2019 Subaru Forester Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 16 Forester years
The 2019 Subaru Forester ranks worst among 16 model years for owner complaints, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 833 complaints. Visibility & Wipers issues dominate at 49% of complaints, and the year carries 3 recalls including a steering and an engine PCV valve recall.
- Complaints
- 833
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 37 / 11
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 33 hwy
Top 2019 Subaru Forester problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers406 (49%)
- Other146 (18%)
- Engine136 (16%)
- Electrical System135 (16%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras45 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain38 (5%)
- Brakes34 (4%)
- Structure & Body29 (3%)
- Fuel System22 (3%)
- Airbags17 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed rear-end collisions, sometimes resulting in injuries such as a fractured sternum or head trauma.
- Multiple owners describe engine compartment fires starting after collisions, including cases where the vehicle was fully consumed by flames.
- Some report fires breaking out after low-speed impacts, with flames spreading within about a minute of the collision.
- Owners describe electrical system smoke and fire following animal-strike collisions, with the vehicle catching fire shortly after impact.
- One owner reported the vehicle unexpectedly moving on its own at low speed and crashing into parked vehicles.
- Lane departure and other automatic safety features were reported to fail during a lane change that ended in a rear-end collision.
2019 Subaru Forester recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V263000Apr 15, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires408,271 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 19V856000Dec 2, 2019Engine51,613 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
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.
Risk: 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 began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
- NHTSA 19V065000Feb 6, 2019Steering10,417 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: 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 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUC-88.
2019 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Subaru Forester a bad year?
- Relative to other Forester model years, yes. It has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest of any year in the 16 years of data, and ranks worst overall, earning an 'Avoid' verdict.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2019 Subaru Forester?
- Visibility & Wipers issues account for 49% of complaints (406 of 833), the largest single category for this model year.
- Does the 2019 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Forester: a rear stabilizer bracket bolt issue, an engine PCV valve that can separate, and an electronic power steering connector that may short circuit.
- At what mileage do 2019 Forester problems typically show up?
- Across all reported issues, the median mileage at failure is 8,575 miles, with Visibility & Wipers complaints centering around 8,375 miles and Electrical System complaints around 7,850 miles.
- How does the 2019 Forester compare to other years?
- The 2019 model has a Complaint Index of 100, higher than the 2015 (87) and 2020 (93) Foresters, which are also rated 'Avoid,' while years like 2012 and 2013 scored much lower at 13 and 7.