2019 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Subaru Forester has a complaint index of 100, the highest of all 21 model years covered, ranking it worst overall with 833 complaints, 3 recalls, and a top problem area of Visibility & Wipers (49% of complaints).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Forester years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 833
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 37
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 11
- Injuries
- 21
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 1
Top 2019 Subaru Forester problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including rear-end collisions at highway speed, sometimes leading to injuries such as a fractured sternum or head injury from hitting the windshield support post.
- Engine fires were reported after collisions, including cases where the vehicle burned completely following relatively low-speed impacts.
- Electrical system fires reportedly started in the engine compartment or hood area shortly after animal-strike collisions, with smoke appearing within roughly a minute of impact.
- Some owners reported crashes tied to automatic safety features malfunctioning, including a lane departure warning that failed before a rear-end collision.
- One owner described the vehicle moving on its own at low speed and striking parked vehicles.
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 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2019 Forester has a complaint index of 100, the highest of all 21 model years with data, and it ranks worst overall (rank 1) among Forester years, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Forester?
- Visibility & Wipers issues make up 49% of complaints (406 complaints), followed by Engine problems at 16% (136 complaints) and Electrical System issues also at 16% (135 complaints).
- Does the 2019 Subaru Forester have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Forester, covering the rear stabilizer bracket bolts, the PCV valve on the engine, and a steering connector that could short circuit and cause loss of power steering assist. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2019 Forester problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 8,575 miles, with Visibility & Wipers complaints arising at a median of 8,375 miles and Engine complaints at 12,247 miles.
- How does the 2019 Forester compare to other Forester years?
- The 2019 model has the highest complaint index (100) among all 21 years tracked, worse than 2020 (95), 2015 (90), 2017 (85), and 2018 (75), all of which also carry Avoid verdicts.