This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Subaru Forester electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Subaru Forester have filed 117 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 14,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
117
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Forester | 74 |
| 2016 Forester | 81 |
| 2017 Forester | 92 |
| 2018 Forester | 67 |
| 2019 Forester (this page) | 117 |
| 2020 Forester | 95 |
| 2021 Forester | 30 |
| 2022 Forester | 8 |
| 2023 Forester | 7 |
6crashes
7fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 117 electrical complaints filed for the 2019 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 20 model years of Subaru Forester we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 117.
Owners have filed 117 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change to the Power Rear Gate Drive (PRG) Unit to address rare concerns about a very slight drop immediately after the gate is fully open.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Battery drain dominates the complaints. Owners describe their 2019 Foresters losing charge overnight or within days of sitting parked, even with the ignition off, key fob away, and no accessories running. Multiple owners report being stranded, sometimes repeatedly—one owner documented 21 incidents over three years, another 12 times in a single year. Dealers initially insist batteries test fine, then replace them; the problem recurs. Some owners suspect a parasitic drain tied to the power rear hatch electronics that won't enter sleep mode after shutdown, as mentioned in class-action lawsuit discussions they found online. Subaru service refuses to acknowledge a systemic electrical issue, instead blaming owners for not driving frequently enough or leaving lights on.
Power rear hatch failures run as a close second complaint. The hatch beeps, won't open or close properly, and drains the battery completely overnight as the motor keeps trying to operate. Owners say manual force is required to fully close it, and pressing the button sometimes triggers a three-beep code and refusal to respond. One owner's hatch failed twice in the same vehicle—battery dead both times—yet the dealership claimed no recorded hardware problems when he mentioned an existing class action lawsuit.
Engine stalling and loss of motive power occur mid-drive and at stoplights, often linked to the auto start-stop system. Owners report all warning lights lighting simultaneously (check engine, EyeSight, brake, battery icons, and others), a continuous loud beep, and either the engine dying or the vehicle refusing to accelerate despite the motor running. Restarting temporarily fixes it. One owner experienced this six to seven times in four months, once drifting into traffic without power. The dealer cannot diagnose the root cause.
Thermal control valve failure disables multiple safety systems at once—power steering, emergency braking, cruise control, lane departure warning, and EyeSight all go offline. Water leaking onto wiring under the hood is cited as the cause in at least one case. Owners reference Subaru Service Bulletin #09-80-21 from February 2022 identifying the valve as defective, yet no recall exists.
Eyesight system failures and false activations also appear throughout. The system disables randomly, flashing orange warnings and turning off forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise. One owner found the Eyesight disabled without any camera obstruction, weather, or glare. Several complaints pair Eyesight failure with full electrical shutdown.
Random high-volume audio surges and unresponsive radio controls occur without warning, with one owner unable to turn the volume down for 5–10 seconds. Bluetooth voice distortion and Apple CarPlay connectivity failures appear after remote start via Subaru Starlink app. HomeLink garage door openers won't function when the ignition is off, requiring the engine to stay running.
Same Subaru Forester electrical reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Parasitic Battery Drain / Overnight Battery Depletion
Battery loses charge while vehicle is parked with ignition off, no lights on, key fob removed, and no accessories running. Occurs overnight or within 3–8 days depending on use pattern. Owners suspect electrical components (possibly rear hatch motor or CAN system modules) not entering sleep mode after shutdown.
When: Begins as early as first year of ownership; recurring throughout vehicle life. Examples: 15 months after initial battery replacement; overnight; after 5–8 days of non-use; patterns every 4–6 weeks in one case (21 documented incidents over three years).
Symptoms owners cite: Battery depleted to 0% with no warning light or message prior; No dashboard indicators of low voltage until next start attempt; Vehicle must be jump-started to operate; Low battery warning light illuminates after jump-start; Same drain recurs after battery replacement; Vehicle stranded in garage, driveway, or parking lot
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers initially claim battery tests OK, resist replacement. When replaced (original battery, then replacement battery), issue persists. One owner had battery replaced twice (10/20/20, 5/24/21) with drain continuing 9 times after first replacement and 4 times after second. Another owner was told to purchase a battery tender and drive every 2–3 days. No successful repair documented in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action lawsuit filed in New Jersey regarding CAN system not entering sleep mode. Subaru fighting recall. Service Bulletin references exist online per owner research. Subaru denies systemic issue; blames owner driving habits or claims battery is defective.
