2019 Subaru Forester Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2019 Subaru Forester. Part of Generation 5 — 2019–2024.

20182020
Complaints
1,082
Crashes
63
Fires
26
Injuries
30
Fatalities
1
Recalls
3

Worst 2019 Subaru Forester Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1370 complaints

Wipers & Visibility

Avg mileage:9,807 mi
#2132 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:14,476 mi
Crash-related:7
Fires:7
#3106 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:26,864 mi
Crash-related:7
Fires:7
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2019 Subaru Forester.

Wipers & Visibility
370
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
9,807
Electrical Faults
132
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
7
Avg Miles
14,476
Engine Problems
106
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
7
Avg Miles
26,864
Transmission / Drivetrain
37
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
15,077
Visibility:Windshield
33
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
25,486
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
27
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
13,390
Unintended Acceleration
23
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
9,931
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
17,553
Fuel System
22
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
5
Avg Miles
3,780
Brakes
22
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
20,700
Body Structure
22
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
8,181
Airbags
16
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
2
Avg Miles
18,400
Steering Defects
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
11,123
Electronic Stability Control
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
7,218
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Warning
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
11,722
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
53,856
Visibility
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
15,240
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
103,000
Lane Departure: Assist
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
10,000
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
7,500
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2019 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2019 Subaru Forester

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~470,301 vehicles.

21V263000Suspension:rear
~408,271 affected

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.

19V856000Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
~51,613 affected

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.

19V065000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~10,417 affected

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.

Other Subaru Forester Years

2019 Subaru Forester — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2019 Subaru Forester reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2019 Subaru Forester has 1,082 NHTSA complaints, 63 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Wipers & Visibility with 370 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2019 Subaru Forester?
Top reported problems: Wipers & Visibility (370 complaints, avg 9,807 mi); Electrical Faults (132 complaints, avg 14,476 mi); Engine Problems (106 complaints, avg 26,864 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2019 Subaru Forester?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 14,729 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2019 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Subaru Forester include 63 crash-related reports, 26 fire reports, 30 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2019 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 470,301 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2019 Subaru Forester?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2019 Subaru Forester shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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