YearToAvoid

2019 Subaru Forester Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 29 Structure & Body complaints for the 2019 Subaru Forester, about 3% of that year's 833 total complaints. No related recalls are tied to this area. The median mileage at failure was 4,389 miles, pointing to early-life defects rather than wear-related issues.

Structure & Body complaints
29
3% of 833
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
4,389 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Power rear hatch fails to open or close, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect/reset to restore function.
  • Windshields crack without impact, including one case involving the heated windshield element cracking the glass while parked.
  • Rear seatbelt gets tangled and locks in an upper position, making it inoperable and repeating despite dealer service.
  • Rattling noise comes from the rear passenger seatbelt compartment and seat area over rough pavement.
  • Front passenger seat shakes on uneven surfaces, suggesting it is not securely mounted to the vehicle floor.
  • Rear quarter glass has cracked along with recurring power gate problems on newly delivered vehicles.

When 2019 Subaru Forester body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 20, 2019, latest Jun 4, 2025.

2019 Subaru Forester structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month2Jan 2019Jun 2019Dec 2019Mar 2020Jan 2021Oct 2021Aug 2022Mar 2025
29 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2019 to Jun 2025; peak May 2019 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2019 Subaru Forester

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Structure & Body complaints by Forester model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201081 (31%)
  2. 201113 (9%)
  3. 20126 (6%)
  4. 20134 (5%)
  5. 201442 (10%)
  6. 201543 (7%)
  7. 201634 (8%)
  8. 201749 (8%)
  9. 201844 (9%)
  10. 201929 (3%)
  11. 202020 (3%)
  12. 20214 (2%)
  13. 20223 (3%)
  14. 20236 (8%)
  15. 20242 (7%)
  16. 20253 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2019 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA lists 29 Structure & Body complaints for the 2019 Forester, which is about 3% of the 833 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2019 Subaru Forester's body or structure?
No. NHTSA's data shows no related recalls tied to the Structure & Body complaints for the 2019 Forester.
At what mileage do these structure and body problems show up?
The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2019 Forester is 4,389 miles, indicating most issues appeared early in ownership.
What are the most common structure and body complaints on the 2019 Forester?
Owners most often report a power rear hatch that won't open, windshield cracking without impact, rear seatbelts that lock up, and seats that rattle or shake on rough roads.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to Structure & Body complaints?
Among the 29 Structure & Body complaints, NHTSA records 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.