Power Rear Hatch / Liftgate Motor Failure with Battery Drain
Power rear hatch fails to open or close, emits three beeps when button pressed (dashboard, key fob, or hatch button), or slams shut violently. Motor continues attempting operation, draining battery overnight. Hatch becomes fully inoperable; manual force required to open or close.
When: Occurs within weeks to months of ownership; recurring. Examples: January–February 2025; November–December 2025 (same vehicle, second occurrence); right after purchase (April–May 2019); within first year.
Symptoms owners cite: Three beeps when power open button pressed; hatch does not open; Power gate slams shut when closing button pressed; Long continuous beep accompanies violent slam; Hatch unresponsive to all button controls (dash, fob, hatch button); Manual force required; button press has no effect until held past three-beep sequence; Vehicle beeps continuously while driving if hatch is ajar; Battery dead the morning after hatch malfunction occurs; Check vehicle function warning message appears; dash icons flash and click; EyeSight system goes offline; Parking brake becomes stiff and hard to engage
Codes mentioned: 29182AA060 (replacement part number cited by one owner)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced battery and part 29182AA060 in February 2025, but issue recurred November–December 2025. Dealership reportedly stated no diagnostic issues found despite replacement. Latch assembly replaced at one dealership (after motor was ordered from Atlanta). Owners report dealer denies coverage under warranty or TSBs despite identical hardware affecting other vehicles from the same year.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action lawsuit mentioned by owners for this specific issue; owner stated their vehicle was not included despite matching the problem. Dealerships claim no hardware/software fix available for robotics to prevent parasitic drain, unlike identical vehicles. Subaru service denies warranty coverage.
Engine Stalling and Loss of Motive Power at Traffic Lights (Auto Start-Stop Related)
Vehicle shuts off or loses acceleration while stopped at traffic light or during stop-and-go traffic, often triggered by auto start-stop system shutdown. Engine either dies completely or won't accelerate despite running. All safety warning lights illuminate; continuous loud beep activates. Restarting engine temporarily resolves issue.
When: Occurs at traffic lights, stoplights, during stop-and-go traffic, and after highway driving (60–80 minutes) followed by city stops. Multiple recurrences reported: 6–7 times in 4 months, 4–5 incidents over 5 months, three times within 2 days, several occasions per owner.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off or stops responding to accelerator input while stopped; All dashboard warning lights flash on simultaneously; Continuous loud beep; EyeSight error light displays; Vehicle loses acceleration; drifts in intersection without power; Check engine light, Vehicle Dynamic Control warning, cruise control disabled; Lane departure warning disabled; automatic braking disabled; Vehicle must be put in park and restarted to regain function; Happens more frequently over time; No warning light or message prior to failure
Codes mentioned: EyeSight error code (generic reference in narratives, not specific OBD code)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cannot identify root cause and claim no problems found. One owner reports battery was replaced per dealer recommendation (EFB battery), but stalling continued. Starts occurring after battery replacement, suggesting electrical rather than fuel/engine issue. No confirmed fix documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state they cannot replicate issue and provide no diagnosis. One dealer suggested battery replacement; another claimed never encountered this issue. No TSB or recall referenced by Subaru. Owners note entire threads online dedicated to this 2019 Forester problem.
Thermal Control Valve Failure (Water Leak onto Wiring)
Thermal control valve fails, allowing coolant or water to leak onto electrical wiring under the hood. Causes simultaneous failure of multiple safety systems and loss of motive power. All warning lights illuminate; steering and braking become inoperable or stiff.
