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ProblemsByVin File / 2019-SUBARU-FORESTER
2019 · subaru

subaru Forester problems

3 safety recalls. 829 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.2 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

visibility
387 reports · avg $350
moderate
electrical
117 reports · avg $850
severe
engine
60 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
38 reports · avg $2,500
severe
body
18 reports · avg $1,500
severe
airbags
14 reports · avg $1,100
severe
brakes
13 reports · avg $450
severe
cruise control
13 reports · avg $600
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2019 Forester · electrical
All of a sudden, the eyesight and collision prevention stopped working, the check engine light came on, the blue light thermostat indicator came on. We had no heat. The flashing "S" (sportsmode indicator) came on. We were driving on the highway and still over an hour from…
12/31/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11562800.0
2019 Forester · electrical
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the battery would become drained after three days of the vehicle not being driven. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that the failure was not due to the battery. The contact stated…
12/30/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11445660.0
2019 Forester · visibility
THE CAR HAS 12600ISH MILES. THERE ARE NO ROCK CHIPS, ETC. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY WHEN WE PARKED LAST NIGHT AND NOW THERE IS A 6 INCH CRACK COMING FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER. THERE WERE NO INSTANCES OF ROCKS, DRIVING OVER BUMPS, ETC.THE CAR…
12/30/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385678.0
2019 Forester · electrical
[XXX], driving home, dark at [XXX] in Airway Heights WA. About 10 mins to home, lights in dashboard suddenly lit (brake, check engine, battery icon, water temp icon, 2 yellow colored pictures that had the word “off”, park, ABS, exclamation point next to a circle that had a…
12/29/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11632986.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 21V263000 15/04/2021

Subaru of America, Inc

Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 19V065000 06/02/2019

Subaru of America, Inc

Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 19V856000 02/12/2019

Subaru of America, Inc

An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2019 Subaru Forester reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 829 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Subaru Forester has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2019 Subaru Forester?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 387 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Subaru Forester has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 Subaru Forester?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 829 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 16 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with subaru. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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