CarModelProblems.com

2019 Subaru Forester Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Visibility/wiper — runs 8.7× the fleet median for that category across the 325 model-years tracked on this site.
831Complaints
3Recalls
35Crashes
11Fires
20Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Visibility/wiper (44.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Visibility/wiper complaints here are 8.7× the median for that category across the 325 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Visibility/wiper370 · 44.5%No official action
Electrical System132 · 15.9%No official action
Engine106 · 12.8%RecalledRecall 19V856000
Power Train37 · 4.5%No official action
Visibility:windshield33 · 4%No official action
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking27 · 3.2%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

VISIBILITY/WIPER370 · 44.5%
Unspecified / other144 · 17.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM132 · 15.9%
ENGINE106 · 12.8%
POWER TRAIN37 · 4.5%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD33 · 4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING27 · 3.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL23 · 2.8%
SERVICE BRAKES22 · 2.6%
STRUCTURE:BODY22 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 831 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Suspension:rear

NHTSA campaign 21V263000 · 2021 · reported 04/15/2021

Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

NHTSA campaign 19V856000 · 2019 · reported 12/02/2019

An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:electric Power Assist System

NHTSA campaign 19V065000 · 2019 · reported 02/06/2019

Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE. AMBIENT WAS ABOUT 65 DEGREES F. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER WIPER BLADE. I ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED THE…”NHTSA complaint 11270304 — filed 10/22/2019 · VISIBILITY/WIPER
“WE WERE DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND AND THE WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY DEVELOPED A 12 INCH CRACK COMING UP FROM VERY…”NHTSA complaint 11270172 — filed 10/22/2019 · VISIBILITY/WIPER
“THERE HAD BEEN A SQUEAKING / CRACKLING NOISE COMING FROM THE AREA WHERE THE DASH MEETS THE WINDSHIELD. THIS NOISE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS…”NHTSA complaint 11269413 — filed 10/18/2019 · VISIBILITY/WIPER

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1201821620192412020156202116220221592023842024502025152026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Subaru Forester?

Visibility/wiper issues are the most-reported category, cited in 370 of 831 NHTSA complaints (44.5%), followed by unspecified/other issues (144), electrical system (132), engine (106). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2019 Subaru Forester have?

831 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 35 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 20 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2019 Subaru Forester have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 21V263000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2019 Subaru Forester's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.