When: Occurs mid-drive at highway speeds (60 MPH, 75 MPH). Examples: 16,600 miles; 47,500 miles; 60,000 miles; around 24,500 miles. One owner noticed after 3 hours of highway driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light, Vehicle Dynamic Control, EyeSight warning lights illuminate; Loss of motive power; vehicle decelerates involuntarily; All safety systems disable simultaneously: steering, braking, cruise control, lane departure, automatic emergency braking, collision warning; Power steering becomes inoperable or extremely stiff; Vehicle will not accelerate despite engine running; Multiple unknown warning lights on dashboard; Loud alarm before lights illuminate; Brake light, oil temperature warning, transmission warning lights illuminate
Codes mentioned: Thermal control valve gasket failure (generic description, no OBD code provided)
Repairs/costs cited: One case: water leaking from thermal valve onto wiring diagnosed and repaired under warranty. Another: gasket for heater control valve identified as needing replacement, but parts unavailable at dealer. Owners reference Subaru Service Bulletin #09-80-21 (dated 2/28/22) identifying defective thermo valve and mandating replacement. One owner cited bulletin shows part defective as of June 7, 2021, yet no recall issued. Repair costs approximately $1,500–$2,000 out of warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru Service Bulletin #09-80-21 issued 2/28/22 directing thermo valve replacement. No recall issued despite bulletin and owner online research showing widespread similar failures. One owner repaired under warranty despite mileage and age. Subaru of America refusing to recall despite thousands of complaints per owners; one owner states dealership cannot estimate when parts will be available.
EyeSight System Malfunction and Disablement
EyeSight driver-assist system disables, flashes orange warning, or shuts off without cause (no camera obstruction, weather, or glare). All EyeSight-dependent safety functions (forward collision warning, lane keep, adaptive cruise, automatic braking) go offline simultaneously with broader electrical failure.
When: Occurs during normal driving, at traffic lights, after remote start via Starlink app, mid-highway drive, and unpredictably. Examples: July 6–8, 2019 (7,321 miles); January 2023; April 2024; after 3-hour highway drive (24,500 miles).
Symptoms owners cite: EyeSight disabled warning light or orange message display; Lane keep assist disabled; Forward collision warning disabled; Adaptive cruise control disabled; Automatic emergency braking disabled; Reverse automatic braking disabled; Lane departure warning disabled; Vehicle Dynamic Control disabled or error indicated; Often accompanied by check engine light and other warning lights; Occurs after remote engine start via Starlink app; System cannot be manually re-enabled; requires vehicle restart
Codes mentioned: EyeSight error (generic, no specific OBD code provided)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented as successful in narratives. One owner attempted to clear error by disconnecting negative battery terminal; error persisted. Dealers state they cannot replicate issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall referenced. One owner noted EyeSight failure linked to broader electrical system cascade failure, suggesting root cause is not EyeSight camera/sensor but electrical architecture. Dealers cannot diagnose.
Broad Electrical System Shutdown (All Systems Fail Simultaneously)
Complete electrical system failure during normal driving or while stopped, affecting power steering, power brakes, engine control, and all safety systems at once. Dashboard lights flash on/off; vehicle loses power and becomes undriveable. Restart may temporarily restore function.
When: Occurs mid-drive at highway speeds (55–65 MPH), during turns, on freeways at night, and while stopped at intersections. Often after highway driving or in specific weather (thunderstorm cited). Examples: 14,000 miles; 17,000 miles; within first 2 weeks of ownership; 119,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously and flash; Power steering fails; turning becomes difficult or impossible; Power brakes fail or become extremely stiff; Engine loses power; vehicle decelerates involuntarily or stalls; Headlights and turn signals stop working; Steering and safety control systems disabled message appears; Loud continuous beep or alarm; All dash icons clicking and flashing; Vehicle unresponsive to accelerator pedal; Restart temporarily restores function, but may fail again shortly after; Check engine, Vehicle Dynamic Control, EyeSight, brake, ABS, oil temp warnings all light simultaneously
Codes mentioned: Multiple simultaneous codes (specific codes not provided by owners)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis varies: water leaking onto wiring under hood (one case, repaired under warranty); thermal valve failure (multiple cases); 'no codes found' / cannot diagnose (multiple cases). One owner drove home slowly with all systems offline. Another waited 3.5 hours for roadside assistance that never arrived; eventually towed. No systematic repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers state no codes found or cannot replicate. Manufacturer notified in some cases but provided no assistance. One owner notes Subaru bulletin #09-80-21 exists for thermal valve but no recall. Subaru service denies safety concern despite simultaneous failure of steering, braking, and driver assistance.
