problem somewhere in the system it’s just that the dealership in Hawaii has no clue ..
Safety Rating for the 2019 SUBARU FORESTER
The 2019 SUBARU FORESTER received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2019 SUBARU FORESTER
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 87 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
09-125-24R — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM), to address concerns of the starter motor not operating.
09-125-24R — ENGINE
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files for the Engine Control Module (ECM), to address concerns of the starter motor not operating.
06-84-22 — SERVICE BRAKES
This bulletin announces availability of a Vehicle Dynamics Control Module (VDC) reprogramming file to address DTC B2809 & B2C22.
16-147-24 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This bulletin addresses limited cases of engine speed drop when the engine is restarted with the auto start/stop function. Updated software available for the Transmission Control Module (TCM), will optimize the engine cranking speed monitoring program of the TCM.
16-147-24 — EQUIPMENT
This bulletin addresses limited cases of engine speed drop when the engine is restarted with the auto start/stop function. Updated software available for the Transmission Control Module (TCM), will optimize the engine cranking speed monitoring program of the TCM.
09-81-21R — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
This bulletin announces design changes made to the fuel injector assembly in response to the DTCs listed.
07-218-23R — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
This bulletin announces availability of a new Genuine Subaru Alternative Replacement Battery introduced to satisfy current supply demands.
07-207-22R — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is extending the New Car Basic Warranty coverage for the 12 Volt batteries used in the above listed models and model years beyond the original three (3) years or thirty six thousand miles (36,000), whichever comes first.
03-89-22R — EQUIPMENT
This bulletin announces the availability of new Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) reprogramming files. In rare cases the EyeSight® system may receive inaccurate brake line pressure data from the VDC causing DTC B280B (VDC Brake Fluid Pressure) to be set.
10-100-21R — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This bulletin announces availability of a new variable displacement type A/C compressor designed to address a small number of customer concerns regarding an excessive sound heard when the system is OFF.
Showing 10 of 87 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2019 SUBARU FORESTER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU FORESTER
- 2014 SUBARU FORESTER — 573 complaints
- 2015 SUBARU FORESTER — 882 complaints
- 2016 SUBARU FORESTER — 594 complaints
- 2017 SUBARU FORESTER — 765 complaints
- 2018 SUBARU FORESTER — 650 complaints
- 2019 SUBARU FORESTER (current)
- 2020 SUBARU FORESTER — 784 complaints
- 2021 SUBARU FORESTER — 265 complaints
- 2022 SUBARU FORESTER — 126 complaints
- 2023 SUBARU FORESTER — 92 complaints
- 2024 SUBARU FORESTER — 34 complaints
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU OUTBACK — 12,068 total complaints
- SUBARU LEGACY — 4,117 total complaints
- SUBARU IMPREZA — 3,406 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU WRX — 1,207 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints
- SUBARU XV CROSSTREK — 354 total complaints