Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
moderate Owners of the 2019 Subaru Forester have filed 60 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 67,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Forester | 72 |
| 2016 Forester | 32 |
| 2017 Forester | 23 |
| 2018 Forester | 14 |
| 2019 Forester (this page) | 60 |
| 2020 Forester | 32 |
| 2021 Forester | 15 |
| 2022 Forester | 4 |
| 2023 Forester | 4 |
Among the 19 model years of Subaru Forester in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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 provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be used when DTCs B1571(REFERENCE CODE INCOMPATIBILITY IMMOBILIZER CM TO ECM) and B1572(IMM CIRCUIT EXCEPT ANTENNA CIRCUIT) are detected by Keyless Access with Push Button Start(KACM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The thermo control valve (TCV) failure dominates complaints across this cluster. Check engine light comes on, EyeSight safety features (collision warning, lane departure, adaptive cruise) shut down automatically, and in worst cases the engine stalls without warning at highway speeds or busy intersections. Owners report dealerships replacing 5–10 per week, and that Subaru issued TSB 09-80-21 in September 2021 plus an extended warranty program in April 2024 instead of issuing a recall. Repair costs range $1,200–$2,500 when out of warranty. One owner's service manager recognized the problem by description alone; another was stuck on a highway rumble strip for 2.5 hours in heavy traffic after sudden stall.
Auto stop/start malfunction appears in a secondary cluster—engine stalls when accelerating from a stop light, forcing manual restart and blocking traffic. Owners report this happening repeatedly over months, sometimes once per week.
A few owners describe complete engine failures: PCV valve separation causing white smoke and catastrophic damage, rod crankshaft bearing failure at 58,000 miles, and one incident of a vehicle catching fire after a collision. One owner's 2019 Forester overheated with oil in the coolant, indicating head gasket trouble. Oil leaks from the engine block also recur even after dealer repair.
Owners emphasize that prior to failure—whether TCV or auto stop/start—they saw no warning, and service bulletins and warranty extensions place the burden on owners to catch and pay for the fix outside coverage windows.
Same Subaru Forester engine reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2021
The thermo control valve fails, triggering check engine light and disabling critical safety systems (EyeSight, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning). Some owners report engine stalling or loss of power; others experience only warning light with reduced functionality. Owners state Subaru issued TSB 09-80-21 in September 2021 and an April 2024 extended warranty program rather than a recall. Multiple owners report dealers replacing 5–10 TCVs per week.
When: 30,000–93,000 miles; some failures occur early (17,000 miles reported), others after 4 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; EyeSight system disabled (collision warning, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control disabled); Loss of engine power or sudden stalling; Heater and defroster malfunction; Engine hesitation or rough running; Multiple warning lights on dashboard; Engine coolant bypass valve fault codes
Codes mentioned: P26A6, P26A3, P26A5
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replace with revised TCV design. Owners cite costs of $1,200–$2,500 when out of warranty. Part availability issues reported in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 09-80-21 issued September 2021; extended warranty program launched April 2024 (not a recall); some repairs covered under extended warranty if within mileage; part redesigned to withstand corrosion.
Auto stop/start function fails to restart the engine after engaging at stop lights or intersections. Engine stalls, requiring driver to place vehicle in Park and manually restart. Occurs repeatedly over months of ownership. Owners report this creates dangerous traffic situations, particularly at busy intersections or on hills where vehicle could roll or be struck by following traffic.
When: 25,000–84,000 miles; recurring issue starting around 25,000 miles in one case, occurring multiple times weekly
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls when attempting to accelerate from stop; Failure to restart automatically after auto stop engages; Dashboard warning lights illuminate; Alarm sounds and instructs driver to place vehicle in Park; Erratic auto stop/start function
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports fuel pump relay and starter replaced on multiple occasions (at 38,126 and 44,770 miles). Another reports low battery was the cause and replacement resolved the issue. Some owners disable auto stop/start via button to avoid problem.
Engine suddenly loses power, stops, or enters limp mode without prior warning while vehicle is in motion (on highway, accelerating, or at intersections). Multiple owners report multiple warning lights and inability to accelerate. Some owners were able to restart after multiple attempts; others remained unable to restart. Incidents occur on busy highways, creating dangerous traffic situations.
When: 34,608–80,000 miles; incidents reported across range including early mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown or loss of power; Multiple warning lights illumination (check engine, EyeSight disabled, RAB off, brake light, etc.); Inability to accelerate or vehicle enters limp mode; Vehicle requires restart attempts to recover; No prior warning signs before stall
Codes mentioned: P26A6, P26A3, Multiple codes (25+ reported in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Many traced to thermo control valve replacement. One owner reports engine codde P26A5 (Engine Coolant Bypass Valve sensor); another reports 25 check engine codes before diagnosis.