Battery Alternator Charging Malfunction / Software Issue
Alternator fails to charge battery correctly due to software malfunction, causing premature battery failure and repeated jump-start needs. Battery drains despite vehicle being driven regularly and recently.
When: Becomes apparent within months to a year of ownership. Examples: after 2 hours of driving, battery dead at next start; after 25 miles of freeway driving, battery dead overnight; within 5 months of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery requires jump-start after being driven recently; Battery drains despite regular driving and alternator spinning; No warning light prior to failure; Battery light illuminates on restart attempts; Battery tests OK at AutoZone and dealership, but repeatedly fails; Starter fails prematurely (one case: 41K miles, 5 years old)
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru dealership confirmed software malfunction in one case but never performed the software update, despite owner bringing car in for all scheduled maintenance. Starter replacement cost $1,209.13; Subaru covered $800, owner covered $100 (extended warranty). Battery replacement attempted but did not resolve charging issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru dealership acknowledged software malfunction but failed to communicate need for update or perform it. Subaru partially covered starter replacement ($800 of $1,209.13 cost) under case #241016-1801159 after owner escalation. No recall or TSB referenced.
Starter Failure (Presumed Auto Start-Stop Related)
Starter fails prematurely, preventing engine start. Owner believes auto start-stop feature caused excessive starter wear.
When: At 41,000 miles; 5 years old (2019 model).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not start; Battery light illuminates on start attempt; Check engine light and other warning lights on dashboard; Dealer recommended battery replacement first (covered by extended warranty); starter failure identified as secondary issue
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replacement cost $1,209.13. Extended warranty covered battery ($100 or 20% of cost). Subaru agreed to pay $800 toward starter repair after owner contact. Dealer stated starter failure cannot be detected during routine maintenance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru covered $800 of $1,209.13 starter replacement cost (case #241016-1801159). No TSB or recall for premature starter wear. Owner suspects auto start-stop design flaw not acknowledged by manufacturer.
Radio Volume Surge / Audio Electronics Malfunction
Sound system randomly raises to extremely high, distorted volume without user input. Volume control knob and power button become unresponsive for 5–10 seconds. Audio plays at ear-damaging levels with heavy distortion and static.
When: Began one month after purchase (ordered October 2018, at ~24,000 miles). Recurring since ownership began.
Symptoms owners cite: Sound system volume suddenly maximizes at extremely high level; Audio becomes heavily distorted and filled with static; Volume control knob unresponsive; Power button unresponsive; Audio persists for 5–10 seconds before returning to normal; No warning or indication before occurrence; Occurs unpredictably while driving, startling driver
Repairs/costs cited: Taken to dealer multiple times and called Subaru of America. Dealer cannot replicate issue and states 'nothing can be done' if problem does not occur during diagnostic test. No repair attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru of America and dealership unable/unwilling to address. Dealership response: if problem cannot be reproduced during service visit, no repair possible. No TSB or recall.
Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay Connectivity Issues After Remote Start (Starlink)
Voice-over-Bluetooth audio becomes distorted and Apple CarPlay fails to connect or affects radio functionality when vehicle is started remotely via Subaru Starlink app.
When: First noticed January 23, 2019; continued through date of report (July 2019); 7,321 miles on vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Bluetooth voice audio distorted after remote start; Apple CarPlay does not connect or interferes with radio; Effects occur on-and-off and are intermittent; Occurs specifically after using Starlink remote start app, not during manual start
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented in narrative.
Power Rear Hatch Button Failure (Not Opening, Three-Beep Code)
Power rear hatch button (dashboard, key fob, and hatch-mounted button) becomes unresponsive and triggers three-beep error code. Hatch will not open with power; manual intervention required.
When: Occurs after initial hatch operation failure; recurring on same vehicle November 2025.
Symptoms owners cite: Pressing hatch open button triggers three beeps and no action; Dashboard button unresponsive; Key fob button unresponsive; Hatch-mounted button unresponsive; Manual pushing and holding buttons past three-beep sequence eventually allows unlock; Three beeps repeat on each button press until hold-past-beep maneuver performed
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repair documented. One owner's second occurrence (same vehicle, different season) had no fix applied; car towed to dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership reported 'no issues' in diagnostic despite owner mentioning class-action lawsuit for identical problem. Warranty coverage denied.
