2019 Subaru Forester
No clear pattern 20% of complaints about the 2019 Subaru Forester arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2019 vehicle, but with only 1,088 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is visibility / wipers (370 complaints), typically at 1.3 yr or about 8,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 1,088
- Median age at failure
- 2.6 yr
- Median mileage
- 8,800 n=555
- Crash / fire / tow
- 8.1% of reports
- Safety recalls
- 3
21V263000 2021-04-15
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.
Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
19V856000 2019-12-02
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.
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
19V065000 2019-02-06
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.
Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Service brakes 12,000 mi 1.0 yr in service
I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO INSTANCES OF PHANTOM BRAKING, SIMILAR TO REPORTS I'VE READ ABOUT NISSAN ROGUES. ONCE IN JULY, AND ONCE LAST WEEK. IN BOTH CASES I WAS DRIVING AT LOW HIGHWAY SPEED ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON. THE CAR'S "OBJECT DECTECTED" WARNING FLASHED AND BEEPED, AND THE CAR BRAKED AUTOMATICALLY, FOR NO REASON. I SUSPECT BRIGHT SUNLIGHT AND/OR A SHADOW ON THE HIGHWAY WAS TO BLAME
Service brakes mileage not reported 8 mo in service
BRAKES: THE CAR ACCELERATE WITHOUT ANY ACTION DURING DRIVING. WIPER: WIPER BLADE MAKE A NOISE LIKE ITS ABOUT TO FALL APART. SEAT BELT: SEAT BELT INSTALL IN A PLACE THAT( FRONT BOTH SEATS) THERE IS NO SPACE BETWEEN SEAT AND CAR BODY. *TR
Service brakes mileage not reported 3.4 yr in service
My 2019 Subaru Forester experienced an unexpected (random) activation of the pre-collision avoidance automatic breaking feature. While driving on a major city road (dry, sunny, typical Arizona conditions) at approx 40-45 mph the system activated despite there being no obstacle (car or otherwise) anywhere near the vehicle. The nearest car was at least about half a mile ahead. The break force applied was the strongest I have experienced in 24 years of driving. This is not the first time I have experience this issue in this specific vehicle. A similar occurrence happened more than a year ago.
Structure 450 mi 4 mo in service
THE 2019 SUBARU FORESTER WITH THE ELECTRIC REAR DOOR, HAS AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE MANUAL RELEASE MECHANISM FOR THE INTERIOR REAR HATCH DOOR (THE 5TH DOOR AT THE REAR). A LITTLE PANEL HAS TO BE REMOVED USING A SCREW DRIVE TO ACCESS THE MANUAL RELEASE. THERE IS NO SIGN OR INDICATION THAT THE PARTICULAR PANEL HAS THE RELEASE BEHIND IT. IF FOR SOME REASON THERE IS AN EMERGENCY THAT NECESSITATES THE EMERGENCY USE OF THAT REAR DOOR, THE VICTIM WILL NEVER GET THE DOOR OPEN UNLESS (1) THEY KNOW OF THE PANEL AND (2) THEY HAVE A SCREW DRIVER WITH THEM!