PCV valve separates or fails, causing white smoke from exhaust and catastrophic engine damage in some cases. One owner reports engine replacement was necessary; another reports rod crankshaft bearing failure after PCV failure. Owners state failures occur despite vehicle having been serviced under NHTSA Recall Campaign 19V856000 (Engine and Engine Cooling).
When: 122,000–130,000 miles (higher mileage failures); one case at 58,000 miles with rod bearing failure
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke from exhaust pipes; Check engine light; Catastrophic internal engine damage (rod bearing failure, engine noise); Vehicle unable to restart
Repairs/costs cited: Engine short block replacement ($10,676.39 cited for out-of-warranty repair); complete engine replacement reported in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V856000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) previously completed on at least one vehicle, but failures occurred after recall service.
Rod crankshaft bearing fails suddenly at relatively low mileage (58,000 miles), causing loud noises and catastrophic engine failure requiring short block replacement. Owner reports no warning lights prior to failure.
When: 58,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud engine noise becoming increasingly loud; Engine unable to restart; No warning lights prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Engine short block replacement required; cost $10,676.39 (out of warranty by time).
Heater control valve or heater control module fails, causing excessively loud warning alerts and bright dashboard warning lights that startle the driver. One owner reports the condition required vehicle to be pulled over.
When: 79,128 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessively loud audible warning alerts; Bright warning lights on dashboard; Multiple unknown warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Heater control valve replacement performed at dealer.
Oil leaks from left side of engine block. One owner reports repair in December 2020, but leak recurred within 3 months by March 2021. Owner expresses concern that leak will return after warranty expiration.
When: Reported November 2020 and March 2021 (early in ownership); recurring within 3 months
Symptoms owners cite: Visible oil leaking from left side of engine; Oil level drops requiring frequent monitoring
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership service completed December 8, 2020; leak recurred by March 4, 2021.
Vehicle overheats with coolant leaks and smoke visible from engine. Upon inspection, oil is found in coolant system, indicating probable head gasket failure. Owner purchased vehicle from Carvana in May 2024 with initial heating issues that worsened.
When: First noticed May 2024 (heating issue); failure February 19, 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle not heating properly; Frequent coolant loss requiring top-ups; Smoke from engine; Coolant leaking from underneath vehicle; Oil in coolant system
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer mechanic warned owner not to drive due to blown head gasket risk. No repair completed as of report.
Exhaust manifold cracks for no apparent reason in Florida (non-extreme temperature environment), causing toxic fumes to leak into cabin. Owner confirmed issue with Subaru technician and handheld carbon monoxide detector.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Cracked exhaust manifold; Toxic fumes leaking into cabin; Carbon monoxide detected in cabin
A/C system produces whistling or whining noise when air conditioning or heating is running. Subaru attributes issue to expansion valve. Parts reported unavailable at dealership with no timeframe given.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Whistling or whining noise from A/C system; Noise present when A/C or heat running
Repairs/costs cited: New expansion valve needed; parts unavailable.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru of America identified expansion valve as cause; parts on backorder with no ETA.
Vehicle attempts to change lanes on its own, indicating safety-related lane change or steering malfunction. Driver must fight the car to maintain lane position.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended lane change attempts; Vehicle pulling to change lanes without driver input
Electronic parking brake engages on its own or cannot be released, and shift selector fails to respond to driver input, immobilizing vehicle. Owner reports being unable to move vehicle out of Park during power loss incident.
When: During engine stall incident
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic parking brake applies on its own; Shift selector does not respond to driver input; Vehicle immobilized in Park
Repairs/costs cited: Tow truck operator had to disengage wheels and flatbed vehicle.
Vehicle caught fire and burned completely on I-95 after multi-vehicle collision. Owner's son was driving. Vehicle burned while vehicles in front and behind did not, suggesting possible fuel system or electrical issue localized to this vehicle.
When: October 19 (year unspecified)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fire after collision; Complete burn (total loss); Vehicles in front and behind did not burn
Repairs/costs cited: Total loss; vehicle destroyed.
Engine pulses as if stuck between gears or hesitates when accelerating, particularly at speeds above 75 mph or when going uphill. Fluctuations make it feel like engine is about to stall. One owner describes car as driving in 'sport mode' with very touchy throttle.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation when depressing accelerator; Pulsing or surging sensation at 75+ mph; Hesitation especially on uphill grades; Touchy throttle response
Codes mentioned: P26A3
Synthesized from 60 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 60 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 30,000 and 93,000 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 93,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.