HomeLink Garage Door Opener Non-Functional When Ignition Off
HomeLink garage door opener button does not function when vehicle ignition is off. Requires engine to remain running to operate, creating safety hazard if driver forgets to use it before shutting off engine.
When: Ongoing issue throughout ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: HomeLink button non-functional with ignition off; Requires ignition on to operate garage door opener; Differs from other vehicle models (Ford, other Subarus) where HomeLink is always powered
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented. Owner notes design is backwards compared to industry standard.
Window Control Malfunction (Automatic Up/Down)
Driver's side window operates on its own, rolling up and down involuntarily after being manually rolled down, until vehicle is restarted.
When: January 16, 2023.
Symptoms owners cite: Window rolls up and down on its own after manual operation; Continues until vehicle is restarted; Resolves after engine restart
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented.
Vehicle Locking Itself with Engine Running (Keyless Entry Failure)
Vehicle locks all doors automatically while engine is running and driver is standing outside, making it impossible to re-enter despite having key. Manual door unlock does not work; key fob does not function.
When: Driver started car in driveway, exited to check something, tried to re-enter and found all doors locked.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle auto-locks while running and unoccupied; Key fob unable to unlock doors; Manual door lock/unlock does not work; Driver locked out of running vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented.
Rapid Clicking Sound from Behind Driver's Side Dash
Loud, rapid clicking sound emanates from behind driver's side dashboard, occurring randomly and with increasing frequency. Does not affect functionality but is distracting.
When: Occurs randomly with increasing frequency.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud, rapid clicking sound from behind driver's dash; Occurs randomly; Frequency increases over time; Does not appear to affect vehicle functionality
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted or documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru service response described as 'equivalent of a shoulder shrug' per owner.
Dashboard Warning Lights Cascading Failure (Multiple Lights Flashing)
Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate, flash on/off, and icons click simultaneously, often accompanied by loud beep. Occurs during driving or at startup. May resolve after restart or persist.
When: Occurs at startup or during normal driving; one case: 12/6 at 3:30 PM, recurring 12/7 through 12/8.
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard warning lights come on simultaneously; Icons flashing and clicking on dashboard and control panels; Brake light, check engine, battery, water temp, ABS, park icons illuminate; Loud continuous beep; Lights may turn off then come back on minutes to hours later; Engine may stall or hesitate; Vehicle may refuse to start on first attempt
Codes mentioned: Multiple unknown codes; dealer unable to identify specific codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose. One owner waited 3.5 hours for roadside assistance; vehicle had to be towed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru dispatch told owner 'safe to drive' when described symptoms. No further assistance provided.
Loss of Power While Accelerating (No Start-Stop Involved)
Vehicle loses acceleration response when driver presses accelerator pedal, with engine running but no power delivered to wheels. Occurs at traffic light intersections and on roadways. Vehicle drifts or remains stationary despite pedal input.
When: Occurs at traffic lights and during city driving; at least 6–7 times in 4 months in one case.
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal pressed but vehicle does not accelerate; Engine running but no power to wheels; Vehicle drifts in intersection without power; Vehicle may be in gear but unresponsive; Restart restores function temporarily
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer claims nothing found wrong despite repeated incidents.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable or unwilling to address. Owner notes it's unsafe, especially with other vehicles moving.
Synthesized from 117 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 home. It was snowing, we could not adequately clear the windshield of fog so our visibility was severely compromised. We…
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 that the vehicle was still being driven however, after being parked for several days the battery had to be recharged…
[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 symbol in circle like a Mercedes Benz, and another symbol colored yellow). I kept driving with very little power in the car…
8 days ago I replaced the battery on this car as the lights/radio would come on but it would not start. Today the car is totally dead. It will have to be towed to the dealer whenever the towing companies can get around to it. I believe this one of the vehicles like those in the class action lawsuit.
Had electrical trouble with your 2019 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2019 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 117 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 6,000 and 20,000 miles, with the median around 14,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,000; a quarter make it past 20,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.